Author Topic: A new age (Read 309 times)

funkyjazzjunky · « **on:** May 26, 2009, 12:54:41 PM »

To all my Bassist Brothers (and the one or two bassist sisters on the forum)?

It is time for us to eliminate the scourge of 4 string bolt-on passive basses. Too many musicians are handicapped by the cheap basses. Too many musicians are hindered by sterile sounding passive basses. Too many of have only four strings.

Do you talk on telephones from the 50?s or 60s? Do you drive cars from the 50?s & 60?s? Do you watch a TV from the 50?s of 60?s?

Think of what James Lee Jamerson could have done has an Alembic been available for him. He would have loved a high-C and a low-B.

Why play a bass built on specs from half a century ago? (Unless it is an Alembic)

We must declare a new age:
B.A. for before Alembic and A.A. for After Alembic.

(Message edited by FunkyJazzJunky on May 27, 2009)

mike1762 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2009, 01:16:05 PM »

This should be interesting...

57basstra · « **Reply #2 on:** May 26, 2009, 01:42:50 PM »

I have several four string Fender basses that I play regularly and I like them a great deal. (I also have other bolt ons)

I do talk on a land line phone from the early 1960s and I have a 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Convertible (canary yellow) along with a few 1960s Mustangs which I drive regularly. Different is not bad to me. Old is what I know.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

- George Santayana, a Spanish-born American author of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** May 26, 2009, 01:57:27 PM »

Do you talk on telephones from the 50?s or 60s?

Actually, my mom still has the old black rotary dial phone that I grew up with in the 60's and it still works. Meanwhile, I have been through who-knows-how-many push button phones over the years.

Do you drive cars from the 50?s & 60?s?

I would in a second if I could afford an old Ferrari, Gull-wing Mercedes, D-Type Jag, or a host of other classics.

Why play a bass built on specs from half a decade ago?

Well, it's not a bass, but my Strat is 48 years old and stills plays and sounds outstanding. The right specs are the right specs, regardless of the year that someone comes up with them. Do Stradivarius violins suck because they're so old? In about another 10 years, Alembic designs will be 50 years old. Will they turn into junk then?

Bill, tgo

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #4 on:** May 26, 2009, 02:42:37 PM »

No, I think he's making a pretty good point here. The best thing to do would be to send me all of your vintage and bolt on instruments so that I can make sure that they never harm your tone ever again. I'm just that nice a guy that I am willing to make such a sacrifice.

/crosses fingers . . .

lbpesq · « **Reply #5 on:** May 26, 2009, 03:00:22 PM »

Kevin:

You are indeed a prince! lol

Bill, tgo

elwoodblue · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2009, 03:45:12 PM »

I went back to a black rotary after I noticed the wireless heating up after long calls...no apps though.

svlilioukalani · « **Reply #7 on:** May 27, 2009, 03:45:49 AM »

I guess this is your idea of the final solution. This is an extreme example of an ethno-centric bass player. Most non-alembic bass players complain that Alembic basses sound too sterile. The trend these days is going away from active basses, and using passive pickups with a tube pre-amp. My Sawowski, Mike Lull, and Warwick basses are anything but sterile. And no active electronics on any of em.

James Jamerson would most likely not have liked Alembic basses. This is a man who used extremely high action with 10 year old strings. The book Standing in the Shadows of Motown, may help to give insight into what this master was thinking. He did play a Fender 5 string but didn't tune down to a low B. And since he only played with one finger with his right hand (the hook) he probably needed that fifth string.

The bass players I respect the most play 4 string basses on most occasions. Ya know there names, Stanley, Marcus, Victor, Jaco, and the list goes on.

And, no boat looks as sexy and sails better than a Sparkman and Stevens from the 40s.

eligilam · « **Reply #8 on:** May 27, 2009, 08:03:51 AM »

I was surprised to see that Hal (hendrixclarke) didn't start this thread...

gare · « **Reply #9 on:** May 27, 2009, 08:31:24 AM »

Lets not get crazy..four fingers..four strings..simple logic.
Kevin..since I need to clean up things around the homestead I'll be sending you my '71 Rick 4001..(freight collect of course)..its just in the way collecting dust.

Gary

lbpesq · « **Reply #10 on:** May 27, 2009, 09:29:02 AM »

Hey Gary,

Do you perhaps have an old 50's Les Paul Gold Top? Or better yet a pre-war Martin D-28? It'll be tough to make the room, but I'm willing to sacrifice to relieve you of your burden with these old funky outdated obsolete instruments. I'll even pay shipping.

Bill, tgo

gare · « **Reply #11 on:** May 27, 2009, 12:03:49 PM »

Nope sorry Bill.
Closest I can come is a '67 Rick 330/12..but I'm using it at the moment..it's the 4th leg of dinning table

tom_z · « **Reply #12 on:** May 27, 2009, 12:29:23 PM »

Why play a bass built on specs from half a decade ago?

Oh no - by my calculations half a decade ago was 2004 - the year my first Alembic was built. Is it already obsolete???

811952 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 27, 2009, 12:53:40 PM »

Heck, my Alembic was born in 1981! That's 28 years ago! I guess I'll be throwing it out..

John

gare · « **Reply #14 on:** May 27, 2009, 01:11:21 PM »

Please drop your aged Alembics in the designated boxes marked 'Alembic Drop Off' conveniently located near you. After pickup,I can assure you they will be recycled in an earth friendly manner.

And dont forget to check my Craigslist postings which are updated daily.