| Author | Message | ||
| artfahie
New Username: artfahie Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2007 |
I did rock in the 60's, trio jazz in the 70's, and after all these years am ready for the trio stuff yet again. I don't play stand-up but love the sound guys like Richard Davis & Buster Williams got from theirs... especially the sustained gritty "growl"... I play long scale... will any Alembic come close to that "attitude" ? BTW, I use GK amplification and don't need "stereo" outputs. | ||
| willgunn
New Username: willgunn Post Number: 8 Registered: 2-2007 |
Of all the Alembics made, probably the one that would come closest to delivering that sustained, gritty "growl" would have to be the "Classico" electric upright...but I'm sure that's not the answer you were looking for! Let's face it- an acoustic upright bass and a solid-body electric bass (Alembics included) are two VASTLY different creatures in nearly every way. About all they have in common are that they both have strings, and they share a common tuning and pitch range...sort of like comparing a classical guitar and a Strat. Without a doubt, that Richard Davis/Buster Williams-type sustained, gritty "growl" represents the "Holy Grail" of tones for Electric Bassists (myself included) who have been inspired and influenced by the Upright Masters, but have not been inclined to actually take up the Upright as an instrument. For an Electric player trying to approach that sound and "feel", one would probably have to explore the world of "acoustic/electric" basses, such as the Ribbecke-Halfling, for example...and a fretless one at that. Ah, if only it were a matter of picking the right brand/model of instrument to really, truly get that sound out of a solid-body, fretted Electric! | ||
| 2400wattman
Senior Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 404 Registered: 11-2005 |
I have had the pleasure of playing a Rick Turner Renaissance and that thing excels at growly tone. Probably the closest "upright" like tone from an electric. Kind of a one trick pony like a P-Bass BUT what a sound! | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 676 Registered: 12-2004 |
Art, I think that a fretless set neck might be the ticket. Have you tried a fretless Excel? Bradley | ||
| artfahie
New Username: artfahie Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2007 |
I've never played an Alembic.... but between their reputation and looks they're hard not to notice ! I spent years (in the 60's) on a Fender "P" bass, I like the Peavy Cirrus I now have alot... it has a great feel... so no, I've never tried an Excel. | ||
| artfahie
New Username: artfahie Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2007 |
I've never played an Alembic.... but between their reputation and looks they're hard not to notice ! I spent years (in the 60's) on a Fender "P" bass, I like the Peavy Cirrus I now have alot... it has a great feel... so no, I've never tried an Excel. | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1195 Registered: 9-2002 |
It's SSOOOO subjective, but . . . . I'd think it depends on how much 'air' you hear in an upright tone . . . I'm with Will, from a technical viewpoint, I'd think a solid-body might not be what you're after. But then again, one just might hit you. Otherwise, a fretless Ribbecke/Halfling would be JUST the ticket. Not cheap, but I played a fretted one and was thunderstruck as it sounded like an upright with frets. Miles past any of the other Acoustic Bass Guitars out there. I can very easily imagine this in a traditional three or four piece jazz setting sounding just dreamy. Plus you can stay out of the Doghouse moving business! J o e y | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1555 Registered: 4-2004 |
hey joey... waiting on my 5 string ribbecke to be finished #2 fretted though my wolf has a nice growl- ash body may help along with all the other woods.,,,' | ||
| tomlerner
Junior Username: tomlerner Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2005 |
I'm interested in this thread, coz I'm thinking about ordering a short-scale lefty Excel 4-string fretless, and I'm looking for maximum low-midrange growl. I'd be interested to hear Rami's and any other Excel owners' opinions regarding the best wood selection for achieving this. Based on Mica's advice, I'm inclined to go with a Pau ferro fingerboard. I'm also thinking stock ash body, and maybe vermilion or maple top. What body, top and neck woods would y'all recommend? Thanks, Tom | ||
| tomlerner
Junior Username: tomlerner Post Number: 13 Registered: 11-2005 |
