Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: son_of_magni on January 06, 2004, 10:18:32 AM
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I guess I spent too much time listening to Jaco, Stanley, and Ron over the years. What is the first Level 42 album I should buy? (More bass, less vocals.)
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Try 'Influences', it's his first solo album. The first song is about 18 minutes long and split into various sections. I believe the whole album is a real time recording without much (any?) retouching. I've had it since it first appeared many many years ago, I still love it.
I hope this helps!
Rog
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Thanks, that's great, now on order on Amazon. I stopped at Strawberries on the way home and they had two Level 42 cd's. One was a best of, and since I don't believe in ever buying best of's, I bought the other called Guaranteed. I really hope there's more to this guy than what he shows on this recording. There's hotter guys on the street corners in Boston. There's a couple nice tunes though.
In any case my dream bass should show up day after tomorrow, 6-string fretless. After 30 years of dreaming I'll have my Alembic!
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Okay, another fretless player - I guess that means it's my turn to extend my warmest welcome to a new member.
I'll also admit that less than two years ago, when I got my first Alembic brochure, I had to ask someone who this Mark King guy was (and after the obvious response, what was Level 42?). At least I knew who Stanley was, and had a bunch of his recordings, those mostly earlier ones, and on upright - like most of my favorite bass players.
Now maybe I'm going to embarrass myself further, but in this context only two Rons come to mind. To my knowledge, Ron Wickersham only plays the oscilloscope (though brilliantly, of course); the other is Mr. Carter, though as much as I've enjoyed his playing over the years, it's a bit of a stretch to line him up with Jaco and Stanley. Am I missing someone?
At some further personal risk, I'll go out on a limb here: take some time to enjoy your new instrument, and don't be too pestered by the forthcoming pleas from the pauls for pictures. All in due time. But you could ease the pressure a bit by giving us a verbal description - woods, shape, electronics.
Congratulations. Even after 30 years of dreaming, my guess is you'll still find it to be better than you ever imagined.
-Bob
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Hi Karl, congratulations on the new bass. Sounds like you'll have a great weekend! Wow a brand new MK 6 string. That's a pretty good way to get your Alembic feet wet. Photos are a must by the way.
Thanks, Bob, I was going to ask about Ron also.
Sam
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Wow, thanks to everyone for the warm welcome! First, yes Bob, I meant Ran Carter. Not that his style is like Stanley or Jaco, it's just who I listened to. (I could have mentioned Felix Papalardi and Rick Laird too, heh.) More recently of course there's John Patituchi and Victor Wooten.
Fretless, yeah I started out on cello when I was 8, so soon after I took up bass in the early 70's I bought a fretless Fender P off the shelf and loved it. In the early 90's I wanted to get an Alembic but couldn't afford it and 'settled' for a 5-string fretless Pedula (penta-buzz) which has been my main bass since then. But it never diminished my desire for the Alembic. Over the years the only thing I regretted about the Pedula was that I didn't get a 6-string. So now I'll have what for me should be the perfect bass. Also I think it will be very interesting to compare the Alembic and Pedula for sound, action, playability, etc.
Pictures? I do have a digital camara but I don't have the bass yet. You can check here though:
http://www.basscentral.com/2003/alembic.shtml (http://www.basscentral.com/2003/alembic.shtml)
It's the 6-string at the very bottom...
Thanks again, Karl
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don't be too pestered by the forthcoming pleas from the pauls for pictures
This is blasphemy!!!
Welcome to the club Karl and don't feel alone about this. When I first saw the Mark King basses in the catalog I said is this the same guy from Level 42? . Look around the site, you will find links to Mark King clips from tv shows, concerts, solos and such. You will then understand who he is. After seeing and hearing all of these, I listen to Level 42 in a completely new view. And one of the best things, to me, is that someone with his level (no pun intended) of talent can play in a band setting without sound like an overpowering presence, he fits right into the mix.
Oh yeah, about those pictures.......
