Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Introductions => Topic started by: jonnytb on May 16, 2017, 11:40:41 AM
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Hi There,
I'm a new member in the community and very anxiously awaiting my first Alembic to arrive!
I live in Brooklyn, NY and originally from Massachusetts.
Bass player for life, but also play mandolin and a little guitar.
I play a broad range of styles, from bluegrass, to funk, to punk rock.
Through an extremely wonderful series of events, I will be the proud owner of a '77 Series 1 long scale (77-929)!
Super excited. An instrument I never expected to ever come my way.
So, as I prepare and do research, I was wondering whether Alembic, and/or the community, might have some tips for a first timer.
And, I was also wondering whether Alembic might have any historic info about this specific instrument i.e. woods, electronics, repairs, etc.
Thanks in advance and I will post some pics as soon as possible!
Jon
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Welcome jonnytb... like yourself, I'm primarily a bass player, but also a closet mandolin and guitar player, and grew up in Southwest Virginia, the cradle of Bluegrass and Oldtyme music. Mix that with some Fleetwood-Mac and The Eagles, hit play, and I'm happy. ;D
Mica catches up on the serial number look-ups when time permits, but in the meantime I'm glad to have another to swap yee-hahs with.
(pre-emptive) Congratulations & Compliments on your Series I... be sure and post some pictures of it in the Showcase section of the Forum here after you get it. ;)
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Thanks Edward!
Will absolutely add some photos once I have the bass.
I added the serial info request in the appropriate section. Interested to hear a little more about this instrument's provenance.
Be well!
Jon
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Welcome! Can't wait to see that bass, and I know you will enjoy it!
Now you will have to figure out which Alembic you want next...
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Too right mtjam... too right!
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Congrats! Nice Alembic to have as a first!
The electronics are probably going to be different than what you're used to - in a way, more like a passive bass than a "normal" active bass with bass & treble boost, but also much more flexible & powerful. Definitely read up in the "Must Reads" and "FAQ" section about the Series I & any stuff about filters. It's not that difficult, but definitely different. Don't get overwhelmed, maybe start with the neck pickup and see what the filter does to that, then the bridge, then combine them. There's plenty of sage advice to be had here on the forum!
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Thanks Hieronymous,
I've definitely been trying to read up on how the controls work, power, etc.
Looking forward to start experimenting.
My only "concern" is more with the weight. I have some back issues (lower back surgery about five years ago) and since, I've been very careful in regard to instruments.
This bass comes in a little under 11 lbs. What do people generally think about the weight of these bases? Balanced well, too heavy, etc?
Thanks!
Jon
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Congratulations on your new bass. Series basses are the ultimate in tonal flexibility. As far as the back goes..Alembics do tend to be heavier especially Series basses so.get yourself a really good padded strap (4.5 inches is what I'm using). Alembic, Moody, Levy, and Italia all make quality straps. My other adjustment is to have a stool handy and play from a sitting position whenever we are doing something slow and when I get a chance between songs (it's amazing how often our guitarist retunes between songs).
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Thanks, Hammer!
Question to the community. Any suggestions in terms of a suitable gig bag for a Series 1? This bass has the pointed bottom end. It has a custom road case, but it's not going to be practical taking on the subway, taxis, etc.
Anyone have thoughts about Mono gig bags?
Jon
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So what would be the ideal width for the strap...for a heavier bass guitar?
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The wider, the better. 4" is best in my book
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I have Series basses that weigh 10, 11, and 12 pounds, and I use this Levy strap with each one and it is very comfortable and distributes the weight well.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PM32Blk
Although, regardless of which strap you choose, if you have a bad back you will find yourself sitting down now and then to relieve the weight.
I have a Reunion Blues gig bag. One of my standard point Series basses just barely fits in it, the other is too long (not all points are created equal). The bag is also just barely wide enough. So, make sure you measure your bass from tip to tip, and the width at its widest point. Then check the internal length and width of the gig bag you are considering.
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Thanks, Hammer!
Question to the community. Any suggestions in terms of a suitable gig bag for a Series 1? This bass has the pointed bottom end. It has a custom road case, but it's not going to be practical taking on the subway, taxis, etc.
Anyone have thoughts about Mono gig bags?
Jon
One of the Alembic guitars that I take out regularly has a standard point on the bottom. I've been using the Mono Vertigo gig bag for over two years and have not had any issues to date. I feel quite confident with that particular bag.
