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pinbacking
Member
Username: pinbacking

Post Number: 75
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Monday, August 01, 2011 - 7:34 pm:   Edit Post

I'm quite a ways from my custom bass, but of course I daydream about it everyday. What I want out of it is a more aggressive, "mean" sound. I've already decided on set neck, ash body. What I'm really curious about opinions on is what would be the best electronics/pickup configuration for that badass sound. I was thinking 2 fat boys with Europa/rogue electronics, but I really don't know and was hoping for some insight
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 1968
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Monday, August 01, 2011 - 8:57 pm:   Edit Post

If I want GROWL ? I can get that from running stereo with Series I/II Electronics from my D5S-R Alembic Power supply or Alembic IN-2 directly into an Alembic SF-2 Super Filter then to Alembic F-2B then to Crest Power amp to EV 10 " speakers in Mesa Cabs . With your SF-2 Dial in Lower mid range GROWL off the Bridge pickup.

I think if you don't want to spring for "Series Electronics "
"Anniversary Electronics in Stereo " would be nice . I used to bi-amp but recently have gone back to playing Stereo like I experimented with over 30 years ago. The difference NOW is that I have the SF-2 : if you want "mean "that little guy gives "MEAN"! If you want nice it gives "NICE"
If you want ANY sound ________!!!_!_!_!_!_!_! Gives that too ____

Sonic Regards __ bass dreams are fun___

ASH body might work well attack wise on the transient response!

(Message edited by sonicus on August 01, 2011)
rami
Senior Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 960
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2011 - 9:51 am:   Edit Post

I found that in my experiences, the absolute meanest, growliest Bass out there is the basic Excel. Just the most basic version with one pickup - WOW!!!

I fell so in love with it.....well, most of you guys know the rest!

Cheers

:-):-):-):-):-)
pinbacking
Member
Username: pinbacking

Post Number: 76
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2011 - 1:05 pm:   Edit Post

Well, as a matter of fact I want an excel body for my custom, and I've been looking for a four string excel for some time now but they are still so new they're hard to aquire used; probably because whenever one becomes available you take it first ;-)
tmoney61092
Senior Member
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 715
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2011 - 1:37 pm:   Edit Post

perfect timing!

http://cgi.ebay.com/2002-Alembic-Excel-4-String-Bass-Guitar-/180704928935?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a12da64a7

~Taylor
rami
Senior Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 961
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2011 - 4:43 pm:   Edit Post

Somebody buy it already!!! At $1200, it's a steal.

There's no other Bass that's more worthy of every penny. It has the deepest, punchiest, MOST powerful and GROWLIEST tone.


:-)
pinbacking
Member
Username: pinbacking

Post Number: 77
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2011 - 4:56 pm:   Edit Post

Trying to buy it now! haha
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 1970
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, August 02, 2011 - 8:36 pm:   Edit Post

My single pickup Distillate is quite swell as well ! I took it to the 2011 Northern California Alembic Gathering and split the mono signal and processed it as Stereo into my SF-2 and F-2B preamp . The results were favorable as I was told by various individuals. I think that single pickup Alembics shine like no other single pickup Bass could ever wish to ! CYCLOPS POWER !
lol ______
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 1266
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2011 - 10:03 am:   Edit Post

Wow, what a beautiful Excel !!
Did you buy it pinbacking?

That top must look 3 feet deep in person : )

cheers
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 1971
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2011 - 10:09 am:   Edit Post

Yes , Congratulations !
pinbacking
Member
Username: pinbacking

Post Number: 78
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2011 - 7:07 pm:   Edit Post

Haha, ya! Confirmed purchase, now just waiting for the bank to catch up. :-)
rami
Senior Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 962
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, August 04, 2011 - 1:14 pm:   Edit Post

Congratulations, she's a beauty!

I think that when Alembic first produced the Excel, it was meant as an affordable and entry level Bass. Little did anyone realize that this simple no-frills Bass would be such a monster. I absolutely love it.

