| Author | Message | ||
| geepee
New Username: geepee Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2015 |
I just pulled the trigger on this! S/N 14332 Anxiously waiting for Mr UPS to bring it. I'll post more pics when it arrives.  | ||
| geepee
New Username: geepee Post Number: 2 Registered: 7-2015 |
Oh, and I know it's a Balance K. Far too excited to type properly. (Message edited by geepee on July 11, 2015) | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 1224 Registered: 11-2006 |
you will taste.... this bass is sooooooooo.... I bought the almost same... http://www.station-musicshop.de/epages/64398533.sf/de_DE/?ObjectPath=/Shops/64398533/Products/0008544 | ||
| rv_bass
Member Username: rv_bass Post Number: 52 Registered: 8-2014 |
Wow, beautiful bass...congratulations! | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 227 Registered: 8-2013 |
Saweeeeet! Enjoy you will! | ||
| charles_holmes
Senior Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 409 Registered: 3-2009 |
Ooooh..Ahhhhh....That's a badass bass there!!! Magnificent!!! That's Christmas times 1 million over and over and over again!!!! | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 984 Registered: 5-2007 |
Love that burl | ||
| geepee
New Username: geepee Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2015 |
It's not for me. I have played for 40 years but my playing doesn't warrant this. It's for my son. He's 20 and better than I could ever be. He's a music student and I want him to start start his pro career with this and a few other quality instruments rather than get them when he's at the other end of his career. I cant wait to see what he will achieve with this. That's the payoff for me - plus I'll get to play it for fun. He doesn't know about it yet. | ||
| oheare
New Username: oheare Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2004 |
Uh -- think I want you to adopt me. :-) Seriously, this is one of the most unselfish things I've ever heard. Plus you get the selfish pleasure of hearing it being played by your son. (It's obvious how much this post affected me. Look when I registered. Note how many posts I've made.) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4564 Registered: 6-2002 |
Geepee i notice you are UK based so great to have more of these superb basses on our turf. Let me know if you son does any gigs around the midlands and i will try to get there. great choice in bass. Victor wooten also had an alembic early in his career and look what happened to him :-) | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 229 Registered: 8-2013 |
That is an incredible gift That bass should both inspire and assist in bringing the best out of him! | ||
| charles_holmes
Senior Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 411 Registered: 3-2009 |
That's a great present! I would like to hear your son play. I don't believe that Alembics were invented when I started playing bass.When I was 12 years old my mom drove me to South Street in Philly & bought me a Rythmline Bass which looked like the Telecaster bass. | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 444 Registered: 6-2014 |
Very nice! My Dad gave me my first bass too... it was an early-1940's Kay upright. =) | ||
| geepee
New Username: geepee Post Number: 4 Registered: 7-2015 |
At the moment he's gigging round London with student bands playing Bass but his main current project is playing chapman stick with a new act on a session basis. He busks a lot with the stick and makes good money. Thanks for all the kind words. It's hard to make a living in this business but something that sets one apart from the crowd, talent and the best tools for the job have got to help. When he gets this for his 21st in a couple of months I'm sure he'll post up video. In the mean time I'll post up some more stills when it arrives. | ||
| rjmsteel
Advanced Member Username: rjmsteel Post Number: 246 Registered: 7-2008 |
Geepee: Congratulations to You and your Son! Yep, that`s what I said. Their is no better reward than to bless your children. I have (now) 2 sons going to college (and my wife and I are paying for all of it $$$). SO totally worth it! Oh and the older one will be having his 21st birthday next month, Yikes! Rich | ||
| geepee
New Username: geepee Post Number: 5 Registered: 7-2015 |
A couple of iPhone teasers until I get my SLR going. You'll have to hang on till George's 21st to hear it. Couldn't resist the battery cover made of no less than 17 pieces of wood. Amazing.      (Message edited by mica on July 21, 2015) | ||
| smokin_dave
Senior Member Username: smokin_dave Post Number: 420 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hey GeePee.I'm up for adoption and need a new Dad.Can I be your new son? All kidding aside that is a terrific find.What a bass.Your son will be so happy.I would be. | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 238 Registered: 8-2013 |
All I can say is WoW! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4364 Registered: 5-2009 |
Absolutely Superb ! | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4583 Registered: 6-2002 |
