| Author | Message | ||
| bassplaynmatt
New Username: bassplaynmatt Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hello, The name is Matt and I am new to the site. However, I have had an Epic 6 since 1996 and I have loved it more than any other bass I have ever owned. It has been my main axe since I bought it and I have never gone to a gig without it since "96. I have recently started thinking about another Alembic 6 and I was wondering if a move to the Essence series will trill me or if a bigger jump in the market is what I need. I have always wanted to be a "neckthru" kind of guy but I have to say my Epic has served me well. Does anyone have any suggetions? | ||
| bigredbass
Intermediate Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 139 Registered: 9-2002 |
bsplnmt: I can hardly begin to suggest what to get from ALEMBIC's broad range. But I can second you wishing to move to a neck-thru instrument. While the smooth heel is handy for playing in the stratosphere, there has always been a noticeably stronger presence to the fundamental and the first several harmonics in a neck thru for me. I don't know the physics of it all, but I can feel it and hear it. I also prefer the mechanical advantage of the strings fighting the entire length of the instrument, instead of them pulling on a separate neck. My neck thrus have always tended to be easier to maintain action-wise. J o e y | ||
| bassplaynmatt
New Username: bassplaynmatt Post Number: 3 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks for posting BRB (Message edited by bassplaynmatt on September 03, 2003) | ||
| bassplaynmatt
New Username: bassplaynmatt Post Number: 4 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks for posting BRB I have been eyeing the Essence, Rouge, and Europa because I am attached the the wide neck and heavy feel of my Epic. I do agree that the Epic does tend to be a tad bit less round than the neck trough Alembics I have heard. Unfortunately, I am in Bloomington, Indiana and a large selection of Alembics are not at my disposal to try. Does the scaled down version of the electronics on the Essence sound very different from the Epic electronics? Basically, I am trying to see how much I am going to have to spend to get a significant improvement from my Epic. By the way here is a picture of my one and only true love! Matt  | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1105 Registered: 6-2000 |
There is a special bass at Guitar Showcase (San Jose, CA) right now... a fretless Mark King Deluxe in extremely Flamed Walnut. It's got 20th Anniversary electronics and an Omega cutout. Also a Balance Point body shape (the second one we made). If you like 'em big, it might be your next bass! How do you want your next bass to sound different from your Epic (nice looker, BTW)? We've just opened a new dealer in Greenbrae, IN called Guitar Works so soon you'll have a least a few basses a little closer to home. | ||
| bassplaynmatt
New Username: bassplaynmatt Post Number: 7 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica Thanks for the word on the Showcase Bass but I am going to need this one fretted. If you have seen my Introductions thread you know I have a Roscoe fretless 6 and I can barley keep that sucker in tune : ) I was hopeing for something with more depth than my Epic. I love the brightness of the bass but I have a very heavy handed playing style and often times when I am deep in a solo or playing an agressive feel I get a snapy sort of thin sound. Also, The Epic has developed a bit of a hiss in the electronics over the years (I play it pretty much every day and I have to say that for the abuse it has seen it has out lasted all my expectations) so I am hopeing to get an upgrade in the electronics from my next bass that is more resistant to EM and FM hum and other interferance. Finally, I am restricted to keep the cost within reason so a Series I or II is out uf the question. I really would like to shoot for somewhere in the Essence/Rouge range. Any expert advice is greatly appreciated. I will be sure to checkout the Greenbrae store as soon as possible! Thanks Matt | ||
| smokin_dave
Junior Username: smokin_dave Post Number: 34 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hey Matt,cool that you live in B-Town.I live in Indy myself and have a Rogue 5 coming to me in a few hours.Thanks for the info Mica about the new dealer.I'm going to have to look up Greenbrae,never heard of it.There used to be a shop north of Indy called Vic Zinn that carried Alembic but they went out of business.Mars music was where I fell in love with a Rogue 5 a few years ago but eventually, they quit carrying Alembic and they too went out of business.Shame really.Hey Matt,ever go to Nick's?A bartender there works in a band with me.Goes by the name of KB or Kevin.Used to play Uncle Festers also.Good luck in you're hunt for an Alembic 6.Nice Epic by the way.I play an Epic 4 myself. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1106 Registered: 6-2000 |
