| Author | Message | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 1716 Registered: 10-2002 |
Well, we were two members short but finally managed to gather together 6 unique alembic basses..  we had my three - epic, rogue and MK..  Mike Pisanek's Europa and Spoiler..  And George's stunning series 1..  We spent a good 3 hours and more discussing and playing these superb instruments. Georges series attracted alot of interest. I spent the afternoon trying to figure a way to smuggle it out..  But george wasn't about to let her go..  Mike brought along his huge 6 string europa for us to try ..  and his unique 6 string spoiler..  george had a great time trying out all the basses - here he is with my balance k..  We overran the time allocated but agreed we'd had a great afternoon and we'll be doing it again. Even the beer was good.  Graeme | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6427 Registered: 5-2002 |
Cool!!! Nice tee-shirts and caps! And six really nice basses! And a friendly looking group! Thanks for the pics Graeme! | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 449 Registered: 8-2005 |
Thanks for posting the pics Graeme. I had a great day! I'll never complain about the weight of my bass after playing Mike's Europa. It weighed a ton, and I could feel the muscles in my back starting to tighten after just a couple of minutes with her. The great thing about the day was being able to try those beautiful instruments for free-especially through Graeme's superb rig. I loved Graeme's MK 5, it had a great feel and sound although I'm still a sucker for his Epic. I took along my new Cort fretless to try her out through a good rig, it was surprisingly good, but hopelessly out classed by Graeme's beautiful Rogue. That's how a fretless SHOULD sound! Pity the other guys didn't make it, it would've been great to try even more basses----maybe next time--once I get major surgry on my back after the "Europa" experience. Couldn't get to grips with the Spoiler though. I'll try and post some pics Thanks for a great day guys George | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 450 Registered: 8-2005 |
More pics!!            (Message edited by davehouck on April 06, 2008) | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 451 Registered: 8-2005 |
Well, Made a pig's ear of it again!!! I retouched the pics before resizing them, so they came out crap on the resize but look cool normally. Don't know why they all appear on one line??? I hate techno stuff. Anyway, you get the general idea. George | ||
| bigyouth
Member Username: bigyouth Post Number: 90 Registered: 7-2006 |
Salut Georgie Magnifique basses et superbe photos!! a bientot | ||
| speicky
Advanced Member Username: speicky Post Number: 271 Registered: 3-2005 |
Wow, I bet you guys had way too much fun ! Thank you, George, for just giving me a general idea, very much more details would have driven me mad with jealousy  Christian | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3032 Registered: 7-2004 |
Looks like you all had a blast. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but ever notice that when two or more Alembic players are put in the same room, we can find interesting things, (at least to us), to talk about for hours and hours? Thanks for the report and pics. When's the next one? Bill, tgo | ||
| keurosix
Advanced Member Username: keurosix Post Number: 283 Registered: 10-2005 |
Ok, so what's the verdict? Is the Series 1 heavier than the Europa 6 string, or vice-versa? Looks like you guys had a blast! Kris | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 1718 Registered: 10-2002 |
There's the funny thing. I found the series to be incredibly light compared with my basses - maybe on a par with the rogue - but then it is a 4 string. Mikes' Europa is ridiculously heavy but then He's a big guy and can handle it ;-) It was interesting to hear the differences in the electronics packages but they all had that unmistakable Alembic sound. Mike and I were both blown away by Georges' series - the tone shaping just feels so much 'More' than even the signature gives me. Food for thought although I'm still very happy with my instruments. Hopefully we'll be able to arrange another one later in the year when Ian and John can make it. Graeme Oops. Meant to mention Mike's Spoiler. it's a six string on a four string neck and the spacing appears to be narrower at the bridge than at the nut. I found it impossible to play without using a pick which is how mike plays it at gigs. (Message edited by jacko on April 07, 2008) | ||
| mpisanek
Intermediate Member Username: mpisanek Post Number: 175 Registered: 1-2005 |