Paul TGO
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Well ... let's prove that we Paul's are absolutely great guys, a sort nearly extinguished in mankind! Pictures???
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/7497.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/7498.jpg)
Pictures!!!!! Karl, welcome to the club. Great to have you here and ...man ...what - a - bass!!! Paul the bad one
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I'm guessing the Ron that Karl referred to would be Ron Carter; I can't think of any other Rons at the moment.
I see he's already responded; I guess I'm a bit slow .
(Message edited by davehouck on January 07, 2004)
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Hey Karl,
Welcome to the club!!!!
You wouldn't happen to be in the Boston area would you!?!?
Dino
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Karl,
Welcome to the club. Nice bass too. I started with a fretless P-bass myself and had a Pedulla pushed at me. I resisted though and figured I'd wait until I could get the extra dollars for the Alembic. One of the best decisions I ever made.
Brother Paul the bad one.... that was a good one! What good are empty beer bottles if I can't bang them against the bar and chant Pictures! Pictures!?
Paul the John one
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Paul E, I'll keep listening!
Bad Paul, thanks...
Dino, I live in southern NH, work in North Reading. Ah, I see you are in Lowell, let me know when you are playing in the area! Interesting quote There's no money below the 5th fret. I remember a famous cello player said I make all my money in first position.
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Wow, my wife and I are looking into moving to the Pelham/Londonderry area. What a small world!!! Well let me be the first to welcome you to the ANEC(Alembic New England Chapter). I think we are up to about 5 or 6 members now.
In fact Paul the John One and Paul TGO are both charter members as well. And Paul The Bad One is an honorary member seeing he named it ANEC, and he's just an all around wonderful person to talk with. We're trying to get him over here from Belgium to sit and drink some beer and play some bass with us. We'll all have to get together sometime soon to compare basses.
In the meantime, I'm at Garrisons in Billerica just about every Friday starting the 23rd of this month. I'm playing upright though so no Alembics will be present.
I actually messed that quote up BTW. It should be there's no money above the 5th fret. I wonder if the instructor I got it from knows your cello player. HMMMMM
Anyway talk soon.
Dino (Paul the Fake One)
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Oh ...euh ...how are you bass-players counting?? I thought the quote was: there is no money ABOVE the fifth fret.
Paul's ...what would be this club without us banging empty bottles on the counter and yelling pictures-pictures !!!?!?!?
You know ...when -ever- we'll come together we'll start a Paul's band. The John one, the good one, the bad one, the fake one may play lead (above the 5th fret ...I KNOW he does brilliantly) and when we are all quite maybe the silent one will join us on his georguous SII guitar (huh ...oh ...eh ....a guitar is the same as a bass but the strings are pitched higher ...they are very noisy ...have you ever seen one of those? LOL).
We'll play a version of Smoke on the water that will be worth to remember ...oh yeah!
(I'll stay hammering on E LOL).
Paul the bad one
Rats ...the Fake one saw it too!
Hi there DIno ...so you want to move? Will I have somne baby-sitting to do in between?? Send your children to their long lost thought uncle in Belgium HA!!!!!
Oh ..euh ... about your bass Karl.
Brothers and Sisters on the club know I'm nor very keen on that pointed headstock but let ne say this: your bass -with the balance point upper horn, omega cutout and with 6 strings is the first model I see where I find that headstock completely acceptable designwise spoken. Beware ...this is highly personal taste.
Oh ...and so you're member of the Drunken Bunnies too? Watch out the Good one ...he's also good in brewing beers. A VERY dangerous man!!!!!!
(Message edited by palembic on January 07, 2004)
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Brother Paul,
I know my babies couldn't be in better hands with Uncle Paul baby sitting.
Regarding the 5th fret thing, one of my students brought it to my attention that above the 5th fret would be the 6th, 7th etc, So I figured I'd better change it. Like Karl's cello player said I make all my money in first position.
