Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Showcase => Series I Basses and Guitars => Topic started by: bucky on January 26, 2005, 01:31:35 PM
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Hey Guys: I know I have been promising to post some professionally done pictures of my Baby but I still haven't had time to do it yet. So I just couldn't resist posting these older ones again. Most of you here know my wonderful "Cinderella Story" of how I got this bass back in near mint shape after 24-some years. And of course I have to mention the kind contributions of several fellow Alembic Clubbers, brothers-in-arms all, who helped me get her "back to spec". That would be 1974 Spec(-; Michael Delacerda (Dela 217) you are my HERO for sending me the circa '74 Gold Schallers. I love ya Man!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/16054.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/16055.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/16056.jpg)
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Nice vintage...
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Thanks dgcarbu. . you know the thing that is fascinating to me as I look through the showcases here of all the many models is that there is never one *exactly* the same as an other. Even when it was a production line model like Small Standard that I have. When I sent it to Alembic for repairs Susan W said upon seeing it I remember this bass. . it was my first Mustache Bridge! Now, THAT is cool. . and set me wondering how many other Small Standards had the Mustache Bridge, how many there were and when they started doing other variations and designs. . perhaps someone reading this better versed in Alembic lore could tell us?
Thanks for looking. . I'll get new pictures up soon. . promise!
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You'd better, Prog-boy (grin). Your bass is the only one I enjoy staring at more than my own, I think...
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Wow Kungfusheriff! THANKS! I do think it is one of the nicest Vintage Series I basses I've seen - do to the fact that in it's 25 year existence it's only seen about 5 years of actual constant playing - those with ME. It's other owner, one of my dearest old friends, did exactly 3 gigs with it in the 20 years he had it. The rest of the time he occasionally just played it around his house or stored it in his closet. When I got it back it was literally like reaching inside a Time Machine and pulled it through to 2004 and started playing it again. The guardian angels must have truly smiled down on me. .
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Bucky you know your in the ELITE vintage alembic club it's good to see a peice of history again,like mica says dont be shy share those pics!
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Serialnumber12: I most defintely will get them done and posted. I really need some *professional* to do it - with the perfect lighting to highlight the beautiful grain of the woods and the that nice mellow dark aging that's very subtle but there. .I remember well when I got her back in 1974 - she was much lighter colored. And as an owner of an even older Alembic YOU can truly appreciate how the brass ages. . .it gets that beautiful almost swirled stained look in it. . .I almost don't want to use the Flitz on it sometimes just to see what it would look like more aged. . but then I'm such a clean freak when it comes to keeping this Sweetheart nice. . . Yes. . we "older Alembic owners" are a small and elite group. I've gotten quite the education from all of you about both Alembic AND about basses and guitars in general. Michael (Dela217) has been my "mentor" as far as the Small Standards are concerned going as far as sending me original Alembic promotional materials circa 1974 (as well a the vintage gold Schaller Tuning Gear I couldn't find ANYWHERE that I needed). He owns two Small Standards made right before mine was. Mine was 74 -52 and I believe he said he owns 74 - 47 and 74 - 49. It's interesting to look at the pictures of those and notice tiny differences between the three basses. Alembic truly made ONLY custom guitars then. Custom in that I don't believe ANY guitar was exactly the same as another. Anyway, I've rambled on long enough - you can tell how lonely it gets not having anyone around here I can talk Alembic too! I've just finished mixing my band Glass' new Studio CD with my brother Greg who is the original keyboardist. I used the Alembic for the whole album and the Engineers at BOTH studios we worked at were just *blown away* by how it sounded plugged straight into the board. I'm re-posting a picture of me in the studio with her this past August working on basic tracks. It is her Millenium Recording Debut. The last time she was in the studio being used to record was in 1975. In fact I'll post a picture from that session too. . TO the Way-Back Machine Sherman -----> Set the dial for February 1975. . WHhhoooooossshhhh here we go. .