Matt - I think you might enjoy a Rogue with a Coco Bolo top. Either Mahogany or Ash for the body. From Valentino's expeience, it's hard to hear the difference between those two body woods with a Coco Bolo top. The Coco Bolo is dense so it retains the brightness, but its oils get excited by the bass frequencies and keep a rich bottom end. So your Epic hasn't influenced you to lighten up on your heavyhanded technique? Usually these basses are harsh mistresses in that arena, and they whip their players into a lighter touch. Dave - Vic Zinn was the very first Alembic dealer. After Mr. Zinn passed away, the store held on for a while. I bet you have that bass in your hands at this very moment, and we might not hear from you for a few days while you're getting to know eachother. | ||
| bassplaynmatt
New Username: bassplaynmatt Post Number: 9 Registered: 9-2003 |
Dave, Hey man we should find that bass shop and head up together. I would love to try out some new gear. Mica, I have my eye on an Essence 6 on ebay with "Laminated maple neck tight flame grain pattern, 5 ply with walnut veneers, mahogany body wings with bubinga laminate on the top, bubinga headstock overlays on front and back, MXY56 pickups, volume, pan and low pass controls," how would that compare to my Epic? Matt | ||
| bassplaynmatt
New Username: bassplaynmatt Post Number: 10 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mica, I decided against the Essance on ebay, but I am very interested in The Rouge with a Coco Bolo top. Can you post a picture of anything you have that would resemble this bass? Also, do you suggest the Rouge electronics? Thanks, Matt | ||
| smokin_dave
Junior Username: smokin_dave Post Number: 39 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hey Mica, You sure about that town in Indiana?Can't seem to locate Greenbrae.The only thing I come up with on Mapquest is Green Brae CA. Hey Matt, Sure thing.Just need a location and time off. | ||
| bassplaynmatt
Junior Username: bassplaynmatt Post Number: 11 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hey Dave I asked around and I think there is a store in Greenwood, that could be the place that Mica was talking about. I don't know Indiana that well so I can't be sure. I'll check on it. By the way I played a gig in Indy today at a corporate lunch for Roche Industrys on 96th. Not a bad gig considering the free food and the band was a blast. Worked with a great guitar player named Peter Kienla (a jazz guy from Germany). Do you do the jazz gig thang or are you a Rock/Bluegrass/Classical/or Whatever player? I have done a few rock gigs at Uncle Festers and The Blue Bird. I also play The Chatter Box in Indy. Later Matt | ||
| bassplaynmatt
Junior Username: bassplaynmatt Post Number: 13 Registered: 9-2003 |
Dave, I found Guitarworks in Greenwood and they do sell Alembic but they have nothing in stock so its not much help. Sorry, Matt | ||
| smokin_dave
Junior Username: smokin_dave Post Number: 40 Registered: 10-2002 |
That would make more sense.I bought my Epic at a store in Greenwood in 94'.I went back there a couple of years later and they quit stocking Alembic.Greenwood is really just a burb on the south side.I play whatever is called for on any particular gig that I play although I don't get called for a whole lot of jazz gigs.I'm sort of juggling four different bands at the moment.Since winter is coming along,I hope to settle in to just a couple of steady gigs and maintain a steady cash flow.I mostly play alot of Blues,Rock and really anything that can make a dollar or two.Some consider me to be a bass whore,I just think of my self as a working bass player constantly on the look out for a gig. http://www.larrycrane.net/ Here's a guy who used to live in Bloomington that I work for a couple times a month.He lives in Florida now.You may have heard of Gordon Bonham.I work with him every now and then as well.He lives not too far from B-Town. http://www.kennybrack.com/ I also work with this guy too.Cool guy,GREAT gig. We'll find that store yet.They may have just what you are looking for. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1117 Registered: 6-2000 |
They don't have any basses yet, they just became a dealer this month. Some good stuff's in the oven, but it won't show up for a few weeks. | ||
| davehouck
Intermediate Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 135 Registered: 5-2002 |
