Author Topic: Gettingt hassled for playing an Alembic? (Read 885 times)

tubeperson · « **Reply #45 on:** March 10, 2011, 06:57:31 AM »

Isn't it amazing that acoustic bass players think nothing of the large sums they feel necessary to find an instrument that gives their playing their voice, but many electric bass players are quick to criticise those of us that see it as a wise tone investment for our electric basses. Until a couple of years ago, I did not own a Fender, and quite frankly, most of them do not have that magical old school tone, nor do they feel right to me. For many years, I questioned why so many electric players raved about Fenders. The new stuff, especially from the custom shop, is not well made, at least from my purchases of a 50th anniversary jazz, and a 1959 NOS Precision. So many bass players do have that Fender bias, but if they could just play an Alembic, for a goodly amount of time, they would have to open their eyes, and hear the clarity without so much bloat in their tone. BTW, hassled does not have a T in it (see topic listing).

For what its worth I am 56.

Bradley Young · « **Reply #46 on:** March 10, 2011, 08:14:12 AM »

Nick,

You got it. The motorcycle cop.

rjmsteel · « **Reply #47 on:** March 10, 2011, 08:49:20 AM »

Ditto on the Cost of String basses, (and their cousins).
Here in Chicago we have downtown on Michigan Ave.: The Fine Arts Building, where they actually make/build cello\s and violins. My wife and I went there once a number of years ago and the guy at one of the shops Wanted me to play one of his cello\s, (BTW a really cool thing to insist on). Needless to say the price tag was VERY high and I was pretty nervous about playing his instrument.

Kagan & Gaines on Wabash Ave. back in 1978 had a 100 year old instrument, (all Maple string bass), in their room and need I tell you all how much that was!

These are instruments that Are probably worth the price as are Alembics.

Also for what its worth I\m 51.

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #48 on:** March 10, 2011, 10:22:09 AM »

A few years ago I was doing a live recording for a string quartet. The violinist was having technical difficulties, and remarked You spend a million bucks on a fiddle, and 3 dollar rosin bag won't work. He was perfectly serious. It was a nice-sounding fiddle.

Double nickels 4/1/11

Peter

lbpesq · « **Reply #49 on:** March 10, 2011, 12:32:07 PM »

It always amazes me how inexpensive our rock 'n roll instruments are in comparison to classical instruments. One group regularly spends tens, if not hundreds, of thousands on pro quality instruments, while the other bitches if it costs more than $1500. Compared to top-of-the-line orchestral instruments, Alembics are really dirt cheap!

Bill, tgo

sonicus · « **Reply #50 on:** March 10, 2011, 01:00:50 PM »

And there we have it ; http://able2know.org/topic/94136-1

(it is fun for me to be a purveyor of links OR linker-upper)

Glynn · « **Reply #51 on:** March 10, 2011, 04:37:47 PM »

Thanks, Sonicus, for the Chicken notation - I am tempted to make a separate case for the club about using the actual notes instead of TAB as I am a reader. I use, and rely on, chord charts and notes but find TAB a bit limiting - I know it tells you where to put your fingers but not what rhythm to play. I do acknowledge that it is right for a lot of players when learning songs, especially guitarists, so am not knocking it - it just doesn't work for me. At the end, as long as people get where they want to then it doesn't really matter a great deal. Glynn

afrobeat_fool · « **Reply #52 on:** March 10, 2011, 04:39:53 PM »

I hear that! My string bass is a German 5/8th made in 1870's and I spent twice as much on it as my Series 1. I felt it was worth it. The sound is soooo rich and thick it's palpable. Plus it is the last one Don Kinch reassembled and he did a wonderful job. For those who did not know of Don, he was the bassist for Disney from 38' thru 64'. We have all heard him and never knew it!

sonicus · « **Reply #53 on:** March 10, 2011, 04:57:50 PM »

Murray , I do not use tab at all. Just staff notation and by ear You can see the staff notation on the upper line, right ? The Tab was included in the file that I had. I don't really like tab either.

Glynn · « **Reply #54 on:** March 10, 2011, 05:04:34 PM »

Thanks, Sonicus ....I hope it didn't sound as if I was being critical of what you attached. It was just a separate thought. Glynn

darkstar01 · « **Reply #55 on:** March 10, 2011, 05:04:49 PM »

hey, speaking of expensive string instruments... anybody in the new york area want to buy my Wilfer? needs some work, but it's pretty sweet.
i'm supposed to be getting my new bass from Upton soon.. getting restless...

sonicus · « **Reply #56 on:** March 10, 2011, 05:25:36 PM »

Oh no problem murray. I agree it would be nice to post a transcription in just staff notation. The Chicken is one of my favorite tunes to jam on . I like to pull it out of my Hat at jams . As far as getting hassled about playing an Alembic, I remember once when Jaco walked into a place that I was playing at I just happened to be playing a 71 Fender P Bass. No lie that really happened and we talked ! I often wonder that if Jaco were still with us , if he would have gotten to love an Alembic , which model /style would he choose ? Elan /Europa/ Essence. Maybe a Series I Custom Fretless Jazz Bass with epoxy type finger board treatment ! YES______ LOL ! Thats it !

(Message edited by sonicus on March 10, 2011)

hankster · « **Reply #57 on:** March 10, 2011, 06:12:31 PM »

I agree about the relative cost of basses (electric) as compared to other instruments. Every time I play in a horn band with a sax player who doubles a bari and anything else, and has good horns, I know he or she is packing at least 15 grand worth of brass. the reverse snobbery of people who think our instruments are too precious really just reveals their own lack of experience. But really, we are lucky. As noted above, the cost of a decent upright can be prohibitive, and many horn players face real cost issues that we rarely do, even with our alembics.

Whenever I get a how much does it cost question, I defer it, but I often comment that it could be worse - I could play fiddle or bari sax.

thumbsup · « **Reply #58 on:** March 10, 2011, 07:49:48 PM »

I've played and owned many different basses over the years as most in this club has..ricks, sting rays, ibenez, g&l etc...
but always considered myself a Fender man because a P bass was the first quality bass I owned, played and kept!
At some point (maybe ten years ago) I bought a Tobias w/barts because the dance band w/three piece horn section I was playing with said the bass wasn't cuttin.
Honestly the Tobias opened up another world! The Tobias was a little pricey compared to what I was used to at the time but I was so happy with this new sound it didn't matter.
Where I live the local music stores only stock Fenders and other mass production basses and thats pretty much it.
Then just approx 3 years ago I joined this club and (with club input & guidance) bought an Alembic sight unseen having never played one before!
Now this really was a whole new world!
Now I understand to an Alembian it's not about how much it cost. Truth be known previous owned basses are very affordable!
I rarely pick up the P bass any more or any of the others. I play my Alembics almost exclusively!
I was a originaly a Fender man but now I would have to say I'm am Alembic man but still have a soft spot in my heart for my Fender..kinda like my (first) ex wife
I'm gonna play and I'm gonna fish..gee I'm gonna miss her!

Glynn · « **Reply #59 on:** March 11, 2011, 12:47:14 AM »

An interesting item of news was the staggering and very worthwhile amount ($1.7m) that was raised at auction, selling Eric Clapton's guitars. Good for him. One slight thought....a 1948 (year before I was born) Gibson raised $83,000, which is good, but was estimated to be worth $30,000. Even at $30,000 that is a lot of money for a guitar. Glynn

Author Topic: Gettingt hassled for playing an Alembic? (Read 885 times)

afrobeat_fool

darkstar01

thumbsup