That is a great 21st birthday present GeePee. Does your son know about the bass or is this a surprise present for him? Either way it's awesome!!! | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Senior Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 579 Registered: 6-2012 |
A stunning visual feast loaded to the brim with Series II sonic goodness. Just a guess - although you are giving it to your son, I suspect your fingers will eventually find their way onto that fretboard... How could they resist - ? | ||
| geepee
New Username: geepee Post Number: 6 Registered: 7-2015 |
I might have had a little bit bit of a play. Ok - quite a lot. He doesn't know about it and unless this finds its way to Facebook he won't. Alembic is so far off his radar he's pretty unlikely to find his way here. His 21st is in December. The tone is just gorgeous unplugged. I see why people say the tone is Hi Fi. It's crystal clear, loud and sustains for ever. Being almost totally hollow it is very light and supremely comfortable to play. There is no neck dive and it sits in the optimum place for both hands to be comfortable. Balance K has to be the ultimate in comfort. The electronics add a wide range of nuances which gives an amazing versatility - but the tone still resembles the unplugged sound. Weird! This thing has been breathed on by the gods. I want one of my own now. The F jazz in the corner now feels like a clumsy plank and sounds like it has a pair of socks wrapped round the strings. | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Senior Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 580 Registered: 6-2012 |
Couldn't have said it better myself. FWIW: you have now been assimilated, further resistance is futile. It's best to just simply give in and place your order. You can placate yourself with this mantra: "It will make me a better player because I will want play it more and because I will need to become a better player in order to do it justice". | ||
| jcdlc72
Senior Member Username: jcdlc72 Post Number: 435 Registered: 11-2009 |
That will surely be the nicest 21st birthday present ever. May George (And you) enjoy it in full health and pleasure! It certainly is a magnificent instrument! | ||
| enzo
Senior Member Username: enzo Post Number: 507 Registered: 4-2009 |
Haha, I guess we all had the same experience, going back to a basic off the shelf Fender (or what ever brand) bass an think it's been severely damaged by a mysterious creature that lives in the case, for playing that bad. It's a stunning bass, there's nothing like Alembic, welcome to the addiction! | ||
| geepee
New Username: geepee Post Number: 7 Registered: 7-2015 |
Young George's 21st is looming so I'm going to have to give it to him soon. It'll need new strings and a clean!! - and I might just be tempted to get another one for me. I find the mains powered DS5 a bit of a bind and I expect he will too. So I've made a battery version that works with 5 to 16 volts in. It works including powering the blue LEDs from a laptop lithium polymer power station 5 volt port and lasts weeks continuously on a charge. It also works from my Macbook USB port which I find very useful. It supplies +-15 volts to the bass. It draws 5v at 450mA. Sometimes the Mac complains about the power surge but if the unit is connected to the mac before the guitar it works OK. I also included a stereo out socket which the DS5 doesn't have. A stereo to twin mono insert lead works ( or a Chapman stick lead ) instead of the 2 little grey mono leads that came with the DS5. headphones can be plugged in too. Nice. It's in a temporary plastic box at the moment but I've ordered a nice alloy one to make it robust. Anyone interested in the details/pictures? | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4528 Registered: 5-2009 |
This creation deserves to show design and form in pics indeed ; please and thank you ! | ||
| geepee
New Username: geepee Post Number: 8 Registered: 7-2015 |
Ok. The alloy case came today so I just made this up. Its not labelled up yet and I'm short of a couple of nice screws for the XLR socket but its just about done. It weighs 12 oz as opposed to 2lb 6oz for the DS5. It has a headphone socket. It has separate outputs for each pickup. It has the same switched mixed mono output as the DS5. It works from any USB source. It works from any pin positive wall wart that fits the socket capable of 450ma at 3 -15 V DC. It's electrically inaudible in terms of noise. All in it cost £25 to make. Theres a pic working with the battery and another working from a Macbook USB socket. It even runs from an iPhone charger.     | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 292 Registered: 8-2013 |
Wow that is great work! Nice! | ||
| geepee
New Username: geepee Post Number: 9 Registered: 7-2015 |
Well, He's got it and I think he likes it. Videobomb courtesy of Lucy dog. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga61B6YWK4I This is just demo for his friends. More to follow I should think. | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 1276 Registered: 11-2006 |
my GOOOOOD !!!!!! whatz a bass, and a bass player !! Congrats man !! and who is the dog ? futur bass player too ? ;-) | ||
| geepee
New Username: geepee Post Number: 10 Registered: 7-2015 |
