Author Topic: Has your Alembic suffered damage at a Jam session? (Read 2105 times)

kimberly · « **Reply #45 on:** February 03, 2011, 06:25:08 PM »

Hi Guys,

Thought I'd chip in on this one.

I always play my Alembic, for both performances and open mike(s). It's just the way I am. To me it's an amazing playing and sounding instrument *and* a tool I use to ply my craft. Not to mention just plain good fun to play. Anyway....

I'm pretty fortunate that in four years of hosting my open mike, I've only had a couple of situations where someone asked to play my bass. Both times the 'askers' wouldn't accept my said with a smile, polite, Sorry, but I don't let anyone else play my instrument, but you're welcome to come back some other time and bring your own bass. Both times they became somewhat indignant that I, (a woman), had the nerve/audacity to refuse them. Both times I stood my ground, stayed polite and listened to their stories of how good they were, how careful they'd be and, what cool basses they had. Me always saying when they were through talking, Sorry, I just don't let anyone else play my instrument, etc, etc. And just like clockwork they became more and more insistent, and reiterate how good they are etc, etc and finally leave in a huff, grumbling all the way out the door. I just shake my head and smile.

Needless to say I've yet to let anyone play my Alembic at an open mike.

However, here's where it gets good. I'm opening a new open mike in a couple of weeks and in speaking with my 'regular performers', one of them reminded me about one of the two guys that I wouldn't let play my bass. 'Hmmmm, yeah vaguely.' I say. Well it turns out one of these guys, and I quote, Hates my guts and thinks I'm a really big bitch, all cause I wouldn't let him play my bass at my open mike.

What's so good about all this you wonder?

Care to guess where he works at? Yup, my new open mike.

Gonna be interesting, cause if he askes to play my Alembic, he's going to get the same ole story. Sorry, but......

Honestly? I'm looking forward to crossing paths/swords with him again. Brings a smile to my face right now as I'm typing this message.

Best Regards,

Kimberly

artswork99 · « **Reply #46 on:** February 03, 2011, 06:30:13 PM »

LOL, go get him Kimberly!

sonicus · « **Reply #47 on:** February 03, 2011, 07:19:27 PM »

Good for you Kimberly , I think it's great that you intend to hold your ground on this issue. If anything this persistent fellow owes you an apology for his seemingly socially inept behavior. After the first no from you he should have gotten the message and after that it sounds like he is just begging like a child. You are in good form to stay polite and keep your composure if he starts to act up again. Perhaps he will grow up sooner then later and save him self from look like a fool.

Sonic Regards

oujeebass · « **Reply #48 on:** February 03, 2011, 08:25:37 PM »

Like my grandma used to say, if you can't lose it, you couldn't afford it in the first place. Yeah, whatever. Right?

lbpesq · « **Reply #49 on:** February 03, 2011, 09:44:29 PM »

Last Saturday evening, my band, Stonetrout played unplugged, (actually using acoustic guitars and a cajon drum box, and vocals though the P.A., electric bass and small bass amp), at a party following the California NORML conference. The party was in an art gallery and was pretty crowded with us set up at one end of the gallery - no stage. During a break, I was asked if someone could play a few songs using my guitar. I was playing my 1953 Martin D-28. I felt a little uncomfortable considering how crowded the party was and how close the people were to us while we were playing. It wasn't easy, but I just said it's a '53 Martin - I don't let anyone play it. Actually, I have no problem letting someone try it in my living room or some other controlled environment, but at the party I had visions of someone falling into it while someone else was playing it, then handing me the pieces and saying sorry, man.

Bill, tgo

slawie · « **Reply #50 on:** February 04, 2011, 12:18:43 AM »

I find that people wanting to play my Alembic genuinly want to try it out and therefore do not abuse it after I let them know the cost and my expectations should the instrument is not the same as they picjed it up. The fretless is a little intimidating because the markers on the side of the neck are really hard to see plus the position 3 marker is totally missing I patched the hole and it is invisible unless you really look for it. I really don't mind because I stay close by. They only mostly noodle around. Once some random bloke played the sweetest tune that madee my bass sing. It was really really nice.

If someone comes up who wants to play my 1977 fender I say flat out NO! because it is setup with Alembic pickups, Badass bridge, bright Dean Markleys blue steels - it is a slapping machine.

I couldn't blame anyone for wanting to play my basses but I really sus out those who appreciate the finest in musical instrument making craftmanship (craftpersonship) and those slappyheads that want to beat a rhythm and generally try to compete in wanker one-up-manship.
Maybe it is an ego thing.

slawie

terryc · « **Reply #51 on:** February 04, 2011, 01:56:52 AM »

Ibpesq..you have a 53 Martin...oh I used to dream about them when I was a teenager..never ever seen one in the flesh..I bet the tone is just absolutley outstanding..
You don't see many of them here in the UK
(don't suppose you send me a pic to my private e mail address, just so I can drool)

glocke · « **Reply #52 on:** February 04, 2011, 03:39:05 AM »

IMO it takes alot of balls, ignorance or just plain ol' stupidity to even think of picking someone else's instrument up that you don't know. I personally would never think of putting another player that I don't know into that kind of position.

