Why I think Alembics are wonderful basses...

[ajdover]

I've noticed that playing an Alembic makes me:
 
More attractive
Stronger
A better cook
Did I mention more attractive?
 
Seriously, I think being an Alembic player forces me to play better and cleaner simply because they are so well built that they don't suffer fools, if you will.  They demand that you play cleanly and well, and learn how to use their unique qualities in order to get the most out of them.  For those (like most here) that are willing to put in that effort, the rewards are very tangible and fulfilling.  Many others are not so willing, and choose other marques.  So be it.  I have other basses from other manufacturers that I play and love, but none come close to my Alembics IMHO in sheer playability and above all craftsmanship.
 
And coffee?  The key to a good cup of coffee is to brew it using water between 195 degrees F and 205 degrees F.  Any higher and you extract very bitter water soluable substances; any lower and you don't get that great coffee flavor.  As for an espresso, sorry, I'm a plain coffee kind of guy! :-)
 
Alan

[white_cloud]

Hal, I kind of think that Jazz was kept from young impresionable kids because of the perceived association that the righteous attached to many of its leading names with drug usage!
 
Also, Jazz was edgy (therefore considered dangerous)and often performed by many people from the wrong side of the track. I may be wrong, but its possible. People, by simple human nature, are scared of what they dont understand, and to a lot of our parents Jazz was certainly hard to understand with its off the cuff improvisations etc
 
Of course, society has advanced a great deal in the last 20-30 years and prejudices are not as prevelant in todays modern world. Hopefully this will continue, as it can only be for the good of all in my opinion!  
 
As for coffee..hey Im from Scotland, what the hell is good coffee??

[jacko]

Boiled water poured over a spoonful of Kenco's costa rican or morrocan. 2 jars for the price of one in Scotmid just now ;-)
 
And coincidentally, from last nights simpsons (series 1. moaning lisa)..
 
Marge:  Lisa!  Get away from that jazz man!
              [to Bleeding Gums Murphy]
           Nothing personal, I just fear the unfamiliar.
made me smile anyway;-)
If my folks had had any influence, I'd probably be listening to perry como right now.
Graeme.

[keith_h]

Graeme,
Now you did it. I thought I had finally forgotten the Perry Como Christmas specials that were on TV as I grew up. Guess it's time to pull out my Dad's old vinyl and put on a Perry Como Christmas. :-O  
 
Keith

[white_cloud]

Thanks for the coffee tip Graeme, two for one sounds like a great cup to me no matter the taste!!
 
I dont watch The Simpsons much, I prefer Family Guy (featuring another anti-hero father figure!) Very funny take on modern family life..or does it just remind me of ME?
 
Yes, have to say I can fully concur with your experiences of your parental musical taste..my parents though Joe (shaddupa your face)Dolci was cutting edge
 John.

[lothartu]

The first post got me thinking about when I went to buy my first Alembic.
 
I had never played one before and there was a guy who owned a music store who had a Series I for sale.  I went by and told him that I was there to check it out.  He put the case up on the counter and opened it up.  I about poop'ed my pants. I took the bass out and sat down on a piano bench and started playing.
 
After a minute the guy asks, Don't you want to plug it in?  I said, No, it has to sound good on it's own before it can sound good plugged in.
 
Maybe I'm wrong but I still believe that's true. If it doesn't sound good when it's unplugged and it does sound good when plugged in then you might as well just only buy the electronics and skip the bass.
 
-Jim

[811952]

Alan hit it on the nose.  
 
John

[lbpesq]

Jim:
 
I couldn't agree more.  I always play a new guitar unplugged.  If it sounds good acoustically, you can always mess with the electronics to sound good amplified.  If it doesn't cut it on its own, swapping out electronics won't fix the problem.
 
Hal:
 
Do you really wonder why parents wouldn't let their children watch Playboy After Dark?  Probably for the same reason not too many parents let their children watch Deep Throat 10 years later.  
 
The story about when the Dead were on PAD is hilarious.  Everyone on the set was afraid to eat or drink anything!
 
Bill, tgo

[thebass]

When I was a teenage kid just starting bass playing and heard Stanley Clarke Bassound the first time on Schooldays his sound was not from this world and unreachable like from outer space to me. This was the sound which I always wanted and when I saw parts of his bass collection on the inner sleeve of Rock, Peebles and Sand I knew which bass I was dreaming of. It took me more than 20 years to get my 1st Alembic and they still mark the peak of bass lutherie for me. Even not playing them it's a pleasure just to look at or hold them. For this reason they are not locked away in a case instead they are decoratively hanging on the wall in my living room and get played every day of course.

[hendixclarke]

Yeah, its too bad that it took other people to catch-up toward eventually finding out Jazz was safe and beautiful.  
 
 
The same people would say:
 
you spent how much for a bass? (as if that was a waste of money)  
 
This is so funny to me.  
 
People are always ready to point their fingers and look for quick fixes or answers. This is why the world is so crazy today.  
 
Alembic basses where hidden so well from people in plain clothes.  
 
I was angry for not being aware of them sooner, and wasted all those years with other basses. This was evil to me, for the truth was hidden so well.

[white_cloud]

Agreed Hal!  
If I sat down and figured out exactly how much cash I had spent on other makes of basses over the years I could have easily had a series two custom built.
 
How sad

[spose]

I love my Alembic.

[white_cloud]

I love your Alembic too

[spose]

heh heh
yeah man...
that scene would be much different without it.
 
I have a big show coming up this weekend and the Alembic will be center stage. She shines.
I get compliments on my tone always. Never get props for my playing..but my TONE!  
 
the best compliments are from other players...keyboard players, other bass players, guitar players.
 
The Alembic has become a part of me.

[white_cloud]

She sure is a work of art..simple as that!
 
I love the picture, almost a celestial scene from another dimension or something! Man, if God himself plays bass Im sure its an Alembic!
 
Such beautiful beautiful instruments to listen to, look at and to play....you are a lucky man!