Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Introductions => Topic started by: YamatoJJ on December 27, 2021, 03:26:46 AM
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Hello, All!
Jeff Smith: Queens NYC born and raised; been living in Osaka for 28 years. Amateur singer since junior high, guitar since high school, bass 7 years ago. I think studying the bass has changed my entire outlook on music, and has given me a deeper love of playing.
I started playing bass because my band couldn’t find a bassist, so I grabbed one and got a great teacher. After that band work kinda took over but I still practice and want to go back to my teacher.
Went through a few basses but by chance found a used Alembic in a shop here; Alembic only meant one thing to me up until now: EXPENSIVE LOL, although I’ve had a few high-enders that just didn’t work out. In a word: MAGIC, pure MAGIC: the amount of sounds that come out of this bass, I can’t sleep thinking about it….is this “THE ONE?!” Lol
Nice meeting you all, and am looking forward to learning more about these gorgeous and sonically astounding instruments!
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Great to hear from you and your alembic experience. We love pictures here so would love if you could let us see which alembic you have that is floating your boat.
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Hello: here is what I am looking at: it’s a Japanese site that shows instruments on sale here: http://www.digimart.net/cat03/shop5033/DS07313814/
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I have seen a bass similar to that for sale in the UK a couple of years ago. I did make enquiries but i felt the asking price was too high.
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Hey Jeff,
Welcome to the forum. "...studying the bass...has given me a deeper love of playing." I see what you did there. :D
Thanks for the link, that is a fine looking bass. I think it's a Stanley Clarke Signature model, possibly "medium" scale length. I don't actully think it's the "retro" version but I'm not sure. And the controls and the dummy pickup make it look like a Series I but since there is no 5-pin connector it must be another electronics package. Others in here may be able to better identify the electronics.
That site describes all the woods but your request for info based on the serial number might yield additional info regarding the electronics and possibly the who the bass was made for or sold to initially. But you must be patient as Alembic is still a family owned company with a small staff - plus it's the holidays...
In any case, if you are experiencing a serious connection to that instrument we hope you can jump at the opportunity and take it home.
Keep us in the loop!
Jimmy J
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Hey Jeff - you made it over here! This place is a deep well of knowledge...
My take on this thing is that it is a Stanley Clarke Signature Standard with upgraded top and neck recipe, and also prepped for Series. The Japanese text says that it is 32" medium scale, which is another interesting aspect. Agreed that it isn't "retro spec" (retro to me means the much older '70s style horns, which this one doesn't have). I believe Jeff has played it and it has a blend control, so sounds like Signature electronics.
I don't want to be pushy, but I'm hoping he gets it! It seems like a fair price for Japan (a little over USD $5200), especially with that beautiful Macassar Ebony top!
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Hi, Jimmy, and thank you so much: yes, I very much thinking about this bass…it is in control of my thoughts lol
Thanks hieronymous: really and truly for all the help!
I am 98% on this bass lol
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I agree with Jimmy that it is a Stanley Clarke Signature. The English text says the preamp is a Signature preamp and would be the standard package for the model. I feel it is the photos making the neck appear longer than it is and that the bass is a short scale. The body is not what Alembic refers to as a retro body. Neither does it look like the Brown Bass body I have on my BB and Series 1. So it appears to be the standard body shape for the model.
I don't know what the specs were for a Stanley Clarke Signature in 1992. The lack of a back laminate would make the bass a Signature Standard but by today's standards the purple heart laminates in the neck would be a Deluxe. The ebony front laminate would also be a premium upgrade. As to the dummy hum canceler I would say that it might be there as part of a Series electronics prep but I thought that would have required a back laminate to support a semi-hollow body. So it might just be a decorative feature. I would call probably call it a highly customized Signature Standard.
No matter it is a very nice looking bass and again I agree with Jimmy that if it says something to you it looks to be a good bass to purchase.
Link to Stanley Clarke Signature product page: http://www.alembic.com/prod/sc.html (http://www.alembic.com/prod/sc.html)
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I'm still at home but from the pictures this is a Stanley Clarke Standard with some upgrades - like the Macassar Ebony top, brass backplate, and dummy "dummy" humcanceller pickup (it's decorative only). It's very likely short scale (30.75") but you can easily confirm by measuring from the nut to the twelfth fret and doubling that figure.
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Keith, Mica: thank you so very much for all the input!
Mica: the bass was measured by the shop at 813 mm, which equals 32”, so it must be a custom medium-scale neck job, perhaps (as an expert, I am certain you would know far better than I could lol)?