By the way, Art, the bass guitar which comes the closest to the vibe of an upright bass, among the ones I've heard, is made by Rob Allen. http://www.roballenguitars.com/ He makes several models, as you will see, including a short scale and a semi-hollowbody. I own the mb-2, and love it for its woody upright-like timbre. I was thinking about getting a Rick Turner Renaissance bass until I had the chance to A/B it with the Rob Allen in a store, and for me the Rob Allen was the hands-down winner. Good luck, Tom | ||
| rraymond
Advanced Member Username: rraymond Post Number: 277 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Tom, I have a 5 string fretless Excel and just sold a 4 string fretless Excel to help pay fot it! LOL! Both basses have the "standard" recipe of vermillion top on ash body, and a neck of maple with walnut pinstripes and pau ferro fingerboard. Both basses are 34" scale and have excellent growl. A short scale may affect the growl factor, and as usual, Mica is probably your best bet for info there! Reid | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1413 Registered: 2-2006 |
When my wife found out that I had ordered a new Alembic I got plenty of growl, from her. LOL | ||
| tomlerner
Junior Username: tomlerner Post Number: 14 Registered: 11-2005 |
Thanks, guys. Yeah, I'm thinking of taking my wife to gigs, for added growl ;-) | ||
| bassjigga
Advanced Member Username: bassjigga Post Number: 216 Registered: 8-2005 |
tomlerner, For low-mid growl, you can't beat a bubinga top on ash. | ||
| tomlerner
Junior Username: tomlerner Post Number: 16 Registered: 11-2005 |
Thanks, bassjigga. | ||
| precarius
Intermediate Member Username: precarius Post Number: 149 Registered: 11-2005 |
tomlerner- I've got an Excel,pau ferro fingerboard, flame maple top, 2 Fatboy pickups and signature electronics (Volume, Pan, 2 filters, and 2 Q-switches) and in my opinion it has the best growl I've ever heard on an electric bass, especially with the bridge pickup soloed. Mike | ||
| tomlerner
Junior Username: tomlerner Post Number: 18 Registered: 11-2005 |
Thanks, Mike. Do you find that the Q-switch on the bridge pickup adds alot to the instrument's growl, beyond the contribution of the woods and the pickups? Tom | ||
| precarius
Intermediate Member Username: precarius Post Number: 152 Registered: 11-2005 |
Tom- Definitely. I usually have the Q-switch on and the filter turned clockwise only about 30%. Also this bass doesn't have a brass bridge block. I don't know if that contributes to the growl factor or not. Mike | ||
| precarius
Intermediate Member Username: precarius Post Number: 153 Registered: 11-2005 |
Here's a picture:  | ||
| rraymond
Advanced Member Username: rraymond Post Number: 280 Registered: 6-2002 |
That's a nice looking Excel! | ||
| tomlerner
Junior Username: tomlerner Post Number: 20 Registered: 11-2005 |
Nice-looking bass, and interesting information. Thanks, Mike. Tom | ||
| artfahie
New Username: artfahie Post Number: 4 Registered: 6-2007 |
Resuming my search for an "acoutic-growly-bitchin'" bass I've spent sopme time on the rob allen site, and now have foud out about the "Wendler electroCoustic Bass"... of course the reviews are great... anybody have a "take" on these instruments, they're certainly different than the Rob Allen line ! | ||
| rockbassist
Intermediate Member Username: rockbassist Post Number: 109 Registered: 8-2005 |
I have to be honest Art, I am not a fan of anything made by Peavey. I have tried them and haven't been happy. If you buy an Alembic you will see a world of difference. When I bought mine I had a Music Man Stingray 5 string. The model was a special color and only made for NAMM. There were only 50 five strings made for NAMM that year. I walked into a Guitar Center which was 40 miles away from my house and saw an Alembic on the wall. I was originally looking for a Modulus or a Pedulla. I got such a great deal on the Alembic that I bought it immediately. I know the assistant manager and he explained that they occasionally get Alembic's in but most of their customers don't know anything about Alembic so he gave me a great deal on a trade for my Stingray. My Alembic is the only bass that I have ever owned and will never sell or trade for anything. | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2560 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hi gang, giving the fact that i DO LIKE contrast my other main bass (I keep having "other main basses") is a Rob Allen MB2 5 string fretless "Chi". She's a "class on her own" and not really "growling" like I think you mean the word! "Growling" depends from wood choice (no experience wiwth), string height versus fingerboard (some say give it air, some say make it as close as possible I didn't figure that out yet), PU position (more bridge than neck definitely), neck/body attachment (set neck is better) and the ability to emphasize on shaping the mid-tones ((which can be done on the (pre)amp and SF-2 or other sound shaping device)). But those are just my thoughts! Paul the bad one |
