Author Topic: ....well, it's NOT like my ALEMBIC (Read 446 times)

bigredbass · « **on:** September 09, 2003, 10:03:46 AM »

Mica, I guess I'm REALLY trained.

I recently ran across a bass (non-ALEMBIC) I'd ALWAYS wanted recently in a pawn shop. Minty. Just as I remembered it. Great (do-able) price. Five string. Action, neck, frets, all in good shape. Fingerboard width wider than my 'classic taper' SPOILER.

But then, it happened... let's see here, wider fingerboard and ONE truss rod? Wood screws and foam under the pickups ... one-piece bridge and the saddles AREN'T matched to the fingerboard curve...took the back plate off: no silver paint, rat's nest of wires, the pots felt real cheap...straight peghead with string trees...and the tone of the pickups (and they were as good as most the regular bass market) was lacking....
and this bass was considered the big cheese in its day. I thought it was the big cheese in its day. Now....after living with my ALEMBIC for several years now, I'm ruined!

Everything I'd FIX on this old girl, you guys build every day on every instrument you make.

I passed on it.

Has this happened to anyone else?

J o e y

alemboid · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2003, 08:48:21 PM »

Joey,

I'm under the same spell! My friend and I every other week pop into the New York music stores just to see whats going on. Now and then, I run across a fine example of so & so bass. First thing comes to mind: 1) Built like an Alembic, kinda. 2)Off the shelf pickups or/and electronics 3) Costs a couple of grand ($) 4) Quality-no where near that of Alembic. 5) Playability-no question about it- tone, feel, etc nothing close to Alembic.

I start talking about my Alembics and their even tone string to string, stability, quality, looks, etc. Then I get mad that I wasted another day looking at basses I know I'll never buy! I keep asking myself- What is the most reliable, good looking, great sounding, best built bass? Three times over, Alembic. I get the feeling Rami feels the same way!

Bryant-life at 30 hz.

rami · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2003, 03:29:56 AM »

You said it!

But I still don't close the door on the old classics. I still like finding old Jazz Basses.
It's not really fair to compare other basses to Alembics - It's like comparing a Rolls Royce to a Chevy.
I still like that Chevy from time to time!

bigredbass · « **Reply #3 on:** September 11, 2003, 10:38:49 PM »

rami:

Maybe you could give me a little insight to this:

You're certainly not alone in coveting the old Fenders. Personally, to me they're just tired old basses. Plus remember I'm old enough to remember the 180-degree swing that Fender went through with the CBS purchase, and the beginnings of their 80s recovery under George Schultz.

What I don't get is this: Fender has gone to unbelievable lengths to recreate their past classics. I know lots of 'oldFenderguys' that really are jazzed that these modern examples really are as good as the old ones, bought loads of 'em. If I EVER just had to have a Fender (not likely in this lifetime), I'd just order up everything from Warmoth, etc., and build one myself. And pick out smarter components than Fender uses.

The vintage market in these pieces is a trainwreck of egos, money, and BS. George Gruhn's vintage store is 20 minutes from my house, and it's terrifying! Where am I missing the point?

I guess it's REALLY obvious, I just don't 'get it'. I drove Chevys most of my career; I'm quite satisfied to pass them in my Rolls.

J o e y

elzie · « **Reply #4 on:** September 12, 2003, 05:21:18 AM »

Joey, I think is has to do more with personal taste and experiences. For example:

I've had my Fender for 22 years now. We have been through a lot together. When I pick it up to play, it is so familiar and warm, like going to you parents' at the holidays. It is not better than an Alembic, just different. Now, I still play my Alembic 90% of the time, but when I pick up that old Fender it's a different world.....

alembic76407 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 12, 2003, 05:51:25 AM »

I don't get it either, I have been playing my Series 1 for 28 years, I sold a 61 Fender Percision to buy my Alembic and the only reason I would want my Fender back is to sell it again and buy another Alembic, and as far as Chevy's go !!!! don't get me started or I may start talking about Porsche's again!!!!!

palembic · « **Reply #6 on:** September 12, 2003, 10:15:20 AM »

***sigh***
Brother Paul TGO, I wanted to tell your story that you told me once here but I was reluctant, It's not my story.
Brothers and sisters: it's Personal in the most intimate way you can interpret that word! I fell in love with a Fender Telecaster bass as my first bass (see the Fender Sting signature but with maple body). Even now, after playing such a guitar for more than 22 years (and playing Bonnie for about 9 years) I STILL have a feeling of homecoming when I touch such a Fender. See it this way: maybe your home is a real mess, lousy furniture, cold, no warm water ...but it's HOME. The one who can explain that effect to me can go furtrher in this polemic. Brother Paul the good one simply described the feeling when playing the bass he started on. When I was 16 (33 years ago) I never HEARD about something else as a Fender, the T was for the weirdo's, the P was for the regulars, the J was for the advanced (two pick-ups = to difficult).
Guys ...we're describing a feeling here. We could analyse the WHY's but that will be reasoning. That's not involved.

