Author Topic: Warning! Post includes non-Alembic! (Read 746 times)

the_mule · « **on:** March 01, 2005, 10:37:52 AM »

Please forgive me, but I really wanted to share my joy and these first pictures with the Club. In about a week (maybe sooner) this bass will arrive in The Netherlands, and she's got my name on her!

Specs: Benavente SC5B with Mahogany body, Ebony accent laminate, Buckeye Burl top and headstock facing, 7-piece Maple and Ebony neck, figured maple fingerboard, Abalone block inlays, Aero dual coil pickups and Benavente preamp with volume/volume/treble/mid/bass/passive.

Beat this for provenance: this exact same bass was reviewed in the March 2003 issue of Bass Player magazine, pi$$ed off no-one less than the great Anthony Jackson, caused a heated debate between Fodera and Benavente enthousiasts on the internet and a stream of letters to Bass Player magazine! Hopefully my home will be a safe asylum for her after all the fuss she's had to cope with... Wilfred (Message edited by the_mule on March 01, 2005)

bassdr · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2005, 11:13:45 AM »

Very, Very Cool Wilfred! Looks to me like a whale with it's mouth open- should have a very deep beautiful voice! Michael(Flame Koa Essence 4)

the_mule · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2005, 11:56:42 AM »

You've got my kind of fantasy & really nailed it there Michael! Seriously, I was thinking about naming the bass 'Moby' after Moby Dick, because of the shape, the colour, the notoriousness of the beast as described in my first post and the figuring of the Buckeye Burl looking like the scars from hundreds of harpoons!

Wilfred

the_mule · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2005, 12:13:34 PM »

The Bass Player review, with a better (lighted) picture of the Buckeye Burl top...

http://www.thelowend.net/gallery/viewtopic.php?t=151

Wilfred

palembic · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2005, 01:17:44 PM »

Boroede Wilfred,

ik peins da je de hoofdvogel hebt afgeschoten!!!!!!
Again a reason to hop to ourt Northern neighbours.
What - a - bass ....

Paul the bad one

rami · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2005, 04:03:01 PM »

That's quite a score Wilfred!

I remember reading the article on it. I have the issue (It's got Stanley on the cover).
That Bass got great reviews.
How did you acquire it???

It's a real beauty. Congrats.

Rami

jet_powers · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2005, 06:53:09 PM »

Yes indeed!! What everyone else said....

How did you come to acquire it?

JP

the_mule · « **Reply #7 on:** March 02, 2005, 05:39:58 AM »

Thanks for the positive comments guys!

Well, I'm afraid there aren't cool Wildwest stories to tell about how I aquired it. I was seriously interested in buying a used Benavente SingleCut. I fell in love with the model as soon as I saw the pictures and read the review in March 2003, so before I had switched from guitar to bass and before I became an Alembician! With an increasing G.A.S.-budget (it is possible!) to back me up I checked the distributor's website http://www.thelowend.net on a daily basis. When this one actually came up for sale, I didn't have any doubt that this was destined to be and I made my move. That's it really...

If you read the Bass Player review (link in previous post) there were two points of criticism in a sea (sticking with the whale theme there) of praise: the love-it-or-leave-it looks (needless to say I love it, but I can see that it isn't up to everybody's taste) and the Demeter preamp lacking a passive mode.

Before this bass was shipped to me (underway as we speak, maybe just maybe Friday, probably next week) luthier Chris Benavente gave it a fret level and installed a new (superior) Benavente preamp with a passive option. I really love that, and just like the maple fingerboard it isn't an option with Alembic (to my best of knowledge) so I don't have to be very ashamed of being adulterous, do I?

Wilfred

rami · « **Reply #8 on:** March 02, 2005, 06:31:46 AM »

Hey Wilfred,

You should know by now that Alembic WILL make you anything - whether listed as an option or not. That's what featured customs are for.

Anyway, I love your new bass! I'm most intrigued by it's construction. It seems to combine elements of neck-through with set-neck design. That is, a neck-through which rests in a pocket or groove through the body. Ingenious!
At least we don't have to ask you how it sounds. The reviewers loved it.

Best regards,

Rami

the_mule · « **Reply #9 on:** March 02, 2005, 07:08:11 AM »

I'll post detailed pictures a.s.a.p.

I can remember a few topics in which Mica and/or Val made clear that Alembic doesn't offer maple fingerboards because they tend to discolour and get a 'dirty' look with age. And although I'm not an electronics expert, I was under the impression that with the specific way Alembic electronics are designed and work, a passive option just isn't possible technically. I can't remember to have ever seen an Alembic bass with the option to go passive, but please correct me if I'm wrong...

But no stepping on any toes intended. Just an attempt to apologise for purchasing a non-Alembic bass, which isn't necessary at all in such a respectful and friendly environment as this club. Very happy with this new bass, and still very happy with my Alembics, which makes it 'three of a perfect pair' for me...

Wilfred

pookeymp · « **Reply #10 on:** March 02, 2005, 08:14:32 AM »

Hey Wilfred,

She's absolutely beautiful! I love Chris Benavente designs. I'm quite sure the sound is awesome as well. Please do post more pics once she comes in.

Mikey/

P.S. No need to apologize for posting a non-Alembic. Many here (myself included) will continue to buy Alembics and will also buy from other manufacturers, as well (I like diversity). And, once you get, or are in the process of getting any instrument, one can't help but be proud and to show it to your friends here...so bring em on!!

lbpesq · « **Reply #11 on:** March 02, 2005, 09:31:59 AM »

WOW! I never saw a 5-string sperm whale before. Moby is a very appropriate name and obviously better than Dick - as in I love to play with my .... - (you know where I'm going - LOL)

Bill, tgo

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #12 on:** March 02, 2005, 02:39:27 PM »

Reminds me of this Ken Bebensee bass. I wonder which came first . . .

the_mule · « **Reply #13 on:** March 03, 2005, 04:49:35 AM »

Well, I think it's safe (and fair) to assume that Fodera was the first to design the SingleCut body shape with the imput of Anthony Jackson. Exactly why mr. Jackson was not amused when the BP review 'forgot' to mention that. Nowadays the SC-shape has become quite sought after and several luthiers/builders have started to make their own variation. When you take a close look, there's always just as many differences as there are similarities...

Wilfred

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #14 on:** March 03, 2005, 06:10:01 AM »

Interesting, I had never heard about that story. I find it fascinating that nearly all of the really great luthiers seem to primarily build bass guitars. I wonder if it is just an offshoot of the fear guitarists seem to show for any innovation in instrument building. I really think I could go the rest of my life without seeing another Fender strat or strat copy (no offense to the strat fans out there).