When I'm wrong, I admit it!!!!! Sorry for the confusion.
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Karl,
See what happens here? You ask for one thing and before you know it you're traveling down a completely different road all whacked out and no one in control so grab a seat and hang on!
Welcome to the club and congratulations on the wonderful bass, I like the way a fretless looks so clean.
Oh, and thanks for asking about Mark King, I've been too afraid to do it...
Mike
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It seems like its not just Paul TBO who should be on TV; I reckon all the Paul's should have their own series; maybe it could be called the P Team and they could build basses out of bits of wire and old furniture....Paul I think you're rubbing off on me! It'll be stockings next...
My recommendation Mark King wise would be a Physical Presence (Level 42 live album), or one of the DVDs you can buy from his site, or even the old Guaranteed live video if you can find it.My great disappointment is to never see him playing his Alembics; I saw him play a Fender (which sounded awful) and a Status Kingbass (twice)which was not bad, but not close to his Alembic sound. Anyone who isn't convinced, just watch the DVD where he's playing his Alembics and compare it to the one where he'splaying the Kingbass...
Shaun
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Hey Shaun, what's this with going back on topic? I'm not sure that's allowed here.
Paul, I'm right with you about the headstock. I would rather it had the crown shape but I'm not going to wait 4 months for a bass and I think it looks ok on the 6-string.
Oh, and Paul the John, don't be dissn' my Pedula ;-) It's a sweet thing. Check my profile, there's a pic of me at a jam last summer...
And another thing, Mike, you said you like the way the fretless neck looks so clean. That's one of the things that's always struck me about my Pedulla. This huge jet black expanse, if someone watching doesn't know about the dots on top they think you must be a bass god to be able to play in tune. And with the diamondcote it's like a mirror too, the way it reflects the image of my fingers is cool. But I think playing on the bare wood of the Alembic will feel and sound more natural.
The Pedulla (too bad the flames don't come out in the photo)
http://www.sonofthor.com/images/K-horiz3_.jpg
(Message edited by son_of_magni on January 07, 2004)
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You are indeed a very patient man...my dream bass should show up the day after tomorrow. After making my deal last month with Beaver for the axe just a few spots up from yours on the website (JPJ 5-string), I had them ship it NextDay Early AM, and could barely sleep during the night! (Fellow members, is it normal for a grown man to act in such a manner?) Congratulations on your new addition - she is a real beauty! Play it in good health......
Chris
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Karl; I think your bass looks great with the cone headstock. And as you take a break from practicing and sit back and gaze at your bass I think you will come to think so too .
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There's no money above the Fifth Fret
No wonder I'm so broke!!! Being a Chris Squire/Geddy Lee fan, I always thought that life began at 12...Frets that is
:-)
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Apologies to all for the dreadful sin of going back on topic; I hang my head in shame
Personally I also think the bass looks great with the cone headstock, but I like the cone headstocks anyway. And that's a cool bass! And to attempt to keep up with topic (hopefully), Pedullas are great;I used to own one and its very near the top of my wish I hadn't soldlist. As for you and I Kenbass, we're both broke for the same reason! Next time I see Chris I'll tell him he owes us both some money!
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Our own show.... yeah, I like that! (back off topic!)
We could use low frequency weapons (Alembics)! When aimed at someone they would disorient them. Unless we all crossed the streams, then that would yield the elusive, but dangerous, eternal brown note......
Palembic would have to be the fatherly one and also guard the fridge. Dino would be the weapons specialist! I would be the Mr. T one, but with a reverse mowhawk ( some people call it balding..). I would also trade the gold chains in for some test cable with a tuning fork hanging from it, the tuning fork of truth! Jet Powers, aka John Paul, can be either the babe magnet or the slightly crazy one. Heck, why not both??
Ah, I can see it now. The first day of filming on location in bitter cold Boston...... Now to find a suitable set of wheels for us. And jobs for the rest of the Pauls here
Paul - not really trying to keep this thread off- topic....