Heck, even people that I do know irritate me when it comes to this stuff. I've had several people that I know on a casual basis pick up my instruments without asking, and I always end up looking like an asshole when the words dude I really wish you wouldnt do that come out of my mouth. On the one hand I can't blame them for wanting to try it, but Im also looking out for myself here, as I don't want to pay for repairs from damage caused by someone else's carelessness.

Also, FWIW I've never touched another musicians expensive instrument unless I was invited to do so, and even than I was hesitant to really do too much with it.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #53 on:** February 04, 2011, 05:05:50 AM »

As much as I may be curious about someone else's instrument I don't think I've ever asked anyone to play theirs. I think it's partly because I've not had a burning desire to mess with anything that isn't mine plus I wouldn't want to return the favour hehehe.

If there was been an instrument I really like, and there have not been many, I think I would just get a focus on what I liked about it then try to check it out in a music shop. But to be honest there haven't been many basses or guitars I've seen that I would want to play in preference to my own so even that is not something that's gonna happen very often.

The thought of someone damaging it and not paying is too much of a risk at a gig or jam session.
Have there been any mishaps on any of the alembic meet sessions?

Jazzyvee

eligilam · « **Reply #54 on:** February 04, 2011, 07:09:26 AM »

I was at an open night jam thing in Charleston, SC once...pre-Alembic days, but I brought my (then) favorite axe, my trusty '91 Ric 4003.

When I arrived (sketchy part of town), there were some characters milling around the parking lot---what's the politically correct term for homeless people? They were bumming change and smokes from people going into the open mic.

Anyway, long story short, after my part of the set I was inside the bar mingling and whatnot before the next group got up. One of the peddlers from outside had made it in..he approached me and asked if he could play my Ric at the start of the next set. I politely said No and that I was about to leave (which I was, IIRC).

He successfully bummed an Ibanez from one of the other guys there that seemed a little sympathetic to the guy (who apparently was sort of a well-known down-and-out neighborhood character).

Wouldn't you know it? That guy freaking KILLED the bass, striking up some crazy funk riffs (Larry Graham, perhaps?) and leading the whole crowd with vocals, dancing, bass soloing, etc. I was genuinely impressed. I think I bought him a beer after his tune. He vanished again after that one song.

sonicus · « **Reply #55 on:** February 04, 2011, 07:21:39 AM »

There is talent all around us. That is a good story. We are all human after all . So much potential and so much of it has not had the opportunity to be fully realized and has not had recognition in the ART & MUSIC scene.

toma_hawk01 · « **Reply #56 on:** February 05, 2011, 06:20:46 PM »

A very moving story Will.

I know people like this where I grew up. It's sad, but there's something beautiful in the story too.

That was a great read.

Peace and Love,

Hal-

dela217 · « **Reply #57 on:** February 05, 2011, 07:33:38 PM »

I was in a house band that hosted an open mic for several years. It was a weekly event and every time I played I used an Alembic. Every week different bassists played my bass, some of the players well known.

At that time, I usually brought out different Alembics as the mood struck me. It could have been anything from 72-16 to my graphite necked Series II. Everyone always respected my gear and after all those years there was never any abuse.

There was one time that I was playing a different gig and had the graphite Series II with me. We were on a break when a fight near the stage broke out. Somehow the fight ended up on stage and the Series II went flying across the stage. I suspected the worst, but the bass only suffered a surface scratch on the back of the body.

I guess I'm lucky. I wouldn't think of not bringing a bass to a gig because it is too nice, or if I was worried about damage. I enjoy playing them too much!

melancholy_mechanic · « **Reply #58 on:** March 10, 2011, 09:17:29 AM »

I spent a couple years hosting open mics and I had a specific rig/bass that I usually brought. I was playing in some pretty rough places and I knew that there was a pretty good chance that someone might blow my amp or take a chunk out of my bass

sonicus · « **Reply #59 on:** March 10, 2011, 10:03:56 AM »

I remember once when at a jam a fellow was playing through my Black Face Fender Dual Showman . I had it connected to one of my Alembic A-15 cabinets. He had brought in his speaker cabinet and decided he waned to hear his speaker in comparison to mine through my Dual Showman. While he had the amplifier on with well over 75% output capacity he unplugged the 1/4' speaker out jack from my Amp and then realized that he did not have the correct speaker cable for his because my Alembic A-15 has Banana plug connections and he needed 1/4' to 1/4' for his cabinet. Next he runs around asking people if they had a speaker cable that would fit his cabinet. All this was happening while I was taking a break in another part of the building. When I came back I could smell my poor fried Dual Showman.BURNT TOAST ! This guy insisted it was not his fault and all I ever got fro him was a smirk and a half baked insincere sorry. That was a sad story but don't lose any sleep over it any more since it was well over 30 years ago.

Sonic Regards , never let the music stop !