Author Topic: Am I Being A Snob? (Read 307 times)

alembickoa · « **on:** January 22, 2008, 11:50:41 AM »

I AM a big ol' snob when it comes to the proverbial question...What's the best electric bass you can get. To me, that's a no-brainer. Has been since they started, is now, and (while not being able to tell the future because I flunked all of the E.S.P. classes I took in school) always will be Alembic. That said, here's my quandry...

I reallyreallyreally (is that really a word?) want another Alembic. Many here know my story along with the how and why of having to get rid of the 81 Koa, a bass I SWORE up and down that I would be buried with (see the other thread). Many here know that the bass I have now, while a wonderful instrument (tough to go wrong with an old P Bass), it just ain't the real deal after years of playing the Koa (and my 82 Koa Spoiler) and, this a big factor, being a part of the Alembic family. So to remedy this little problem, I have set up my little Alembic fund. There are some great Alembics out there for sale. There are a couple on EBay today that look great. The 81 Distillate and 87 Persuader look especially tasty...do I fall off the fence and grab something like that or hold out for another Series?

Mica once told me long ago that once you have a Series you pretty much are spoiled for anything else...except for maybe a Series II. In my experience, Mica hasn't been wrong very much (come to think of it, I don't think she's been wrong yet), and while I had that wonderful little Spoiler while I had the Koa, the Spoiler didn't get played very much, which pretty much proves Mica's point. I have had the great fortune to play a lot of different Alembic makes and models over the years, and refuse to call any of them cheaper, low end, or anything like that because the same love that makes an Epic makes a Series.

One would think that at my age this wouldn't be a problem or a question, but I thought I would throw it out there. So, folks...do I just snob out and wait for another Series, or grab a different model? Any opinions out there?

Regards...
Steve

funkyjazzjunky · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2008, 11:55:15 AM »

I am saving for a 'watermark' Koa Series II

Hold out for what you want unless you can afford them all

bassjigga · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2008, 12:02:28 PM »

If that's what you want hold out. There are some great deals on used Series from time to time as well. Or better yet, buy one to have an Alembic while you save for the Series!

(Message edited by bassjigga on January 22, 2008)

jseitang · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2008, 03:51:20 PM »

once you have had ataste of gold, you cant really go back.

alembic_doctor · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2008, 04:01:15 PM »

I'm spoiled. I grew up playing my dad's Series I. My first bass was an Alembic Essence. My next second bass was Zebrawood Essence with LED's. My third bass was a 5-String Essence with Coco Bolo. My fourth bass was a 5-String Europa.

Then I got the Sweet Comfort Series II. Now all I wan to play is Series II's. I am looking forward to owning a 5-String Series II, Fretless Series II and 8-String Series II.

jet_powers · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2008, 05:46:08 PM »

The real question to ask yourself is, How long will it take to save up and am I willing to wait? OK, so that's two questions. Why not take a Spoiler or other model? Especially if you can use it to leverage the Series later? You'll at the very least, still have an Alembic, now.

... umm, make that four questions to ask yourself!

JP

ps- to the original question. When I was saving like crazy to get my first Alembic, which turned out to be a very nice bubinga topped Persuader, I was offered a good Pedulla for less money. I'm glad I waited.

(Message edited by jet_powers on January 22, 2008)

malthumb · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2008, 06:10:26 PM »

I'm with JP on this one. Pick up something used, but continue to save after that. When you get close enough to order your custom, sell the used one for what you paid for it. I've done that a time or two. My only regret is that in most cases, I could have held out a little longer and made a sizeable profit on the ones I sold, instead of just breaking even.

Peace,

James

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2008, 06:50:03 PM »

While I agree that it's always a good idea to listen to Mica's advice, there have been some club members who had a Series bass and then later went with a non-Series bass. So while her advice on this matter is probably fairly accurate, I don't think it's a hard and fast rule.

And as others have mentioned, if your cash flow situation can manage it, you can purchase the Distillate, Persuader, or other bass now, then when a Series comes up that you like, pick it up and sell the first bass. However, if your cash flow isn't that flexible, and if you really do think you would prefer the Series (sounds like you would), then hold off, be patient, save, and wait for the Series.

That's my guess.

Oh, and I've just looked up some definitions of the word snob, and I don't think that word applies in this context. So it appears to me that the answer to your initial question is - no.

ajdover · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2008, 07:02:04 PM »

Steve,

My view is that life is too short. If you know what you want, and have the wherewithal to obtain it, go for it. The last time I looked, most funeral possessions do not include a U-Haul truck behind the hearse - enjoy it while you can for as long as you can, I say. Or better yet, as Warren Zevon said, enjoy every sandwich.

