Why I think Alembics are wonderful basses...

[hendixclarke]

What I had notice between Alembic basses and other basses; was when I play them without using my power amp, the  Alembic bass sounds exactly, 1 to 1 as when I power amp it. In other words, the natural acoustics without power, sounds exactly the same, as when playing though my power amp. This is such wonderful thing...it totally rocks!
 
With my other basses, (Ibanez, and Fender P) I still here the clean natural acoustics sound (with out power) but when I power them on through my amp, those basses sound different from when they are off. Even if I had adjusted the tone/volume/eq, the sound still don't match its natural non-amp acoustics, and my Alembic bass (like I said) does.  
 
Am I the only one who noticed this?

[adriaan]

You're pretty much describing what the good people at Alembic set out to do - to reproduce the instrument's own tone without colouration.  
Sounds like they have succeeded.
 
Check out the company history on the main site, through the site index.

[white_cloud]

Another reason why, from my point of view, I think Alembics are wonderful basses;
 
I havent had my Alembic for very long..but I am suddenly, after 24 years of playing, discovering new things about playing the bass. Indeed, I would have to say that my playing is all of a sudden advancing!
 
Its almost like the Alembic is teaching me new things/opening up my mind to new ways of advancing my technique/note choice etc!
 
Im quite sure that this is, in a way, some kind of subliminal after effect of finally having the bass that I always aspired to..but there is more to it than that. Dont laugh guys, but its almost as if there is a spiritual thing going on as well.
 
Anyone else experienced this upon owning an Alembic?

[lbpesq]

John:
 
This phenomenon has been noted often on these pages.  The general consensus is that Alembics not only provide inspiration, but that the clear and present sound of an Alembic makes sloppy technique readily apparent, where the same technique on a Fender, etc, is not nearly as noticeable.  I've certainly found this to be true with my Alembic guitars.  A little fudge here or there that never was noticeable on my Strat or PRS or other guitars was VERY noticeable on the Alembic.  My technique has certainly improved since I started playing Alembics.  And such wonderful piano-like tones can't help inspiring new musical adventures.  Enjoy!
 
Bill, the guitar one

[hendixclarke]

Sometime I question myself: are there really a need for human beings to deserve such quality these days?
 
I'll explain...
 
I hate reminding people my age, but I remember a time when people, including the youth of my generation really cared about speakers and stereo systems. It was a time when you would go to a walk-in store (like a music store, but only stereo systems were sold) where you could pickup modular stereo systems and integrate them into a custom musicial component player of your desires.  
 
I remember so much knowledge was explained in those stores, you felt like music was a science connecting tweeters, mid-range, woofers, and sub-woofers speakers into a work of art and giving the owner?s a huge sense of pride was cool, [James Bond/60's Rat Pack Cool].  
 
Today's culture has reduced music to the level of a mere option of a cell phone's mp3. What kind of sound can anyone expect from those dime and quarter size speakers anyway?  
 
Not only this, when I was in grade school, music appreciation was a requirement and it was a great social club for us to hang out during school lunch periods and talk about what? music.
 
We didn't have hand-held devices; we carried boom boxes with EQ for complete music interactions in producing the best sound possible. It was important. Now, it is not to the average Joe, and this really bothers me. What demand can one expect, as the years go by?
 
So I ask myself, why a company like Alembic even bothers to continue producing quality, when the media trains most people, to accept less quality music and to be more infatuated multi-faced; smaller; shiny; fit-in-your pocket; sound devices.  
 
I kept my sanity, back in those school days, and now, I find it a bit more of a challenge. Maybe this is a problem with older musicians, or am I wrong?

[jacko]

Try not to think about it too much Hal. Kids nowadays are just out there enjoying the music. It doesn't really matter whether or not it's been reproduced perfectly, they're still appreciating it. I know this as my kids would all rather listen to music on their mobile phones than go through the ritual of putting an LP on their Dad's turntable and settling down in the perfect listening position. Due to it's portability, they listen to alot more (and much more diverse) music on a daily basis than I ever did and that to me is a good thing.
There will however always be a need for quality, even if it's just so us old grumblies can complain about how bad things are getting ;-)
 
Graeme (still listening to LPs and playing Alembics despite modern conveniences)

[cozmik_cowboy]

I understand completely what you're sayong, Hal, and have often thought the very same myself.  But really, to be honest, how many of us never listened to a 45 on a briefcase record player (or an 8-track, for that matter)?  
(edited for spelling)
 
Peter
 
(Message edited by Cozmik_Cowboy on December 15, 2007)

[spose]

Alembic was never for the average citizen.
There will always be a small specialized community of sound people that want and expect the best.
Like most of us in this club.
 
I have no interest in seeing the G.P.(general public)get or expect what we get from our Alembics.
 
