A new shape

[Erroneus Jones (erroneus_jones)]

I plan on doing it myself, but I make it a Europa spec copy, exept for the shape Pickups/Electro is a Europa set too!
 
Hope it makes a great sparklin' slapper with endless windy lows, but SO low...
 
If you have an Europa or a Rogue, any comments, recommedations would be great to hear of. I want it to be my only bass... my dream one!
 
Oil (Erroneus Jones)
 

[Rami Sourour (rami)]

How do you improve on an Alembic?
 
The shape is a personal thing - I think your idea is really cool.  Very original.  For me, Alembics are not only about beautiful shapes, but exotic woods, electronics, scale length, number of strings....you get the picture.
 
Above all, an Alembic bass represents the pinnacle of quality and THE highest state of the art.  Many companies build beautiful basses, but only Alembic builds Alembic quality basses.  
Owning an Alembic bass is like owning a Stradivarius violin.  What makes it special is only appreciated when you hold it in you hands and experience it's quality - in all the little details.
Nobody ever tried to sell me an Alembic - they always sold themselves.  They were all Love at first sight.
You should never stop dreaming - the sky's the limit with what your dream bass can be.
 
My dream Alembics came to life in the August Feature.  Maybe they can give you some ideas.  Check them out!
 
Good luck,
 
Rami

[Dino Monoxelos (dean_m)]

Hey Rami
 
Great insight on describing Alembics!!!  It's funny when you compare Alembics to a Stradivarius but very true.  I say funny 'cause I view my Alembics as being very personal to me in that way but, when I'm long gone from this world, my great, great grandchildren will be playing them and saying, yup, these were Papou's (Greek for Grandfather) basses!!!
BTW I love the twins they are really spectacular!!!
 
Dino

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Hi OIl,
 
i like the concept. If i ubderstand the design well the strings are going to run through the body. It will produce a great sustain I guess.  
It's a special way to place the tuners but catchy. The only thing I don't like in the idea is the shape of the peghead. It reminds me the old VOX guitars. But hey ...that's a taste thing. The overall shape reminds me of the french Vigier basses.
Rami: nicely said. I'm following friend papoe DIno in his words and I also liked the twin story. I congratulated teh Alembicians for it even before I entered this club.
Bye!
 
Paul

[Erroneus Jones (erroneus_jones)]

The thing is, I would buy an Europa, but I don't have the money... I'm taking luthrie's courses right now, I'm making an acoustic guitar, but I would like to start the job this summer, but it looks like hell of a sanding process. I have lots of time to invest, and since it's for me, I'll make shure everything is perfect. But I wish I could juste buy a Europa 5er!
 
BTW, thx for that Vigier basses comparaison Paul, they look great.
 
Oil

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Well-well Oil,
 
now that IS something: being luthier! Of course it would be great to buy a Europa but hey look at it this way: if you'll be a luthier you got bass-guitar world in your own hands man! The electronics you can buy by our favourite Alembicians.
Oh...it WILL take time but I think it will be very rewarding too. Actually more rewarding then buying it.
It took me 10 years to buy an Alembic. I only have that one Alembic and there is no way I can afford a 2nd one in the next 10 years. Then I'll be around 60 years old so I don't know if that's a good age to start with a new guitar.
I'm just puzzled how all this multi-alembic owners are DOING this?? Can you imagine: owning 12 (twelve) Alembics.... or 7?? One for every day of the week: youhou...honey... I'll take the SII 4 string in zebrawood today....
Anyway: good business for the Alembicians.
By the way: a friend of mine is lutier over here in Belgium and builds famous classical guitars for concert purpose. From time to time he makes... a bass guitar... just for a good client.
Please keep me posted in how the work goes!
CU
 
Paul

[Oil (erroneus_jones)]

Hehehe...
 
I'll just post a short answer to that, I'm sleepy as hell! I'd like to get an idea, am I the only minor who dreams about Alembic??? (everybody here as more then 40... Is it me or Alembic does not make in the vintage sound???
 
The thing on my mind is, I bought my first bass used almost 4 years ago, and I never got to chose if I would be a bass player or an upright player... even before the idea of my dream bass, I wanted to try an electric upright... even today, I still see myself older with a double bass, not a guitar bass...  
 
Since I can't get my hands on one, could you tell me if slap and tap are possible to performe on a bass such as the NS US-5 electric double bass...
 
