Author Topic: Skill vs. quality instruments...? (Read 333 times)

neurotictim · « **on:** January 14, 2008, 04:07:34 AM »

Okay, so now I'm the proud owner of an Alembic. :yay me:

Is there really such a thing as too much bass? Throughout my 12 years of playing, I have considered myself a fair-to-middlin' player. I have a pretty solid understanding of theory, and a lot of practical experience, but I'm much better at holding down the bottom than I am at flashy solo stuff or fancy fills. Like most musicians, I always feel like I can get better, I've yet to be content with my ability.

I almost feel like I don't rate having such an awesome bass.

Anyone else contend with this issue? I mean, Corts and Fenders and so on, I'm completely at home with, feel like they're on par with my playing ability, but I almost feel like I can't live up to my own expectations with this guy.

...Does make me want to practice more, though... I need to get a wider strap - 3 hours of practice yesterday with the band and a 2 nylon POS has my left shoulder all kinds of sore...

adriaan · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2008, 04:34:32 AM »

Your Cort or Fender will probably cover up any slight imperfections in your technique, but an Alembic will highlight those imperfections because it presents a truer reproduction of what the strings are doing. The nice thing is that this enables you to overcome those imperfections - the downside is that your playing may sound like it has gotten a lot worse. But that's a learning opportunity: you WILL become a better player.

white_cloud · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2008, 05:09:49 AM »

Hi Timothy. I dont think you have to reach a certain ability to justify having an Alembic. Even the simplest of lines, played honestly, well and with conviction will sound better with the best equipment.

There are actually a lot of players out there who do just that. The most important thing is to get the best sound that you can no matter what type of music you play or what level your ability is currently at.

From reading your post it seems to me that you have a healthy attitude to your bass playing. Its always nicer to meet folks who are a little humble as opposed to the people who think they have it all sewn up! John.

neurotictim · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2008, 05:34:06 AM »

It's a point I had considered, adriaan, but to be honest, though I love my Epic, my Curbow is pretty good at pointing out my flaws, too. I would feel too elitist to suggest that they don't have some positive qualities, although we're all agreed that they're inferior instruments. It feels snooty to me to even type that, geez.

white_cloud, I'm always on the lookout for any horn-blowing on my part, because I'm constantly reminded of how many bassists out there are better than I am. It's inspiration, motivation to get better, but it also keeps me in my place.

I'm a tone junkie, and I'm getting to the point where I can be a little less concerned with price and a little more judgemental, so when I saw the Epic on Craigslist, I knew I had to jump. And I have a feeling this one's in the stable for the long haul.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2008, 05:57:19 AM »

Hi, Timothy, I had the same feeling when I got my first Alembic. Before that I hardly did any bass gigs to be honest. I had a bass at home because I loved bass and just wanted one around to use now and again.
I got my first alembic because I'd always wanted one. So i never really thought about my ability vs the instrument I chose.

But since I have bought it, I want to play bass much more that I have done in the past so as a result, my playing has improved a lot so I do persue more opportunities to play now because I'm happy with the Alembic sound I have now.

I only get self conscious when I'm gigging in front of other bass players who I know are awesome players. Then I start to wonder if they think I'm not good enough to have an Alembic.

You could argue, no-one needs to have a Rolls Royce... but people do because they want the quality that it has and the standards it represents. I think the same about Alembic.

As Aadrian says, you do have to work on technique in order to keep your sound free of the basses desire to sustain any sound it makes, whether you want it to or not.

I still wouldn't say i'm the kind of bass player or guitarist that would stop anyone in their tracks by what I play, though I play competently and fit into what is required. I get an immense amount of pleasure from my alembics and , I do more often than not get complimentary remarks about my sound from other musicians and positive responses to my playing too.

I'm a person who likes the best quality I can afford and I do enjoy the fact I have a different sound to the norm. Maybe I need to work on my self consciousness this year...

All the best Timothy

Jazzyvee

white_cloud · « **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2008, 06:45:08 AM »

Its a very thought provoking subject!

I remember the tremendous joy at finally purchasing my Alembic was also tinged with guilt when looking around my home and thinking of the things needing done. But at the end of the day life is too short! I would have hated living my whole life, then lying in a wooden box in the groung thinking Damn, I wish I had bought an Alembic but I wasnt good enough to own one!

(Message edited by white cloud on January 14, 2008)

neurotictim · « **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2008, 07:30:34 AM »

Yeah, I've got that going on too... Mortgage, car, girlfriend, all that...

Of course, then I plug in, tune up, and tune out.

Just like watching videos of Jaco, Woot, or any number of great bassists, this bass inspires me to work harder and earn the right to play it, so all in all, it's a good thing all around. It's gotten me out of my comfort zone musically, and that's always a good thing... At least, at practice.

And at least I won't be chillin' in the afterlife with those esteemed greats saying, I passed on this really great bass... And after all, my girlfriend's always after to me live in the moment more...

bigredbass · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2008, 05:21:22 PM »

You'll never be sorry you bought the best.

