I Dont See The Point......

[serialnumber12]

If a cat dont even play an alembic anymore & he's got a alembic sig model but he's bangin on somethin else all night???

[ajdover]

Are you referring to Mark King?  Just wondering.
 
Alan

[jacko]

While we're at it, I don't see the point in calling a bass a signature model if it doesn't exactly represent the instrument the named artist plays, especially in the electronics dept. Further, my sig deluxe is a balance'K' 5 string. i don't think any of the named artists have ever played anything remotely similar :-)
 
Graeme

[adriaan]

The Signature basses originally featured a copy of the artist's signature on the front of the headstock, at least for the SC, MK and EVH varieties.
 
Anyone for another round of Name that Alembic?

[terryc]

I have an MK Signature, it has no autograph on the headstock and has the humcancellers, vol, filters, pan and Q switches.
Mark King used Series II basses so I agree with your comment jacko.
I think the Signature came about that the choice of woods was Coco Bolo for the MK and Rosewood for the SC.
Maybe they shoud rename them ??
 
Anyway it it still a great sounding bass, maybe they should be called Series

[funkyjazzjunky]

I agree, while SC flirts with other basses, he plays his Alembic short scale basses most the times I have seen him.  Once he played a German sounding bass with weird P/U configuration for one song only around 2004 or 2005.  Then he played his Spellbinder for one song with RTF and not at all with SMV.  
 
MK has not played an Alembic in years.  Maybe a 'Big Tony' signature bass.  Definitely a Jimmy Johnson signature.

[toma_hawk01]

I never believed in signatures in anything unless the artist had a hand in the original art. However, I believe signatures is a way for the producers to appreciate the artist for the years of loyalty for the brand.  
 
I don't believe an artist must stay with an instrument forever, nor do I feel producer(s) have to continue the artist(s) signature line.
 
Objects change, and people do too.  
The signature of all things, eventually get's forgotten and becomes of no significances eventually.  
 
Down the street you can hear her scream you're a disgrace...
 
As she slams the door in his drunken face...
 
And now he stands outside, And all the neighbors start to gossip and drool...
 
He cries oh, girl you must be mad,
What happened to the sweet love you and me had?
Against the door he leans and starts a scene,
And his tears fall and burn the garden green
 
And so castles made of sand fall in the sea, eventually...
 
A little Indian brave who before he was ten,
Played war games in the woods with his Indian friends...
 
And he built up a dream that when he grew up,
He would be a fearless warrior Indian Chief...
 
Many moons past, and more the dream grew strong until Tomorrow, he would sing his first war song and fight his first battle; But something went wrong, surprise attack killed him in his sleep that night...
 
And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually...
 
There was a young girl, who's heart was a frown
Cause she was crippled for life, And she couldn't speak a sound, And she wished and prayed she could stop living, So she decided to die...
 
She drew her wheelchair to the edge of the shore
And to her legs she smiled you wont hurt me no more, But then a sight she'd never seen made her jump and say: Look a golden winged ship is passing my way...
 
And it really didn't have to stop, it just kept on going...
 
And so castles made of sand slips into the sea, eventually.
 
JMH -
 
Peace and love,
 
Hal-
 
 
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 15, 2010)

[adriaan]

There are definitely JJ Signature models out there, just check the Showcase section.

[bsee]

In general, I agree with you guys. I don't know the history of any of the Signature players in terms of their electronics packages. I also couldn't tell you about their wood recipes to know if the Standard or Deluxe represent at least the wood combination that any of them used.  
 
That said, I don't care. I can see that some people might, but many (most?) who order these instruments are customizing them in one way or another. I don't think it's deceptive and no one believes they are actually getting the identical instrument their heroes played. What those guys may be doing today has no bearing on the fact that they made great music that put their names forward while playing Alembic.
 
If anything, Alembic might look at an update to their image with regard to the Signature instruments. We're heading toward the end of the careers of MK and SC. These models have been around for 20-25 years and while both are still active, I don't believe either is as popular as they once were. Of course, Alembic isn't looking to appeal to every kid with $1000 in his bank account and an urge to be like some rock star hero.
 
So, rather than just complain, what would you have Alembic do about it? Would you discontinue the use of the player names once they cease to use the instrument? Would you only offer the exact version played by the star, though it might double the price over a Standard?
 
Here's what I would do. First, I would keep an eye out for known players using Alembic instruments live or in studio. Second, I would list a third level, the Signature Authentic, that represents the configuration used by the named player. One really nice aspect of this in the Alembic world is that they can list it without ever having to build it. If none are ordered, it's not like they would be stuck with a bunch of inventory or templates to unload. The investment is a little research and a web page. There are quite a few great players for whom an authentic model could be offered.  
 