It is a beautiful bass that’s passed through a couple of owners this side of the world, but it is in great shape and sounds magnificent; I wish I could hear a Series pickup system now after this!
My friend here told me how 30” scale basses will sound VERY different than a 32”: if so, then would demo’ing another SC be pointless in order to compare?
Again, my sincerest thanks to everyone who took time out to talk to me about this discovery!
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Jeff,
Regarding scale length: It seems to me more a matter of preference but I don't think it dramatically effects the tone of the instrument as your friend inferred. It's more about the feel of the string tension, etc.
Think of it this way - a standard long scale bass has a 34" string length from nut to bridge. If you were to put a capo on the first fret of that bass and tune the strings down a 1/2 step, you'd have (just about) a medium-scale string length. Capo the 2nd fret and tune down again and you'd have very close to a short-scale string length. Obviously for a 30" string to sound a low-E it needs to be under less tension than a 34" string sounding the same pitch. About the same string tension as tuning the long-scale down a whole step. If you use the same strings they would feel looser, easier to bend the pitch, etc.
So then with different types of string and different gauges you can fine tune this all to your liking. That's why I think it's just personal choice regarding the feel of it all.
I must admit that I was always surprised that Stanley chose to play a short-scale Alembic. He has extremely long fingers so "reach" was not the reason. I think his approach to electric was more about playing melodies and soloing, like a lead guitar. To that end he often carried a bass player in his band. HA! But he obviously fell in love with the Alembic tone and has made a ton of great music on these axes.
Don't overthink this. If you have fallen in love with that bass then we all hope you will have the opportunity to take it home with you at some point. Alembics are all hand made so they're all a little different. Finding one for sale, playing it, and loving it, is a rare opportunity that we all hope you can take advantage of.
Jimmy J
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What is the measurement from the nut to the 12th fret?
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Keith,
The site lists the string length as 813cm or 32". Also unusual to have the dummy "dummy" coil in there which shifted the neck pickup closer to the fingerboard than on a standard SC signature. When Mica gets back to the shop next week let's hope she can dig up the paperwork so we can hear the story of this unusual axe.
Jimmy J
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Jimmy,
I'd like to hear what is on the build card as well.
The question is how did they take the measurement. If they took it from the nut to the bridge it would not be a accurate reflection of the scale length. As an example my BB from the nut to the saddles measures on average about 31.25 inches but taking the measurement from the nut to the 12th fret and doubling it gives me the 30.75 inch short scale length it was built with.
It could very well be a medium scale as there have been some built but they are rare and Susan really pushes back on building medium and long scale small body basses (ask me how I know :) ). If it is truly a medium scale I would suggest YamatoJJ spend a bit more time with it standing up and sitting as the neck will tend to dip more than the short scale and it will take more strength to keep in a comfortable playing position. It might feel ok for a short playing period but not after an hour or so.
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Ah, Keith, I finally understand what you're saying. The nut to bridge on my bass measures 17" but only the D-string bridge saddle is near 34", and even that's a bit longer. We need to send Jeff back to the shop with a tape measure! I also see what you mean about the small body not being a good match for the longer scale lengths because of the neck dive problem. All makes sense.
We await further info...
Jimmy J
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<slight interruption>
Is the accurate measurement from the edge of the nut closest to the fingerboard to the center of the 12th fret?
Paul (who spent too much time in a machine shop focused on precision measuring)
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Jimmy, Keith: THANK YOU AGAIN.
Went back to the shop with a measure like you recommended, Jimmy! Lol
The bass measures from nut to 12th at 41 cm so about 16 in., which doubled equals 32 inches. Medium scale it is!
Keith: here are pictures with me and the strap: sorry I forgot to take a “hands free pic,” but I played for an hour with my “Scott’s Bass Lessons Strap,” and it had no dive (that strap has been a great investment: highly recommended!) whatsoever!
Loving the bass, but loving the Alembic brand and these short(er) scale SCs more and more….still thinking, and hoping it sticks around a bit after New Year’s!
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Nice picture!
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Thank you, David: sorry it’s sideways!
We’re almost at 2022, folks! Glad to meet new wonderfully generous people at the end and soon to be start of the year!
Just after going through all this, found THIS:
https://basscentral.com/basses/alembic-stanley-clarke-brown-bass-walnut-top-back-with-ebony-violet-amber-leds/
Amazing looks.
Just turned 50 6 months ago: was THIS what I should’ve gotten to commemorate??
Is this what happens in the world of possible Alembic ownership?! Lol
You guys need to take responsibility for making such gorgeous instruments! Ha ha!
Thanks and blessings to all!