I really like sub-windy-end lows, and bright sound, with a plastic-like tone, but nothing colored with a boost (vibrating low, not wall shakers, and no fret buzz)
 
Might even start by making an upright, then i'll see what is best for me...
 
If you got anything to tell to a newbie, I'm here for that.
 
Thx, Oil

[Daniel Tracey (dannobasso)]

In answer to Paul about multi Alembics, It is an addiction. I currently have 8 and will be ordering another Excel 5 in almost black in a month or so. I just sent my first spoiler 83 koa for a refinish in black. I'm now in a dark rock band. (www. doomtree.com) with Steve Zing. The rest of my babies won't be used on this gig. Why so many? I'm single, no kids, no pets, don't really drink and don't do drugs. I love these instruments end of story. I also work 2 to three jobs. Perhaps if my fortunes increase I'll continue to order new ones. I also find any good reason to justify a new one. I don't know what Rami's reason's are but I'm sure I can understand them. I never regretted any money I've spent on an Alembic.
Danno

[Rami Sourour (rami)]

Thanks Danno,
 
I think you just about summed it up for all of us.  We just love them...end of story.  My reasons are the same as yours (but thankfully, I only work one job).  The sound, the feel, the quality, not to mention the mystique and prestige of owning the Rolls Royce of basses.  Gotta love it!
 
Wait'll you see the next one I have in the works!
 
Take care,
 
Rami

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Hey Rami and Danno,
 
yes, I completely understand you. It's merely the fact choosing between them that bothers me. If you have 8 Alembics (and if I had the money I surely would try a second one) do you choose them with a certain purpose or just: well ... I'm in the maple mood? Or ... I'm feeling dark today let's try the ebony. Or just: let's take the short scale because I'm driving my bike to rehearsal? ;-).
 
Hey Oil,
 
I know a Belgian bass player who plays flamenco-style on his acoustic (amplified) upright.
The time I played upright I didn't had a good bass. My friend had a bridge on his acoustic upright that you could adjust in height. It's a very common device in US but not in EU.
What I heard the sound would go deep (but that depends mostly on your Amp and tone-setting, maybe we should ask around who of the friends combine an upright with a f.i. Fishman blender and the Alembic FX-1 and/or SFX?
But hey: watch your hands in doing those fancy tricks on an upright: it's hard work an you 'll need some workout with your hands.
 
About age: well, I'm 47 now but not feeling that age.
I have no idea what the average age of the club-visitors/Alembic owners is. The best person to run that throuhg a computer is Mica. My feeling is that you don't see a lot of young people with an Alembic. I think it's because of the price and maybe the image a litlle bit. You don't see a lot of Alembics on this site in fancy colours (esmerald green, or puppyrose, or hot-lips-red, or star-flickering-nightpurple) but hey: they exist in the Alembic catalogue!
Playing an Alembic is making a statement: I can take control! It's having a definite taste in sound, it's accepting the fact that there is a lot in your hands that you can control and master. THese are merely lead-guitar assets. Not many bass-players are that way.
And don't forget: an Alembic sound simply very good!
Maybe to see and accept all this is something you do when you get (a little) older.
 
Paul

[Oil (erroneus_jones)]

Thx...
 
I'll try to get my hands on an upright with low action (If it can be used like a fretless, well slap, tap and strum wont be impossible...)
 
Maybe a shorter scale would help... I found the 36inch bass to hard, but an upright is 41. Would I really feel a difference or is there some sort of 2nd factor to loose them out?
 
Thx again
 
BTW, I just hate those eye-catching colors you named... glad to be in the club
 
Oil

[Valentino Villevieille (valvil)]

If you're looking for an easy to play upright, consider Kydd basses, they are little more than a fretboard & neck (34 to 36 inch in scale, on request) mounted on a tripod, with steinberger like tuners ( headless in other words), they are built with the electric bassist in mind, or the gigging upright player who wants an extra light load; they sound very good ( fishman pickup, I believe) and are a breeze to play. Pricewise they can be had for around 1400-1500$ new.
 
Valentino

[Oil (erroneus_jones)]

Simply want to post an update...
 
I'm selling my old bass, so I might need to start this one sooner than I tough, but it's quite complet like that. I juste think it'll be a LOT of work!
 
Wish me luck!
 
Oil (sorry for my english)
 

[Oil (erroneus_jones)]

Simply want to post an update...
 
I'm selling my old bass, so I might need to start this one sooner than I tough, but it's quite complet like that. I juste think it'll be a LOT of work!
 
Wish me luck!
 
Oil (sorry for my english)