Regards,
Jonathan
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I have a Reunion Blues gig bag. One of my standard point Series basses just barely fits in it, the other is too long (not all points are created equal). The bag is also just barely wide enough. So, make sure you measure your bass from tip to tip, and the width at its widest point. Then check the internal length and width of the gig bag you are considering.
Thanks for the info, RV!
I was actually looking at info about the Reunion Blues bags. I also saw some good comments about this Gator bag (http://gatorcases.com/products/guitar/pro-go-ultimate-guitar-gig-bags/pro-go-guitar/bass-guitar-gig-bag-g-pg-bass/#prettyPhoto). I had a great Gator mandolin case for years, but the Alembic is going to be a different beast altogether.
Anyone out there have any experience with this Gator bag?
Jon
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One of the Alembic guitars that I take out regularly has a standard point on the bottom. I've been using the Mono Vertigo gig bag for over two years and have not had any issues to date. I feel quite confident with that particular bag.
Thanks, Jonathan!
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You asked about the Gator gig bags. I bought my daughter one of those for her birthday the other week. She plays guitar. I actually stole it from her because I discovered that for guitars with a standard point, they offer much better bottom cushioning as you can see from the photo here. I never realized it, but the only thing between my Alembic's point and the cement was about a quarter of an inch of rubber with the MONO bag. Plus, the price point is WAY batter with the Gator bag. Also, the neck support in the Gator bag is moveable, wheres it's fixed with the MONO. The ability to add the Tick Bag to the MONO for accessories is very nice, but having realized what's going on with that point, I decided the Gator is the way to go.
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Hey Jonathan,
Thanks for the info about the Gator bag.
Glad to hear that you feel the level/quality of protection is at a level you're comfortable for your Alembic.
And, I definitely appreciate that the cost of the Gator bad is considerably easier to take.
Have a great holiday weekend.
Jon
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Jonathan,
Which model is the gator bag in your photo? Is it a bass guitar bag or electric guitar bag? I have a standard point guitar and I'm finding it hard to find a guitar gig bag long enough and wide enough. I like the gator bag added padding for the bottom point.
Thanks,
Rob
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Rob,
It's a guitar bag. The bottom cushion is removable as well.
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I would expect a Standard Point guitar to have a much larger body than Jonathan's custom shape, but of course I could be very wrong.
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Thanks guys,
My guitar is 43.5 inches long and 15.25 inches wide, so it's been tough finding a good quality gig bag that it will fit in. Guitar bags are too short and bass bags are too narrow. I'll keep searching. Sorry for the thread hijack.
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Hey All!
Exited to tell you that the bass arrived last night!
Won't have time to plug it in until the weekend, but just the feel alone is amazing.
The wood is beautiful and in great condition.
Excited to take it through its paces.
Here's a couple of pics.
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Super nice! You look happy my friend. Enjoy!
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Ha, check "The Smile"! We know why, don't we?
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Was able to test out the bass through my small practice amp today.
Pretty wild. Took a bit to dial through the sounds, but really happy.
I bought a gig bag as the flight case is just way too impractical to take around the city.
I bought a Gator Transit bag, which feels pretty solid and had considerable padding all around and especially at the bottom of the bag.
Also, a big determining factor was that the bass fit the length. A hair snug, but not that it stresses the bag or the bass.
Here is the link to the product site:
http://gatorcases.com/products/guitar/transit-guitar-gig-bags/transit/electric-guitar-bag-gt-electric-blk/
Hope to try out the bass through a bigger, better sounding amp at a practice space over the weekend.
Cheers!
Jon
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I look forward to yor report back about your bass in a big amp. When I had my first series bass, the previous owner said to me plug into a big amp and hit an open A...
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Congratulations on that Series I Jon - very nice!
I had an Eastman 515 and a 514 (the oval-hole model) but parted with both to offset the purchase of a 1919 Gibson A-model, plus I inherited a 1962 Gibson F-5. The Eastmans were fantastic instruments, but just couldn't justify keeping both. Sorta' wish I had kept the 514. :(
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Congratulations on that Series I Jon - very nice!
I had an Eastman 515 and a 514 (the oval-hole model) but parted with both to offset the purchase of a 1919 Gibson A-model, plus I inherited a 1962 Gibson F-5. The Eastmans were fantastic instruments, but just couldn't justify keeping both. Sorta' wish I had kept the 514. :(
514's are beautiful. Eastman makes some great instruments, and after getting some help from them in regard to a repair, I think they are a great company. Great customer service. Congrats on the Gibson! That's exciting. I bet it sounds incredible.