Alembic bass owner question...

[hendixclarke]

When performing in front of a live audience, do people expect a bass solo from your music more so with an Alembic than another bass?
 
It?s funny, because I sometimes play, with a FJ-P with the same identical bass line, and people almost never focus on my bass actions or sounds, and fewer distractions.
 
However, when I strap on my Series I, they can't take their eyes off the bass. This adds more pressure of course, to playing to their expectations or is it just my perceptions?
 
Be honest

[811952]

If you're in a room full of bassists, then yes, they expect a solo.
 
Any other audience and it's pretty much all in your head!  
 
John

[hendixclarke]

I would think bass player expect a solo regardless of the bass I would choose. But I would perceive this more so, with the alembic. True?
 
The problem I think with most bass solo's, most are more clee'shay fillers. The bass was never really designed to be the lead instrument. But over the years, with so many colorful players, the bass playing definitions has expanded so much, increased people's perceptions, and thu are expecting more sound candy for their ears. Righ?(Please comment here...)
 
However, I agree with you, it's a mind thing too.  
 
I play a funk/jazz style. It might be in my mind, to think people who listen to funk/jazz bass riffs, to some degree, are more demanding of a bass groove.  
 
Good comment, thanks.

[bsee]

I'm afraid that the majority of the population, musician or not, has no idea what an Alembic is.  As such, they can have no expectation as a result of someone playing one.

[olieoliver]

Generally speaking most people, even the majority of ?musicians? have NO IDEA of what an Alembic is? (At least that?s what I?ve experienced; example-how mean people know that an REO Speed Wagon was a real car made back in the 50?s). And most people that are in the audience are there for 1 of 3 reasons; to dance, pick up chicks/dudes or to drink, the later being the most dominate reason.
So I see three scenarios;
      1. It?s early in the night and the crowd is interested in ?each other? in which case a bass solo will probably be a disaster.
      2. It?s late in the night and the crowd is interested in  ?each other? but have had plenty to drink in which case a bass solo might go over OK.
      3. It doesn?t matter what time it is, early or late in the gig, and you have someone that sees your Alembic and knows what it is, at which point not only will they expect a Bass solo but will probably request one.
 
   Scenario one: Play the solo as long as they can dance to it.
 
   Scenario two: Play the solo and make sure they recognize the solo. i.e. Slow Ride, Brick House, Shaky Ground, Money??
 
   Scenario three: Play the solo, BUT you?d better make the strings melt off that sucker! You don?t want to be remembered as the cat that played a white collar musical instrument but should?ve been on the ?Blue Collar Comedy Tour?! (even though you  didn?t get-er-done)
 
 
Olie

[mele_aloha]

Hi hendi,
 
Ya know, I'm surprisesd that someone hasn't already mentioned what I am about to. But it is something that I have been taught or brought awareness to about Alembic, and especially the Series basses with their Open sound.
 
I would be willing to bet that the presence or Clarity of the Series has an effect on the audience that other basses don't have. That cleanliness of sound cuts through like a knife even if you are toned down they can more clearly hear your Alembic than most basses. Of course this is aside from the looks which is what they immediately focus on when they hear that sound.
 
Anybody care to expound with way more knowledge than me?
 
P

[flaxattack]

paul is dead on, its not like i need to take a solo
alembics are so clean and so unlike other basses that it is noticeable right away. i have done open mic nights and have had bass players and regular musicians come up and ask- is that an alembic- man it sounds good,so clean,
as far as solos are concerned, mine starts with the first note and ends with the last- lol
thats the beauty of playing dead tunes. i get to play lead bass. so ripping the opening of shakedown or taking the lead out of china cat or eyes, its all the same to me.  
we are after all- THE ANCHORS!

