Author Topic: Hello All! (Read 108 times)

andrew_o · « **on:** July 24, 2009, 06:38:49 PM »

I posted a long while back when i was looking at a fernandez copy (just wanted to know what you guys though of em, i didn't get it though =P). But i've never really introduced my self. I've been a player for about 6-7 years now, and have been playing warwicks for about 3 years now. I love em, and I'm a big fan of the zender sound...but besides the point. Now, i've been considering an alembic for my next high end bass purchase. I'm a huge stanley clarke fan, and i'm aware that a brown bass will do more than just his sound, but how about a nice thuddy sound? I'm just curious about the different sounds one alembic can get because the only clips i can find are people playing stanley tunes =/. I'll probably have more questions or comments later...but this will get me started. =D

57basstra · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2009, 08:22:30 PM »

Hello and happy playing!

lidon2001 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2009, 08:22:47 PM »

Hello Andrew,

Yes, you can get a nice, thick, thuddy, muddy tone with he Alembic electronics. Neck pickup, filter closed, and then add the Q Switch if you want a bit more thud. I like to use that setting on the front pickup then add the bridge pickup for varying amounts of high end sparkle. I had the neck pickup moved closer to the neck for even more low end on my custom short scale, but its standard placing should give you what you're looking for.

T

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2009, 06:03:07 AM »

http://mghost.musicgroups.com/sitephp/musicians/public/music.php?Music=kbarnes

pauldo · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2009, 06:52:02 AM »

Andrew - Ditto to what Tom said, my Distillate can go from sizzle to slumber by just rolling the 'tone' knob.

Keavin - that song has more stank than a putrid road-killed skunk....FUNKY
I mean that in a good way! :-D
I heard at least 3 bass tracks during the solo section. . . yes?

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2009, 07:46:58 AM »

Hi Andrew,
Check my myspace page and other club members (there's a thread on the forum here) as well for a variety of tones / environments.
Mike

jazzyvee · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2009, 07:47:32 AM »

I also can endorse what Tom says. My base setting is very close to that his. I have the neck pickup filter closed completely and the Q-switch off. I have the bridge pickup fully open with the q-switch on then, I pan the pickup balance to the neck then back off a little which then gives a crisp edge to the meaty tone.
That is the setting I tend to use most of the time when using that bass. I can then usually adjust my tone subtly using fingers at different places between bridge and neck.

Jazzyvee

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2009, 09:05:31 AM »

that song was a top 20 hit on the contemporary charts in the late 80's (recorded with old#12)glad you dig it,actually it's only two bass tracks,but then again i was fugged up during that session so it could have been five bass trax.

andrew_o · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2009, 03:57:25 PM »

So do all of you guys have stanley clarke basses and/or ones similar? I also wanted to know how much of a difference the scale length makes in the sound. thanks

bsee · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2009, 04:35:05 PM »

The short answer is: Everything matters.

The long answer? You don't want any part of it. Suffice it to say that every design decision matters at some level. Most of it washes out, or has a very minor impact. You can get a short scale that sounds short, or one that doesn't, based upon other choices you make. Strings, a decision that comes after the fact, make a huge difference in tone.

It all starts with the Alembic guts, though.

andrew_o · « **Reply #10 on:** August 01, 2009, 11:25:36 AM »

I'm leaning more and more towards a used distilate the more i think about it. they sound good, look the way i want...but it'll still be awhile before i get one! =(

peoplechipper · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2009, 11:40:19 PM »

Distillates are awesome!! love mine and love the 32 scale...I string mine with stainless strings for maximum overtones, so thuddy doesn't really work out for me; other strings just might...I have one of the Fernandes copies(made me want to get the real thing) and it's a very worthy instrument; if you can't afford Alembic now, get one they are really good, and make nice backups when you do get the genuine article...Tony.