Author Topic: First Time/Long Time (Read 257 times)

jack · « **on:** November 02, 2005, 03:11:12 PM »

That's what the callers say on the sports talk radio station here in NY, meaning first time caller, long time listener.

So anyway, I've been playing an Epic-5 since about '96. Was eighteen, fresh out of basic training, had been playing an entry-level Ibanez for five years and saw the Epic in a local music shop in Monterey, CA. All I knew about Alembic was that Stan Clarke played one.

So they let me take it into one of the practice rooms in back and play for an hour. Then I had to leave, see a movie and come back. I was eighteen- I'd never bought anything for more than a couple hundred bucks. I can remember having the shakes as I wrote the check.

It was an impulse buy. I didn't know much about bass construction, etc. But the sound was awesome, and it played so smooth. Only later did I come to appreciate the dual truss rods, superior electronics and amazing versatility of tone and setup.

I haven't bought another bass yet. I play the heck out of mine. It's incredibly reliable.

Anyway I was looking to solve a little problem regarding breaking strings at the tailpiece and found this club. I posted over at the general discussion area; if anyone has had that problem check out my post, thanks.

I'll also put up some stuff under gigs (for anyone in NY) and some pics when I can. Other than that I just wanted to say I thought this was a pretty cool online club, and it reaffirmed that the impulse decision I made when I was a dumb kid turned out to be a pretty good one, after all.

If only I hadn't bought that '85 Caddy on a whim last year...

Jack

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 02, 2005, 06:50:10 PM »

Hello Jack and welcome.
I'm another Epic owner (actually two Epics) and I find I look forward to every chance to play them. So if you've been lurking around here you should know the favorite chant, usually accompanied with clanking bottles: Pictures, pictures please. What kind of mileage do you get on that Caddy (Ooh ... ouch)? jk I bet it's good for carrying your rig though.
Mike

jacko · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2005, 02:42:02 AM »

Hi Jack and welcome to the club. I'm also an Epic player (the instrument, not the talent unfortunately). As mike says, 'pictures'! You can see both my epic and mikes in the epic section if the showcase.

Graeme

bracheen · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2005, 03:45:52 AM »

Hello Jack welcome to the club. One more Epic owner checking in, '94 4 string. I'll be looking forward to the photos. Speaking of carrying your rig, what does your rig consist of?
I hear you on the '85 Caddy. I had a '84 Sedan de Ville that cured me of ever wanting a Cadillac again. And it was brand new. Only Toyota & Lexus for me!

Sam

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2005, 07:14:40 AM »

Hi Jack; welcome!

lbpesq · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2005, 07:44:13 AM »

Jack:

Welcome to the club. Regarding the impulse decision I made when I was a dumb kid, I beg to differ. Buying an Alembic at 18 proves you weren't a dumb kid, but in fact exhibiting signs of wisdom and intelligence far beyond your years. You want dumb kid? When I was in my 20's I once walked into a Guitar Center and attempted to trade my 1961 Strat for a new Ibanez Musician MC-500. I was prepared to do a straight up trade. The salesman offered me the Ibanez for the Strat plus $200! I walked out. The salesman followed me out to the street and offered a straight up trade. I told him I would have done it 10 minutes before, but now he had pissed me off (and I'm SOOOOO glad he did). Today I could sell the Strat (I'm not going to) and buy at least 40 Musicians! I also almost stripped the finish off the Strat so I could stain it to match the rosewood fretboard. Thankfully, I never got around to that one! That's dumb kid stuff, you seem to be doing just fine. Enjoy your Alembic and don't be a stranger to these parts.

Bill, the guitar one

jack · « **Reply #6 on:** November 03, 2005, 08:34:39 AM »

All,

Thanks for the welcoming responses.

I like Bill's story; saved by an over-aggressive salesman.

As for equipment, I play a Harktke 3500 head through a Hartke 2100 cabinet. I really like the set-up. It's small enough for a NY apartment and big enough to power the NY clubs I play. Most clubs have their own bass rig anyway, but when I need to I can just roll the whole thing right down the street, carrying my bass at the same time.

Plus, the my mahogany/walnut Alembic is so deep and full, I find the bright/punchy Hartke snarl is a good compliment for my playing and music.

I'm currently in a band with two women singers plus me, guitar and drums. We call it spunk as is soul, punk and funk. The girls are wonderful singers; the rest of us just lay down a solid foundation and pick and choose our spots for flash. I bet most would agree that it is much cooler to see a crowd move to a sparse, Sting-type baseline that you've written than play some blistering solo that only the musicians in the crowd would appreciate (although that's cool too).

Anyway, the name of the band is I Like Orange. We have gigs coming up, including a CD release party on the 11th. I'll post more in the Gigs area.

As for pics, the best I can do right now is attached (2 pictures/ two pages in a word doc); someone took some pictures at practice and at a gig but they're on the internet and I can't figure out how to get them down as JPEGs. I think it has something to do with the internet site wanting me to buy them.

Thanks again, everyone, I'll be cruising around this site. I've already decided I want an Excel. Is vermillion a bright or dark sounding wood? I thought those Fat Boys would be like a Stingray compliment to my Epic, which I always considered kind of like a Jazz (warm, round tone).

All the best,
Jack