| Author |
Message |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1459
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 3:05 am: |  |
Hi Brother Shawn!
no ...TI flats are not possible on a Rob Allen. The guitar simply would snap in two pieces.
Only La Bella's 760n XL scale, and Rotosound Trubass 88 XL scale are allowed. They have a light steel core and are black nylon wrapped. The action on a Rob Allen is fairly high and so they are strung with low-tension strings (and consequently are -in 5 string- 35" scale fingerboards).
I think -but I am NOT sure- that brother Rami use the La Bella's also on the fretless part of his evil twins.
 
Paul TBO
PS: Rob Allen -who is a great guy- learned his "thing" with Rick Turner and build the Turner piezo basses with him. He left the Turner company to build for his own. Hehehehehe ....sounds familiar no? The main difference between the Turner and the Allen is that in the former is a relatively extended tone control and electronics to get the well known "mwah" sound. Allen only uses a volume knob and starts by buidling a bass were the woodcombination on itself has to sound good. Well ...sounds familiar too no???
(Message edited by palembic on August 06, 2004) |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1460
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 3:12 am: | |
OH BTW,
Alemboid I went to see your homepage and really liked the stuff. The mp3 are very nice. Nice fretless tone.
Paul TBO |
kungfusheriff
Intermediate Member
Username: kungfusheriff
Post Number: 127
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 10:30 am: | |
Hello, Bad One,
I was fortunate enough to find myself with a Turner Ren in my hands a few years ago, but remember it as feeling kind of flimsy, at least to me. Does the Allen have a more substantial feel?
And yes, I was aware of the master/apprentice connection, though as I heard the story, there is some friction between them.
Bro. KFS the Giggly Gossip |
alemboid
Member
Username: alemboid
Post Number: 85
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 10:37 am: | |
Dank U zeer, Paul TBO!
The fretless is my Orion 5 fretless. Other tunes are either the Sadowsky or the Clarke deluxe. Funny thing is that the fretless sounds better now than it did then. I'd guess 4 years have passed and I've changed strings once!
Your Rob Allen is incredible. The top wod is so gorgeous- it looks like it's in motion! I love their tone, too. I think they sound more like an upright bass than most EUB's do. I also noted that when you dig in, they can take it and respond very musically. It is a very elegant instrument- simple, functional, light in weight- heavy in sound.
As soon as I can get a digicam, I'll post some decent pictures of my babies.
Tot straaks,
Alemboid |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1466
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 10:59 am: | |
Mica heeeeeeee-elp,
those US-dudes are goin' internationally.
Shawn: I am not sure what "flimsy" means. I guess more like a toy? The bass IS light but it's very ...ohoho ...huhuhuh ...comfortable-sweet - but in the same time "substantial" to hold. A minor inconvenience is the absence of a flattened part of the body where you can rest your arm (there is a name for that but ...sigh ...) ...help!!!
Yes I know they didn't part as good friends. I guess Rick didn't left Alembic as a good friend either. History repeats itself!
Paul TBO |
stoney
Advanced Member
Username: stoney
Post Number: 307
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 11:01 am: | |
Other than a somewhat home made "Frankenstein" fretless that I put together I've played nothing but Alembics since 1989. This year my wife bought me a really nice tobacco sunburst Fender American Jazz Bass for my upcoming (ahem....)50th birthday. I preveiously played a 1962 Jazz Bass but sold in in '89. (BONE-HEAD !!!!) but found a really nice 1981 Series I the same day for 800.00 (got 1,000 for the Fender for which I originally only paid 150.00) Sold the Series I a few years ago (MORON !!!)I'd like to find another older small body Series I.
|
bracheen
Senior Member
Username: bracheen
Post Number: 537
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 11:17 am: | |
Have you ever tried to explain "mwah" to someone? My wife and I were out listening to a jazz group with the bass player using a fretless Samick. Debi asked how I knew it was fretless and I told her by the sound. First I said think of how Jaco sounded. That got me a blank stare so I said listen for the mwah. That wasn't much better. Finally she picked up on it after a few minutes of me sitting there going "mwah, mwah".
Sam |
the_mule
Intermediate Member
Username: the_mule
Post Number: 198
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 11:22 am: | |
Paul, prachtige bas, die Rob Allen!
Where did you purchase that one, if I might ask? Was it a European deal, or did it come from overseas? Maybe someday... (G.A.S.)
Wilfred |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1467
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 12:27 pm: | |
Broertje Wilfred,
nee ze worden niet ingevoerd hebt zelluf gedaan.
Brother Stoney -the hidden Italian that just outed himself as a "stupido" selling basses 3 posts ago- knew that I was looking for a Epiphone Jack Cassidy. He gave me a hint for the website of another (Canadian) clubmember who as selling some stuff. The JC's were not for sale and, anyway I fell in love with the Rob Allen. And with some help fro, a friend and UPS I got the bass a couple of weeks later.I am the third owner I guess.
There IS a EU dealer in ...Finland ...of ALL places (sorry Brother Jan the Boat one).
