Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Fun Stories => Topic started by: StefanieJones on July 04, 2018, 07:43:46 AM
-
It got me thinking about what kind of comments you all get on your instruments...
At band the other day, one of the guitar players comes up and says, "That bass is a beast! It sounds amazing! Every time I see you touch one of those knobs you have a completely different sound coming."
Of course, there are the comments about how nice it looks. I just smile and say thank you.
-
Other than "is that an olympic?", comments tend to be about the look ("you a grateful dead fan?" or "is that custom?"), the sound ("wow, clear and bassy, sounds amazing"), and how many knobs there are ("do you know what they all do?").
Oh, and "can i try that, i'll be careful?" (the answer is "no.")
-
When bass players approach me after a gig it is mainly positive enthusiastic comments because they have never heard or seen one live and love the sound. Often its about how clean and powerful it sounds especially the clarity of the low b string. Sometimes i get a mention for my playing but the alembic usually steals the limelight. The times i have had off handed comments i usually about the price.
-
To my knowledge, my Alembics have only been recognized three times at gigs... twice by other bass players, who'd had one themselves. I was quite proud to hand them mine and let them reminisce. I have yet to see another Alembic in the wild within 100 miles of here, though I'm sure there must be a couple, I expect they are scarce. Thus, my little herd of dragons seems to have gained some notoriety in these parts. ("That ain't no Fender-bass there, son...") The local sound-guys and engineers recognize them as my favorite gear. They're the ones that tend to 'get it' the quickest. Often they'll ask me about them afterward.
Maybe my favorite story happened earlier this year... I was playing a gig with Harwell-Grice Band, a Strawberry Festival, lots of hometown people, party atmoshere... and there was this one guy who kept hollering at me in mid-set asking if I was playing a "real" Alembic. Trying hard not to look as annoyed as I was, I just gave him the two-thumbs-up sign and a grin. So now when the HGB guys want to mess with me, they ask if I brought the real Alembic today. ::)
-
On several occasions, I've had non-musician audience members ask me if they could take photos of my Alembics.
They may not have understood or appreciated their sonic properties, but the visual appeal was undeniable - especially with the LED's lit up.
"THAT is so amazing - I've never seen anything like it. I just had to take a picture of it, because my son, friend, husband, etc. wouldn't believe how beautiful it is - it's a work of art!"
What's really cool is when a musician (or someone who really appreciates music) compliments their sonic properties as well.
For obvious reasons, this is the instrument that has received the most attention:
-
I miss her!
Glad she is in good hands.
-
The comments I usually get are: “That sounds great, what kind is it? Beautiful bass! Nice wood! It’s a work of art!” And most recently from a fellow bass player, “I dig your axe, man!” :)
-
I'm doing two festivals over the next 3 days so shall see if anyone comments.
-
Hey, Jazzy,
If anyone does ask about your bass, you could use your best Austrian accent to offer this explanation of your Alembic's identity:
Or, "it's an espresso machine...a water heater?"
Good luck with the gigs!
-
Nice, everyone 8)
Looks great, 5a!
Can't wait, Jazzy and have fun!
-
I heard that:
- "Oh, great tone, is it a Warwick clone?"
-
Well Just got home from the festival and by all accounts we did a scorching set. Fred Wesley and the New JB's were playing later on in the day and after they did their set I met them back stage and had a chat with Fred and his musicians. The bass player was curious about what bass I had in my gig bag so I showed him my series II Europa and suggested they guess what it is. The sax player knew right off that it was an alembic from the shape of the tailpiece. They were a bit gob smacked about how it looked and we had a discussion about how the controls work etc and obviously the cost came into it and when I told him roughly what the cost to build a new one today they were staggered but did not have any negative comments. They both seemed genuinely interested so we exchanged emails addresses so maybe he will ask more about alembics. Unfortunately they did not get to hear my bass as they arrived at the festival after our set.
-
... They were a bit gob smacked about how it looked ...
:)
-
“Is that a Ken Smith?”
I then explain that is an Alembic and give a brief history of Ron and how the company was formed.
I played in a swing band for a number of years and (my ego) was disappointed that not one of the 20 band members ever commented or asked about it. At least they never asked me to turn it down!
A musician friend who I don’t see often enough, every time we get together to jam, we swap instruments for awhile* , he always grins and says such kind things about my Distillate.
*there is a reason I don’t play guitar on the regular - but I sure do have fun, often times doing my best to emulate Nels Cline.
-
Here us a nice closeup of me playing my series II
Taken by good friend of mine.
-
The quilted maple top is stunning.
-
Jazzy, that picture would make a great giant poster.
-
Yep i thought so too and waiting for the photographer to respond to my email for the full resolution picture.
-
That top is beautiful. I agree about the poster! so many knobs and switches to play with ;D
-
I was setting up my rig for the first gig I did with my Stanley Clarke Signature Deluxe & I was noodling around adjusting my amp & I heard a voice from down the hall say "That's a great sounding Alembic you have there!" The amazing thing is that the man who said it could not even see my bass from the hallway leading to the club! He instantly recognized the sound from his love of Stanley's music! That was confirmation I had made the right choice on my bass! He was an older gentleman who played bass in his youth but had long ago given it up. I offered to let him play mine, but he respectfully declined saying he wasn't worthy to play such an instrument. I told him neither was I but I was nonetheless blessed to own it!
-
Very nice, Rusty, the comment and your bass! :)
-
That's awesome! What a great comment (and story.) love it!
