Author Topic: Warrior-Alembic comparison (Read 269 times)

alleng · « **on:** September 20, 2004, 11:22:06 AM »

Has anyone played Warrior basses? How does their sound and feel compare to Alembic? It seems they only offer Bartoloni pu's, and I am not sure about onboard preamps or filters. Also, how does the weight/neck balance compare to a Series I (Omega or Pointer)? Anyone? Thanks!

xlrogue6 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 20, 2004, 06:02:25 PM »

My experience with Warriors is limited to checking them out at a NAMM show a few years ago, setting up a 9(!!!!) string for a customer a couple of times, and playing one an Ebaying pal had for a while. My impression is that while the workmanship is overall pretty good, it's a distant second to Alembic's. Of course, that's my impression of the majority of high end basses I've seen over the years. That's why I play Alembics--they do things that other basses just can't do.**

Of course, I'm prejudiced.........

*(OK, you can run other instruments through an SF2 and get closer electronically--but Alembics still sound better!)

jseitang · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2004, 12:53:32 AM »

warrior-alembic comparison
there is no comparison
only imatations.
thats how i've always felt. a lot of companies have tried to..but none have succeeded

zappahead · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2004, 08:38:49 AM »

Warrior makes nice guitars, not sure of their basses. They certainly look very nice and they have some very bizarre and original basses.

I dont find them to be an Alembic copy, certainly not an imitator. Their designs are very different and the only thing I find similar is the neck thru design and the purple heart tone bar in the neck. Other than that I think they stand well on their own. They have some very impressive works of art, guitar-wise on their website.

And you can certainly compare a few guitar and bass manufacturers to Alembic. Alembic makes great instruments, but lets not get too wrapped up in one company that we cant see the other companies who are doing solid work with guitars and basses and give them their due as well.

811952 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 21, 2004, 09:08:16 AM »

The Warrior basses I've played (only a few, and those only in stores) have been pretty nice. Oddly light, but with good sustain and nice fundamental. I think a Warrior 5-string might be nice to have, but not as nice as say a Rogue 5-string...
John

xlrogue6 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 21, 2004, 09:50:40 AM »

Other companies are indeed doing solid work. The funny thing for me is that whenever I try them, they just don't go where my Rogues go. Strictly a personal taste thang, though--no slight to devotees of other brands intended.

By way of illustration, a couple of months back I got a notion that I should have a P bass (first good bass was a mega heavy 70's model, later owned a really lovely '63). Luckily, before I actually bought one, a friend loaned me a really nice one--a 198? 60's reissue model with a 70's maple neck with NO DEAD SPOTS! Took it on a gig, played the first 3 songs on it, then switched to my Rogue and instantly remembered why I don't own a P bass anymore. Alembic is home for me.

jseitang · « **Reply #6 on:** September 21, 2004, 03:00:44 PM »

who did wood laminates first?
active electronics?
amazing custom woodwork and craftsmanship?
alembic...
ok warrior makes great basses, no doubt, but alembic was there first, and subsequently everybody wonders where they got their ideas from.

zappahead · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2004, 04:19:41 PM »

Im not saying anyone is better than anyone else, its all a matter of personal taste. Im sure you could find people who feel their particular bass is better than this one or the other.

Personally I dont think theres much to who did it first. Its all about who is doing it the best and who you like the best. That may or may not be Alembic.

I will say this though, custom woodwork and amazing craftsmanship have been around and will always be around. Pick up a guitar book and you will see handmade custom instruments that pre-date electric guitars or basses that laid the foundation for most of everything that is being done right now. Ill give any company that makes a good solid instrument their due, most companies make stuff thats barely above junk.

My point is that theres a place for them all. I know the bias here is gonna be strongly towards Alembic and I dont even disagree with that, I just have to point out that at this point theres a lot of makers who are doing great work. Whether they invented the wheel or not doesnt matter to me if Im buying the instrument. Its a good point to be proud of as a company, but if Alembic wasnt still making high quality products then the fact that they did it first wouldnt sustain them.

jseitang · « **Reply #8 on:** September 21, 2004, 05:28:30 PM »

right i also have a 1860's upright made in vermont, so you are right with craftmanship and all, however, in this paticular area to electric guitars and basses, alembic was first, just like fender and gibson, only alembis took it to the next level....
that is all

bigredbass · « **Reply #9 on:** September 21, 2004, 09:45:03 PM »

My only caveat vis-a-vis Warrior would apply to LOTS of other basses as well: Warrior specs Barts or BassLines. I'll be the first to admit that lots of people are perfectly satisfied with those sounds, and I suppose we all have different basses other than ALEMBIC.

You know, it may be aan advantage in a strange way: If you must have an EMG or Bart sound, you sure have LOTS of different basses where you can get the SAME sound. Just not OUR sound.

J o e y

811952 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 22, 2004, 01:56:23 PM »

Another Devil's advocate point: Bartolini's were the first truly high-fidelity (while being readily available) aftermarket pickup, and their more expensive models sound quite good. They, in my estimation, are the Alembic of the non-Alembic modern pickup designs...
John (hastily putting on his flame retardant suit)

kevin_k · « **Reply #11 on:** September 22, 2004, 02:56:07 PM »

I find it hard to compare a Series II to anything out there but a Series II or possibly a Series I. Maybe other Alembics can compare to a Series II, but even then I wouldn't hesitate to pick-up a Series II over other Alembic models.

I think it is best to compare other basses to only Alembic basses that are of the same price range. That way you are comparing apples to apples.

811952 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 23, 2004, 08:58:34 AM »

Agreed, which pretty much makes a Series II beyond compare, doesn't it...
John

rami · « **Reply #13 on:** September 23, 2004, 04:21:44 PM »

Once you'ved tried a Series II, you've touched The Holy Grail of Basses. Comparing anything (including other Alembics) to the Series II is downright sacrilegious!
Let's keep our perspective here. A Series II doesn't cost what it does for nothing. The electronics alone cost more than most high-end Basses.

Rami

kayo · « **Reply #14 on:** September 23, 2004, 04:31:15 PM »

Rami

You have taken the words right out of my mouth - and that is THE very (and only reason) reason why I am considering selling my Rogue..... is for upgrading to an S2.

Well Said - kudos and touche