Matt, you keep asking about Essence basses; I didn't want to respond since there are others who have more experience with the different models. But maybe this will be of some help. I have an Essence 4 and Essence 6, both fretted; and I have a fretless 5 string bass with Europa controls. The Essence 4 has been my main bass for almost 8 years and my relationship with it continues to grow. To me, the 4 and the 6 sound very different. The 6 is of course much heavier and the neck is much more massive and my guess would be that the extra mass probably contributes to some degree to the difference. The 4 has a Maple neck, Maple body and Maple top. The 6 has a Maple neck, Mahogany body and Walnut top. And I think the different body and top woods also contribute to the different sound. The sound of the 6 is much warmer and has more low end support. The 4 has much more attack. I love the sound of my Essence 4 when the filter is all the way up and the pan is in the middle; it can really sing up the neck in a variety of styles, and down low on the neck sounds great doing slap, rock, blues and more. However, when I roll off the filter, I am not as pleased with the tone; it seems to have more growl than I am often looking for. My experience with my SF-2 and my fretless with Europa controls and some correspondence with others in the group suggests to me that the solution may be the addition of a Q switch. I believe I am correct in saying that the filter in Essence controls has a Q that is "always on". Adding a filter switch would give me the option of turning off the boost that the Q provides at the filter frequency, suggesting to me that the sound should be smoother. You can order a filter switch and install it yourself (or have someone install it for you). I haven't yet because there are other things I would like to do for my bass for which I will have to send it to Mica, if I can ever part with it. (I've been watching for another 4 string so the parting will be easier.) Now, I have not really focused on this as being a problem with my 6; and as mentioned above and due in large part to the reasons mentioned above, the 6 has a significantly different tone to begin with. But, I do not play my 6 anywhere near as much as my 4 and thus I am just not as intimately familiar with its tone. It could be that the tone I'm getting when I roll off the filter is influenced by the fact my bass is all Maple. And it could very well be that its just in my head, a matter of taste; after all there are a number of Essence owners in this group and I haven't read anything like this before. (And it could be my ears which over many many years have suffered significant damage due to feedback caused by inadequate soundpersons and overly loud guitar players.) My fretless 5 with the Europa controls I play even less than my Essence 6. But the additional options of the treble and bass boost/cut switches are very nice. So; the sound of an Essence is very good to begin with, but my guess is that it can be much enhanced with the inexpensive addition of a Q switch. Europa or Signature controls can add much more, but are also going to cost much more. If anyone finds any of the above to be off base, please correct me; or if anyone has a differing opinion, suggestions or additions, I welcome those too. | ||
| bassplaynmatt
Junior Username: bassplaynmatt Post Number: 14 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks for the info from everybody Mica, I will keep an eye on Guitarworks so see if you can get a 6 string out that way. DaveH, Man thanks for all that info. I have been trying to decide if I would dig the Essence considering I would be able to purchase one sooner because of the price difference. My main concern however, is if it will be much of an improvement "tone wise" from my Epic. I know the Neck-trough will help but I am also curious about the electronics so your info helps a lot. Have you played an Epic? Do you have any opinion on the comparison? Do you want to sell your Essance 6? : ) Smokin Dave, Hey its nice to hear you get good work. I am also trying to keep my bands schedules straight not to mention the material. I am playing with a fusion band called Kwyjibo that does Weather Report and Mahavisnu Orchestra tunes, a latin pop band, a three piece original rock group, a punk band I play drums with (mostly just for fun), and any and all sub work I can get. If you ever need a sub let me know. : ) Later, Matt | ||
| smokin_dave
Junior Username: smokin_dave Post Number: 42 Registered: 10-2002 |
Ok,Guitarworks.I have a friend who works there.He didn't tell me they picked up Alembic.Good for them,great for us.I'm going to have to get on down there when the new arrivals come in.Wow,Weather Report and Mahavisnu Orchestra.A couple of my favorites.I picked up a copy of Jaco's instructional tape on DVD over the summer.I wish I had his hand strength.I've been listening to Shakti with John McLaughlin lately.Not much for bass players but unbelievable music.John has a great web site too. http://www.johnmclaughlin.com/ Continued good luck on you're hunt for a new/used Alembic.I really dig my Rogue 5.More than I thought I would really.I took to the Rogue electronics right away.The best sounding bass I've ever played.I still like my Epic but for now,I can't keep my hands off of my Rogue.The only problem now is the fact that I want a series 2 with a Rogue body more than ever and I won't rest until that becomes a reality.Ahhhh such sweet addiction. |
