| Author | Message | ||
| serialnumber12
Senior Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 520 Registered: 12-2004 |
 http://www.gbase.com/gear/jaco-pastorius-personal-63-fender-jazz-bass-1# | ||
| basicvoo
Junior Username: basicvoo Post Number: 27 Registered: 7-2009 |
I met Jaco shortly before he died. Man! I'm sad. Thomas | ||
| sonicus
Advanced Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 316 Registered: 5-2009 |
It is sad indeed, I met him as well but when he was on the west coast in the early 1980's. No one else will sound like Jaco with this Bass because his sound was in his soul and his hands . Who loves you Jaco ? We do ! You will continue to inspire Musicians and Music Lovers for eternity. I ran across this website with Jaco's "FOR SALE" Bass a while back my self and I got a tear in my eye.________ | ||
| toma_hawk01
Junior Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 17 Registered: 9-2009 |
What an insult to sale such a bass. I am mad as hell!!! This bass should be donated to the Smithsonian in Washington DC where it should be available for all to see, or it should go to the Music Project in Seattle Washington. Either places, would make an excellent home for future musicians and novices. | ||
| pauldo
Advanced Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 266 Registered: 6-2006 |
That is not the Bass of Doom, it is claimed that he played the pictured bass on an instructional video and maybe he did..... even the Bass of Doom wouldn't (shouldn't) fetch that much. The Bass of Doom holds all the history of the man the myth and the legend known simply as Jaco. | ||
| afrobeat_fool
Member Username: afrobeat_fool Post Number: 91 Registered: 7-2009 |
Yeah, this bass was the one on the instructional vid. I saw it at Gruhn. Asked to play it and was turned down. It was in better shape on the vid. It looks to have different tuners than the cover of the vid too. | ||
| toma_hawk01
Junior Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 19 Registered: 9-2009 |
I am getting to old to tell a lies... But I believe Jaco was the greatest electric bass player I ever heard in my life. I miss him so much... He was the only one who had the guts to play Hendrix "Third Stone From The Sun". I remember his concert so well at the Berkeley Greek Theater when I was just a very young teenager. I couldn't close my mouth from the first note, to the last note of the concert. My music buddies and I would just slap each others hands each time Jaco did something that was exciting and musically extraordinary. After the concert was over, we were exhausted, and my arms were numb from our countless hi-fives and soul-full bonds of kick ass rhythms, and flurries popping off with blends of multiple harmonics echoing through the night Bay Area Sky's. It was about the music. Jaco never sold out and went Hollywood. He was Jaco everywhere he played. Jaco didn't mind sharing his techniques either... | ||
| sonicus
Advanced Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 319 Registered: 5-2009 |
AMEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1284 Registered: 9-2002 |
Of course, you really never would sound like JP with this bass . . . frets! | ||
| sonicus
Advanced Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 320 Registered: 5-2009 |
I have pics of Jaco playing that Bass with a fretless neck . | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2410 Registered: 10-2002 |
Joey 'Bigredbass'. jaco played as much on fretted as he did on fretless. Try to get hold of his live in Montreal DVD and you'll see he favours his fretted bass for much of the gig. Graeme | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1375 Registered: 2-2005 |
Joey, Nice to see you around. I hope things are going well for you. Keith | ||
| mario_farufyno
Advanced Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 272 Registered: 9-2008 |
I will ever remember that sad day. I was in high school and a friend came to me asking: - Don't you play Bass? Do you know this guy? And showed me the newspaper... Man, it was like missing a brother or parent. I couldn't believe it. I even wasn't aware that he was in coma at hospital and then he had passed away. That was before internet and they were telling all that depressing stories about him near the end we didn't know in Brazil. I was totaly shocked, like loosing a friend you've didn't know was sick... Oh, sad remembering. Hail, Jaco, you'll live forever! (Message edited by Mario Farufyno on September 09, 2009) | ||
| gyonnii
Member Username: gyonnii Post Number: 52 Registered: 3-2009 |
I love Jaco but someone is trying to make the big buck off a legends name, and as far as the bass of Doom, it belongs in the Smith museum . I don't believe that A private collector should buy things to sit on them for years and then turn them for profit but maybe they should be auctioned with money going to build a new Music school somewhere for the next generation | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 940 Registered: 8-2005 |
Greg Unfortunately......money always speaks loudest in the Western world! George | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1044 Registered: 11-2004 |