Of course, everything is just fine today, so they don't need to do anything...
 
-bob

[toma_hawk01]

We're heading toward the end of the careers of MK and SC... - bob
 
 
That was a major slap.
 
No-way I believe those guy careers are ending...
 
Anyway, I believe statements like those, are reserved for the artist, and their creator to affirm, and confirm.  
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 15, 2010)

[terryc]

When I bought mine back in 1998 at New York I thought it was a Series I but then it dawned on me that it didn't have a dummy humcanceller.
I don't think their careers are coming to an end, look at Les Paul, he carried on albiet in a small way until he was too ill to do so.
Unlike sports, the arts can be a lifelong career and as far as the bass models are concerend I guess the only person to answer a) why they were developed and b) are they to continue is Mica.
They could be renamed Series III( I missed that out on my last post), Series bodied basses with humcanceller PU's and matching electronics.
In all, Stan Clarke is always going to be associated with Alembic.

[toma_hawk01]

Bob,  
 
I believe, and agree with the other things you said -- no doubt...
 
It's like going to a sandwich shop... You could order the Elvis authentic - Peanut Butter and Banana or just a boring burger and a cup of coffee. Only, there's nothing boring about any Alembic -- with or without a signature.
 
Franky, I believe we all have a signature, which only our flaws makes us different, and that's cool too.  
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 15, 2010)

[bsee]

I'm not saying that either guy will be done tomorrow.  
 
SC was huge in the 70's and he's still prolific in his work, but he's closing in on 60. Sure, he'll keep playing, creating and entertaining until they seal him in a box and that could be 20 or 30 more years, but I have a hard time believing he'll regain the status he had 35 years ago.
 
MK is in his 50s now as well. Level 42 was near the top of the UK charts for much of the 80s, but they have done little in the past 15 years other than live work. They had great success internationally, though never did as well in the US. MK's solo stuff never made the same impact on consumers. Like SC, he will probably keep entertaining for at least another 20 years, but there are probably very few arena dates in his future.
 
In any case, no one lives forever. Many can't continue their careers through the entirety of their lives. Many artists who achieve success and security are more inclined to do their own thing in later years rather than worry about promotion and commercial success. There's no rule that says that neither man can achieve a success in excess of their past exploits, but if you had to wager on it, would you bet on SC to come out with anything to exceed School Days?

[jazzyvee]

I personally don't really care if an alembic is called a signature bass or not. It could have been called an alembic biscuit tin. I bought my first alembic because I wanted a bass that looked and sounded similar to the one Stanley Clarke used but at a price I could afford. It was only when I had started to look for such a bass that I was aware that there was a signature model. If it were not for that I would not have any alembics now. It became an entry point for me into the family of Alembic instruments.  
 
After all a signature is only a representation of something. Stanley as we know has had a number of alembics over the years so if a signature was supposed to be an exact replica of his bass, which one do we choose?
 
The signature bass is a representation of the basses he uses It's not called A Stanley Clarke Replica Copy bass.
 
I'm happy that Alembic have such models that are less expensive but are made with the same quality and give you something in it that is also available on the top of the range, you can buy into that and enjoy the relationship with the company and the instrument.
 
         -----------------------
Are we now to question Hal's naming of the Alembic Tomahawk?
 
Because with respect I don't think the Alembic Tomahawk can be used like this. :-)
 
The tomahawk was a primarily hand-to-hand combat weapon used by Native North Americans. It was also used as a missile, and could be thrown with impressive accuracy. It was occasionally used for a rushed scalping job.  
 
 
I jest(er)
 
haha I couldn't stop myself.
 
Jazzyvee.

[toma_hawk01]

Jazzy,
 
Imagine watching the movie Deer Hunter and instead of Robert De Niro or Christopher Walken being slapped around, while tied down to a chair, that's me when it comes to taking all the shots...
 
My mouth is bleeding and my nose -- is more than likely broken... and I still laugh and say: Is that all you got... Haaahhh ahhhh Hahhh!  
 
...And I still smile, broken teeth and all.
 
Faith is all we got.
 
One last point:
 
I love my Toma_Hawk so much, I wouldn't trade it
for any bass made by Alembic or anything else.
 
This bass has my values encapsulated with the worlds best bass makers in the world.
 
Don't hate, innovate.
 
 
Peace and Love.
 
Hal-
 
 
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 15, 2010)