Author Topic: GAS a Cometh (Read 309 times)

slammin · « **on:** December 21, 2009, 04:16:58 PM »

Please tell me. I am a fairly new Alembic owner but I do have some serious GAS for a Series bass right now. What will I get from a Series bass that I don't already get from my Persuader?

Keep in mind I've only owned my Persuader for a few short months and that it is the first Alembic I've ever touched, and I absolutely love it. I have the action set low, and perfect, I love the tones I can get from it and it plays so easily. If I could say one single complaint, it would be that the neck hangs, or tends to hang at 2-3 oclock, whereas every other bass I've owned was either more at the 1-2 oclock position. Not really a complaint since I love the easy access to the neck notes and 3 oclock is perfect for that, but then when I do head north, I do find myself 're-slinging' the bass sometimes.

So, other than ergonomics, what would I expect from a Series bass? I realize that the electronics are different, but will I get any more playability? Are the tonal differences/possibilities so vast between the two? Again, I love this Persuader, but I just love the body style, look, and I just got some serious GAS for a Series.

All input appreciated!

fmm · « **Reply #1 on:** December 21, 2009, 04:35:09 PM »

I don't have time for specifics, and I'm not even sure I can adequately describe them, but:

When I sold my Spoiler and bought my Series, I felt that the Series was as far above the Spoiler as the Spoiler was above anything else I have owned.

mike1762 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 21, 2009, 04:44:57 PM »

The electronics AND PUPs are different. The Hi-Fi aspect of the Series tone is just another dimension when compared to the non-Series instruments. I have a Series I, but I mainly use my Spoiler and/or SC because the Series tone doesn't sit well with the stuff I've been recording lately. You can find a Standard Point SI for cheaper than you might think. However, be advised that the older instruments might not have had the electronics upgrade (thus might be noisy).

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** December 21, 2009, 06:20:19 PM »

The Persuader controls are Volume, Volume, Filter. With a Series I, in addition to a Volume control, each pickup has its on Filter and a three position Q switch; so the tonal pallet is much broader. Then on top of that, there is the hi-fi aspect that Mike mentioned.

Then there are the differences that any two Alembics might have; neck recipe and body woods. If your Persuader has a Maple neck, then a Maple neck with Purpleheart laminates will be a noticeable difference.

keith_h · « **Reply #4 on:** December 21, 2009, 08:20:38 PM »

The Series use a single coil pickup which I think has a more open sound to it.

If when you say playability you mean a physically better playing bass I would say no. I feel the neck on any of my Alembics are just as playable as the same neck on a Series. That is one of the nice things about Alembics is you can keep the same physical bass characteristics across models. I did this with my Series 1. I like my Brown Bass neck, body and electronic locations so I had them done the same way on my Series.

Keith

2400wattman · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2009, 08:50:33 PM »

I concur with Keith. Playability across the spectrum of any model all have the same attributes of attaining your ideal set up. As far as sound, Series instruments filters ARE more pronounced and I must say lively. Upon the introduction to your Persuader's tone you had to have been anything from dumbfounded to enlightened. I know I was when a Distillate made it's way to my hands. Then a Series 1 came to me and the heavens opened up. no kidding. An Alembic is a no joke instrument and any model commands respect. If all you can afford is what you have, feel fortunate that you do have an Alembic and if you are in fast persuit for a Series good luck to you as you won't regret it.

peoplechipper · « **Reply #6 on:** December 21, 2009, 11:33:23 PM »

I run my Distillate both pickups on, bass and treble boost on, q off and it's the best bass tone ever( or so I've been told) personally, coming from an ignorant guitar background( some of my guitars don't even have volume-use the pedalboard!)I am not a knob tweaker at the best of times, so I guess it depends if you're the type willing to explore the knobs...Tony

slammin · « **Reply #7 on:** December 24, 2009, 11:16:20 AM »

Wow, thanks for all the input! I guess it makes sense that the different models feel the same though I have read somewhere that there is also the 'Comfort' tapered necks, which I'm not sure I'd prefer now that I've gotten so used to the 'old' taper on this Persuader.

I also have serious GAS for a SC/Signature but I don't know if there would be enough tonal difference between a Signature and my Persuader. I don't gig but I like to solo so my thinking is that I would get more enjoyment from a Series than a Signature. Of course, I'm sure even if I got one, I'd HAVE to eventually get a Signature too. I'm not rich but I don't have the wife around sucking up all the cash, hence 3 new bases for me in 2 years. It used to be 1 bass per 10-15 years when I was married, lol!