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/16097.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/16098.jpg)
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one important thing to note is that all new comers to the club get a chance to see the old basses, because chanes are they'll never, ever see one on stage or in person,all of the old alembics are in retirement & havn't seen action in yrs,but i take #12 to every gig,these things sound too good to leave @ home!
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Serialnumber12:
Your post here is helping me with a big decision I need to make this year about playing live with my Alembic. I think you're right about the fact that many Alembic and music fans in general don't get to see the old Alembics up close. And I think it is VERY cool that you still bring yours to gigs. MY worry is this: After all I've been through to get this Alembic back in my possession and the sheer LUCK involved in doing so and the fact that I in NO WAY could EVER replace this piece of my history - do I really want to take the risk that something might happen to her? I DO of course have another bass - a GREAT good one made for me to order by a close friend and incredible luthier Ron Thorn. He has a website at http://www.thorninlay.com (http://www.thorninlay.com) and he is probably one of the greatest inlay artists in the world today. I say that with no prejudice for him either . .he just is. Anyway, years ago as a present to me to to express his friendship he built me an exact duplicate of another bass I loved from my past but lost - a re-issue '51 Fender Precision. The kind that Sting has made so popular these days. It is totally different than playing an Alembic of course. . more like playing an ironing board actually, but it is long scale and has an incredible sound when plugged directly into a recording console. I had the Progressive bass Legend (and one of my biggest bass heroes) Hugh Hopper sign it for me when I was fortunate enough to play the Progman Cometh Festival with him in 2003. I'll post a picture of me playing it at BajaProg 2994 this year - the Alembic wasn't quite done being adjusted. My plan was to use THIS bass live. It travels well, is built like brick s!#*house if you catch my meaning and if I lost it to some nefarious Customs Official or it was stolen somehow I could get over it. .
(http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/16119.jpg)
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If ONLY I look that good in 2994!! God, I can't type with any accuracy anymore. . .must be the 3.75 Reading Glasses I have to wear. And those would be to FIND my 6.26s to read(-;
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atleast you still got your hair,im sportin a sunroof!
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LOL! Yeah. . .I guess that's somethin'. Fortunately I don't get depressed about the lack of female attention at Progressive gigs. .there are only about 12 female Progressive Music fans in the world and I think they're all in Europe (or so rumor has it!) Hey. . but we got the GREATEST basses in the world though!
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Hi Jeffrey,
You are definately the real thing!, You'd be a great example of then and now at the Alembic Owner's Convention I'm trying to put together. I dig the pictures you posted. What you should do is have those pictures blown up and taken to a prints plus to have them mounted and we coud set them up on either side of your Alembic legend for display. 30 years of ownership is incredible. Alembic should make you a 30th Anniversary Bass for being a loyal owner.
Peace,
Darrell
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Darrell: What a *wonderful* post. . thank you so much . . It's funny you should mention a convention. . I was just wondering to myself last night if anyone in The Club would be up for going to an Alembic Owners Convention!! I'm sure you could get Susan, Mica and Valentino's help/cooperation (and maybe even a little Sponsorship?) to some degree and I *PLEDGE* I will be involved - FULLY. . I would LOVE to meet all "the guys". And of course I would have enlargements made of the my pics and bring #74 - 52 along for any display place provided. I'm sure you could get other members in on this (if you haven't already). There seems to be a true bond of brotherhood amongst us all. And considering how special the Alembic family of instruments is and it's mark left on Rock History, I guess that's not surprising. You know it's funny, I've never been much of a "joiner" most of my life. . except my bandmates past and present. Never felt the drive to. But with you guys and the family at Alembic. . well I do. . .I find it absolutely INCREDIBLE that Ron Wickersham did the recent work himself on my basses electronics!! I mean what a trip that must have been for HIM to crack-open the brass plate on the back of my Small Standard and view times stamp on his handiwork of 30 years ago! I develop and host websites for a living and I'll go on record right now as saying that I'll put up a webpage for any Alembic Reunion that is being planned. Yours in Alembic Brotherhood, Jeff aka Bucky P.S. And Uh. . if MICA AND/OR SUSAN happen to catch this thread - I'LL ALSO GO ON RECORD AS SAYING I SURELY WOULDN'T BE OPPOSED TO HAVING THEM MAKE ME A 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION Small Standard - The Brown Bucky we can call it(-; O.k. I'm gettin misty here. . I'll post another couple "Then and Nows" from my archives as a thank you. .
