| Author | Message | ||
| pinbacking
Member Username: pinbacking Post Number: 75 Registered: 1-2005 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Trying to buy it now! haha | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1970 Registered: 5-2009 |
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 |
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 |
Yes , Congratulations ! | ||
| pinbacking
Member Username: pinbacking Post Number: 78 Registered: 1-2005 |
Haha, ya! Confirmed purchase, now just waiting for the bank to catch up. :-) | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 962 Registered: 6-2002 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Agreed , My little 91 all maple Essence has a big bellow of a bark like a 120LB Bouvier !  | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 963 Registered: 6-2002 |
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 |
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 |
Nicely done Royce. Congrats! | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1289 Registered: 6-2002 |
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 |
Yeah totally. NW gathering? | ||
| eligilam
Advanced Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 330 Registered: 2-2006 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
