Author Topic: Alembic Club History and Future (Read 666 times)

mica · « **on:** July 01, 2003, 02:18:25 PM »

Mik and Paul started the first Alembic Club on Yahoo about three years ago. This original Club was deleted and Nancy resurrected it on Yahoo. Once Yahoo converted to the current Groups format, the massive advertising and hard to follow threads suggested strongly we make other arrangements to keep the conversations and connections people had made active.

We're coming up to the one-year anniversary of this incarnation of the Alembic Club. It's grown to over 500 registered members with four times that as regular readers. The sense of Alembic community that I've always felt is now able to be shared with all those interested in Alembic and I have to say it's been very enjoyable interacting with everyone.

Now it's clear I need to do a little different organizing. We're going to add some new areas dedicated to the preamps and also for technical questions and FAQs. We also need a page for history requests. I'd like to hear any suggestions about this reorganization of the Club. Please add to this thread to let me know if there are any other categories or pages you'd like to see. I'm planning on doing the reorg at the end of July/early August. The Club won't be available fo 1-3 days while I'm wokring on it.

Looking forward to your suggestions.

palembic · « **Reply #1 on:** July 01, 2003, 02:50:08 PM »

Hi MIca,

how are you girl?
The pages you suggested are fine.
I think they were since long Suggested by different people in different threads.
1. FAQ's = Hurrah!
The only ting I'm getting a bit puzzled that is that are already sooooo much questions answered by the courtesy of soooooo many brothers and sisters (and the Alembicians themselves - not forgetting that very helping desk !). How will you restructure all that? Or wont you do that, just starting from new up?

2. Dividing Guitars and Pre-amps/filters. Seems logical. However both have to do with each other. But (good'ol but) nevertheless seems logical: there ARE a lot of bass-players who DO play Alembic but NOT an Alembic guitar (well ...I believe so ...I even saw a F1-X in the bass-set-up of Sting).

3. There is something I would suggest but I think that will lead us to far for this thread. It has to do with the LOGICAL defining of Alembic models - options - designs etc ... . I think I have a good idea that is growing in my mind (I'm a communication analyst as you probably remember) and I'll contact you about it by direct email IFF that's ok with you.

Other suggestions ...
ok ... I'll send the brothers and sisters to this spot when I catch them.
Hm ...you got more than 500 to catch LOL

You-hou brothers ...over here ...you-hou!!!

Paul the bad one

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2003, 04:01:53 PM »

Congratulations and thanks!!!

harald_rost · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2003, 11:56:07 PM »

Mica,

I was very glad when you created the new Club after all that trouble with the old one.
This is a nice community with a lot of people giving good advices.
Your suggestion of the new categories sounds good. It would make sense to differ the products into guitars, basses and preamps. May be a new section about technical questions might produce overlaps to other cartegories? FAQ's would surely be very helpful to new members.

Best wishes from Germany

Harald

alembic76407 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2003, 05:47:30 AM »

Mica, how about an area for MP3s or other sound bites from our club members

thebass · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2003, 06:41:25 AM »

Hi Mica,

FAQs would be a very nice feature. What about some infos about famous Alembic using Artists and/or famous tunes recorded using Alembics ?

mikedm · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2003, 07:27:48 AM »

I like Davis's idea regarding an audio samples area. 'Sounds good to me.' okay, stressful day at work, bad puns abound.

elzie · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2003, 09:34:36 AM »

I like the audio samples idea too. A lot of times we look at pics of other's Alembics and say I'll bet that sounds as good as it looks. They don't have to be large files, just enough to get maybe 5 seconds of sound for each file maybe?

Paul

malthumb · « **Reply #8 on:** July 02, 2003, 09:59:31 AM »

One more vote for an audio samples area. If you combine that thought with thebass's idea you may consider having in the audio samples some snippets of famous tunes recorded with Alembics.

It would also be great if in the history section there was a thumbnail of each serial number listed. This would really help folks who are considering buying a used instrument. They could go to the history and at least see what the bass is and looks like, as well as whatever specs are available.

mikedm · « **Reply #9 on:** July 05, 2003, 02:38:25 PM »

Mica,

If you did create a section for members to upload sound files, would it be a library of download-able files or streaming media?

There's another option for the sound file...I've noticed that a few makers include a button to a linked sound file for on-line shoppers to listen to a typical sample of that instruments voice. Don't know if that would be useful on the sales end or not?

take care,

Mike

bassman10096 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 05, 2003, 07:01:51 PM »

Mica: I just came upon this thread and have to throw my 2cents in. I'm a new member but from what I've seen so far, this Club is a really functional, information-sharing and even (someone sing Kum By Ya, please) supportive community. My congratulations to Alembic and everyone responsible.

I'd echo Mike's suggestion to consider offering sound files that would allow potential customers (and us, too) to sample the voicings available through the different models, electronics and woods (I'm beginning to see how many variables get involved). Nonetheless, if it were doable, I would find it useful and interesting.

Happy Anniversary!
Bill

zappahead · « **Reply #11 on:** August 06, 2003, 08:26:45 AM »

The site is really nice and I enjoy it a lot, especially the forums. Things Id like to see:

-More of Alembics history
-More pics of instruments and maybe pics of discontinued instruments or past endeavors.
-A online custom quote for guitars
-Maybe interviews or commentary from famous Alembic users

Just some ideas.

mattheus · « **Reply #12 on:** August 07, 2003, 10:43:59 AM »

Hi Mica,
here's some input from my side. First of all, I want to say I like this club very much. I've seen so many things here, and it is a huge inspiration for the search of the 'ultimate' bass.
Perhaps could you also add a thing about woods. I'm very curious about the way they sound, what is the weight, which combination for a particular sound etc. I know brother Paul (tbo) has written some things in past, but I'd like it very much, and I think many other Alembicians with me.
Many greetings,

Mattheus tDo