Me see's a Series in 2010 and a SC Sig in 2011

unless of course some female ruins my plan!

sonicus · « **Reply #8 on:** December 24, 2009, 11:39:05 AM »

If things go well for you the prospective Lady might want you to have the Series Bass as to hear and feel your TRUE INNER SOUL during a well delivered solo ! Now that is LOVE with a CAPITAL L!

slammin · « **Reply #9 on:** December 24, 2009, 10:44:24 PM »

Ya know, and I'm sure you do, but sometimes the notes tell more than what we meant for them to tell. I can actually express madness with this bass. And anger; not that I'm either. Probably not too conducive for LOVE, but we'll see. Still, I feel like BB King with this bass! Speaketh The Bass kinda thing.

I've played basses that let me be as funky as I want, others that let me express myself in other ways, but this is the first bass that lets me do what I want. And then some. I know I am probably not saying anything new here, but I just gotta say it anyway.

I am sold. This instrument does what I want it to do. GAS MODE=ON

Also, something really weird I discovered today. I set my tuner to 450hz long ago because I like the extra string tension I guess. Tuning my Persuader @ EADG with 450hz reference is NOT A GOOD THING! Kills all the harmonics. Is that a known fact?

mike1762 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 25, 2009, 03:21:16 AM »

I can see how EXCESSIVE tension would kill the harmonics (and the fundamental for that matter). I noticed considerably more string tension when I got my first Alembic. At first I was quite distressed about that, but it does have advantages (you can play faster and with better definition). Try DRs if you want a little less tension... or tune standard!!!

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 25, 2009, 06:20:04 AM »

The alembic Series Bass is Like sex with out a Condom!

otis · « **Reply #12 on:** December 25, 2009, 04:14:33 PM »

Or like a M?nage-?-Trois with two Supermodels- without a Condom!!!

otis · « **Reply #13 on:** December 25, 2009, 04:32:44 PM »

Seriously, though- the difference between a Persuader or Spoiler and a Series bass is like the difference between a late model Ford F150, and a brand new Ford Mustang (just using Ford as an example, not because I prefer them- for some strange reason, I find the vehicle I drive around in is off less importance than the instrument I play... maybe I'm more than slightly mental, eh, guys?)

The Persuader (and I believe Spoiler) is mostly maple (from what I know of them), while a Series I has a 5 piece neck (maple & Purpleheart), and usually (sometimes there are more laminates, depending on what a person has ordered) a 3 piece body with a mahogany core and an exotic top and back with a hollow well.

A Series II wood-wise has at least a 5 piece body, and a 7 piece neck with the hollow well. This all makes a huge difference in tone- I've owned Europas, Epics, a Series I, a couple of Customs, and finally, the gem of all gems, a Series II (6 String).

As to electronics, forget about it- the Series instruments are the top 2 models Alembic makes, and as such, they have the best of everything. The tonal possibilities are quite literally endless.

Some people will say that the woods and or construction doesn't make that much of a difference, but like I said, I've had quite a few, and the difference may be subtle to some, and quite astounding to others (I guess I fall in that 2nd group).

What I find so great about my S2 is the purity of tone. The tone is so clear and clean that it's like going from speaking with a normal voice to speaking with the voice of God.

Do yourself a favor and get either a Series I or II, but if I were you, I'd hold out for a S2- I've seen more than a few 4 strings for nearly the same price that you'd pay for a SI. Heck, I've seen Signatures and Brown Basses for around the same price, or more, depending on if they're Standards or Deluxes.

Good luck in your search and enjoy that Persuader- it's a keeper!

Peace;)

Frank

slammin · « **Reply #14 on:** December 25, 2009, 08:26:44 PM »

I am learning a lot from you guys and I do thank you for that. I do spend a fair amount of time just browsing different threads here but still haven't browsed enough to find all the info I want though I know it's there somewhere, so I really, really do appreciate all the input because you taking the time says it all. Great community!

Question; A Series bass is essentially something akin to Signature bass, but with an onboard SF1 preamp?

Frank, thanks, I think I will hold out for an S2 based on your perspective and first-hand experience. I'm already truely dumbfounded with this bass. In a good way. I would have never imagined the amount of articulation I can achieve with this bass. Now, what scares me a little is that I'm playing through a Peavey Combo 300. I was going through a Pod X3 Live too but I took that out because it really does seem to take away from the pure sound of this bass, though I do like to 'play' with the POD at times because the amp modeling can get interesting. But I do think my next quest after getting an S1 or S2 will be an amp that the bass deserves.

Basically, music has become my primary hobby again. For the past several years, it was building computers (water cooling, souped up everything, etc.) but I am bored with building computers and playing computer games and am so glad I am back to focusing on music. It's been very rewarding to me. I really feel like I'm learning to play all over again, and getting better than I ever was.

Thanks again,
Ivan