Paul the bad one
PS: Speaking of GAS ...I'm dreaming of a Dingwall Prima or Z1 6 string.
GAS ...whoooooooo ...bad thing! |
rraymond
Member
Username: rraymond
Post Number: 86
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 06, 2004 - 6:38 pm: | |
I'll pitch my hat into the ring of "Wow, that Rob Allen looks amazing! Way to go Paul!" And KFS, you're the winner of one US greenback. I've owned two Stingrays and a Stingray-like Carvin and have sold them all. I certainly love what guys like Tony Levin and Paul S. Denman do with Stingrays, but I could never get a sound I was truly happy with - they are too crispy in the high-end for me. The high-end on Alembics is just so pleasing to my ears, and very easy to arrive at! Plug and chug! |
rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami
Post Number: 375
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, August 07, 2004 - 8:28 am: | |
(Message edited by rami on August 07, 2004) |
rami
Advanced Member
Username: rami
Post Number: 376
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, August 07, 2004 - 8:37 am: | |
The only Stingray I have left is my 20th Anniversary. I had a chance to buy one with a Rosewood fingerboard to go with my Maple one, but I was turned off by the condition the guy kept it in - Gotta show it some respect!
In hindsight though, I wish I would have bought it anyway - it is after all, a collector's item.
(Message edited by rami on August 08, 2004) |
lbanks
Junior
Username: lbanks
Post Number: 24
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 07, 2004 - 12:38 pm: | |
deleted
(Message edited by lbanks on August 07, 2004) |
lbanks
Junior
Username: lbanks
Post Number: 25
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, August 07, 2004 - 12:49 pm: | |
Sometimes, I don't like to use the Orion in 'high risk' situations. Then I use these two...
a Squire P-Bass 
Lightwave Classica |
the_mule
Advanced Member
Username: the_mule
Post Number: 214
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 5:09 am: | |
I now have only one 'non-Alembic' bass left, which is actually my first bass, and it went through a lot of (D.I.Y.) changes since I first purchased it as a heavily modified 1977 Guild B-301 bass guitar!
Wilfred
 |
the_mule
Advanced Member
Username: the_mule
Post Number: 215
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 5:22 am: | |
And this is the bass in 'full'...
Wilfred
 |
kmh364
Advanced Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 397
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 5:25 am: | |
Paul TBO: I was on Jorma's furpeace ranch site the other day. In the past, you could by Jack's Epiphone sig. bass 'til the cows came home for $850USD directly on the site. Now both Jack's and Jorma's Epiphone' are out of stock...it says to call for availability. OMG, a world-wide shortage of Hot Tuna-laced Epiphones...better start hoarding them now, fellas, LOL! |
bracheen
Senior Member
Username: bracheen
Post Number: 550
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 2:05 pm: | |
Wilfred when did your Guild loose it's frets?
Sam |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1473
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 2:13 pm: | |
In autumn???? |
the_mule
Advanced Member
Username: the_mule
Post Number: 219
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 12:18 am: | |
Yes, I changed it to fretless myself (wasn't the time of the season). Because of my Alembics it almost didn't get any attention so I decided to give it the chance to start a second (or third or fourth) life as a fretless 'Jaco style'. I removed the frets, filled the slots with wood putty and gave the wonderful Brazilian rosewood fretboard 3 layers of yacht lacquer. Not only did this make the grain stand out in a wonderful way, the fretless sound is simply stunning! If only I could say the same about my playing technique...
Wilfred |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1475
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 1:09 am: | |
The playing technique wil come ...with the spring season in your life.
Paul TBO
It has nothing to do with age ...my spring goes on for 35 years already (given the fact that I start playing on my 15th) |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1484
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 23, 2004 - 3:43 pm: | |
Oh Brother Larry,
would you please be so kind to tell us some more about the Lightwave Classica?? How does it works? How does it sound. BRother Bill , I know you own one too! Please feel free to chime in!
Paul TBO |
dannobasso
Intermediate Member
Username: dannobasso
Post Number: 103
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 4:17 pm: | |
Just picked up an 02 Black Thunderbird. If I ever join a Motley Crue tribute band ....I'm set!
Danno |
bracheen
Senior Member
Username: bracheen
Post Number: 559
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 4:52 pm: | |
You're gonna need a bigger house Danno!
Sam |
dannobasso
Intermediate Member
Username: dannobasso
Post Number: 105
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 5:33 am: | |
No wife and no kids and no pets leave a remarkable amount of room for my "addiction"! It is a bonafide sickness as Rami can attest to.
Danno |
lbanks
Junior
Username: lbanks
Post Number: 26
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 12:24 pm: | |
Palembic: The Lightwave has optic sensors built into the bridge monolith. It also has piezo's but they can only be added to the optical signal. The sound with roundwounds I can only describe as a roar, kinda like how a lion would sound, if you could play a lion. Very deep, but very growlly. I changed the strings to TI Jazz Flats and, IMO, the sound is like blending a synth, a P-bass and, the closest I can place the top-end element, a Gibson Ripper set to 'out-of-phase. Its very deep. I got a clip here: http://www.cutlasscom.biz/downloads/LightwaveTIjf.mp3
If that clip doesn't work, I got more examples in a country group at this page. (Right click icon and select 'Open in New Window'
http://www.cutlasscom.biz/The%20Krill-Banks%20Conspiracy.html |
lbanks
Junior
Username: lbanks
Post Number: 27
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 12:35 pm: | |
Got a couple more last week...
  |
bigredbass
Advanced Member
Username: bigredbass
Post Number: 270
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - 11:35 pm: | |
An S D CURLEE??? I haven't seen one in forever!