I guess I'll chime in here as well. We had a great day! It was great to see all the basses side by side, and to be able to compare the sounds and feel of each one with the others. It is amazing though, I thought that I might be unhappy with the sound of my basses after hearing the Series 1 that George had. What I found is that while I will get a series in the future, I am still very happy with my instruments in their own right. Each bass has its unique sounds and playing characteristics. The fact is that at the end of the day, I loved all the basses. I said on the day that we are very lucky to have so many Alembic basses in such a small area so far from the mothership. The one thing that I will say is that I think beer tastes better when there is an Alembic in the room! Thanks to Graeme for organising the day, and thanks to all for letting everyone try their basses. It was a great day! | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 452 Registered: 8-2005 |
Hi Christian It was great!!! And yes Bill, we talked for hours about so many things, and even had a great laugh with some Scottish beer. I'm very touched that the guys liked my bass, but as she is mine, it's very easy to become somewhat complacant. I PERSONALLY loved Graeme's Rogue (fretless), and his MK5. I also loved Mike's Europa-----whilst much too big and heavy for me, it was a true work of art-as were ALL of Graeme's basses. The Spoiler, as Graeme has described, was great, but the string spacing was way beyond my control as I don't generally play with a plectrum (pick). There was also the difference of strings------I saw red ones, blue ones, black ones and even a "normal" silver coloured set that I used! All in all, I think that the strings can make SUCH a difference to an instrument. My strings were pretty new, and hence sounded quite bright whereas Mike's strings on his Spoiler 6 had been on the guitar for ages. I think he bought them second hand from NOAH. There is also the question of wood ages. Mike was the first to point out to me that the Maple on my bass was of a much more Yellow colour than the others; which for her age seems quite normal She has never needed adjustment at all since she was set up by Chris Ward at the Bass Centre in London when I bought her 7 years ago for my 47th birthday as my special treat to me. I assume that this bass was built by Ron and Rick Turner. It is thicker than the newer Alembics, and the circuit board is in the back plate as opposed to being mounted in the "hollow cavity". As for Graeme's comment on tone shaping---He runs his preamp with basically "flat" settings. Great for what he does live (and I've heard him live) but IMHO crank the pre amp up and you will get so much more from these instruments----after all these are the best that money can buy!!! All in all, the most beautiful basses were those of Graeme and Mike. I personally think that Graeme's Rogue and MK 5 were stunning. Mike's Europa was overwhelming---I loved it immediately, plus it has the LEDs. So, it seems that most people want to aspire to a Series bass---I can understand why, but as Graeme and Mike say, EACH bass hass it's own distinctive feel, sound and character. No single one is really better than the others----they may have more "Q", but at the end of the day, it's horses for courses I REALLY want that Zerbrawood bass that was on E Bay UK . That was amazing No Series no nothing The BIZZ!!! G Eh Medhi Merci pour tes paroles! Passes moi un message quand tu auras un petit peut de temps JOJO (G) Prends soins de toi mon pote | ||
| white_cloud
Advanced Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 344 Registered: 11-2007 |
Im very p****d that I couldnt make this one, I ended up floating off the coast of scotland in a boat instead (its a long story!) It looked like a great day and I was there in spirit!  Sorry guys Next time I will ENSURE that I am there John | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 461 Registered: 8-2005 |
we were all waiting for you John!? Ian as well,but alas it ended up just the three of us. As I've no transport at the moment,you are totally welcome to come over here and play the Series. It's a good bass but different from the others I know that it's your favourite bass so come play here!!! G so don't get over excited. | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 462 Registered: 8-2005 |
we were all waiting for you John!? Ian as well,but alas it ended up just the three of us. As I've no transport at the moment,you are totally welcome to come over here and play the Series. It's a good bass but different from the others I know that it's your favourite bass so come play her!!! G so don't get over excited. | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 463 Registered: 8-2005 |
OOPS!! Double post---sorry guys G | ||
| pace
Advanced Member Username: pace Post Number: 368 Registered: 4-2004 |
That Spoiler is neat! Is it tuned from E, or B?!? | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 1737 Registered: 10-2002 |
It's low B -> C Mike. String spacing is ludicrously tight. graeme | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 464 Registered: 8-2005 |
I can vouch for that!!! George | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 768 Registered: 8-2005 |
I've been learning how to play with a pick!! Really want to try that ol' Spoiler again.....what a great sounding instrument. Don't know it's year, but it was uber cool G |