Just for you Pierreyves. I know you like Stanley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blmQ-iiEzpE Serious series 2 tone! (Message edited by geepee on December 24, 2015) | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 1277 Registered: 11-2006 |
Cool, lot of Thanks and Merry Christmas ! I play this tune too but not exactly The same way, The most important is to get pleasure. Congratulations for your play! Soon an European gathering with Jazzy, bigyouth, Jan Olof and others ? I know a young guy Manuelito Koumba, who live in Toulouse and met lot of Times Stanley, include in private after gigs !!! | ||
| geepee
Junior Username: geepee Post Number: 11 Registered: 7-2015 |
Final one for now. Stevie Wonder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guyG6q97MnE George can post his own material on here from now on. He has the login details now. Phil. | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 1278 Registered: 11-2006 |
quickly it hear him, with all its potential! | ||
| geepee
Junior Username: geepee Post Number: 12 Registered: 7-2015 |
Hi everyone, George here, dad's passed over the account to me! First of all Merry Christmas! I'll be posting more videos soon! Hope to meet some of you in the future, enjoy the festive period! Hope you like my playing haha!! Cheers! | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 1281 Registered: 11-2006 |
well... good player your are, good father you have, the dark side of the force you dont have to go... what neck size ? 34" ? 32" ? | ||
| charles_holmes
Senior Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 454 Registered: 3-2009 |
You've got yourself a great bass there! Nice playing! It's good that you have varied interests musically! Perhaps you'll run into Jazzyvee. Keep up the good work!!! | ||
| geepee
Junior Username: geepee Post Number: 13 Registered: 7-2015 |
pieereyves - The neck size is 34" I sense that the force is strong!!! Charles_Homes - Thank you very much! Yeah, I like a lot of different styles! I love Reggae! Hope to meet some you all soon! I've been exploring the stereo side of the Alembic. I've got some loop stations and I'll get a youtube video on showcasing these within the next few days. | ||
| charles_holmes
Senior Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 456 Registered: 3-2009 |
Please, call me Chalie (rhymes with Holly).I live across the pond but Jazzyvee lives in your area somewhere. Check him out on you tube explaining how the Series II Alembic operates & one of his main gigs is playing Reggae! For me Stereo is the only way to go when playing the Alembic because having the choice to dial in the exact amount of bass or treble is just a bassists' dream. In addition, you have the Series II which is the Crème de la crème of Alembics (IMHO). | ||
| geepee
Junior Username: geepee Post Number: 14 Registered: 7-2015 |
Thank you!! My dad just told me that Jazzyvee is the 'Pass the Dutchie' bass player! That's wicked! I had a successful play around with the stereo last night and I have a good idea for a video! I can't wait to share it with you all! It is a luxury being able to choose exact amounts of treble and bass. Hope all is well! By the way, Chalie, I've seen a wonderful photo of you playing your Upright Bass with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra! | ||
| geepee
Junior Username: geepee Post Number: 15 Registered: 7-2015 |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozdCBVUcwEk&feature=youtu.be Here it is, stereo exploration with loops! Hope you enjoy! Don't think this would be possible with anything but an Alembic! Hope you like it, let me know what you think! Cheeers! | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 1284 Registered: 11-2006 |
Cool !! What is your drum machine ? | ||
| geepee
Junior Username: geepee Post Number: 16 Registered: 7-2015 |
It's just a series of apple loops that I put together on Logic Pro 9! Nothing super special but they sound pretty decent! | ||
| rv_bass
New Username: rv_bass Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2014 |
Fantastic! What are the board and loop effects you are using? | ||
| geepee
Junior Username: geepee Post Number: 17 Registered: 7-2015 |
Zoom B3 and G3X built in effects. Bass amps presents - Marcus Millar kind of sound and compressor. Zoom B3 Fender boost, dotted 8th note delay, reverse delay, e-bow swell, distortion, fast filter and pedal cry! Zoom G3X That was basically what i was using! | ||
| charles_holmes
Senior Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 459 Registered: 3-2009 |
That was a nice groove geepee. What did you use to video tape yourself? it recorded the tones very nicely indeed! I miss the symphonic days! I'm considering returning to the symphony. I would like to buy an Alembic Classico but I know it's cost prohibitive at this point. Chalie | ||
| rv_bass
New Username: rv_bass Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2014 |
Thanks, geepee, I'll have to learn more about the B3 and G3X, sounds great! | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 2171 Registered: 5-2002 |
Chalie, you just gave me a vision of an entire symphony orchestra powered by a Classico equipped bass section! | ||
| geepee
Junior Username: geepee Post Number: 18 Registered: 7-2015 |