Let them eat cake..
or in musical terms..
let them have Brittney Spears

[richbass939]

No matter what kind of device people use to listen to music, it has to be (or should be) recorded using quality equipment.  I believe that our kids would notice the difference (even on a cell phone speaker) if they listened to a crappy recording.  Maybe the general public doesn't really understand what goes into recording songs, but you can be sure that producers (and maybe even many artists) do.  They probably even mix some songs so that they sound okay on tiny speakers if they think that's what that segment of their audience will mainly be using.
The live music experience is a whole different animal altogether.
There will always be a place for quality instruments, equipment, and techniques, even if Brittney Spears (and her audience) don't know, or care about, the difference.
Rich

[hendixclarke]

All I am saying is: The average Joe from the 70's or the parents of the IN music crowd don't have the choices I had in learning and desiring the quest for sound and quality. I am not talking about the sound engineer or the person who's making a living producing music (or maybe I am...). I am talking about the average consumer who can't see as far as what is packaged at Wal-Mart which is something we never seen in retail history. If it's not there, it don't exist mentality.
 
Schools, at the grade level are even reducing music classes and some schools don't even have classes at all; for I believe its due to the current culture which are destroying the values of music to this current level. Pop culture has helped reduce even myself from even turning on my radio or even finding value in purchasing a plastic solid-state digital appliance. Thus, I am holding on to my vintage recordings and stereo components (tubes and all) because I thoroughly and emphatically believe, the producers are only looking for the same thing one-hit wonder performer(s), and that one hit fast manufacturing piece of plastic players, matching the fast and numb skull; no supportive music commercial culture.
 
There is hope for young minds. Everytime I pickup my Alembic, boy does it do more work musically in attacting future musicians than my words could ever inspire. People just like us, know the real thing just when they experience it. By all means, Alembic is our GEM example of a company, finding perfections in music. Alembic is with us, and we will win new hearts along the way!

[hendixclarke]

People generally want quality, and I personally demand it and will pay the price for it too.  
 
I remember when getting a cup of coffee was a matter of heading out to the doughnut shop (still is in some areas). In those days, that's all I knew. People from other countries had better methods in creating coffee, but our culture was not allowing change as fast and it would take years before someone with the vision, and guts to take on older methods, toward the idea and possibilies of change. Now, people are hooked on quality coffee and it's here to stay.  
 
These days, it would almost be a sin, not suggesting places where coffee machines (espresso) values of $3,000-to-$10,000.  
 
The question is: Does it really matter, and are those important values for people?  
 
No need to ask me, for I am very open to change, so ?yes? I believe people should be always given the choices.  
 
If we understand this with coffee, why would music be understood any differently?  
 
Alembic basses metaphorically speaking, is the great Miles Davis the Bitches Brew of quality. While coffee blends of are elevating our sense of taste, aroma and flavors I believe coffee houses are taking people back to fine music too. You can even purchase Miles Davis music and other musical greats there too. Quality coffee selling quality music, makes complete sense to me. This is a wonderful way to keep music as real as a great cup.

[edwin]

OK, now you've done it. What is the Alembic of espresso machines? At home I am limited by funds to a Rancilio Silvia with a Faema grinder. It took me a year to get consistently good shots and now I prefer my own coffee to 99% of the coffeehouses here in the states. I guess going to Italy almost every year for a while inspired me to follow the doctrine of if you want something done right, get the right tools and do it yourself!
 
Edwin

[hendixclarke]

I just purchased a Breville 800ESXL expresso machine.  
 
For about two years, the word has been out, that the Breville was a great machine to own, so after my Delonghi died last month I was set (like you) on a journey to seek a replacement. On my journey to finding a more refined Alembic-Quality expresso, I entered one of the fine retail outlets and seen a beautiful stainless steel machine  enabling taller cups to fit the unit.  
 
I could have just purchased the same Delonghi model, but I figure I felt I'd deserve something better after using the cheaper plastic Delonghi for so many years (paid my dues), and wanted to get something nice and built to last. I hope the Breville is as good as people say. I'll find out soon because I would love to save money in the long run from expensive coffee shops like Starbucks and others.
 
Good luck to you too.

[82daion]

I don't think that the whole musical world will ever convert to Alembic, as they aren't everyone's cup of coffee, so to speak, but like the massive emergence of coffeehouses in the US, the massive emergence of custom bass luthiers building quality instruments speaks to the fact that players no longer feel like they're limited to playing two or three styles of instrument. There will always be people who don't care about quality, but if one does, now is a great time to be a bassist/music aficionado/coffee lover/whatever.  
 
And Hal, those stereo stores sold smoke and mirrors as much as anything else.

[hendixclarke]

Real quality is never televised, it?s like talk radio, and the best information is late at night.  
 
Case in point:
 
I remember Playboy after Dark show produced by Hue Hefner back in the 70's. Man, I loved that show, and I begged my parents to allow me to watch it when Miles, Sammy, Frank, Dean, or Dizzy etc would perform. I would even then ask myself, why was not, more children exposed to this music and generally why TV targeted jazz to only adults?  
 
What's with that? (...and why?)
 
I believe media had a low expectation of kids (my generation) and still does now...
 
I believe it took my convincing reasons with my parents, to appreciate Alembic quality future.
 
The Internet, I believe will help make things better, for the knowledge is out! THANK GOD!