A couple of months ago I went to see what a couple of people were about, and I open the case up and the guy asks if that's an Alembic. So I say yes and he says, Wow I never played with anyone who had one. But he knew someone who knew someone that had one. >.> I said well now you have! lol.
-
Very nice, Rusty, the comment and your bass! :)
Thanks RV!
-
That's awesome! What a great comment (and story.) love it!
A couple of months ago I went to see what a couple of people were about, and I open the case up and the guy asks if that's an Alembic. So I say yes and he says, Wow I never played with anyone who had one. But he knew someone who knew someone that had one. >.> I said well now you have! lol.
Thanks Stefanie! I went to one of my dad’s cousin’s funeral a couple of weeks ago & met one of my cousins that I had never met before & her husband is a drummer so we instantly hit it off when he found out I played bass. He asked me what kind of bass I played & I was shocked to find out he knew who Alembic was! He had never seen one in person but was very impressed with my pictures.
-
It's kind of sad that we're surprised or shocked to find out people know what an Alembic is. They're wonderful instruments. It seems most people have no idea what they are.
-
It's kind of sad that we're surprised or shocked to find out people know what an Alembic is. They're wonderful instruments. It seems most people have no idea what they are.
I agree Stefanie. What makes it even more sad is that most people have apparently heard of "Olympic" instruments & think that is what we are saying. I always ask people who haven't heard of Alembic if they have heard of Stanley Clarke, & most have, so I tell them Alembic is what he plays. If they haven't heard of Stanley, then there is just no hope for them! ;D
I guess when you think about it, it's like the best fishing spots are the ones very few people know about. If a spot becomes well known it get's over fished & not as many left to catch. Alembic remains true to their impeccable quality because they DON'T produce for the masses like Fender or Gibson, forcing them to water down the quality & make cookie cutter instruments. Each one is hand crafted with the care as if it was the only instrument they were ever going to make. In todays "instant" society where we complain if we have to wait 4 minutes for our food to be served, Alembic's approach to perfection is a rare quality indeed!
-
<SNIP>
I guess when you think about it, it's like the best fishing spots are the ones very few people know about. If a spot becomes well known it get's over fished & not as many left to catch. Alembic remains true to their impeccable quality because they DON'T produce for the masses like Fender or Gibson, forcing them to water down the quality & make cookie cutter instruments. Each one is hand crafted with the care as if it was the only instrument they were ever going to make. In todays "instant" society where we complain if we have to wait 4 minutes for our food to be served, Alembic's approach to perfection is a rare quality indeed!
Very well put Rusty. We are very fortunate (and grateful) for Alembic and their Craftsman that take pride in attention to detail. Alembic is a rare breed of a company these days - much thanks to all.
-
<SNIP>
I guess when you think about it, it's like the best fishing spots are the ones very few people know about. If a spot becomes well known it get's over fished & not as many left to catch. Alembic remains true to their impeccable quality because they DON'T produce for the masses like Fender or Gibson, forcing them to water down the quality & make cookie cutter instruments. Each one is hand crafted with the care as if it was the only instrument they were ever going to make. In todays "instant" society where we complain if we have to wait 4 minutes for our food to be served, Alembic's approach to perfection is a rare quality indeed!
Very well put Rusty. We are very fortunate (and grateful) for Alembic and their Craftsman that take pride in attention to detail. Alembic is a rare breed of a company these days - much thanks to all.
Agreed. Thanks to all for making these fine instruments that we get to play!
-
There are still a lot of bass players who have never heard of the Alembic brand. Just this weekend I was on a film set as an extra and got talking to another guy who said he too was a bass player and he asked what bass I played and he had never heard of alembic at all. I mentioned players like Stanley, John Entwhistle, Emerson Lake & Palmer but whilst he knew them he didn't know what basses they played. In a way that was quite nice change because sometimes when I mention the name Alembic to someone and they know the brand, I do wonder if it comes across as smug! because we both know where in the pecking order people place alembic. I have often been pointed out or introduced to other musicians as the guy who only plays alembic. I hope people appreciate my playing as well as my bass. ha.
-
I enjoy telling folks about my Alembics and the people who build them. They do tend to generate a lot of questions from players and audiences alike. Though I have recieved compliments on occasion, I can recall only two bass players that recognized my Alembics for what they were. I don't like the word exclusive to describe them, but rather, discerning. You choose to be here because there's something here you can't find elsewhere, and there are no endorsements.
I've been getting my hair cut at this same barbershop for 35 years... my barber is just a music fan, music of the 70's - doesn't play, just listens. "Aww, shewt - I cain't play nuthin' butta' radio!" Oddly enough, he knew exactly who Alembic was and what their contributions were, when I've seldom encountered musicians who did. He was one of the first stops I made when showing around my new Custom. He's fascinated as I am, that 50 years on, there they are.
-
I get nothing short of having in the classification of exemplary bass tone regarding my Alembic sound . Likewise as well from an aesthetic perspective . I love hearing " that is such a beautiful instrument ".
-
My nephew/godson is a bass player who has studied and successfully achieved a masters degree in bass
from the University of Melbourne.
He came over the other day to show me his full-range cabinet that he had recently had assembled by his brother.
We used the F2-B into a QSC poweramp then his cabinet. His bass a Wawrick sounded fairly good and he was pleased with the sound.
I plugged in my Essence and gave that a whirl.
First comment from my nephew after hearing and experiencing the tone filter. "My Wawrick bass is a toy! Your bass is several levels
beyond the capacity and capabilities of mine. I need a new bass. Alembic will be the go to instrument for me when I can get one.
Ha! Converted!
slawie
[edited for formatting]
-
The unsuspecting victim! :)