:-)
erixxst
Junior
Username: erixxst

Post Number: 46
Registered: 3-2010
Posted on Saturday, August 06, 2011 - 7:43 pm:   Edit Post

I'm still selling this one ! It sure give mean tones!

anyone?


http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/97520.html?1312312158
briant
Senior Member
Username: briant

Post Number: 589
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2011 - 2:40 pm:   Edit Post

I've found Essence basses have a very aggressive/growly tone. My "off the shelf" and the custom I had made. They're both outstanding in that regard. And every other regard for that matter. :-)

Both are maple necks with walnut streamers and maple bodies.
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 1990
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2011 - 6:56 pm:   Edit Post

Agreed , My little 91 all maple Essence has a big bellow of a bark like a 120LB Bouvier ! Bouvier
rami
Senior Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 963
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2011 - 8:56 pm:   Edit Post

My evaluation of the Essence is that it has a very bright, very clear sound with excellent sustain and rich harmonics. The classic Alembic sound. But... it's NOT an Excel. The Excel sound is LOUDER, fuller and rounder. It's truly a MEAN, GROWLY, BEASTLY sound that just simply unmatched by anything else.

:-)
pinbacking
Member
Username: pinbacking

Post Number: 82
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 - 7:31 pm:   Edit Post

My New Excel






Havent had the chance to play it on my rig yet so I don't know how it sounds big, but playing it in my recording space its really just as beautifully playing as my Spoiler, but with a tighter midrange pop. I'll describe the sound better when I get to really open it up :-)
billostech
Intermediate Member
Username: billostech

Post Number: 176
Registered: 1-2011
Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 - 4:33 am:   Edit Post

Nicely done Royce. Congrats!
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 1289
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, August 19, 2011 - 2:51 am:   Edit Post

A beauty,
I'm here in the NW , hope to see it live and loud sometime ,

congrats
briant
Senior Member
Username: briant

Post Number: 595
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, August 19, 2011 - 10:16 am:   Edit Post

Yeah totally. NW gathering?
eligilam
Advanced Member
Username: eligilam

Post Number: 330
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Friday, August 19, 2011 - 12:37 pm:   Edit Post

So, what's the verdict on that infamous Excel growl? If I were a betting man, I'd guess that one sounds pretty darn mean...
pinbacking
Member
Username: pinbacking

Post Number: 83
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 7:10 pm:   Edit Post

Well, after playing it on my amp, Ampeg SVT-3 with a SVT 6x10 HLF, I can say that it sounds great! As for "mean", weeell, I guess I might have different thoughts on "mean". I have a new set of Dean Markley Blue Steels on the bass and what I would describe the sound as is ROUND, or FULL, with a sort of fretless stretch. The sound takes up a lot of space, and is naturally warm and bassy.

Like, my spoiler is more articulate sounding, because the neck picks up a thump sound, and the bridge picks up a twang sound, and then puts them together and it seems like there's more "tone" in the note, whereas I can't hear myself as well playing the excel because it's fatter, and it fills the room more. I like it, its just really different for me. All of my basses have 2 PU's and I've never been much of a stingray guy. Perhaps I just need to find my place with it, when I wail on it it gives me great grit, nice and middy and "mean", just like I want, but when I start playing with my fingers it becomes very warm despite that I have a pretty heavy right hand on notes, my other basses don't change tone nearly as dramatically between playing styles. I like it, I think I might add a tone filter to it like I did to a prior Epic, which is a sweet addition.

I've started recording a song with it and it really shines with a pick nicely, I usually dont play with one but it sounds GREAT with a pick

One thing I really like is looking at the fretboard when I play and you see the pau ferro and all the beauty in the wood as you're playing, ebony is awesome but its just one color ;-)

So, AwEsOmE! I have to play with it more :-)
rami
Senior Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 964
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 9:14 am:   Edit Post

Congratulations Royce,

It is THE meanest, growliest Alembic out there.
I find that due to wide aperture Fat Boy PU that it also captures great Harmonics - "Portait of Tracy" - No problem!!!

Many years of enjoyment,

Rami

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

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