I find it a hard concept to put so much money on an instrument which is just like any other J bass at the time..Jaco would sound like Jaco on any bass, would a cheap korean import bring as much if jaco had played it?? I also have a great suspect of authenticity in these days of fakes, I am not saying this isn't genuine but unless Jaco handed this to someone with a picture of it being done it still is difficult to prove it was his. Maybe I am being too cynical but it was Jaco who played the notes and not the bass. (Message edited by TerryC on September 11, 2009) | ||
| bigbadbill
Senior Member Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 513 Registered: 10-2003 |
If this is the bass I think it is it's fairly well documented. Of course it isn't the smashed and repaired Bass of Doom - I assumed we were all aware of the current lawsuit regarding that. With regards to the Bass of Doom, the current owner (assuming it hasn't yet made it to the Pastorius family)claims that he was given several offers over $75,000, which wouldn't surprise me at all. I'm sure there are collectors who'd pay way over that for Jaco's bass. I also think that if you look at it as simply a bass guitar, you won't get it. You have to look at it more like owning a famous work of art. How much would somebody pay for a Van Gogh? | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2662 Registered: 2-2006 |
I would compare it more to Van Gogh's Easel than his artwork itself. After all it is just an old Fender, BUT the music Jaco created with it is indeed a work of art! OO | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1045 Registered: 11-2004 |
olieoliver..totally agree there! | ||
| bassilisk
Member Username: bassilisk Post Number: 57 Registered: 4-2009 |
"I find it a hard concept to put so much money on an instrument which is just like any other J bass at the time....Maybe I am being too cynical but it was Jaco who played the notes and not the bass." Items like this are not bought by players - they're bought by people who want to be able to say they have it. Consider Entwistle's "Frankenstein" bass. A Fender Precision that was ultimately constructed from 5 different basses. As an item, what would it get? Granted, old parts, some from very desirable units. Still - a vintage parts bass with a '65 body. An all original '65 P in VG cond (no custom color)= $6-$7K and that's being very generous IMO. It went for 52 THOUSAND pounds at auction. Ox played the notes not the bass, and yet someone wanted to be able to say that when you're listening to Tommy, you're hearing this very bass. The collectors are a fact of life and us players will never get it (unless of course we hit the MegaBall lottery, in which case I'll be glad to join their ranks). It's no different than owning Micky Mantle's rookie card or Spider Man #1 - It's not about the money, it's just having it. (Message edited by bassilisk on September 11, 2009) | ||
| bigbadbill
Senior Member Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 514 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ollie, that is indeed more accurate, but I think Bassilisk's post says it all really. I have to say as a painter myself, to use the same easel that Van Gogh (or any other great painter) used when painting would give me an incredible sense of history, which I guess is part of the attraction here. | ||
| mario_farufyno
Advanced Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 281 Registered: 9-2008 |
Greg, I hope that Bass never ends in a museum. Any Instrument was born to make music and deserves to be played until the end of its days, IMO. It's sad when an Instruments turns into memorabilia and ends at a glass lock in some Hard Rock Cafe or else. Would be like to die twice... (Message edited by Mario Farufyno on September 13, 2009) (Message edited by Mario Farufyno on September 13, 2009) | ||
| gyonnii
Member Username: gyonnii Post Number: 53 Registered: 3-2009 |
I hear ya Mario, it was not my feeling that it should be in a sporty Bar like the Hard Rock Glass is just a terrible resting place, but rather then be exploited for money I would much rather see it in the Smithsonian where at least people who did come to see it that it would be done respectfully and not just walking by the Hard rock glass which I feel can be a degrading resting place for something that helps use to remember who the player was that did the magic on the instrument | ||
| sonicus
Advanced Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 357 Registered: 5-2009 |
I think the Smithsonian would be an honourable port of display for this Bass. | ||
| lmiwa
Advanced Member Username: lmiwa Post Number: 261 Registered: 2-2008 |
How many of us would want to have an opportunity to play this bass for a while? I know I would! So why not set up some kind of foundation where musicians (especially talented young ones) have an opportunity to play instruments like these? Lend them to top music schools and let students there actually play them. Maybe make it part of a music history class where they study the artist and his/her music. While I think the Smithsonian and other quality museums are great places for valuable artifacts, the only thing distinctive about production basses like these are the people that played them. If someone put a cheap copy in the Smithsonian, I certainly wouldn't be able to tell, and neither would 99.99% of the world. Seeing a replica in the Smithsonian and reading about Jaco would inspire some people. Playing the actual instrument would certainly inspire others. Why not allow both? Just my opinion... Loch | ||