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/16145.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/16146.jpg)
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hey buck shoot me a link to your web-site,i'm in the process of putting my web together.:alembic_bassplayer@comcast.net (mailto:alembic_bassplayer@comcast.net)
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Bucky,
Thanks, in advance, for your support. It's Alembicians like you that will make this event successful. I will definitely keep you posted as to the progress of my search for the ideal venue. I really am encouraged to make this happen for all of our sake. Mr. Stanley Clarke himself ackowledged and recognized my name after I introduced myself to him just Friday night.
I like the idea of putting a website together specifically for it. I will forward some preliminary information I am working on as soon as I get more items taken care of. Awesome!!!!
Peace,
Darrell
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Bucky,
Thanks, in advance, for your support. It's Alembicians like you that will make this event successful. I will definitely keep you posted as to the progress of my search for the ideal venue. I really am encouraged to make this happen for all of our sake. Mr. Stanley Clarke himself ackowledged the idea of the event (Serialnumber12 was right!) and recognized my name after I introduced myself to him just Friday night.
I like the idea of putting a website together specifically for it. I will forward some preliminary information I am working on as soon as I get more items taken care of. Awesome!!!!
Peace,
Darrell
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Serialnumber12 & Darrell:
My Bands website is:
http://www.rpursuit.com/GlassBros/Index.asp (http://www.rpursuit.com/GlassBros/Index.asp)
and of course you can count on me to help in anyway I can. Including hosting the website on my Server gratis. That's GREAT you got a prelim confirmation from SC!! You know it was seeing him in '73 with the original RTF that inspired me to find an Alembic bass. I'd love to meet him and tell him how great I think he is and what an influence he had on me as a rhythmic bassist. And Darrell. . PLEASE keep me in The Loop. . I am SO into this convention idea I just TOLD. . yes, I said told my wife that when it happens I AM THERE!!! She heard that sound in my voice that said no use even arguing on this one. Can't wait Guys!
Bucky aka Jeff
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very impressive site buck!
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Bucky,
That is a well organized website! The history of your music is also well tracked. That makes it really cool. You're obviously a professional.
Darrell
(Message edited by dgcarbu on February 01, 2005)
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Darrell and SN12:
Thanks guys! I try. . I think I can build something really cool for our convention too. For one thing I'm sure we'll have no problem getting great images of Alembics to use. Some of our members have had absolutely gorgeous shots done of their axes and I'll bet Mica and Alembic would contribute too. You know we should think about somehow getting Mica or Susan or both to our convention. That would be awesome. I know Susan loves to talk about Alembic and the good ol Days as I have had a conversation with her by phone that lasted 45 minutes and was SO COOL. . she's very giving and has some GREAT stories to share. We could have either or BOTH as guest speakers. My guess is that Ron would avoid speaking - but heck, we could ask him to! Nothing ventured nothing gained I always say. Wouldn't that be so cool. . to have all the Wickershams speak? I remember thinking when I was talking to Susan on the phone WOW. . I'm talking to the Mom of my bass!!
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We really got to give props to susan, you know the body shapes were her idea in the beginning of alembic.
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Bucky,
I agree. It never hurts to ask. It sure would be nice to have one of the founders show up. I'm just going to build it and hope they come.
Peace,
Darrell
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I LOVE the movie Field of Dreams. .
Right there with ya Bro,
Jeff
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here's another custom made one with a mustache tailpiece http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_Of_Art/viewOne.asp?dep=18&viewMode=0&item=1980.544 (http://www.metmuseum.org/Works_Of_Art/viewOne.asp?dep=18&viewMode=0&item=1980.544)
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WOW!! THAT IS ONE INCREDIBLE GUITAR!! Who owns it?