This being said, all the advice given here is quite sage. If you don't have the ability to get what you want, follow their advice - pick up something you enjoy, save your money, order your dream bass, and use the proceeds from the one you own to help finance the other.

Me? I went for it - I'm having a custom Series II John Entwistle Replica Spyder made, to my specifications. I was able to pay for it simply because I spent some time in Baghdad and saved the money (combat pay and other pays helped). I truly hope that you will be able to do likewise in the near future (that is, pay for your bass, not spend time in Baghdad! ;-)).

Best of luck,

Alan

bigredbass · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2008, 11:54:17 AM »

As usual, I agree with aJd: If you can afford it, why not? Besides, you can usually steal a Series from time to time in the used market.

I've played Series from time to time, and it's just not for me: Really TOO much control for me, and I am very reluctant to be tied to the rack box and 5-pin cable. I'm told the FatBoys approach the same tone without all that, and it's enough for me, they sound great in the BigRedBass.

But it IS a real hoot having a custom built just for you. I did it (the 'Tiger Emerald' in the Showcase Elan section) and it's amazing going through the process of doping it out in your own mind, then refining it with Mica and Susan. I can't recommend it enough. Of course, I worried that if they gave me exactly what I asked for and THEN I didn't like it . . . shame on me! Fortunately, I got it right.

Besides, if you don't spoil yourself, who will ? ?

J o e y

gtrguy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2008, 01:30:35 PM »

I have one, I love it, I won't gig with it. I also love certain Yamahas, Fenders, BC Rich, etc. Play what feels and sounds best to you and develope your style, I say! It's amazing how often a certain player can sound the same no matter what they play because they have developed such a distinct style and tone.
Dave

alembickoa · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2008, 02:24:23 PM »

Thanks everyone...believe it or not, this is helping. Nice to have all of you chiming in, especially all the old coots that have been on this message board forever (you know who you are)...I just had to get that in ;^)

I am kicking around some ideas with some of my most trusted advisors off the board. Life without an Alembic bass is just not getting the best that life in the world has to offer. I waited 26 years to get the 81 Koa so patience in this area is not a foreign feeling.

My only real disagreement with anything anyone has said is with Dave...bless your heart. One thing I WILL do with an Alembic is gig with it. The 81 Koa was a giggin' bass. It was when I got it and I then did about a gazillion gigs with it. That thing was a rock. I have never seen any of Stanley or Jimmy's basses (Mica let me play a new piccolo they made for Stanley before he got it a few years back), but I saw Doc's dad's Series and that one and the Koa were giggin' basses. That guy that tried to pass off the Koa as pristine in the case for 25 years was way out of line! Talk about busted...

Anyway, thanks again. I am still working somethin' here. And by the way, I posted the pics that guy used to try and sell the Koa in the Showcase. I always loved how he tried to say that it had been in a case for 25 years and then has pics of it laying on the floor in a cheap gig bag. Unbelievable...

Regards...
Steve

keurosix · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2008, 05:55:26 PM »

Steve,
I HAD a Series 1 and now I don't. I didn't like the weight, and I really hated the 5-pin plug / box. I loved the 2 filters, didn't like that it had no master vol (Unlike Series 2 & Anniversary electronics.) I had back problems, and got a Modulus 5 string. Once I went to 5 strings, I really didn't want to go back to 4, so I let the Series 1 go. I now have an Epic 5 string fretless, and a 6 string Europa fretted. I love the freedom from the box, but miss the 2 filters. Here's the rub: with an SF2 superfilter, ANY bass can be a Series 2 for less than the cost of a hard shell case! So.. get an Alembic that you won't mind too much if it gets gig worn, and put an SF2 in your rack for ultimate sound shaping - Best of both worlds and you won't break the bank! You'll also have some money left over for a boutique speaker cab / Amp!
Just my take on it.
P.S. If you really want a Series 2 - GO FOR IT!
Who needs that second car!
Kris

81distillate · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2008, 07:52:53 PM »

Very insightful keurosix. I just got my first Alembic yesterday, an 1981 Distillate, no not the one on Ebay right now, but the one that was at www.thelowend.net. Got it from Brian Barrett in Murfreesboro, Tn. It was a one owner. The original owner had ordered it new with a road case in 1981 and had a studio in Nashville for many years. I took it all apart and cleaned it, buffed it, and added (2) 2.7 k resisitors to increase the output thanks to another thread on here. Im very happy with this bass, but Ive never tried a Series, so fortunately I dont know what Im missing, but Im going to save and get an SF-2, so I can have fake series anyways! LOL.

georgie_boy · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2008, 09:54:04 AM »

I've heard a Vigier bass played through a Yamaha preamp, and I swear, it sounded just like S C's!
With the SF2, I bet most decent basses could sound just like a Series bass!
And I have a 76 Series 1!

G