| sonicus
Advanced Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 359 Registered: 5-2009 |
Good idea Loch! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8732 Registered: 5-2002 |
Loch; personally, I would much rather play your bass. But that's just me. | ||
| john_judge
Intermediate Member Username: john_judge Post Number: 174 Registered: 4-2009 |
I need to ad a thought here to this post One time a while back I had a thought/daydream of a instrument Mousoleum Where Maybe like musicians would pay admission to honor those who passed and for the up keep . Their instruments stored incased by sealed glass with a care taker on duty and he polished the instruments and attended to the public and musicians where allowed to play these instruments in private sound proof chambers for 5-15 minutes, this would be wonderful, problem is that some idiot would do something crazy like light Jimmiies guitar on fire and ruin it for everyone, and of course the Typical robbers, it would have to have 24hour security, plus that would be a lot of eggs in one basket, I mean one good quake or disaster and all is gone. So the visual part would be wonderful, the touching would probably only be allowed by recording artist because of the crazy one's It's a wonderful thought , it be like walking down the wonder hall of music and the Karma and energy in that hall would be utterly fantastic But of course on the negative side of the Note, you would have people like Robin trower good guitarist but one day he claimed he got to touch Jimmy Hendrix's guitar after his death and had a dream that he should try to play like Hendrix and went around telling everyone that Jimmy was talking to him telling him to carry on His Legacy, So my conclusion here is if someone does ever build this, check it out play the instrument, but let Jaco, John, Jimmy, Jerry and the others RIP. Be yourself and let the one's before you be your pilot to your goal's of inspiration (Message edited by john judge on September 15, 2009) (Message edited by john judge on September 15, 2009) | ||
| sonicus
Advanced Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 360 Registered: 5-2009 |
Hi John how are you ? I can definitely see that your heart is again in a good place regarding this .I really like your last sentence in your post number 174 , I agree! Wolf____ | ||
| eligilam
Advanced Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 203 Registered: 2-2006 |
I daresay that even at $45,000, this bass would probably still be a good investment. I would try to get this myself, of course, but all of my money is tied up in Renoit's at the moment. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1050 Registered: 11-2004 |
I think Robin Trower needs pyschiatric help... Was that the same for the guy in Mahogany Rush many years ago when he thought he was the reincarnation of Jimmy H?? I once sat on Barry Sheene's RG 500 Suzuki GP bike..didn't make me Valentino Rossi though. | ||
| john_judge
Intermediate Member Username: john_judge Post Number: 175 Registered: 4-2009 |
Thanks Wolf, I'm doing Fine! although I have been recording, I am now giving some serious thought about returning to the stage again, I really do miss it a lot. | ||
| sonicus
Advanced Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 361 Registered: 5-2009 |
I know what you mean John. I am planing on playing out more as well . I have also been involved in a few recording projects as well lately but have also met a few great players that are performance hungry again for live work, Some of these chaps played with some established names from the past and are seasoned with age and experience and have really BIG EARS and really listen during improvisation. What a joy it is when there is musical chemistry! There is nothing else like it . | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 555 Registered: 10-2006 |
Hey, Terry, it was Frank Marino with Mahogany Rush. Saw them once (free tickets). Walked out in the 2nd song. Would have done so if I'd paid, too. He said he was Jimi reincarnated (though, as he was 16 when Jimi died, I think that would technically be a possession), but he was the most boring guitarist I ever saw. Peter | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 1509 Registered: 11-2003 |
"he was the most boring guitarist I ever saw" Peter, I take it you never saw a Bloodrock show. Sam | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 1510 Registered: 11-2003 |
Robin Trower played with Procol Harum and later on with Jack Bruce. Sam | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 556 Registered: 10-2006 |
I owned DOA when I was in high school, but no, Sam, I never saw them live (& really don't remember anything about them except the title cut - which probably supports your proposition). Peter | ||
| 88persuader
Advanced Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 328 Registered: 5-2004 |
