Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Dreaming... for now => Topic started by: artfahie on June 05, 2007, 07:29:22 PM
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I did rock in the 60's, trio jazz in the 70's, and after all these years am ready for the trio stuff yet again. I don't play stand-up but love the sound guys like Richard Davis & Buster Williams got from theirs... especially the sustained gritty growl... I play long scale... will any Alembic come close to that attitude ? BTW, I use GK amplification and don't need stereo outputs.
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Of all the Alembics made, probably the one that would come closest to delivering that sustained, gritty growl would have to be the Classico electric upright...but I'm sure that's not the answer you were looking for! Let's face it- an acoustic upright bass and a solid-body electric bass (Alembics included) are two VASTLY different creatures in nearly every way. About all they have in common are that they both have strings, and they share a common tuning and pitch range...sort of like comparing a classical guitar and a Strat. Without a doubt, that Richard Davis/Buster Williams-type sustained, gritty growl represents the Holy Grail of tones for Electric Bassists (myself included) who have been inspired and influenced by the Upright Masters, but have not been inclined to actually take up the Upright as an instrument. For an Electric player trying to approach that sound and feel, one would probably have to explore the world of acoustic/electric basses, such as the Ribbecke-Halfling, for example...and a fretless one at that. Ah, if only it were a matter of picking the right brand/model of instrument to really, truly get that sound out of a solid-body, fretted Electric!
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I have had the pleasure of playing a Rick Turner Renaissance and that thing excels at growly tone. Probably the closest upright like tone from an electric. Kind of a one trick pony like a P-Bass BUT what a sound!
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Art,
I think that a fretless set neck might be the ticket. Have you tried a fretless Excel?
Bradley
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I've never played an Alembic.... but between their reputation and looks they're hard not to notice ! I spent years (in the 60's) on a Fender P bass, I like the Peavy Cirrus I now have alot... it has a great feel... so no, I've never tried an Excel.
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I've never played an Alembic.... but between their reputation and looks they're hard not to notice ! I spent years (in the 60's) on a Fender P bass, I like the Peavy Cirrus I now have alot... it has a great feel... so no, I've never tried an Excel.
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It's SSOOOO subjective, but . . . . I'd think it depends on how much 'air' you hear in an upright tone . . . I'm with Will, from a technical viewpoint, I'd think a solid-body might not be what you're after. But then again, one just might hit you. Otherwise, a fretless Ribbecke/Halfling would be JUST the ticket. Not cheap, but I played a fretted one and was thunderstruck as it sounded like an upright with frets. Miles past any of the other Acoustic Bass Guitars out there. I can very easily imagine this in a traditional three or four piece jazz setting sounding just dreamy. Plus you can stay out of the Doghouse moving business!
J o e y
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hey joey...
waiting on my 5 string ribbecke to be finished #2
fretted though
my wolf has a nice growl- ash body may help along with all the other woods.,,,'
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I'm interested in this thread, coz I'm thinking about ordering a short-scale lefty Excel 4-string fretless, and I'm looking for maximum low-midrange growl. I'd be interested to hear Rami's and any other Excel owners' opinions regarding the best wood selection for achieving this. Based on Mica's advice, I'm inclined to go with a Pau ferro fingerboard. I'm also thinking stock ash body, and maybe vermilion or maple top. What body, top and neck woods would y'all recommend? Thanks, Tom
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By the way, Art, the bass guitar which comes the closest to the vibe of an upright bass, among the ones I've heard, is made by Rob Allen.
http://www.roballenguitars.com/ (http://www.roballenguitars.com/)
He makes several models, as you will see, including a short scale and a semi-hollowbody. I own the mb-2, and love it for its woody upright-like timbre.
I was thinking about getting a Rick Turner Renaissance bass until I had the chance to A/B it with the Rob Allen in a store, and for me the Rob Allen was the hands-down winner.
Good luck,
Tom
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Hi Tom,
I have a 5 string fretless Excel and just sold a 4 string fretless Excel to help pay fot it! LOL! Both basses have the standard recipe of vermillion top on ash body, and a neck of maple with walnut pinstripes and pau ferro fingerboard. Both basses are 34 scale and have excellent growl. A short scale may affect the growl factor, and as usual, Mica is probably your best bet for info there!
Reid
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When my wife found out that I had ordered a new Alembic I got plenty of growl, from her. LOL
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Thanks, guys. Yeah, I'm thinking of taking my wife to gigs, for added growl ;-)
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tomlerner,
For low-mid growl, you can't beat a bubinga top on ash.
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Thanks, bassjigga.
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tomlerner- I've got an Excel,pau ferro fingerboard, flame maple top, 2 Fatboy pickups and signature electronics (Volume, Pan, 2 filters, and 2 Q-switches) and in my opinion it has the best growl I've ever heard on an electric bass, especially with the bridge pickup soloed.
Mike
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Thanks, Mike. Do you find that the Q-switch on the bridge pickup adds alot to the instrument's growl, beyond the contribution of the woods and the pickups?
Tom
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Tom- Definitely. I usually have the Q-switch on and the filter turned clockwise only about 30%. Also this bass doesn't have a brass bridge block. I don't know if that contributes to the growl factor or not.
Mike
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Here's a picture:(http://club.alembic.com/Images/402/41116.jpg)
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That's a nice looking Excel!
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Nice-looking bass, and interesting information. Thanks, Mike.
Tom
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Resuming my search for an acoutic-growly-bitchin' bass I've spent sopme time on the rob allen site, and now have foud out about the Wendler electroCoustic Bass... of course the reviews are great... anybody have a take on these instruments, they're certainly different than the Rob Allen line !
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I have to be honest Art, I am not a fan of anything made by Peavey. I have tried them and haven't been happy. If you buy an Alembic you will see a world of difference. When I bought mine I had a Music Man Stingray 5 string. The model was a special color and only made for NAMM. There were only 50 five strings made for NAMM that year. I walked into a Guitar Center which was 40 miles away from my house and saw an Alembic on the wall. I was originally looking for a Modulus or a Pedulla. I got such a great deal on the Alembic that I bought it immediately. I know the assistant manager and he explained that they occasionally get Alembic's in but most of their customers don't know anything about Alembic so he gave me a great deal on a trade for my Stingray. My Alembic is the only bass that I have ever owned and will never sell or trade for anything.
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Hi gang,
giving the fact that i DO LIKE contrast my other main bass (I keep having other main basses) is a Rob Allen MB2 5 string fretless Chi.
She's a class on her own and not really growling like I think you mean the word!
Growling depends from wood choice (no experience wiwth), string height versus fingerboard (some say give it air, some say make it as close as possible I didn't figure that out yet), PU position (more bridge than neck definitely), neck/body attachment (set neck is better) and the ability to emphasize on shaping the mid-tones ((which can be done on the (pre)amp and SF-2 or other sound shaping device)).
But those are just my thoughts!
Paul the bad one