Author Topic: Your first Alembic... what was it like? (Read 1342 times)

hendixclarke · « **on:** February 21, 2009, 04:36:10 PM »

Everybody, join in...

What was it like when you got your first Alembic?

glocke · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2009, 05:02:53 PM »

I wet my pants.

hendixclarke · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2009, 05:27:49 PM »

If only for a rare moment in time, the world seemed a little more fairer than usual for me.

mike1762 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2009, 06:01:52 PM »

I thought... I'm not worthy!!!

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2009, 07:59:45 PM »

It was a mess. Mine was an '84 Spoiler that had the electronics with the exception of the pickups replaced, and a hole routed by the truss rod cover on the G string side so you could pop the strings.
Still, I loved it like crazy. It was my first 'really good bass,' and obviously it made something of an impression.

malthumb · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2009, 08:11:25 PM »

Mine was a 1983 Spoiler. I was really impressed (obviously...went back to the well 5 more times). It was proof for me that there was life beyond Fender style basses.

hifiguy · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2009, 10:14:29 PM »

Bought my SCSS from the Guitar Center on Memorial Day, 1999. For that day, that bass was $1500 (then a mere $3700 MSRP). Saw it hanging there, and had the sales guy take it down. Played it for twenty minutes and told him to wrap it up, even though I was unemployed. I'd wanted an Alembic since I saw a picture of The Great Jack Casady playing Number One. Couldn't pass it up.

Took it home and just stared at it for more than an hour in complete disbelief.

ulf · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2009, 01:29:31 AM »

I only think....
WOW

keavin · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2009, 04:36:23 AM »

I staired at it for a long time as if it was a Butt Naked Woman with no clothes on......then i sat it on my lap and inserted that fat plug in it!........not only was the sound very Creamy it was very Erectifying!

(Message edited by keavin on February 22, 2009)

(Message edited by keavin on February 22, 2009)

keavin · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2009, 05:05:37 AM »

http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/8538.html

(Message edited by davehouck on February 22, 2009)

hendixclarke · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2009, 10:22:42 AM »

HAaaaahaaaaaa Haaaaahaaaaahaaaaaahaaa!!!!!!!!!!

That was a good one.... Haaahaaa haaahahaaa!

Keavin, you hit that one, out of the park man.
I feel you man... Right on!

3rd_ray · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2009, 11:37:26 AM »

Sometime around 1993 I bought a new Essence 5-string with bocate top from The House of Guitars in Rochester, NY. They also had a 4-string MK Signature Deluxe with either birds-eye or burl maple top. I don't remember why I chose the Essence, probably because it cost less. When I got it home, I remember the feeling of finally having a high-quality bass. The wood and construction was cool, but it's the sound that had me. That was my first bass that had bright piano-like tone.

Mike

ajdover · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2009, 12:58:42 PM »

Mine was an '84 Spoiler-Exploiter. Zebrawood, and just gorgeous. I remember being blown away just looking at it - I'd never owned an instrument that finely crafted. I literally just left in in the case and stared at it. Even though I sold it later, it began the love affair I have today for Alembics.

Alan

slawie · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2009, 01:21:02 PM »

While on a training course in 1988 in Mountain View in California I had happened across a shop called the Starving Musician in Santa Clara. I was looking for an investment type instrument because the prices were far cheaper in the US as opposed to Australia.
While looking through the range of basses I saw a fretless that I did not recognise the brand and thought I would give it a bash.

MAN I was blown away at the tone and just how easy it was to play my fingers ran over the fretboard like they were buttered and the thing almost played itself it was so beautiful.
Needless to say without knowing what it was I forked out the $1.000 asking price.

With a little bit of research I found out about Alembic, went to the factory in Santa Rosa and had the instrument validated and insurance priced.
I met Mica and Ron verified the piece then they gave the instrument a serial number. 75-251S I asked Mica if she could put an S on the back end of the number for slawie and she did. I bought a cast logo because I wanted to squirrel away he sterling silver hand cut logo ( Idid not want some punter to pinch it at a gig)

The last resort is selling it as I will leave it to someone in the family if I pass away. I did have it temporarily up for sale but managed to work around the financial short-fall and did not sell.

You will have to prise the bass from my cold dead hands.

slawie

crobbins · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2009, 01:30:31 PM »

My 1st Alembic