I saw Jaco during the Weather Report "Heavy Weather" tour in Boston 100 years ago. Amazing, and I LOVE his work. That said I don't go for that idol worship crap when it comes to "collectables." If this was Jaco's actual bass it MAY be worth $45,000 to a rich I don't know what to do with my money collector as a collectable to BRAG about but as a BASS GUITAR I don't think it's worth much more than $200! It's an old beat to hell low tech bass that I highly doubt Jaco would still be using if he were alive today. | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1312 Registered: 9-2002 |
Aside from a very few axes, for me (as well as '88 preceding me), this whole 'XYZ guitar owned/played by famous musician so & so' is WAYYYY overdone. Considering just how many free/endorsement/NAMM show axes so-called 'famous' players get (and throw away, sell, or forget about after the photos of their 'endorsement' ads are shot), I'm always very skeptical as to just how much the particular axe with the 'famous former owner' and nosebleed price-tag in VINTAGE GUITAR ads is really worth. Especially Fenders: They screw together (kids could build 'em in shop class!!), use the most ordinary wodds and parts out there, and are generally lowest-common-denominator instruments. There's a lot to be said for simplicity, and they are durable as a baseball bat, but then a baseball bat is their first cousin. Fenders remind me of Harleys: Everybody buys the same Harley, goes slightly custom buying all the same chrome dress-up parts, new pipes, saddlebags, to express their own individuality, just like everybody else did, thereby . . . looking just like every other Harley! 45 large for this will DEFINITELY get you free membership in the More Money Than $en$e Club. I could buy THREE Series basses and have money left over, OR this Fender for the same money? I guess I haven't drunk the Kool-Aid . . . . oh well, where's that phone number for the Ducati shop . . . . | ||
| 88persuader
Advanced Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 330 Registered: 5-2004 |
(This will get to basses. Not all about motorcycles) I've owned a Harley for the past two years to find out about the "Harley mistique" And it's a nice bike to be sure. But so are Honda, Yamaha, BMW, Kawasaki, the list goes on. I think the whole "mistique" thing is a wonderful marketing tool. "If you have to ask you wouldn't understand?" Give me a break. I bought the bike and now I understand. The mistique is nothing more than how a person FEELS when riding the bike if they bought into the Harley marketing sales pitch. Harley doesn't sell motorcycles, they sell AMERICA. (How they got it to sell is anyones guess) And I think the mistique of owning some famous players bass is also only true if you BELEAVE somehow their ability was in their instrument and hot their hands and head. Do you think Jaco was a bass "god" because of this beat to crap Fender bass or do you think he'd still be Jaco playing another brand? Well if you think it was and bass and not his abilities as a bass player start saving your pennies. And when I'm ready to sell my Harley to buy another Yamaha or Honda I'll sell it to you for full price or more because it's dripping in Harley "Mistique." ;-) | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1117 Registered: 3-2004 |
I've heard that they drip. | ||
| 88persuader
Advanced Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 331 Registered: 5-2004 |
The bass or the bike? ;-) Actually Harley's have come a long way in the quality control department. now their just as good as Hondas! lol ....... Sounds like a joke but it's true. Before 2000 their quality was lacking but now they are made as good as anyone else. | ||
| bigbadbill
Senior Member Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 518 Registered: 10-2003 |
In response to Bigredbass, I don't think Jaco saw Fenders that way, or certainly not the old ones. He's on record as saying that his old Jazzes just had a low mid punch that he really liked. I never saw Jaco playing an Alembic, and can't imagine it would have been his instrument of choice whatever happened. Don't get me wrong, I love Alembics and don't really get on with Jazzes, but there are plenty of players out there who would prefer an old Fender regardless of whether it was Jaco's or not. If it works for them, they're not wrong either; it's just a question of individual sonic and aesthetic preference. You know what I'd pay most for? A bass that played, looked and sounded better than any other, and that could be absolutely anything. | ||
| toma_hawk01
Intermediate Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 151 Registered: 9-2009 |
Fenders are great for burning and smashing. With their same pickups and electronics, -- cutting a piece of wood for the body and one for the neck, you'll get the sound. I believe they are just a cultural icon. I had built guitars from simple kits, and laughed. Cheap Cheap Cheap Cheap everything. I had a Pan bass from Sears back in the 70's that sounded better than the kids who parents paid for Fender Jazz and Precisions. Adding an Alembic to the mix, is like Bruce Lee entering the building. (Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 08, 2009) | ||
| mario_farufyno
Advanced Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 309 Registered: 9-2008 |