Charlie, I used my dad's Fuji digital camera to record the video and I used Logic Pro 9 to record the audio. I just took the output from the pedals and recorded it into Logic. Dumped the video file into Logic and just put them together. Logic is much better for this than iMovie! Certainly works for me! rv_bass, they are certainly great gadgets. Extremely durable too as I use them busk on the streets around London! By the way, enjoy your new year celebrations!! | ||
| geepee
Junior Username: geepee Post Number: 19 Registered: 7-2015 |
Hi All, We've done another couple of videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9pMoDuYkY4 Blue Matter. John Scofield. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVk4GL9wE6Y A nice little Marcus slap tune. Bass recorded in stereo this time with a new toy. Much as we wanted a proper F-2B it's too big to carry about on public transport along with the bass. So we made a mini version. It's about the size of an iPad and an inch thick. It sounds fantastic. It has a series PSU and 5 pin socket built in too. Sounds much better than plugging the bass direct into the interface. It needs a 20db pad but then it works great. Have a listen.    | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1789 Registered: 6-2002 |
wow...that's a cool unit!! | ||
| enzo
Senior Member Username: enzo Post Number: 551 Registered: 4-2009 |
So first you guys made a battery pack that works also with an iPhone charger, now you made this cool stereo unit, just like that. What an interesting family haha. Do you go to rehearsals with a modified DeLorean to fit the Alembic?  | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 832 Registered: 9-2009 |
Two great ideas and I'll second Enzo's comment. It sounds like you're able to throw these things together while others are putting on their coats prior to heading outside. I'd really be interested to hear a little about your background. | ||
| geepee
Junior Username: geepee Post Number: 20 Registered: 7-2015 |
Ok Hammer, here goes. George has played bass for about 6 or 7 years and was in a band playing the pubs and clubs round Preston and the North West. I (dad) did 'the sound'. It got to be a pretty ambitious show with 5 stereo in ear monitor mixes, wireless instruments, lights, lasers, digital mixer and so on. They even made a bit of money and had a local following. We both learnt a lot. It all finished when all the lads went to college. Now George is at University in London studying ...... Bass - the final frontier! Final year and hoping for a big break into the industry. He's already working as session musician and busks around London to pay the bills. I'm almost completely retired as a dentist and at a bit of a loose end. My playing sucks so I make crazy stuff for kicks. I always have. Anything mechanical, electronic, computer related and I'll have a go. These projects should help make his incredible Alembic work for him in the most practical and portable way possible for a working musician. Phil. (Message edited by geepee on January 10, 2016) | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 1292 Registered: 11-2006 |
GOSH DAMNED BLOOD N'GUTS OUCH no words..... speechless.... congrats...Iphone 6 or 6+ ? LOL!! | ||
| geepee
Junior Username: geepee Post Number: 21 Registered: 7-2015 |
That's an iPhone 4. Its small. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4855 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Phil, it seems like you have two marketable products, admittedly for a niche market, ideal for a musician travelling light. My lightweight setup is my DS-5 and F1-x in a 2U rack which is perfect for just dropping in the boot of the car. But if I was travelling on the underground in London I'd soon be unpopular. Nice piece of work. | ||
| geepee
Junior Username: geepee Post Number: 23 Registered: 7-2015 |
Hi guys, I have a new video up on youtube. It's a Chapman Stick special! I hope you enjoy it! Hardly an Alembic but it's technically a bass anyway;) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tFhz6bSBY4 Thanks, hope you're all well and playing! | ||
| geepee
Junior Username: geepee Post Number: 24 Registered: 7-2015 |
Hi guys, I have a new video up on youtube. It's a Chapman Stick special! I hope you enjoy it! Hardly an Alembic but it's technically a bass anyway;) Please ignore the previous link...this one works!! https://youtu.be/K5bNn9V9pGA?t=1m16s Thanks, hope you're all well and playing! | ||
| rv_bass
Intermediate Member Username: rv_bass Post Number: 178 Registered: 8-2014 |
Very nice geepee! | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 1293 Registered: 11-2006 |
ouch.... speechless, what a technique you have !!! congrats of congrats ;-) | ||
| geepee
Junior Username: geepee Post Number: 25 Registered: 7-2015 |
Hiya everybody, I've finally got some footage of me playing a live gig!! The lighting is a little dark though  Audio is from a camera, been a little processed so you can hear everything just about!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AzazX22cAw | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4817 Registered: 5-2009 |
Nice performance all around , an awesome bass and a swell singer ! |
