Author Topic: New from Philly (Read 332 times)

wfmandmusic · « **on:** January 24, 2012, 04:30:25 AM »

Well last week I received my Series 1 4 string fretless. I purchased this bass from Dave H. This is my first Alembic at age 50. I'm now wondering what the hell took me so long. My musical life has taken me all over the country from arena gigs to outdoor festivals. On and off through the years I maybe have had 50 basses. I never thought I would find a bass nicer than my Zon 5 string Legacy Elite fretless. This Alembic went straight to the top of the list. As now with kids running around the house, I don't travel and play as much but in order to keep my chops up and not go crazy, I have joined a Led Zeppelin tribute band. Yes over the years I have played a few Zep songs. I'm sure most of us have. I must say this band is pushing me because I also do the keyboard thing.
So I have a few other fretless basses I have played with this group and they actually like that I play fretless. You do not always have to play a fretless, well like a fretless.
I can't say how much this bass just melted like butter in my hands. The neck, oh my, the neck is the sweetest thing ever! It's fast, smooth, and the most natural feeling in my hand. This bass has some serious punch and can drive a beat like pounding nails. The other side of nice and sweet brought a tear to my eye. Imagine playing songs like a live Dazed and Confused, Song remains the Same/Rain Song, Achilles Last stand on this fretless. This bass is a master true work of art. I was playing through a Mesa Boogie 400 and a 1969 Ampeg 810 cab. This bass is so hot I had the volume set on 2 with the master on 7. My ear is still ringing this morning. I can't wait to hear it through my 69 SVT Blue Line. I am in heaven, but mostly I am so thankful that I got a chance to play this master bass before I died. My exploration on this instrument has only just started. Now I need to get a Alembic fretted 5 string, why? Just because life is short and we must enjoy it. Thanks Dave for passing this beautiful instrument on to me. I will play the crap out of this thing with the biggest smile on my face!

wishbass · « **Reply #1 on:** January 24, 2012, 05:15:39 AM »

Welcome Ken.Sounds like a beauty!

rustyg61 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 24, 2012, 06:54:41 AM »

Welcome Ken! There is absolutely no better bass than Alembic! Please post some pictures!

artswork99 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2012, 08:22:36 AM »

Congratulations! Play it Healthy! Art

ps: I've met this beauty too... ohhhhh

sonicus · « **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2012, 08:27:54 AM »

Congratulations !

pauldo · « **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2012, 10:56:28 AM »

Great story Ken.
Wow - better than a Zon - that's awhole lotta cool!

p.s. Not to spend your money for you but,,, Alembic makes a John Paul Jones model (you could get it as an 8-string!). :-D

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** January 24, 2012, 03:19:24 PM »

wfmandmusic · « **Reply #7 on:** January 24, 2012, 05:03:07 PM »

Thanks for the warm welcome. Well I think that Tree of Life inlay JPJ had would set me back just a bit, not to mention the 8 string. awhole lotta bread! There is a nice 8 string on ebay for 4k. Before I get too crazy I will settle in with this 4 string. That is one hunk of wood as my shoulder feels it today after 3 hours but that is a minor issue and so worth the tone. It's funny because I like my fretless basses to have a fairly skinny neck but my fretted ones need to be thick. I bought a Fender Jazz to play in this band but quickly took off that skinny neck and bought a beautiful Steve Harris thick P neck, changed the pups and to me, it is now a nice bass. What I'm really looking forward to is writing some music with this instrument> Which will sound nothing like Led Zeppelin (no offense JP)!
Pictures of this bass can be seen in this thread:
http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/113063.html?1326913761
Dave did a great job setting this up beore he shipped it to me and it even arrived perfectly in tune. Thanks again Dave!

tncaveman · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2012, 07:54:11 PM »

Welcome Ken - I got my first Alembic last February - a 4 string fretted Rogue - and yes, it's the best thing I've ever played. Simply amazing quality, feel, and sounds. I just picked up my first fretless last week - a $300 MIM Fender Jazz and am having a blast. I guess I'm lucky because it was so easy to switch over. Now I'm hankering for an Alembic fretless. My wife would kill me though - already 3 basses this year (including my son's P-bass for Christmas).

Play it well and enjoy! Stephen

wfmandmusic · « **Reply #9 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:34:18 AM »

Tonight will be my first gig with this fretless. Although it's a small room, I can't wait to hear it open up just a touch. I need to thin my heard and save up some money because now I'm craving either a 5 string fretless or a nice 4 string fretted Alembic. Anyone want to trade...say 3 nice fenders for one?

charles_holmes · « **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2012, 06:25:39 PM »

Where are performing? I have a buddy of mine that teaches bass at Drexel University his name is Bruce Kaminski, also another friend of mine that didn't live to far from me, Gerald Vesley.
Have a great gig tonight! I'm playing tomorrow. I only use my Distillate series, if I need lower notes I use my EBS Octave pedal. I love it!!

wfmandmusic · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2012, 06:57:53 AM »

This bass is a beast! It must be tamed. A really dark stage made me think of led lighting. Those pickups are sooooo hot and warm.
Next show is March 3rd. at the Whiskey Tango on Bustleton Ave. in Northeast Philly. It's a nice big room and I will really be able to open this bass up. I can't wait.

willie · « **Reply #12 on:** April 14, 2012, 02:26:33 PM »

Ken
Let me know the next time you are playing in Phila. I live in Northeast Phila. and would like to come out and hear you play.
Will