| Author | Message | ||
| hammer
New Username: hammer Post Number: 1 Registered: 9-2009 |
Hello Everyone: After many months of looking I finally snared myself Alembic #1, an 86' Distillate (pics will be forthcoming). The good news is - since I received the bass - I've had the most fun playing in 30 years. The bad news is that I'll probably never play my 73' EB-3 again. Although I initially told my wife that I'd sell it after getting an Alembic to cover the costs, I'm now thinking, "If I sell the Gibson for $XXX.XX...I can then maybe afford Alembic #2. These instruments are addictive. I now understand the "houses of Alembics" I've seen on the forum. | ||
| enzo
Intermediate Member Username: enzo Post Number: 130 Registered: 4-2009 |
Hi Brian, I totally understand the addiction you've been experiencing. Since I bought an Alembic this year, I can't put it down and always looking for more... Welcome to the forum ! | ||
| mario_farufyno
Advanced Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 283 Registered: 9-2008 |
Congratulations, Brian. That is the general Alembicist's feeling. When bought mine I decided to just use it in recordings, but after taking it to a Gig couldn't stop using it even in shows. All my band mates were so enfatic about the great tone and performance I had that night that I can't let it in home anymore. One of them came to me after the show excited saying: - "You was great! Loved your lines tonight and you grooved like hell. What did you made diferent?" Nothing, just played exactly the same I do every night. The diference was they've heard me clearly for the first time. They doesn't let me play without it since then, specially the sound guy... This Bass is great, indeed! | ||
| artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 844 Registered: 7-2007 |
Congratulations Brian and welcome to the forum. LOL, that addictive feeling. I also feel it a priviledge to have an Alembic for a period during my life with so few of them in the world (I believe they are still under 20,000 instruments produced). Enjoy this great group of people here on these boards. Play it Healthy! Art | ||
| hammer
New Username: hammer Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2009 |
Hello Again Everyone: Anyone out there who has recommendations as to flatwound strings that sound good with the Distillate. I've been playing TI Jazz flats for years, but noticed on several threads on the forum that there seems to be divided opinion as to whether they sound good on specific Alembics. The bass came with round wounds from an unidentified manufacturer that just seem way to bright for me given the music we play which runs from the classics (Allman Brothers, Santana and the Dead) to Pearl Jam and Nirvana, to Dave Matthews, Green Day, and at least some of the more tasteful current crop. Than again, after moving to an Alembic from an EB-3 maybe anything would sound really bright. Any recommendations? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8730 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Brian; welcome and congrats! | ||
| krystoof
Junior Username: krystoof Post Number: 39 Registered: 1-2009 |
Hello, Brian! Congratulations from a french Alembic addict. I just can't play anything else but my 5 string Mark King Deluxe, and all the basses I used to own are just like toys, now... Welcome - Bienvenue! All the bass't Xtof | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1095 Registered: 11-2004 |
Brian, Congratulations on the Distillate. In terms of flats- I'm a big fan of Chromes. | ||
| pauldo
Advanced Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 273 Registered: 6-2006 |
Brian - Distillate's are the greatest!!!! (until I can afford the S.C. signature model, then that will be the greatest!) Pictures please - front and back. Welcome aboard - Don't sell the Gibson, you can never have enough basses. | ||
| mario_farufyno
Advanced Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 286 Registered: 9-2008 |
As they say, what could be better than an Alembic? - A new one! | ||
| jameso9
New Username: jameso9 Post Number: 3 Registered: 9-2009 |
Hey Hammer, Congrats! I was lucky enough to get my '83 Distillate in 1986. Til this day I've never played another bass on stage or in the studio (except for my '80 Aria Pro II, when I have to play gigs that require a second bass for drop-down or other tunings). Treat her well and you'll get years, even decades back in return!! The feeling never goes away! By the way, I still have my first bass, a Gibson '61 EB-0... so hang in there! | ||
| southpaw
Advanced Member Username: southpaw Post Number: 235 Registered: 12-2004 |
Congrats Hammer, I also have an '86 Distillate and love it. I have TI flats on my old Fender's but I use rounds on the Distillate but I would agree with tbrannon that Chromes might be better for the Alembic because they are brighter and have a little more tension than TI's. Play it in good health. | ||
| hammer
New Username: hammer Post Number: 3 Registered: 9-2009 |
Hello Everyone: I recently purchased both some TI flats and some Alembics and tried them both out. Right now I like the sound the Alembics a bit better (wow what sustain the Distillate has with the A strings on it) but I'm still getting used to the feel of rounds again after playing flats for so many years. As far as keeping the EB-3...I think my wife has forgotten about it since it's been in its case since the distillate arrived. Getting back to the Distillate and Alembics in general I think someone needs to talk to Mica, Susan and the group about the need to place a warning label somewhere on these instruments. Something like..."Warning!!!The surgeon general has determined that playing this instrument is highly likely to be addictive, it will affect your life in ways that you could never conceive prior to experiencing the instrument yourself." Thus far my personal experience with the Distillate has been far less sleep, more blearly eyed mornings and being late to work on several occasions when I have totally lost track of time. | ||
| pauldo
Advanced Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 288 Registered: 6-2006 |
Brian - Glad to hear you are a junky too! :-D You forgot to mention: "When at work constantly daydreaming of riffs, recordings and cool rumblings" (Message edited by pauldo on October 02, 2009) | ||
| peoplechipper
Intermediate Member Username: peoplechipper Post Number: 154 Registered: 2-2009 |
Congrats on the new distillate! I love my '81, so much that my guitars and other bass are regularly neglected...especially the ones that aren't hanging up...afraid I can't help you with the string choice, I use stainless for maximum brightness and grind...enjoy your bass!! Tony | ||
| goop
Member Username: goop Post Number: 75 Registered: 7-2008 |
Distillates rock. They are the sexiest Alembic bodies and have the best looking head....but don't sell the Gibson. Welcome and enjoy. Colin |