I played piano for years, and believe me I learned to get over that feeling real quick: I'd play a little spinet or some other lesser instrument, then sit down at a 7' Steinway, and I wasn't sorry one damn bit. I could hear everything, the action, the tone, the heavens opened, as it were.

I have other basses that I play that don't sound like the Alembics. Sometimes I just feel like playing them instead. Then as I work them, it dawns on me that I can't quite hear everything as clearly, the action's not quite the same, I'm tweaking the amp way more than I would if I had the Alembic out . . . . then I put it up and get the Alembic and it's all right there. Just like sitting down at the Steinway.

J o e y

ajdover · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2008, 05:49:27 PM »

Tim,

What I've found is that Alembics are unforgiving. Unforgiving of bad technique, sloppily played lines (regardless of difficulty) and dare I say respect for the instrument. An Alembic, due to its construction and electronics are a very finely refined tool that demands that the user pay attention. You can't just flub a line and not have it be noticed.

In this sense, a Fender or other mass produced instrument is a bit more forgiving, and for many folks that's what they're looking for. I believe this is part of their appeal (for the record, I own several Fenders) in addition to any number of other factors. They're also very comfortable IME, as are their clones (Sadowsky, Lakland, etc., both of which I own, and they're very fine basses indeed).

I don't look at it as not being worthy. An Alembic speaks to you for any number of reasons. You like it. You like to play it. Really, in the end, that's all that matters. Joey is spot on when he say that you won't be sorry, and that they're just a cut above in many aspects aesthetically and technically. This is what drew me to them. Believe me, I'm not sorry after owning 7 of them and playing one in a war zone that I became an Alembic player. In fact, it led me to order the bass of my dreams which you can see over at the Factory to Customer section (Alan's Custom Exploiter).

Bottom line is if you like it, that's all that matters. Play it and enjoy it, and don't worry about feeling worthy. You are.

Alan

bsee · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2008, 06:03:54 PM »

As far as I am concerned, no, an Alembic isn't too much bass for anyone. Put steel roundwound strings on an Alembic and open the filters all the way and you better have some solid technique. Moderate the filters on a bass strung with flats and you can get away with being sloppy.

I think it's possible for an Alembic to have the knobs dialed in to show up every flaw of your playing. I think it's also possible to dial them, along with preamp settings, so that it is not the case. Set it how you like it.

If you learn/play on an Alembic, particularly short or medium scale, you may be too spoiled to play on a long scale instrument. At least, you are likely to struggle a bit in making the switch. On the other hand, I suspect most people could play things on a short scale Alembic faster and cleaner than they could on a typical bass. From that perspective, it can make average players appear better than they are.

In terms of the awe factor I think just about anyone can play a

neurotictim · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2008, 06:39:17 PM »

Good points, all.

Maj. Dover, (I think I saw that somewhere) it's a pleasure seeing you get the bass of your dreams... I'm sure you've earned it. I'm more of a conservative stylist myself... I always loved the body style, but not so much on the bass for me. I guess that's just the Navy in me - 9 years, E6/Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class with two deployments under my belt - OIF on CVN-75 and OEF on CVN-73.

Glad to have you back safe.

I've found a few sounds on the Alembic that I don't carer for - having the treble all the way up is (as I found out tonight) a sure way to push out too much in the mix - my guitarists were complaining they couldn't hear themselves.

And having the bass up past 3/4 clips my preamp, at least compared to my Cort. I'm learning more each time I play it, and my practice time has gone up considerably in the last couple of days... Now it's just a matter of making it habit.

I like to think my techniques, at least the ones I'm comfortable with, are pretty clean, but I've had to adapt already to the Epic's configuration... My hands are in a more proper playing position now, and it's only going to get better I'm sure. So I know completely what you mean about forcing you to play better.

I suppose I'm still in awe. Alembics, for as long as I've been playing, have been the flagship, the bass to lust after, and now there's one sitting in my living room... Going to take some getting used to.

ajdover · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2008, 07:01:55 PM »

Ahh, the USS Truman (CVN-75) and the USS George Washington (CVN-73). For those who may not be familiar with how the US Navy designates ships, CVN means nuclear powered aircraft carrier.

I too am an OIF and OEF vet, with service aboard USS Peleliu (LHA-5).

Thanks for the props. BTW, I'm retired now .... thank God!

Glad to have you back safe as well.

Alan

bigredbass · « **Reply #12 on:** January 15, 2008, 04:33:57 AM »

My favorite bumper sticker, get a new one every time I go to the National Museum of Naval Aviation, aboard NAS Pensacola: Fly Navy!

J o e y

white_cloud · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2008, 05:49:57 AM »

Man, after todays session Im asking myself do I deserve an Alembic?

Its funny how some days your just burning and others you play like you have fingers of clay

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #14 on:** January 15, 2008, 07:54:30 AM »

It doesn't matter how good you are or aren't - I don't see any reason not to play the best instrument you can afford (unless, of course, you're David Lindley....) If I'd started on a Martin instead of a painful-to-play no-name POS rental, I'm sure I'd have practiced more, and would thus be much better than I am now.

Peter