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that's a former alembic employee,did you zoom in on the features!;its obvious that every one that once worked @ alembic takes something with them,but that's an alembic all the way!
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LOL! Yeah. . just imagine the basses and guitars made my employees that we *haven't* seen . . . the mind boggles at the thought!
Jeff
p.s. Yeah I was all over that image with my mouse pointer. GREAT web layout too. I think that's a Java Applet that's being used to make it possible to zoom in on the detail. . WOW. . wonderful!
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LOL! Yeah. . just imagine the basses and guitars made my employees that we *haven't* seen . . . the mind boggles at the thought!
Jeff
p.s. Yeah I was all over that image with my mouse pointer. GREAT web layout too. I think that's a Java Applet that's being used to make it possible to zoom in on the detail. . WOW. . wonderful!
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The things you learn while working @ alembic!!!
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Forgive my ingnorance. . but DID YOU?!?!? You actually WORKED AT ALEMBIC?!?!?
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No i wish, but i was referring to all those employee projects floating around that are so beautiful to look at,(the things they learned while employed @ the mothership)
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Oh yes. I totally agree. I'd love for one of them to write a book - the inside stories of Alembic and it's employees past and present. It's all fascinating to me. . .I had a chance to move to the SF area when I was 17 - that would have been around the Heyday of Alembic in their early years making those first guitars for Jack Casady and Jerry Garcia. . the infamous 'Summer of Love. . but of course my parents wouldn't let me. I've regretted it ever since. I talked to Susan W. one afternoon at length about those days. . .Man, it would have been the greatest to be there. History in the making. . .to actually have BEEN at the Avalon Ballroom and seen this. .
Jeff(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/16534.jpg)
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san francisco is my hometown im from the haight/ashbury district i was there with the hippies & the pot and all that stuff.(born&raised),,but you that very bass (serial#1)belongs to a club member but he wishes to remain a mystery!
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Keavin; we are all a mystery.
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i've seen this photo many times over the years, on the club and elsewhere. can anyone describe what the bottom-carving looks like, or maybe show us another view of the same bass? i can't really tell what's going on down there from the angle of the shot. the sandwich looks unique too
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heres a link more pics: http://www.hottuna.com/index.htm (http://www.hottuna.com/index.htm)
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It is hard to see from this pic, but the bass has a point on the bottom. A picture of the rear of the bass can be seen on the Alembic History page. The bass has a zebra wood body, with a removable top. The top has been replaced though. The bass does not have the filters and electronics that it had when it was new. It is now fitted with PF6 electronics.
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Ahh Michael. . with more knowledge! Cool. . I'm going to check out the link above. Damn . . that thing looks heavy! Or maybe Jack was just slight-of-build? I can't imaqine carrying that through an entire gig. . .anyone know what the original electronics did? How heavy it was originally? I'll bet you do Dela. .
re: Growing up in SF. . I'm sure it wasn't as 'mystified' in real life as it has always seemed to this Pacific NW native son. . .but to a small town Washington kid like myself. . SF . . and the wide-open mindset that seemed to take hold there (the abundant drugs not-withstanding) was always calling me like a Mecca. .and when you go back and listen to bands playing there then The Airplane, Moby Grape, H.P Lovecraft. . The Dead. . it's like *where* these days to you find that kind of eclectic talent pooled in one small geographic area. . in this country?
Jeff
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The picture Michael refers to is here (http://www.alembic.com/img/7201.jpg). The history page (http://www.alembic.com/family/history.html) states that the pickups were movable, traveling on brass tubing installed in the front of the bass. The active electronics were later enhanced by the addition of a superfiltering system.
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DaveH:
THANKS !!!!! Any idea what that baby weighed in at?
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DaveH:
THANKS !!!!! Any idea what that baby weighed in at?
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That is a gorgeous bass!
