| Author | Message | ||
| David Willard (dreamer)
New Username: dreamer Post Number: 5 Registered: 1-2003 |
Hi, I would like some inputs for electronics and types of wood and their affect on appearance. I prefer simple controls without a lot of knobs and switches. But I like tonal versatility. I play mostly hard rock and some occassional blues. So I am looking for a tone that has a lot of bottom, with the occassional high notes. I also throw some distortion and wah in from time to time. With regards to wood, I am looking for a top wood with red as the major color and some black contrasts. I had considered burl redwood, but I have been seeing some very bright cocobolo recently. The Spector I play now is solid maple and the weight gets tiring after an hour or two. I would like something a little lighter. I have considered ash, but the color is so bright and light I think it will take away from dark red and black look that I am trying to get together. Also if there are any Alembic players in or near northern Ohio, drop me a line. I have yet to actually hold and be able to play an Alembic. Thanks. dw711@yahoo.com | ||
| James L. Martin (malthumb)
Junior Username: malthumb Post Number: 50 Registered: 5-2002 |
David, If you are concerned about the weight of the bass, cocobolo may not be the wood for you. I've never heard a better sounding wood (I still think my 5 string is the best sounding bass I've ever heard) but it does make for a heavier bass. As far as getting to hold / play an Alembic, how north are you in northern Ohio? I'm in Detroit. Roughly an hour north of Toledo. | ||
| David Willard (dreamer)
New Username: dreamer Post Number: 6 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks James. I had thought about the density of cocobolo but there are two 5 string Orion with cocobolo and a mahogany core and the advertised weight is 9.5 lbs. The bass I have now is around 11.5 lbs. I don't know how the Orion compares in size to the Europa or the featured special Autumn Delight or to the Spector that I have now, but I think I can get a lot of wood features without going much over the weight that I have now. To answer your question, I am in Sandusky. So I am about 1.5 to 2.0 hours to the metro area depending on where exactly you are. I just moved here from Novi, so I know the metro area pretty well. Sometime on a weekend maybe I can drop you a line and you can show off your goods to me. Any thoughts on electronics? | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Intermediate Member Username: palembic Post Number: 193 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hi David, what about the "Excel" electronics: 1 pick-up with volume, bass and treble. Adding a second pick-up adds lower sounds but will add also a "pan"-pot in this set-up. Maybe than it's a better idea to go for volume, pan, filter and Q-switch? Take care! Paul PS: about woods, I think there are other reddish woods available than coco-bolo. There are people around who would kill me on this but I can also imagine a nice 5A flamed maple with a nice translucent red paint? | ||
| David M. McKenney (david_mckenney)
New Username: david_mckenney Post Number: 2 Registered: 1-2003 |
Howdy! Youngstown, Ohio here. Have you tried your friendly neighbourhood Alembic dealers? There's bound to be a dealer listing somewhere on this website (mind you, I haven't been looking myself, but I also haven't bumped into one, either...). And, I can vouch for the dealer in Kent, Ohio, who has a lovely selection of Alembics in stock (including a RED, RED, RED vermillion-topped 4-string fretless set-neck). My only words of caution for you: ONCE YOU HAVE PLAYED AN ALEMBIC, YOU CAN'T GO BACK TO ORDINARY INSTRUMENTS! There are Alembics, and the rest are planks. Hee hee! Play nice, David McK. | ||
| Matt Bulmer (prime)
Member Username: prime Post Number: 51 Registered: 11-2002 |
USA Dealer Listing: http://www.alembic.com/family/usa_dealers.html There are a number in Ohio. Heed David's caution! No one warned me and I think I shall be forever biased. | ||
| David Willard (dreamer)
New Username: dreamer Post Number: 7 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks for the feedback on Ohio dealers. I just moved here and don't know where all of the towns are. Plus just because a dealer is an Alembic, doesn't mean they are knowlegeable. I lived in Virginia Beach for 4 years and the Alembic dealer there never had an Alembic in stock during the whole 4 years. Paul-I like the idea of simplified electronics and maybe finding my own variation. I have read a few posts from people who really like the Excel sound. Do you have any opinions? | ||
| Paul Lindemans (palembic)
Advanced Member Username: palembic Post Number: 210 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hi there David, I think you should ask Mister EXCELlence about this: our brother Rami. See his collection Excels in the Showcase department. Paul PS: maybe an Excel with just 1 fat-boy and 1volume knob? VERY simple! Than you'll have to put it through a F1-X and a SF-2 (as preamp and filter) you will have a hell-uffa-sound to shape and knobs to tweak but ...a VERY simple bass! ;-) |