(Message edited by elzie on January 07, 2004)
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Shame Shame Shame!!!!!
Hey Karl, if you are having a jones to play a fretless Alembic, you're more than welcome to check out my fretless Orion 5 until yours shows up. I'm probably right down the street from you if you're in So.NH. Of course I wouldn't be a proper Paul if I didn't request pix when yours comes in too.
BTW - This was posted a while back if you want to check it out. It's a video of Mark playing a Series. Pretty wild!!!
http://www.aic.se/basslob/videos/mark_king.jpg (http://www.aic.se/basslob/videos/mark_king.jpg)
There I go again getting back ON the subject!!!!
Peace,
D (Paul The Fake One)
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And yep ...that's a great Pedulla too. I always loved the looks of those basses although they always seem so small when I strap them on. I never could get used to it. Wait until you strap on the Alembic ...now THAT's a bass with BODY.
I never understood people playing Steinberger (the baseball-bat model HA) I feel so ...euh ...caught.
Paul the bad one
Oh ...euh ...about Mark King. The CD I listened most to is Running in the Family. Beware ...it's not Mark soloing there just a band with bass up-front. (However there is a lot of sequenced bass doubled in it).
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Tss-tss poor Brother Karl ...and HE taught to come in a serious club now he got himself a serious guitar ...HA!!!!! It's the most wacko place on earth!!!! But ...OTOH with the most friendly people you can imagine. Did you know already?? They hired Valentino as a MODERATOR in this club ...HA ...there is nothing to Moderate ...we're too sweet! So now the poor (yeah sure poor HA!) guy is forced to test all the outgoing Alembic basses off factory ...it mus be torture ...in a way.
Paul the bad one
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Karl:
Fabulous axe! I must admit the cone headstock looks just great with six keys.
As you can see from your encounters with my co-conspirators, you're in for it now. You've been had by The Pauls, Dino is gonna know where you live, Bob checked in . . . . life as you've known it is over!
I will issue my standard warning: After a while, that bass is going to OWN YOU, instead of the reverse arrangement you think you've recently completed. But you can now live your life owning a legend, so it's a trade-off we've all happily made.
The Club is a terrific clearing house for all things ALEMBIC. I'm proud to be here, and I've learned so much from these guys. And I feel like I belong here, which I hope is not saying something really unfortunate for my friends!
Just once, though, geez, couldn't we get a new guy that is wild for Carol Kaye, Duck Dunn, and Sir Paul? Mark makes a lot of money above the fifth fret!
J o e y
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-- don't be too pestered by the forthcoming pleas from the pauls for pictures
- This is blasphemy!!!
Yeah, but you've gotta admit it's nicely alliterative... and even ties in with the Pedulla discussion.
Besides, you guys are about to get your own TV show, and it's our responsibility as your support group to help keep your egos in line.
The previous time I was shopping for a bass was about 12 years ago, and I still remember being favorably impressed by the Pedullas back then. I was kind of turned off by the Jaco-style epoxy fingerboard (to me, there is nothing quite like unfinished ebony, for both feel and sound), and when sitting the body curve shifted the bass in a way that was uncomfortable for me (though I forget which direction). That was probably the penta-buzz, but some other more expensive model had these nice big, curved, soap bar pickups that sounded really great, and to this day I wonder why exactly that was (probably wide apertures, but maybe something more to it).
But just to tie into the thread here, I still feel like my new Alembic is on a completely different level (though it remains doubtful I'll ever turn into a King fan).
(Paul, I can't believe you're giving him a pass on the cone headstock, after all the grief you've given me about mine, and the fact I had to carefullly select a photo to send you that didn't include it. Sheesh.)
What a wonderfully crazy bunch of people. As much as we talk about the instruments (or beer, or stockings, or Harleys, or whatever), I'm convinced we're all here because of the music, whatever our personal preferences might be.
Time to go play.