Just my ideas.

Paul the bad one

elzie · « **Reply #7 on:** September 12, 2003, 11:07:41 AM »

You got it brother Paul.

This is a prime case for the old phrase:

If I had to explain it, you wouldn't understand.

I remember the e-mail you are talking about Paul. It feels good to get that level of enthusiasm and comfort jsut by picking it up every so often. I think a car analogy isn't fitting here. As Paul stated, it's personal and it just can't be described.

Now back to the Alembic talk.......

Paul TGO

rami · « **Reply #8 on:** September 13, 2003, 03:56:29 PM »

Paul TGO said it best. My favorite Jazz Bass (bought it new 22 years ago - and still in great shape) is an '81 Jazz. We've been through alot together and I still get a kick each time I pick it up. It still sounds great. I'm not quite sure of what it would take for me to part with it, but it would have to be VERY substantial(if even that).

You know, the greatest bass doesn't have to be the most exotic and most expensive. It's what you enjoy playing the most.

Let's not forget what Jaco - The world's greatest bass player played, and how great IT sounded.

alemboid · « **Reply #9 on:** September 13, 2003, 04:38:46 PM »

Yowza!
Now, I can relate. I am devoted to Alembic (see 2nd post in this string), however, I used to work for Sadowsky Guitars here in New York. While I was there, I built a bass for myself (check it out at www.hilgraves.com/bryant) and I love it. It is right where I want it-neck feel, weight and looks, and great PHAT tone. I will never sell it, and I will always play it. However, being that I travel with multiple basses, there are 2 other Alembics that get as much love. I built the Sadowsky to the best of my ability, even with Alembic in mind, yet they are different in all the obvious ways. Point is, while we're all devoted to Alembic, many of us appreciate other instruments the way we appreciate a pair of old jeans- they just fit right, and are always there to enjoy.

Just a thought,

Alemboid

p.s. now, where's that Orion!?!

David Houck · « **Reply #10 on:** September 13, 2003, 05:48:58 PM »

Hey, check this out!
http://www.hilgraves.com/bryant/audio/fusion.mp3
Nice tone! Nice technique! Nice groove!

malthumb · « **Reply #11 on:** September 13, 2003, 08:01:46 PM »

At the present I have 5 basses. Two are Alembics, and barring some major criminal activity, they will not be leaving my ownership. Two of the other three have their own reasons for being. One's a 5 string fretless Lakland Skyline that fills my fretless void. I inexplicably let a 5 string fretless Mark King elude my grasp.

The other is a 6 string Hanewinckel. Hanewinckel is an up & coming luthier in the San Diego area. This bass totally surprised me. I bought it not knowing what to expect and was very pleasantly surprised. It doesn't have the power and presence of my Alembics, but the string spacing and the neck profile make it the easiest bass for me to play on. This is a 6 that I can actually slap on if I want to. If I want a C string that allows me to play lower on the neck than my Alembic 5 allows, I tend to play the Hanny. No doubt I can get an Alembic 6 that does that better, but since I already have the Hanny, it does the job.

Bass number 5 is a Fender Jazz Marcus Miller. Nice bass, but no match for any of the other four. I bought it from a friend to help him out of a pinch. Right now I'm considering selling it and the Lakland to fund purchase of a five string fretless. Most likely from somewhere in California. Not certain yet when, or whether it's northern or southern Cally.

Peace,

James

sricabla · « **Reply #12 on:** September 13, 2003, 08:39:39 PM »

Malthumb,
Have you heard of the Nordstrand basses? I sure love my Alembic but I need a good backup. He's getting a really good rep and his prices are really good. The only downside is you have to wait at least 7 months. He has 15 basses ahead of mine. He makes all the basses by himself in his garage.

malthumb · « **Reply #13 on:** September 14, 2003, 06:15:58 PM »

Ooops!! Didn't mean to hijack this thread and turn it into a discussion of Alembic competitors. Seeing as how Alembic hosts this space I'm going to try to stay away from endorsing other products.

The point of my earlier post is that there are a lot of very very nice basses available and most will do the job, but in my opinion (and in my house) none are better than Alembic.

Peace,

James

alemboid · « **Reply #14 on:** September 14, 2003, 06:36:21 PM »

No worries James,

My bass collection is three to one in favor of Alembic. Why? Because the Alembics have great bass, mids & treble, even string response, stability and articulate what comes out of my heart into the music like no other! There is no competition, just variety. In the end, some one stands out: Alembic.

Pluck, thump, pop, strum,

Bryant