| Author | Message | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 181 Registered: 5-2006 |
 Definitely Alembic styling... Posted on a Dutch forum, with the question if it is an Alembic. I would say no, but I'm not sure... Also found this on the site mentioned in the pic. Epic with EMG's  | ||
| jagerphan84
Advanced Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 236 Registered: 10-2003 |
I believe the top one is called the "Hideous Beast" or "Hideous Claw" or something to that effect, and was built as a gift for a pro bassist (possibly Alain Caron?). IIRC, there was a very long thread on talkbass about it, in which the owner stated that he cannot disclose the builder. | ||
| jagerphan84
Advanced Member Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 237 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ok, now after breathing and looking again, it's the Hideous Claw, and probably belongs to Jean Baudin. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 182 Registered: 5-2006 |
It's Jean Boudin, you can find the info on the site, but there's no info about these basses... at least I couldn't find it | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 730 Registered: 10-2002 |
Ha! my eyes must be on their way out. I thought it said 'hideous cow';-) Graeme | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 731 Registered: 10-2002 |
Also, I'm pretty sure I've seen Mica post somewhere that Alembic aren't licensed to install Fanned frets. Graeme | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 632 Registered: 6-2002 |
I believe Jean Baudin's band is Nuclear Rabbit. Both these pix came from Jean's personal site as credited on the first photo. He's doing a clinic/show in Colorado in August. Mike | ||
| george_wright
Intermediate Member Username: george_wright Post Number: 102 Registered: 3-2005 |
Here's the talkbass thread. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 512 Registered: 6-2002 |
see post below (Message edited by jazzyvee on July 26, 2006) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 513 Registered: 6-2002 |
Here is a bloke with one of those instruments, No idea who he is. May be the builder, owner or model or all three. I had the photo on my computer a while ago. I doubt if its an alembic as I can remember a while ago in a thread that Alembic had not made any basses with the fanned frets due to the cost of the license from norvax for doing it. Jazzyvee  | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 520 Registered: 2-2005 |
From what I remember reading in Jean Baudin's thread about this bass he said many parties were involved in the construction. He does say Michael Dolan did the final construction and the gloss finish. This allows for the possibility that someone with an Alembic background could have been involved (i.e. an employee or ex-employee project). Keith | ||
| hb3
Intermediate Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 122 Registered: 2-2005 |
Looks like a definite Alembic footprint on that thing to me -- besides the fanned frets. But come on -- look at that guy's hand. How do you play the lower strings on that thing? | ||
| hydrargyrum
Advanced Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 210 Registered: 3-2004 |
Double post, sorry. (Message edited by hydrargyrum on July 26, 2006) | ||
| hydrargyrum
Advanced Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 211 Registered: 3-2004 |
Well, I am certainly no expert here, but I am guessing the lower strings are played using touch or tapping styles, ala Chapman stick. | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 930 Registered: 7-2002 |
I am fairly sure the fellow above is Michael Dolan a former Alembic employee back in the 70s who has his own shop now. That bass does not "officially" belong to any company. I think I was told Michael Dolan put the finish on the bass. Couple of other guys, at least, did a lot of work on it, like the hardware and the assembly itself. I think Jean provided his own woods. Valentino | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 183 Registered: 5-2006 |
ok ok, the 11 string is spectacular But what about the Epic? No comments yet... Cheers! F.C. | ||
| hb3
Intermediate Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 123 Registered: 2-2005 |
Nice Epic. I like the pickup mounts.... | ||
| hb3
Intermediate Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 124 Registered: 2-2005 |
I believe one plays a Chapman Stick with the left hand held normally and the right hand inverted. Inverting the left hand -- and maybe someone can correct me -- it seems to me would be highly counterintuitive, even moreso than normal on a Stick. With the left hand held normally your impulse would be to hold the neck up, whereas inverted the impulse would be to push it down. I guess you could reach over and tap the lower strings with the right hand will hammering on with the left, but that seems like one crazy reacharound. (Message edited by hb3 on July 26, 2006) | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 911 Registered: 9-2002 |
If these things catch on, I'm going into the string business ! ! ! It's hideous, alright, but hats off to anyone who can play this beast. J o e y | ||
| hb3
Intermediate Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 125 Registered: 2-2005 |
Beautifully hideous. It's well named. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 184 Registered: 5-2006 |
Yeah! Check the dude's frethand in the picture, imagine that hand fretting a note on the lowest string... I think we have here a potential new category for the Olympics! (sorry if I offended anyone by using the 'O' word) (NO really, Im sorry...) Cheers! F.C. (Message edited by fc_spoiler on July 26, 2006) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4141 Registered: 5-2002 |
Here is a previous thread from our forum about this bass. And here is a video of Baudin playing a similar bass. | ||
| hb3
Intermediate Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 126 Registered: 2-2005 |
Now that's just wrong. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 514 Registered: 6-2002 |
I notice he's got a Phil Jones Bass Briefcase combo next to him. Nice little amps those. Jazzyvee | ||
| hb3
Intermediate Member Username: hb3 Post Number: 127 Registered: 2-2005 |
And that Epic's got EMG pickups! Gah! | ||
| hankster
Junior Username: hankster Post Number: 49 Registered: 6-2004 |
I think "hideous cow" pretty much sums it up. Thanks for that Jacko. Rick | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 199 Registered: 5-2006 |
You can hardly call it a bass... No more than 4 strings for me! If someone would give me one of those for my birthday, it would end up as wall decoration or on ebay... Cheers! F.C. | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 593 Registered: 1-2004 |
I think you need a hideous claw of a fretting hand to play that thing, hence the name... ;-) Wilfred |
