Author Topic: Dayton,OH... the cultural Mecca of Ohio? (Read 919 times)

rockerdebassman · « **on:** August 22, 2015, 11:54:03 PM »

Hi all,

My name is Matt and I'm an alcoholic... oh, no, wrong forum... that's right... I am a bass player. I'm 56 years old and recently retired. Consequently, I have more time to pursue my hobby!

No Alembic, but soon I hope. I've decided to sell my pristine 25 year old Kubicki Factor, which has been a fine performance bass that has not served me well in recent studio ventures, and upgrade sometime soon. I find the prospect of purchasing a bass far from home daunting, since the odds of finding one in the Dayton, OH, surrounding area unlikely. If any of you fine folk live near Dayton, I'd love to play your Alembic for a short while, and with great care, to get a feel for the instrument) if ever one might be so gracious to permit me to do so.

Thanks for this fine resource, as I read many here have vast knowledge, much of which is pertinent to Alembics. I've loved the Alembic sound since the 70s via Stanley Clarke and others. I studied with Dave Carpenter for a few years way back before Buddy Rich picked him up, and I made a choice back then to pursue a career other than music, although I seem drawn to self expression via this marvelous non-verbal medium. So, I have the time now and plan to take my music more seriously in my retirement.

That said, off to read up on which bass would suit my needs.

Hope to be a true member of the club sometime soon,

Matt AKA FPS gaming handle, Rocker.

charles_holmes · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2015, 05:36:08 AM »

Keep searching Matt & you will find your Holy Grail of basses!!Like you, I have loved That Alembic Sound Espicially after hearing Stanley live in my hometown, Phildelphia.THen after finding out Stan's specs I knew that my axe had to consist of two things, 1)short scale and 2)a Series and I didn't care if was Series I or II. With those two things in my minds eye really helped in my Holy Grail search. I got my axe from Bass Northwest/ Seattle Washington and I live in Pennsylvania a totally different time zone, but it was worth it. From time to time our brothers here will sell their bass so keep a look out. By the way, you are a true member for you have joined The Alembic Club Welcome!!! And keep searching!!!! Chalie.

hammer · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2015, 06:24:24 PM »

Matt

The people here are quite knowledgeable about Alembic basses of all types. When you decide what characteristics you want in a bass, place a post describing what you're looking for in the wanted section. Not only will you receive great advice but you'll probably have a few club members connect with you who have exactly what you want. I've acquired two of my three Alembic basses in that manner. Good luck.

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2015, 06:02:40 AM »

Welcome Matt/Rocker! There are a few Club Members in your area.

Good luck in your search... and keep an eye on the Swap Shop here, as many well-cared-for Alembics come up for sale there.

Like Charles said above, this is the Alembic Pro Shop... you could spend weeks, heck - maybe months reading here.

rockerdebassman · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2015, 11:56:29 AM »

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Yes, lots to read here. Instruments that are also art is a great personification of what it means to be an expressive musician/artist.

The more I read the more I wish I were rich, as opposed to a fellow with a fixed income. At issue for me is most likely common among the Alembic brethren: to save more money for a more advanced version (love those series basses...mmmmmm) or to purchase a quality instrument made with less artistic and electronic flair, or an instrument in less pristine condition that maintains quality sound.

I've done searches at YouTube and have found a few videos of Alembics in action (Stanley Clarke's most recent band kicks ass!), but if you know of other sources to this effect I'd appreciate a pointer!

If you are an Alembic bassist preforming in southwestern Ohio please let me know so I can come an listen.

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #5 on:** August 26, 2015, 12:12:37 PM »

Welcome!

One thing you'll uncover through your research is all Alembic instruments, regardless of price point, are consistently well-designed and well-made. The clear, pure tones that you've been appreciating originate from the designs and are enhanced by the quality of the components and the skill of the craftsmanship used to combine them.

The more expensive models may be more visually and electronically complex, but the simpler / less expensive models are created by the same artists and are more than capable of delivering a level of performance that far exceeds anything else out there.

So don't think you need to break the bank (or rob one) in order to have a superior playing experience!

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #6 on:** August 26, 2015, 05:50:21 PM »

Everyone knows the cultural Mecca of Ohio lies halfway between Renrock & Muttonburg.........

Welcome!

Peter (Who doubts you'll find an Alembic in either of those metropoli - especially Renrock, as it's gone)

(Message edited by cozmik_cowboy on August 26, 2015)

rockerdebassman · « **Reply #7 on:** August 26, 2015, 08:16:18 PM »

LOL Cowboy, perhaps you are right. Dayton seems more of the cultural armpit of society of late. And just because I reside in the buckeye state doesn't mean I have to purchase a bass adorned with buckeye burl, right?

What I see here in reading the forum, and its excellent archive, is a family of craftsman wise enough to see the the value of maintaining communications between customers, whereas most corporations fear such interaction because they make shabby products. It speaks volumes (pun intended) as to how the Wickersham clan must feel about creating these fine instruments that bring moments of joy to a troubled world, and about those who play them.

Peter, the looking over the artisan quality of Alembics I'm hitting myself in the head for not making this transition sooner. DOH!

dtothec · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2015, 11:41:29 AM »

Matt I'm in Cincinnati and have a 5 string Rogue and 4 string Spoiler. You're welcome to try mine.

rockerdebassman · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2015, 12:49:39 PM »

That is kind of you, Darrell. I'll send you an e-mail.

bigredbass · « **Reply #10 on:** September 24, 2015, 10:34:55 PM »

rdbm, I live in Nashville, a town that is brim-full of guitars and basses, obviously. I've lived here since 1990, and I've seen a grand total of seven Alembics, and two of them are mine.
These just aren't axes you see every day. I dare say that even in LA or NYC, they would be just as rare (wait a minute, that pony-tailed guy with the fives in LA, oh yeah, that guy !).

I worked in a music store in Texas in the 70's and they had a pile of brochures from the NAMM show, and in there were a few tear-sheets from this ALEMBIC company. It had one black and white pic of a 4-string Series Point. After seeing a few of them on The Midnight Special or a page in Creem or Rolling Stone, that shape, and that axe was just imprinted in my brain. It became a daydream, a legend, a Flying Dutchman of a bass in the back of my mind. Like those folks running to The Devil's Tower in CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, I'm sure more than a few of us here have a similar tale to tell.

I found my BigRedBass as if it fell from the sky. I walked into a music store and it was hanging on the wall and I had. to. have. it.
And I got it, and nothing has been the same since.

I always say these things are not for everyone. But if you're someone who 'gets it', there is utterly nothing else like them, and you can look and try lots of good 'boutique' basses, but nothing else is an Alembic, and I've been around guitars and basses most of my adult life.

And it's a small, family business, and I've never been treated the way that Susan and Mary and Mica treat me, they are just the best, I could never thank them enough.

Best of Luck,

Joey