| Author | Message | ||
| Paul Ellsworth (elzie)
New Username: elzie Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2002 |
Here is my Excel 4. | ||
| Paul Ellsworth (elzie)
New Username: elzie Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2002 |
Hmmm, let me try that again.  | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 27 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey Paul, That's a real beauty. Are those signature electronics with Fat Boy pickups? Standard construction (set neck & 34" scale)? Very nice. I'm quite an Excel fan myself! Rami | ||
| Paul Ellsworth (elzie)
New Username: elzie Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2002 |
Thanks Rami! To be honest, I am not sure about the electronics. I bought the Excel on Ebay last year for $950! Yes, it is a set neck & 34" scale. I wish I had a better picture of it. I really need more practice with my digital camera! If you ever happen to be in the Boston area, let me know and you can play it  | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 28 Registered: 6-2002 |
Well Paul, you got a great deal! That's definitely a custom Excel (at least where the electronics are concerned). Along with the great feel and balance, it must sound simply amazing! Great Bass. Enjoy! Rami | ||
| Paul Ellsworth (elzie)
New Username: elzie Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2002 |
You know, after all these years of playing, I bought this without ever touching an Alembic. However, when it arrived at my home and I played it, I knew right away that this was "the one". It is a bit heavier than my other basses, but it is not noticable. It does feel and sound great! I am going to re-string it this week, maybe I will try some Elixir strings. I still have some Alembic strings, but I thought they lost their brightness very quickly. Any string suggestions? Paul | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 29 Registered: 6-2002 |
Funny you should mention Elixirs. I have an Excel 4 (Flame Maple in fact!) with Elixir strings. To be quite honest, they don't really impress me. I personally LOVE Dean Markley Blue Steels (Nickel plated). They sound even growlier than the Alembic strings. They have it all! Super tone, long life, and very little fret noise. The Elixirs sound a little dull in comparison. The Dean Markleys actually sound alot like Alembic strings, but with just a little more edge. Worth a try! Rami | ||
| Paul Ellsworth (elzie)
New Username: elzie Post Number: 6 Registered: 8-2002 |
LOL! That is all I have ever bought was the Blue Steels;) I have been using them on every bass I own for years. I have a set of Blue Steels, Elixirs and two sets of Alembic strings. I guess I will have to flip a coin to see which set goes on first. I would love to see a pic of your Excel. Paul | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 30 Registered: 6-2002 |
I'll try to post a few pics. Actually, that one looks just like yours, but with the standard electronics (single Fat Boy pickup, Vol, Bass, Treble). My wildest Excel is a 5 string, Vermillion top with one Fat Boy and one MXY pickup. It has the standard electronics with a pan control. *A little warning - Excels are addictive! I presently own 9 Excels - 4's, 5's, Fretless, love them all! I also feel that it's the perfect bass. Rami | ||
| Paul Ellsworth (elzie)
New Username: elzie Post Number: 7 Registered: 8-2002 |
9 Excels? Wow! I also think that it is the perfect bass Paul | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 31 Registered: 6-2002 |
This is my Excel 4 Flame Maple.  | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 32 Registered: 6-2002 |
This is my Excel 4 Flame Maple. | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 33 Registered: 6-2002 |
This is my Funky Cool Vermillion Excel 5. This has an MXY pickup as well as the Fatboy. The extra knob is a pan control.  | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 34 Registered: 6-2002 |
This one just stole my heart - It was Love at first sight!  | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 35 Registered: 6-2002 |
This was my first Alembic EVER!!!  | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 36 Registered: 6-2002 |
His bigger brother  | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 37 Registered: 6-2002 |
Twin Brother  | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 38 Registered: 6-2002 |
Cousin Fred  | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 39 Registered: 6-2002 |
My 4 - Quilted Maple  | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 40 Registered: 6-2002 |
My Flame 5  | ||
| Paul Ellsworth (elzie)
New Username: elzie Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2002 |
Rami, what can I say? That is an awesome collection! Any time you get sick of any of those, please let me know Paul | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 48 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thanks Paul, I'll keep that in mind. I got most of them at liquidation prices from my local dealer; In most cases, less than the price of a crappy Fender! When I got my first, I was just looking for a decent fretless bass when I spotted the Excel - at less than the price of a Standard Fender Jazz Fretless!!!! How could I refuse? There was no comparison. It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship and the rest, as they say, is history. It's since become my all time favorite model. Simple, GREAT sounding, comfortable and versatile. One of the all time greatest basses EVER! I'm still very intrigued by by the electronics of your Excel though, it must have a very special & amazing sound! I probably won't be buying anymore Excel's for a while (Yeah right!), so I'll be hanging on to them for a while. Best wishes, Rami | ||
| Paul Ellsworth (elzie)
New Username: elzie Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2002 |
Well, I can plug it into one of my computers and email you the sound file. Let me know if you would like to do that. As for what type of electronics, we would have to refer that question to Mica Paul | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Junior Username: rami Post Number: 49 Registered: 6-2002 |
From your picture, they definitely look like Signature electronics. They include a volume control for each pickup, a tone control for each pickup, and a "Q" switch for each pickup. Standard Excel electronics are 1 Fatboy pickup, with volume, bass, and treble. There really are no two identical Alembics - I guess that's what makes them so special. I'm kinda curious to know what type of setup you're using. Mine is an EDEN DC-210 XLT METRO with a 410XLT cab. 600 watts into six 10" speakers. | ||
| Paul Ellsworth (elzie)
New Username: elzie Post Number: 6 Registered: 8-2002 |
I am using a Hartke HA2000 with a Laney 410 and a Yamaha 215 w/JBL's inside. I just recently purchased the Hartke and love it. I think the best part of the amp is that it is tube and solid state. I was mixing both together, but now I use just the tube side of the amp | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Member Username: rami Post Number: 56 Registered: 6-2002 |
Nice setup, I use almost exclusively the tube side of my amp as well. The sound is warm and growly at the same time. Suits my Alembics best. I think of all my Alembics, the Excel has the growliest and punchiest sound naturally. Great Bass!!! Very versatile. | ||
| Paul Ellsworth (elzie)
New Username: elzie Post Number: 7 Registered: 8-2002 |
I have tried using the solid state side, but I'm not having any of it I also have a Peavey Mark VI that I used exclusively for years. I found it to be a very dependable, versatile and heavy amp. I even preferred it over the Trace Elliot I used to own, consequently, I sold the Trace about four months after I bought it. However, after purchasing the Hartke, I don't think I will use the Peavey again ;) I will make some mp3 samples of the Excel within the next few weeks. Paul | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Member Username: rami Post Number: 57 Registered: 6-2002 |
That's really great, I'd really like to hear them. Let me know when they're ready! You know, I'm a really big fan of Alain Caron (after Jaco...of course). I always saw him playing through EDEN systems. He also is (in my opinion) the greatest living fretless bass player - 6 string fretless. After hearing him, and having had the honor of meeting and speaking with him, I started plugging into EDEN systems and never looked back. I know that there are alot of other great makers out there... but I've settled on a specific sound that's kinda become MY sound. Too bad such a great Bassist doesn't play Alembics. (Just imagine how Jaco would've sounded!). | ||
| Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 205 Registered: 6-2000 |
Wow Rami! The pics of your collection look really great. I think you'd have to buy a wide angle lens to get them all in one picture ;) | ||
| Rami Sourour (rami)
Member Username: rami Post Number: 59 Registered: 6-2002 |
A wide angle lens and a whole lot of guitar stands! (I only have 3) |