-Bob
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RRRRRRRUFL ....!!!!
And ...Brother Bob ladies and gentle people!!!
The cook of the Alembic Stew!
Oh ...I appreciated your effort to send me that picture with NO headstock on it and -to be honest- I truely am not keen on a cone-headstock on a Rogue model, for some reason it doesn't fit in my eyes. On Karl's bass model the cone-shape does fit, I KNOW it's weird.
However ...
Brother Bob ...
I quote your new Alembic ...????
I think I have to gather the P-team round the counter and start banging those empty bottles yelling pictures - pictures - pictures.
Or is this too early??
Paul the bad one
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Another suggestion for the show: the one with the pointy ears in the lycra outfit, blowing up the whole show with his Spoiler?
You know those early Spoilers had a sharper kind of cone-headstock, which I think looks real nice. Which brings this thread nicely back to topic, because at one time Mark King played an Ashley Pangborn bass that looked very much like an Alembic, but with a very sharp cone-headstock.
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Yep ...I remember that. There is a picture dwelling around here somewhere in a thread where you can see that bass.
I remember the video The Sun goes down where he planted that bass headstock down in the sand.
I was terrified!
Paul the bad one
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What was the topic again? Oh yeah Mark King.
Hey Chris, if you'd just driven down to Orlando after ordering your bass instead of having it delivered you would have had about 18 hours to listen to Mark King and Level 42. And that's just one way. Of course it would take another two hours just to get into and out of Orlando.
Sam
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Sorry about that link. Try this one, click on the videos link on the left, then click on the Mark King pix, it should bring you to the video of him playing.
http://www.aic.se/basslob/ (http://www.aic.se/basslob/)
BTW-Did someone say Harley's and beer too? Oh My!!!
Peace,
Dino
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Dino
Great sight! Thanks. Check out the Jeff Berlin & Jaco video. Someone forgot to tell them there's no money above the 5th fret.
Sam
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Wow, too many things to respond to! For now I do have to say to Bob, you're absolutely right about the shape of the Pedulla now being right for playing while sitting down. It was the Pedulla that finally forced me to learn how to play while standing up.
I'm just sitting here watching out the window for the fedex truck...
AH, here it is!
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Wow, too many things to respond to! For now I do have to say to Bob, you're absolutely right about the shape of the Pedulla not being right for playing while sitting down. It was the Pedulla that finally forced me to learn how to play while standing up.
I'm just sitting here watching out the window for the fedex truck...
AH, here it is!
Arrrrgh! It was just my new computer monitor...
(Message edited by Son of Magni on January 08, 2004)
Well it finally did arrive. What can I say except WOW! I have a feeling the Pedulla will be taking a back seat for a while. Six strings, I always tune my 5-strings eadgc and, of course, the 6-string is beadgc. I have to wonder if anyone tunes a 6-string to eadgcf?
I've only played through my Trace Elliot so far. Into my 2-15 I couldn't get the sound I wanted so I switched to my 4-10 with horn (SWR) and it really kicked you know what. What would people recommend for a head with a nice tube sound and lots of power? I'm looking at a Hartke 350 watts with a tube front end, or the same amp in stereo. Also has anyone wired their Alembic in stereo?
PS, regarding the double post, I didn't do it...
(Message edited by son_of_magni on January 09, 2004)
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I picked up the Level 42 albums back in the eighties,and I don't know why really. I was exclusively a guitar player at that time. I got the Physical Presence tape first and loved it. That made me realize the power of the bass. I saw them open up for Madonna in 1987 (don't laugh,I went with girls) from the 3rd row and was amazed how good they were. Especially Mark King,but the rest of the band are great musicians as well. The other thing is that Level 42 was close to getting jazz and pop to meld,but pop won out in the end. and they did lose there spark in the late 80's early 90's
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Mark King Mark King Mark King................!
Didn't have anything else to say.....sorry!
Paul (TAO).........I have now found my signature!