Ok, you're right. I could pay 1000,00 on a great sounding J Bass and I can understand they sound particular. It has its mistique and all that appealing mid tone, but are "entry level" instruments. Paying 45 grand - even on a vintage toy - is totaly absurd. This reminds me the fact Macca choosed Hofners just because they were available in left hand models and were cheap, and now they cost like jewels. Distortions of capitalist's system: If there is someone to pay it for... | ||
| benson_murrensun
Intermediate Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 177 Registered: 5-2007 |
I feel compelled to contribute to this thread because I am a biker and it has gone into comparing basses to bikes, two of my favorite things. Jaco would sound like Jaco playing almost any bass at all. And I ride like I ride on almost any bike at all. It's the human in control (hopefully), and not the equipment, for the most part. I've had many brands of bikes. I happen to have 2 Harleys amd a Buell (Harley-powered) right now, but I am not a Harley snob... and I suspect I will have other brands again in the future. As Mr. Natural so eloquently said, "It don't mean sheeeeeit." I just took a bass class at Fur Peace Ranch with Mr. Bob Stroger teaching. He plays a Fender Jazz bass through a Peavey combo bass amp. His sound and taste is awesome for the blues. | ||
| jbybj
Advanced Member Username: jbybj Post Number: 232 Registered: 6-2006 |
"Fenders are great for burning and smashing. " Why would you suggest that for any musical instrument? Has a Fender ever attacked you? | ||
| toma_hawk01
Intermediate Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 154 Registered: 9-2009 |
Fenders are garbage. My little penny message holds no value to Fenders huge conglomerate cheap factories, nor do they mean anything to me. Fenders are simply a license and copyright stamp that they constantly feed to the next generation. Anyone who pays 40-50k for this Fender-bender needs help. (Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 08, 2009) | ||
| toma_hawk01
Intermediate Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 155 Registered: 9-2009 |
The blues sound good anyway. | ||
| toma_hawk01
Intermediate Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 156 Registered: 9-2009 |
"I can make an Alembic sound like any bass (but why would I do that...???), Yet no bass in the world could sounds like an Alembic." | ||
| benson_murrensun
Intermediate Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 182 Registered: 5-2007 |
I like this forum, but I'd like it better if we kept the snobbery to a minimum. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1407 Registered: 2-2005 |
To be honest I like my Fender Jazz Bass. Under no circumstances would I replace it. The taper on it's neck is very comfortable. If I am requested to use a Fender I use my Jazz Bass. Likewise I have an old Vox with tape wounds that I use when someone wants the old thump bass sound. While Alembics might be capable of reproducing other bass characteristics actually getting it setup to do that and being able to repeat time and again is pretty near impossible. So why try when I've got other options. Keith | ||
| 88persuader
Advanced Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 332 Registered: 5-2004 |
If you go to a Chapman Stick forum they are all Stick Snobs (if you want to see it that way) If you go to a Harley forum they are all Harley snobs and right now we're on a Alembic forum ... I think a little snobishness is to be expected on a focused product forum. I TRY to avoid it but I think it's human nature. I wouldn't be as open with my thoughts on Harley's on a Harley forum because they'd eat me up! But I could crap on Honda all i like and I'd be a hero. | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1313 Registered: 9-2002 |
I wish it was snobbery. I just get bored to death looking at the same two or three choices when the world is so big. Don't get me wrong: Tons of great music was/is made on them, and lots of great players used Fenders, certainly Jaco among them. And the genius of Mr. Fender's designs are that they survive and thrive, faithful to his original vision. I just get real confined real quick in what for me feels like a 'me too' world. It's a big world out there, and if you ride your DynaGlide to band practice and whip out your Jazz, more power to ya. I just feel better with my own choices. Snobbery for me has nothing to do with it. I HATE snobs. | ||
| benson_murrensun
Intermediate Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 183 Registered: 5-2007 |
"If you go to a Chapman Stick forum they are all Stick Snobs (if you want to see it that way) If you go to a Harley forum they are all Harley snobs and right now we're on a Alembic forum ..." That is true, but it doesn't make it right or good. There is a reason I participate in this forum and not in many others. I like the open-mindedness and tolerance I often find here. Crapping on Hondas in a Harley forum in order to be a hero is like shooting fish in a barrel. I've got an Alembic and some other choice basses; I also have Fenders, and they are not "garbage," IMHO. I'm just suggesting we take the high road. OK, I'm off the soapbox. | ||