[flaxattack]

AND YES I CAN SIT IN THE POCKET.... HURTS LIKE HELL-LMAO- but i actually get off on a low d and let it ring

[5stringho]

People in this area don't know what an Alembic is, you know, Olympic? Who make's that, Fender? Rarely does anyone ask to hear a Bass solo, except for my drunk Bassist buddies.
I'm almost glad, as I can't play a solo anyway:[....so, I just try to stay in the pocket, groove, and hope the little hotties  get up and shake that booty, the fellers buy them more drinks, and the Club Owner is happy and pays us well!! But, I do get to sorta rip on War Pigs!
 
Have fun!  Mike, Tho
 
(Message edited by 5stringho on November 16, 2007)

[hendixclarke]

No question about the clear sound.  
 
I was turned on to the Dixie Dregs back in the early 80's and I listened to a few cuts and BAM it hit me, I heard the alembic bass sound!  
 
Grant it, I never seen the members gear prior, then I see a Cat name Andy West with a Fat Ass long scale Alembic. In side my soul, I was laughing because you know, what you know, when you know... and it was the clean sound with that slight echo hum. That clean sound is having that first sip of coffee... no, I mean a double expresso at star-bucks! It wakes your ass up!  
DAMMMM!!!

[dannobasso]

I would pose that anyone is a gear head would expect something impressive if the bass and rig is high end. Any bass player in the know would recognize the quality of the instrument even if the brand is not familar to them. Man if he has enough money for that, He must be good! Folks may not know the brand but I'm often told how cool they look and how great they sound. I don't have the opportunity to play solos in my band. Just intros and lay down the foundation and drive the band. Now that we're a 4pc as opposed to a 5pc,  my sound has more of a role than before. Wish I could work the synth pedal into it like back in the day!

[benson_murrensun]

I think that a typical audience has no idea what an Alembic is, or even that one type of bass guitar sounds significantly different than another type of bass guitar. What they do know is, are they familiar with the tune?, and does it have an undeniable groove?. Many instruments can make a pleasing sound; as players we know that one type of bass guitar may have a different sound than another type. In this Alembic club, we probably have the opinion that Alembics sound better than most others. But this is subjective. When I first started playing I wanted to get the good tone. I bought a lot of gear, and, basically confused my ears/mind, while filling up my house with a lot of stuff I couldn't possibly use, just because I don't have the time to spend messin' with all of it. I have come to the following two conclusions: 1 - good tone can be defined as tone that inspires ME (to play more and to play better), and 2 - at least half of what makes tone good is in the hands of the player and not in the instrument/rig. It's like circular reasoning: the better I get, the better I sound, so the better I get, etc.

[keurosix]

I must agree with the general concensus that Bassists would want to hear a solo, and everyone else may not care, but would definately hear a big difference in the clarity of the bass being an Alembic. It's been that way for me with my past gigs. To expound on what Danno brings up: Have you ever seen a Lamborghini driven by a simple lug-nut weaving in and out of traffic, nearly missing everything in his path? Probably not. If he has half a brain to earn the dough to buy the car and insure it, he'll most likely equate a dollars-per-mile mentality and drive it rather sensibly. Now to the Alembic owner. When I got my first Series 1, my Ampeg SVT didn't sound good to me anymore. I worked up a tri-amped component rig that did it some justice (long retired - my back thanks me!) My playing went from a 7 (on a 1~10 scale) to a 9 (always room for improvement!) and my playing got very tasty. No flashy stuff for me. Just solid in-the-pocket playing with tight fills that followed the drummer. If a solo was required, I would build it up by starting simple and adding to it so that I never got out of hand. I was ever conscious of keeping the groove. In a way, I justified the pride and resposibility of Alembic ownership in my playing. It's made me a better player and musician.
Kris

[hendixclarke]

I think wood is magic. It has so much energy and warmth. Its like looking at beautiful woman, in a crowd of people.  
 
She stands out, and for a moment, everything is alright in this very troubled world. If you play the right notes, she will sing for you and others.
 
This how I feel when I strap on my shorty.

[keurosix]

Ohh, Hal, you ARE talking about yer Alembic?
LOL!