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Thanks Moonliner! It is the one instrument I've kept throughout . . bought is new in 1974. I still remember the first time I saw it on the wall of the Music store in Tacoma where I bought it. I was stunned. . it looked more like a handmade piece of art that just an instrument. I knew I had to own it. Traded in my electric piano for a downpayment. It was $1500. Which at that time was considered a LOT of money for an instrument. . .I've kept it in as near mint shape as I could. .
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Those old ones are very special. That's great you've had it from the beginning. So you are in Tacoma Wa? I'm in Seattle. Let me know if you do a show sometime, I'd love to hear you play that bass!
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Moonliner:
Actually I live in Southern California now. But I am from the Pacific NW Port Townsend to be exact. At the time I bought the Alembic my band was living in Olympia. I've used my Alembic on most of my bands albums. Theres a bass solo that features it Called My Tantric Gatito If you go here http://www.amazon.com/Illuminations/dp/B0014MWVIW/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1365549633&sr=1-1&keywords=Illuminations+%2B+Glass+%2B+mp3 (http://www.amazon.com/Illuminations/dp/B0014MWVIW/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1365549633&sr=1-1&keywords=Illuminations+%2B+Glass+%2B+mp3)
and play track 7 you can hear what it sounds like. It's amazing really. The handmade pickups and the Series I stereo electronics are still State-Of-The-Art as far as I'm concerned.
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Here is one of my favorite pictures of me playing my Alembic onstage in 1975. . (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/157052.jpg)
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I'll give that a listen later tonight. Thanks. That's a great picture. Port Townsend is Lovely. I play the slide guitar camp there sometimes.
You and Keavin have some pretty special instruments.
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Hey Moonliner:
Yeah the music camp there is really cool. Great that you participate in it. I play a little Slide myself. I bought myself a resonator and have added some great old Slide tunes to my set when I'm playing solo gigs. Son House is my hero. . here is one more picture(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/157154.jpg)
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Another great picture!
Yes, Son House is fantastic.
I listened to that track... man, the tone (and playing) is really nice. Looks like a very cool album.
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Thanks Moonliner! Yeah, I love listening to that track with stereo headphones. Amazing Ron Wickersham was making such advanced electronics back in the early 70s! He was way ahead of everyone else. . a couple years ago I shipped my Alembic up to Ron and had him go through and work the electronics over. .
My band is called Glass BTW. . you can find our music all over the place. Amazon, iTunes etc
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Thanks Moonliner! Yeah, I love listening to that track with stereo headphones. Amazing Ron Wickersham was making such advanced electronics back in the early 70s! He was way ahead of everyone else. . a couple years ago I shipped my Alembic up to Ron and had him go through and work the electronics over. .
My band is called Glass BTW. . you can find our music all over the place. Amazon, iTunes etc
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I found yet another one of me playing my Alembic Small Standard shortly after I got it. . .SO glad I still have her!(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/158457.jpg)
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I love everything about that bass.... It's a stunning piece.
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Thanks Moonliner! Yeah, Mr Turner did himself proud when he made this one. .
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Bumped into the sound of this bass on Youtube today.
http://youtu.be/1zuDfOhcPJQ (http://youtu.be/1zuDfOhcPJQ)
Enjoy
Jazzyvee
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Hey Jazzyvee, yeah this was a little video I threw together to go with a track on my bands album Illuminations recorded in 2007. I just finished using my '74 Series I Alembic Small Standard on our new recording we're doing . . I still LOVE the sound. And on some tunes the parts I play just couldn't be played on a more traditional bass guitar.
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Hey, in case anyone wants to hear this bass in question, Jeff has just finished a long-planned solo album featuring his Alembic Small Standard and NOTHING BUT his Alembic Small Standard:
https://jeffreysherman.bandcamp.com/album/theta-an-alembic-journey
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I just bought it on Bandcamp. Pretty cool so far, beautiful bass and it sounds fantastic! :)
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Bumped into the sound of this bass on Youtube today.
http://youtu.be/1zuDfOhcPJQ (http://youtu.be/1zuDfOhcPJQ)
Enjoy
Jazzyvee
That piece was inspiring and mesmerizing.
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Beautiful bass you have there! :)