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Well all I've got to say it appears you have a medium scale small body bass there. It is a rarity.
It is good you had some time to play it. Since you are comfortable with the bass it sounds like a match between player and bass.
The Brown Bass you reference will sound quite a bit different than the one you have in the picture. The neck woods in a BB along with the body woods make for a more mellow tone without the high end emphasis you get with maple based necks. I have both a BB and a Series 1 with a maple/purple heart neck and they sound completely different due to the woods used in the neck and body. I can't say I like the sound of one better than the other they are just different though both sound like Alembics. I do have to say that Susan picked out a spectacular piece of walnut for the front and back on the BB.
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Agreed the walnut on the BB from Bass Central is gorgeous. Troubling that they didn’t remove the bit of fuzz hanging on the G string by the nut prior to taking pictures. 😳
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Hello Keith and Paul: thank you both for talking about measurements with me.
Yes, a 32”: I really, really like this bass, and hadn’t felt fatigued from playing while standing for an hour at all.
I HAVE become eager to try different Alembics, though; since this is a “rare bird,” I can only imagine the differences to be found in an SCS or SCD (which I listened to on Zoom from a music shop in Tokyo on Wednesday here), the BB, and perhaps a small bodied Series, which this rare bird I was lucky to find seems to be modeled after. I tried a 30” Fender Mustang, and I wasn’t put off by the scale nor the string tension.
That GORGEOUS walnut BB made me think of just getting a brand new unplayed bass and starting from scratch in a relationship with it….ah, first world problems again
Japan’s instrument world is going to be set on its ear for a while, seeing as how this supply chain thing greatly due to COVID is going; buying without trying is an even greater and more expensive risk, perhaps.
What I DO know is I want to get seriously playing again (no bass to speak of ATM: starting priorities over) with something that inspires me greatly, and I know Alembic is doing that for me, 100%! Maybe my obsession is with that circuitry….fantastic sounds!! Thank you all: meeting YOU has made me sold on Alembic for sure! Happy 2022 soon!
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Good to get the confirmation on the medium scale as it is very rare. Some people have no issue with the balance of a regular short scale Stanley model, others really really hate it. It all depends on how you play and what neck heavy means to you (two variables that vary a lot!).
For me the short scale *barely* balances, but I don't mind because I don't expect a 1:00 hang. It's 2:30 on me and that's totally fine.
I always thought Stanley wound up with the short scale because that's what we had to bring to the show and he happened to completely GET it from the start.
As for how someone convinced us to make a Stanley with a medium scale (who wasn't Michael D!), I'm afraid that will be lost the winds of memory.
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HAPPY 2022 Everyone!
Mica, I thank you so much for the information: wow, this is becoming a call for having to play a few of these Alembics and seeing what’s different.
What I do know about me is that depending on the bass maker, it just seems like I was struggling to play: a certain famous brand with the same name as part of England and the model name after the digit often used for slapping is still in my memory for killing my shoulder and being a huge stretch for me.
This Alembic isn’t so much of a stretch, but I wonder what 30” would be like….all I know is this bass is a fantastic instrument that makes me even more curious about Alembic models now!
My thanks again, and best to all of you this year!
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Welp, I was too slow on the draw….that rare bird is gone: glad I got to play it, sorry I waited too long!
Thank you all for the pointers: personally, I love the sound and feel, but would like something without gloss: showy isn’t me. I like the body of the SC, and I know long scales make me fight the bass….lots to learn about Alembic! Thank you all again and I will keep looking with your help!
Any pointers on what NOT to do? Lol
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As our departed friend Paul was fond of saying, "There will always be another."
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Old topic, but good to see other foreigners enjoying Alembics over here in Japan. There was another Stanley Clarke for sale here in Japan for only 570,000 yen. I bought a distillite instead for an amount I could offord.
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@JimmyJ, relating to your comments on Stanley choosing a short scale, have you ever been the "bass player" on any of his gigs and have you ever played any of his personal basses>
I know you did the one video with him, i think it was called Night School, when there loads of bass players on a showcase of some kind.
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Hey Jazzyvee,
Pardon the old thread hijack... No, aside from that nutty multi-bass jam you mentioned I never got to play WITH Stanley. Jimmy Earl (now in Jimmy Kimmel's house band) was the guy who played "rhythm bass" in Stanley's band for many years.
As a side-note and crazy coincidence Stanley has a bow made by my dad. :)
Jimmy J
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Hey Jeff - I think you and I spent some time on the phone talking about a Smith bass I had. I'm glad you found your way to an Alembic. I miss my Smith and would like to find another, but I love my Alembics!! -- OJ