Author Topic: Alembic sound required... (Read 263 times)

hendixclarke · « **on:** February 19, 2009, 09:33:12 AM »

Hey guys, do you think anyone cares (other musicians in particular) care what bass is used for an electric bass compilation?

In other words, how much of a difference does it really make for others almost insisting an alembic sound... or is it just you, requiring the sound?

I ask this question, because most of us, have multiple bass brands, and I wonder if people (other than you) notice the differences to the point of a demand.

Please share your thoughts...

jazzyvee · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2009, 01:00:24 PM »

An interesting question, Personally I use Alembic because that is the sound I prefer on bass. No-one has ever asked me to bring a different bass on a gig or specifically asked me to bring my Alembic. ( Well I don't have a non alembic bass anymore so they can't).

I think that as long as whatever bass you use is able to get the sound that suits the music, it doesn't really matter what bass it is. Some musicians tell me they hear the difference in the sound of my bass so that is a cool plus.

I haven't done any recording for anyone with my basses so can't comment on that.

I look forward to the responses to this.

Jazzyvee

malthumb · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2009, 01:18:16 PM »

In various bands and churches that I've played in other musicians have expressed a preference for one of my basses or another. If it's based on appearance, they usually state a preference for my Marchlewski or the Alembic Series II 5 (man those LEDs are cool!). If it's the way the bass sounds, it's almost always the Series II EXCEPT for one gig where a singer really likes a fretless sound, so she prefers my Roscoe. So they are not specifically asking for an Alembic sound but they are asking for what they perceive to be my best sound.

Peace,

James

hendixclarke · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2009, 05:40:56 PM »

You guys make great points. As for me, listening to great works from other bassist, I often wonder how their bass sound would sound like if they used different basses.

Before I dig myself into this rat-hole, let me just say, this topic is a very complicated discussion, that is the point. We gain, from pain. I will read all comments on this thread because it is an extremely good read for others, as well as myself.

Ok, here it goes...

One person in particular (my drummer), always prefer an Alembic sound to play off because it mix well with his drum tones. I am not sure I understood everything he explained, but Alembic does have an almost non-electric amplified acoustic sound.

Then when it comes to jamming a simple pattern (funky-stuff) with lots of slap, and pop, the Alembic sound to him lacks impact... The Marcus Miller Fender sound is expressed.

Alembics sound definitions, are almost too smooth for the edgy sound he demands to deploy.

Another example:

Sometimes I wonder what would Mark Adams of Slave bass sound (would sound like...) if he played Alembic on Just A Touch of Love, Slide,Sizzlin' Hot I wonder if it would have the same impact and punch?

And if that's not enough, I'd never heard anyone make a bass growl better than Mark (who plays a Fender). It's all his baby...

Copying is a form of flattery, and I must admit, I tried very hard to engineer my Alembic to growl like the Fender Mark plays, and failed miserably.

I would love to read more...

mike1762 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2009, 05:00:22 AM »

When I first started hanging out here, I read claims that you could make an Alembic sound like any other bass. I spent an enormous amount of time and energy trying to get one of mine to sound like a Music Man Stingray (since my SR was sitting right there, I'm not sure why I didn't just grab it!!!). While my Alembics are (by far) the most versatile of my stable, they are confined by the woods used, construction technique, and electronics. You will never get an Alembic (neck-through construction, mahogany body, and single-coil PUPs) to sound like a Music Man Stingray (bolt-on neck, ash body, and HB PUP). I've pretty well stopped trying to use my Alembics for slap/pop (ironic since Stanley helped make them famous with that style), but the SR is much more suited for MY technique/tone when it comes to that. If you haven't noticed, I'm a HUGE Stingray fan. But I'm the first to admit that it is the proverbial one trick pony. It's Alembic's palette of usable tones that continues to amaze me. A slight turn of the frequency filter and you've got a new bass in your hands!!!

keavin · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2009, 05:56:04 AM »

well lots of band leaders are sold on that traditional fender sound and prefer their bassplayer to put that alembic away,.....when victor wootten played his alembic for kachief (a recording artist in the 80's)well he told victor he didnt want that alembic sound so he bought victor the fodera bass and that was the beginning of victors career / endorsement for that bass, the album/recording produced several hits and victors first professional gig /tour at age 16!..........i also played with 70's recording artists Bloodstone and pretty much lost the gig because they wanted me to use my fender bass and every time we hit the stage my alembic was in my hand & they didnt like that........so i said f***em!

olieoliver · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2009, 06:44:27 AM »

I wonder how many people, including ourselves, could really tell an Alembic in EVERY situation. I do understand there are tones that only an Alembic can get. But I do think there are guys that play Alembic that don?t have the traditional Alembic sound.