| toma_hawk01
Intermediate Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 167 Registered: 9-2009 |
Here's one for ya... I have a 2001 Yamaha Roadstar. Just a few days ago, I took my afternoon walk, and sure enough I see this Harley Road King my neighbor just purchased. As I am walking not to show much interest, my Harley neighbor looks at me and we talk and before you know it he says: "...you want to take it for a spin?" After riding it around the area with the Grand Harley, I parked it; handed over his keys; and he looked at me waiting for my comments... I said: "Only in a America where you could be walking and then find yourself riding a Harley Davidson Road King." We both laughed real hard on this thought. I love his bike, love his ride. (Message edited by toma_hawk01 on October 09, 2009) | ||
| mario_farufyno
Advanced Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 312 Registered: 9-2008 |
About snobbery... I wouldn't pay 45 thousands guacamoles on any bass, although some may worth that. But I don't think any Fender can be tagged this high either because I can't imagine Leo's idea being to make an unaffordable bass like that. It doesn't looks like he ever wanted to do a specialty art-like bass or a "just for the riches" piece of gear. So the idea of having a Fender being sold that price seems so untrue to this mass production bass's whole idea. Just that... (Message edited by Mario Farufyno on October 09, 2009) | ||
| 88persuader
Advanced Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 333 Registered: 5-2004 |
My example with motorcycles, the Harley forum and Stick forum are just examples of how people behave in subject focused forums. Not right or wrong but I think an honest observation. This forum is no different. If I talked about my honest feelings about how ridiculously over priced I think our beloved Alembics are on this forum i'm sure to be attacked by someone. I probably will just from the statement in this reply. When people are gung-ho about something they tend to think in competitive terms and some people put down things they feel are the competition. Personally I love Yamaha motorcycles, I owned 2 Roadstars in the past and I love the Fender Jazz bass. BUT right now I own a Harley and although I've owned 3 Alembics in the past I currently own none because I couldn't justify tying up $20,000 in basses when I had bills to pay. I don't think i'm a Harley snob or a bass snob. I'm just saying some snobbish behavior is to be expected on a subject focused forum. OK now watch people attack me for admitting I think Alembics are way over priced and that I like Fender Jazz basses too. I mean $5,500 for a 4 string Epic? | ||
| toma_hawk01
Intermediate Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 171 Registered: 9-2009 |
Raymond, I like motorcycles, but I love Alembics. I don't feel guilty one bit. I could buy (2) Roadstars for the price of (1) Harley Davidson. So, with the saving, I don't have to compromise my sound. Since I don't drink or smoke, and never had... So, lets see... how much does that stuff cost per year (times) my age...???? Wow, I can afford a new Alembic every year!!!! Alembic's are bargain in comparison to those dangerous needs. | ||
| jbybj
Advanced Member Username: jbybj Post Number: 233 Registered: 6-2006 |
I happen to believe in the power of words and thoughts. I think that expressing ill will towards a device, who's only purpose is to make music, brings down the collective spiritual well being of humankind. There is no shortage of negative crap in our world. Everybody, everywhere should love all instruments, and children, and puppies............. :-) you want to get angry?!? how about getting angry at those jerks who are too f**king lazy to use a broom, so they power blow all the dirt and dust and rat poop, into the air to settle in our lungs and on our houses. or people who kill, f those a-holes.... But my bass guitars, my sweet, innocent, smooth and loving bass guitars. I just want to dress them up and take them out on the town. Fondle them in perfect time. Share their noise with all who will listen. Oops, I just realized I have been typing what I'm thinking! | ||
| 88persuader
Advanced Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 334 Registered: 5-2004 |
Toma your reaction to my pricing opinion proves my point in regard to how people react in subject focused forums. Thank you! BTW I'm not a drinker or smoker and I'm NOT anti Alembic, I love them, at one time in my life I owned 3 at once. I'm an advanced forum member for god sake! :-) BUT I do think they are way over priced regardless how nice they are. And if I could find a used one for a real BARGAIN I'd happily buy another. But it would have to be an unbelievable bargain for me to be able to justify the purchase. And Harley's are WAY over priced and over rated as well! I totally agree with you. It WILL be my last Harley. | ||
| 88persuader
Advanced Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 335 Registered: 5-2004 |
Ladies and gentlemen, I just realized I got myself into a needless and un-winable argument. I want to apologize for printing my opinion on Alembic pricing and my rebuttal to Toma. It is my honest opinion but printing it on THIS forum full well knowing it may make some people angry just to prove a point about subject focused forums and how people react was heartless. I sincerely apologize. Pricing opinion aside I DO feel Alembics are the best basses ever built. | ||
