Here in Nashville, bass is very 'tradtional' in the session end of things, despite Vic Wooten, Roy Vogt, and other terrifyingly talented players who live here and play non-traditional axes.
I was subbing one night, and a very busy session guitarist who doubles occasionally on bass was the guitar on the gig. Once we started playing (and I was playing thru the regular guy's rig), his head WHIPPED around to eyeball my bass. I had a simple, round sound dialed up. But the difference was striking to his trained ears: The compressed, firm fundamental, the uncolored string tone, all of the usual ALEMBIC sonic signature was present even in a smooth setting.
Without the usual rack full of processors to get that sound out of a Fender or MM.
I can't imagine his surprise to see a long-scale, Series-shaped, see-thru fire engine red, quilt-topped monster staring back at him.
Later that night, as another guitar player sat in for a few, he asked if he
could sit in on my bass and try it for a few tunes. I made the rare exception and let him play it, but I knew him to be a conscientious person with regard to his instruments.
He looked just like Will Smith in 'Independence Day'! I just knew he was gonna whoop and say Man, I gotta have me one of these !
Afterward, I had to give him the tour, tell him about ALEMBIC, the usual. I'm sure his StringRay Five will have LOTS of questions to answer when he gets home . . .
J o e y
