Gettingt hassled for playing an Alembic?

[cje]

So not to hijack the thread, but how do you all handle the how much did that thing cost? question?

[benson_murrensun]

So not to hijack the thread, but how do you all handle the how much did that thing cost? question?
 
1 - don't tell. Or,
2 - lie. Or,
3 - ask them how much money they have. Or,
4 - get a really good deal on an Alembic and then proudly state the actual price you paid.

[briant]

@benson:  It depends on who is asking.  My normal answer is a lot.

[Bradley Young]

I also like, well it started out expensive, and just sorta got out of control.  I usually tell them the story of how the bass came to be too.

[terrace]

Up here in Canada most people have never heard of Alembic let alone seen one.However once they've heard it they usually come up to me and remark on the great sound which leads me into explaining about the mothership,Dead,Airplane and believe it or not the bass player from Nazareth who are HUGH up here.Oh yeah 56 in June.

[edwin]

I've only gotten grief once about a bass. My old band was opening for Government Mule and when Allen Woody saw my Starfire with mods, he asked me what the hell I screwed up a perfectly good bass for (in somewhat spicier language). When he heard it, he changed his tune! Actually, he was a hell of nice guy.

[thumbsup]

I already turned 56 which I thought was the new 35?  17 or 22..nope  wouldn't go there again  
Most of the time when people see my Alembic the comment is either man how much did that cost in which I will answer well they're not cheap but it's not about the money OR Man that thing cost $20,000 in which I'll answer  Some new maybe but if you can find a used one they're much more affordable,  sometimes I'll tell them actual paid..depends on my mood and who's asking...  
OR the best one all....Cool,an Olympic Bass....I 'll laugh and correct them.
 
Steve

[stab]

When anybody asks, Wow, how much did THAT baby cost? I just say, I don't know... I STOLE IT!
 
(Of course I didn't, though)

[edwin]

This is the reaction I mostly get:
 

[jazzyvee]

Most of the bass players I've met on gigs know of Alembics and have a lot of respect for them and know they are expensive. Usually they don't know the specific model so I usually get the phrase  Wow that's a Stanley Clarke bass, that must have cost you a fortune. I just say yes it is and it did.
 
If it's not my Clarkee bass and someone asks me about it I tell them it's a hand made bass by the same company who made basses for Stanley Clarke, John Entwhistle, John Paul Jones etc so they get an idea of the pedigree.
Of course I've had some players who have told me that they are over priced, old fashioned and not worth the money. I'm pretty laid back and usually just tell them that it's a good that there are different brands out there so that we can all find what suits our taste and budget.  
 
The punters usually know straight away that it's different and looks expensive but not what brand. Which i guess is immaterial if it sounds good.  
 
On one of my first gigs with my Clarkee bass, one of the guys in the audience recognised the bass and told me, in the interval,  that he has a good friend in the USA who is Clarkee's studio engineer. He's now on my gig email list and tries to get to my gigs and if I have a different alembic he notices straight away and usually asks to take a photograph.
 
I don't recall anyone ever being offensively negative and I don't waste my time talking to drunks at gigs or anywhere else.  
 
Some of the messages I've read in this thread and others in the past about other musicians responses to Alembics, It seems like we have to justify our purchase and almost play down the very reasons we have bought it to avoid belittling other basses and hence the people who do not have alembics.
 
 
 
Jazzvee
Buy Alembic, dare to be different

[bigredbass]

It's an Olympic.
 
I got it for 50 bucks at the Police Auction.
 
Wasn't that expensive, sold the Porsche Turbo, put a little money with it, no problem.
 
I only play this cause I don't want to take my '54 Precision or stack-knob '60 Jazz out in public anymore.
 
Yeah, I bought it just before they busted my Colombian business partners.
 
Actually, it IS made from a Herman Miller coffee table. . . .
 
Stanley left it at the house last time he was in town.  Called me later and said just wail on it 'till Vic or Marcus come through town, and send it home with them.  Wants his little Spellbinder amp back too, the nerve of the guy . . .
 
It was in the dumpster behind Newsted's house . . . .  
 
 . . . well, I LIKE green.
 
Actually, it's was built for me by people I've never met face-to-face who have included me as family.  From that standpoint alone, it's priceless to me.
 
Nuff said.
 
J o e y

[hifiguy]

The (excellent) sound man at the club my band plays at quite regularly immediately noticed my Clarke Sig Std and had nothing but complements.  Turns out he'd owned an Alembic in his bass-playing past.
 
Recording engineers have given me the occasional cross-eyed but it's not a _Fender_ dude look.  They get quiet after hearing it.
 
Always happy to say how much I paid to show how smart (actually lucky) I was.  $1500 brand new at the GC Memorial Day sale, 1999, case extra.  The bass had been there a year and they wanted it gone.  I just happened to walk in to GC that day and was more than happy to oblige.
 
And just my $.02, 54 last fall.

[Glynn]

A good bass playing mate of mine used to say my Alembic (and also my JD) were like coffee tables! - mind you, I played his really old filthy Precision once and needed a shower after touching it.  He used WD40 whenever he could on it.  I think I'll stick (not literally thank goodness) to my nice clean Orion.  Glynn

[gtrguy]

Good comments! I have had it happen a couple of times with the 'Barbie Bass'. I would have an understanding with the band that whenever anyone is hassled over anything they all gather around and look ready to kick some ass! I would discuss it at practice before it happens, because it may happen over a girl, a song, a drunk ahole, or anything at a club. And, beware later outside the club and play it smart. I have friends who were beaten up this way so it's no joke.
 
It's rare but be prepared. Your instrument may represent something insulting to folks. I drive an old 1981 Porsche in the Summer and believe me, people are not very friendly when I just drive it around either. Guys in $25K SUV's worth more than my car will act like it's a new Turbo or something and try to muscle you out of the way.
 
Dave

[lbpesq]

I couldn't help noticing many of the situations described above happened when people were drinking.  As many of you are aware, my band routinely plays cannabis events.   These types of problems just don't seem to arise when the audience is stoned instead of drunk.  O.K., now I'll get down from my soapbox!
 
Bill, tgo