| toma_hawk01
Intermediate Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 173 Registered: 9-2009 |
Ok Raymond, I have a rational question to you. Please answer this question. What bass do you have in place of the three Alembics you sold, and how are those basses better in quality? I ask you this question because many people feel like myself, had tried other basses and felt ripped off. For example, my parents paid $500 for my first Fender back in the 70's, and I asked them to return it for I owned a cheaper, and better bass made in Japan. In other words, if I have to pay cheaper to get better, I will do it, or if I have to pay more, to get better -- I will do that too. So, what is your better bass compared to Alembic? | ||
| 88persuader
Advanced Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 336 Registered: 5-2004 |
I don't want to fuel this fire I started and regret starting Toma but you've asked a question in a civil way and I'll gladly answer it. Actually the basses I used when I sold my Alembics were Modulus Quantum basses. I had a fretted 6 string and a fretless 5 string and both together cost as much as my Stanley Clark signature standard cost alone. I didn't buy them because they were BETTER than Alembics because they weren't, I bought them because they were outstanding basses, much better than I needed for my gig and the profit from selling my Alembics enabled me to get out of debt and still have two wonderful solid as a rock high end basses. And by the way that debt I speak of I got into by buying the Alembics in the 1st place. Modulus basses aren't Alembics woodwork wise but they ARE serious high end basses. Also having full graphite necks I was less frightened to take them into the night clubs I was playing at the time. I was ALWAYS afraid of hurting one of my Alembics to the point where I wouldn't take them on gigs anymore. What good are owning basses when you're a professional player and you're afraid to bring your basses to gigs because they cost you so much you're afraid to have them in a night club? Anyway again I'm sorry for making waves on the forum. We started talking about the Fender being priced crazy then it turned into a discussion about snobbery and I thought I could make my point about both parts of the discussion by pointing out that IMO although Alembics ARE the best in the world i think they are over priced, in the case of Excel and Epic WAY over priced, and I think we ALL tend to be a little snobbish and protective of our instrument of choice, especially on product specific forums like this. Thats the last I'll add to this part of the topic, I honestly don't want to make enemies on the forum and am sincerely sorry if I pissed anyone off by having a contrary opinion. BTW my 3 Alembics were an 1988 Persuader, A Stanley Clark Signature Standard and an Epic 5 string. I loved the Stanley Clark and Persuader, And I do miss them, The Epic I really felt fell way short of expectations for an Alembic. I was very disappointed in that bass. Peace. | ||
| darkstar01
Intermediate Member Username: darkstar01 Post Number: 171 Registered: 6-2005 |
i agree with ray. i love modulus basses. i've owned 4 of them in the past, and currently use one as my regular gigging bass. now, i'm kind of in the process of picking up an alembic for my regular bass, but i think it boils down to opinion. now, i've had an argument with hal based on opinion before, and it didn't go very well. i LOVE alembic. i've had a custom built, they've been in the process of building my second for going on 4 years, and i honestly don't complain because i trust them. they know what they're doing. period. point is, a great player, or even a decent player, plays what they like. i picked up a fender jaguar bass a couple of weeks ago and havent put it down. i love it. that begs the question- if i get the playability i need, the tone i want, and the reliability i need, what does the make matter? of course, this IS an alembic forum, and i understand that. but i've played alembics i don't like, and would never buy. the most comfortable bass i own is a '77 fender jazz bass. the point is, "better" "best" and even "worse" are words that convey opinion. there's no sense in trying to convince each other that we're wrong. hal, you're going to love your custom. i know i did! ray, let's enjoy our mods (but i still love my alembics!!!). just my thoughts. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1410 Registered: 2-2005 |
Well there is only one more "B" word to interject into this conversation and allow the circle to be completed, Beer. I'm getting ready to go down to my local brewery tasting room, Aviator Brewery, and check out their Red Ale. Keith | ||
| toma_hawk01
Intermediate Member Username: toma_hawk01 Post Number: 174 Registered: 9-2009 |
Ray, You pulled it off. That was a tight rope over 10,000 feet drop, with Great White Sharks, Jelly Fishes, shallow rocks below and strong winds. I totally see your point, and truly respect your judgment. "You made it across." Hal- |
