Author Topic: Alembic sound required... (Read 278 times)

ajdover · « **Reply #15 on:** February 21, 2009, 01:55:07 PM »

I have a bunch of basses in my stable, and I think the biggest difference between an Alembic and some other marques are:

1. Bright, clear tone.
2. Versatility.
3. Adjustability (for playing ease).
4. Quietness.
5. Build Quality (second to none in my experience).

Can I pick out an Alembic from most basses? Most of the time, yes. Can I also pick out a P-Bass or a bass like a P-Bass? Yep.

As far as whether to use an Alembic or not, well, it depends on the gig. I've used Alembics for country, rock, blues, etc. and it's always fit the bill. I couldn't use, say, my Rick 4001s for blues - for me (and most likely the band) it just wouldn't work. However, I've used my Fenders, Lakland, Pedulla, etc. for other gigs and they work great as well.

I play Alembic because of this - they are simply the finest bass guitars on the planet, for me anyway. I love my Lakland, my '73 Jazz, my Sadowsky Vintage 4, my Pedulla MVP, but there's just something about an Alembic that just moves me.

Can others tell the difference when I'm playing an Alembic? Absolutely. I've had more than one front of the house engineer tell me that he'd never encountered such a pure, quiet, and clean bass tone. One told me it was the easiest bass to mix he'd ever encountered in 20 years as a sound guy.

Alan

hendixclarke · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2009, 02:01:28 PM »

Yes the Dregs was very interesting because, they applied a Southern Country Groove with Rock Jazz. Man, that was some beautiful music. I wish they'd hadn't broke apart.

Man, I never heard anything come close since...

I guess it's for the best...

hendixclarke · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2009, 02:21:17 PM »

Alan your comments are very insightful (as with everyone who laid it down...here).

Man, with all the basses you have, I am sure you could point the sound out from miles away -- and you would be right to...

How do feel about the sound comparison between a slap/pop of a Music-man/Fender Precision vs an Alembic?

Your Alembic is gorgeous man.

ajdover · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2009, 02:32:52 PM »

Hal,

Which Alembic is gorgeous? I think they all are, as is yours!

For me, a Fender P-Bass is a one trick pony. It's got a great tone (and recorded history backs it up), but it is only one tone. It boils down to the player, his technique, equipment, etc.

I have a '79 Musicman Stingray, and it is an incredible instrument for slap/pop. It is also great fingerstyle, but not as cutting, IMHO as say, a Jazz bass using the bridge pickup with a lot of mids a la Jaco. It is a comfortable and well playing instrument - Leo got it right with that one if you ask me.

As to whether it compares with an Alembic - well ... it all boils down to how much clean or bright you want. The Alembic is incredibly clean and bright - if you make a mistake, everyone will hear it. If you use a Musicman or a Precision, fewer will. They're more forgiving in that sense of less than stellar technique. Alembics demand that you have good technique - this is one of the reasons I love them. They make me a better player because I can hear what I'm doing (or not doing) better.

If I were doing slap only, I'd probably go with a Musicman. But very few bassists do slap only - we need something more versatile. The Musicman is versatile, but not as versatile as an Alembic IMHO. Same goes for a P-Bass.

My two cents,

Alan

hendixclarke · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2009, 02:56:43 PM »

From your profile, I only see one Alembic. If you have more basses, please show and tell...

Yeah, I thought you might feel as most. Alembic basses are more than slap-n-pop basses. There pedigree is not as strong there. This is where my drummer was right as well. I must admit, the Musicman is a killer slap-n-pop. During the Disco days, Musicman basses were everywhere. Using your terms: They are a great horse to ride for the right job.

ajdover · « **Reply #20 on:** February 21, 2009, 03:14:59 PM »

Hal,

I don't know what profile you're seeing, but I list all of my stuff there. If you can't see it, email me and I'll send you some pics.

Alan

hendixclarke · « **Reply #21 on:** February 21, 2009, 03:30:03 PM »

http://alembic.com/cgi-bin/alembic-club/board-profile.cgi?action=view_profile&profile=ajdover-users

Is this you?

hendixclarke · « **Reply #22 on:** February 21, 2009, 03:33:31 PM »

I see one bass from the link... Looks like a John Entwistle Alembic design.

ajdover · « **Reply #23 on:** February 21, 2009, 05:36:33 PM »

If you read the other gear link, you'll see that I own a bunch of stuff, to include Alembics.

Alan

ajdover · « **Reply #24 on:** February 21, 2009, 05:41:27 PM »

For the record, I own:

A '92 Alembic Essence
An '04 Dragon's Wing
An '06 Stanley Clarke Signature Standard
An '03 Europa 4

On the way: a custom Series II John Entwistle Replica Exploiter

Previously owned:

A '91 Essence
An '84 Exploiter (my first Alembic)
A LE Spyder (O4)

Alan

hendixclarke · « **Reply #25 on:** February 21, 2009, 05:46:23 PM »

No doubt... you own many basses - cool.

I was referencing the picture in your profile which only shows one bass (I believe you are holding in front of a fireplace).

If you have pictures of all your other fabulous basses, I would love to see those basses too.

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #26 on:** March 16, 2009, 01:55:33 PM »

Sometimes I get the feeling that the choice of string type has as much to do with the sound as the instrument itself. If I had to have only 2 basses to cover every job, it would be an Alembic with roundwound strings and a Precision with flats.