What a funky little bass. I always remember the 'buthcer block' ones is all white wood.
But . . . I'd cut out the bolt neck Spectors and get a Czech built Euro. For me the bolt neck ruins it. And the Czech quality is fabulous for less than half of the NY-state models.
J o e y |
lbanks
Junior
Username: lbanks
Post Number: 28
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 9:50 am: | |
I'm just a member of the 'bolt/set' neck crowd. 15 of my 17 are bolt/set neck. That Curlee is amazing! That little sucker can sound like anything, and punches thru the mix like George Foreman! If it wasn't for some design flaws and some unfortunate circumstances, it should have been a winner. |
nick_bassman
Junior
Username: nick_bassman
Post Number: 39
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 11:26 am: | |
I have for the last 6 years or so been using various Fodera's. I have a Monarch 4, an Emperor 5 and an AJ Presentation 6. I do love them all. Especially since my wife bought the 5 and the 6 for me as gifts.
I also own an F Bass 6, a couple of Sei 6 strings and a Warr Artisan.
Oh crumbs almost forgot the Status Kingbass !! |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1504
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 2:49 pm: | |
Okay NIck ...now you've gone too far.
Listen very carefully I will say this only once:
"PICTURES"
Please-please-pleeeeeeeeeeese?????
Paul the bad one
Oh ...huhuh ...this IS the renegade thread no??? Mmmmmm ...will Mica show us the pictures of her Fender P-bass???? hehehehehe ...just kidding! |
dannobasso
Intermediate Member
Username: dannobasso
Post Number: 119
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 5:41 pm: | |
My non Alembic family:4003, prototype Ovation, Ripper L9S, StickBass, Thunderbird.
Danno  |
dannobasso
Intermediate Member
Username: dannobasso
Post Number: 120
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 5:43 pm: | |
 |
dannobasso
Intermediate Member
Username: dannobasso
Post Number: 121
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 26, 2004 - 5:45 pm: | |
 |
nick_bassman
Junior
Username: nick_bassman
Post Number: 40
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 3:13 am: | |
Hey PTBO
I'll get working on more photos but here are a couple of tasters my Emperor 5 and my AJ6
  |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1509
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 3:36 am: | |
Nick ...plea-ease can I borrow your wife for ...oh ...huhuhu ...na -aaaah ....that would be indecent.
MAN I LOVE THAT SIX STRING!!!!!!!!!
It is soooooo "essential" as design.
I really hope she sound as good as she looks!
Paul the bad one
rats ...I just cleaned my keyboard of the drool I spilled looking at Brother -ox junior- Mike's wife (no ...not at his My Wife but at Jackie his girlfriend) and now can start allover.
***sigh*** I HAVE something with other mans women and basses ...I have to see a shrink.
(Message edited by palembic on August 27, 2004) |
alemboid
Member
Username: alemboid
Post Number: 96
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 27, 2004 - 7:37 am: | |
Drooooooooool, My Oh My, (fainted.....revived by emergency medical crew), Freaking out, searching for words, ah- here we go- WOW!!!
One thing I love about the Fodera AJ Sig. model is when they are built as yours is. Spectacular wood, without the Mike Pope preamp, just simple, elegant beauty! That carved top is the cherry on top of a big delicious dessert! I wanna wanna wanna - gimme gimme gimme.... Gotta get one!
Nick, you be da man!!!
Star struck Alemboid |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1525
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 9:36 am: | |
Hi Nick,
is it the 6 string so difficult to play for you??
Sorry to hear that.
I keep myself as candidate in case you want to it to go to other hands. Although ...don't rush it because as you know, I lost my job again so ...well ...no basses for me for some tiem now.
Paul the bad one |
nick_bassman
Junior
Username: nick_bassman
Post Number: 42
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 9:48 am: | |
Hi PTBO
Yes unfortunately it is that monster that is giving me some trouble some of the time. Somedays I can do it, somedays no, it just depends on my hands. I have no plans to part with this baby at the moment. If I ever do I'll let you know. Once I have a better idea how my 33" Alembic works I'll rationalise my collection.
Cheers
Nick |
nick_bassman
Junior
Username: nick_bassman
Post Number: 43
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 9:53 am: | |
Hi alemboid
I'm glad you like the AJ. It's been my dream bass for a long while and it certainly lives up to expectations in terms of sound and playability. As you probably know hand problems (not caused by the AJ but by a past motorcycle accident) are turning me toward a more manageable instrument. I hope one day you have the chance to own one of these great basses.
Cheers
Nick |
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