Tiran Porter and Skylark both come to mind here. I personally don?t think either one had a traditional Alembic sound. They had?..well?the Doobie sound (and no Bill I don?t mean a seed popping)?

Cliff Burton is another that I really don?t think had the traditional Alembic sound. Of course he did use some effects.

I also wonder how often people associate the Alembic sound with the Stanley sound. Mark King still sounds the same, to me anyway, on his Status or Alembic basses. I think Mark is an awesome player and love to hear him but his sound is a little thin for my taste buds, when I?m playing that is.

I had an experience right after I got my first S-2 where I was jamming with some friends, (I think Mike, groovelines, was there too) and a guitarist I?ve known for years stated that it doesn?t matter what I play he knows it me on the bass from my sound. He?d never heard me on an Alembic before he was used to hearing my Kubicki or Music Man Sabre (which is a fretless by the way).

I did have trouble slapping on my Alembics when I first got them but after some slight tweaking of my right hand technique I have no problem, albeit better on the 4 string than the 5. Which is odd because I had no problem at all on my Warwick 5 and 6 string basses. I attribute that to the fact that Alembic reproduces everything SO much better than other instruments.

OO

hendixclarke · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2009, 10:13:44 AM »

Good point Olie -- it is very hard to tell the differences of an Alembic sound in every situation.

However, for me it takes one slap/pop and I know immediately, if it's an Alembic or not.

Is this the case from you guy when it comes to slap/popping?

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2009, 10:19:44 AM »

Actually, Hal, slapped basses all sound pretty much the same to me; it's with a clean picked or finger-style player the Alembic sound really shines for me.

Peter

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2009, 10:20:31 AM »

Actually, Hal, slapped basses all sound pretty much the same to me; it's with a clean pick or finger-style player the Alembic sound really shines for me.

Peter

hendixclarke · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2009, 10:59:10 AM »

I was listening to Prince's song Pop Life back in the 90's the bass sounded unmistakably like an Alembic bass.

I guessed correctly (phew)...

But, then again if the bass pattern is complicated, and long enough, I could in most cases guess right again...

A very good friend of my during the 80's turned me to listening to a band called: The Dixie Dregs.

After hearing a few cuts, I could had sworn the bassist was playing an Alembic. After a few years later, I managed to find an Album at a used record store, and there it was... a guy name Andy West, pictures with a phat-ass Alembic Series I.

I was right...

Man, after all them years, it felt very good recognizing the sound. That was a great awakening indeed.

mike1762 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2009, 02:10:04 PM »

The Dregs!!! I haven't thought about those guys in a long time. I usually don't care for Jazz Fusion, but they had it going on!!!

hendixclarke · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2009, 12:40:59 PM »

Daaammm that's a bad-ass Aqua Marine Alembic Mike. All your basses are eye-candy.

mike1762 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2009, 01:37:08 PM »

Thanks Hal... I love playing that bass. The Spoiler is the really fancy one of the group. It has a Mahagony body, Maple laminate, and a Bocate top.

hendixclarke · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2009, 01:40:24 PM »

Keavin that's an interesting case (about Victor Wooten), this says: people other than the players, knows the Alembic sound enough to require it, or not.

I am not sure if it was a good move for Victor to follow Kachief's advice, or not but I would had loved to see him play an Alembic. Man, Victor is my hero, he's a walking in the shadows of legends to claim his own sound. I bet he could engineer sounds on an Alembic that would have even Stanley Clarke take notice... (But that would be a very hard hill to climb)

Thanks Keavin for your positive in sight.

I always enjoy reading your comments.