What amplification system are you using with your Alembic?

[rickyrbass]

I was wondering what type of Rigs you guys were using with your Alembics. I know that there are so many rigs out there now that color the tonality far too much. I was wondering if there was one rig in particluar that that most of you were using that would allow the true voice of the Alembic to come through?

[kayo]

Hey Ricky -  
 
That's a tough question - there's so much that colors the sound along that path of the signal.  Much of it is highly subjective - and also dependant on the inherent texture of your particular instrument (ie - the woods that make up your bass and the age of the instrument).
 
Then again, there is the frame of reference that you may be using as your standard for what the true voice of an Alembic should sound like.
 
Up until I acquired my Alembic, my struggle was trying to have a distinct voice within a 4-6 piece band... the overtones and fundamentals always seemed to be absorbed and muddied by the room, and the rest of the band.  
 
This is no longer the case - for the first time ever, I now (as well as everyone else) can easily hear me, and all my nuances through the voice of my Alembic.  I made a bit of an error and overcompensated for the lack of high end that I had been accustomed to by purchasing a Bag End 4x10 that is loaded with a tweeter - and now I tend to have to go slightly out of my way not to be too bright and trebly - part of the inherent characteristic of the Cocobolo book match to center laminate that I selected for my Rogue (Mica had warned me about that - but I had no idea how bright and distinct it would be).  Shortly, I'll be compensating for it with an 1x18 cabinet that is designed to allow me extended low frequency driven by a special intergrator circuit that is made just for that.
 
I use an Eden WT800 hybrid head - and for the most part just keep all my EQ flat - the Alembic sings on it's own.  On occasion, I'll use the EQ section but only to compensate for acoustic flaws in the room (too basey or too trebly of a room - and also depending on the number of people in the room).  I like the fact that this head provides me a mosfet pre-amp with tube gain for my 800W of power.  This is another subjective call - as I know (and have also tried and resorted to what I have now) that many prefer all solid state (as in Trace Elliott or Galien Krueger), and then there are those that prefer all tube (Mesa Boogie or Ampeg - among others).  I almost got an SWR900, but I had heard a lot of bad things about how often they seemed to require maintenance and setteld on the Eden.
 
As far as cabinets - I've heard (and liked) EBs, Boogies, Ampegs, Bag Ends, Edens & SWRs.... there are many others out there.  One thing that may help you narrow down your search is researching the frequency response of the cabs, and also the power handling capacity - this is how I narrowed my search down.  At this range of products - they all are quality pieces (relatively)- but also be sure to plug into an amp that you know the tonal charcteristics of and then go into these cabs... they do have different textures and you need the amp to be the baseline so that you can hear the flavor of the cab.
 
Some of it will also have to do with the electronics that are in your instrument.  I also overdid it in that area (but have no regrets).  Again, in an effort to ensure that I could cut through and be heard, I had asked that my Rogue be loaded with 2 Q filters (one for each pick up), and 2 sets of tone switches (one set for each pick up) along with Signature electronics.  The Alembic is so powerful, distinct and (just can say enough good things about it) amazing, that I really never needed that second set of Q or tone switches - if I use them all at once - my sound tends to be a bit over the top - but it does give me absolute maximum flexibility and allows me an extremely wide range of tonal possibilities - anything I can imagine is at my fingertips!!!!
 
Just for those other sounds that I may have a bit of trouble reaching, I keep a Sansamp Bass driver at my disposal - rarely use it, but there are gigs where I am called upon to emulate more traditional sounds, and that's when I'll pull it out.
 
I find that when I use other people's rigs, the Alembic never has trouble cutting through.... as long as there is enough power to drive it.
 
Good luck - let us know what you settled on!!!

[siggytx]

I'm getting the sound I want to get in my studio playing my short scale series 1 thru a PreSonus vxp mic preamp thru mackie board into gas power amps and yamaha ns1000 speakers. Now to reproduce that sound I have aquired the acme 2x10 cabinet with a mackie power amp and thinking I need either a fx-1 Alembic pre or a Demeter to add a hint of warmth to the Series I's  beautiful clear sound. I'm thinking the sf-2 may be more confusion that necessary so to keep things simple I'm searching for a simple tubed analog pre. I've owned the f2-b in the past and with fender basses never had enough gain to my liking but I now see where it would have worked perfectly. Any Alembic pre's out there? My other thought is that alot of these new preamps use simulated tube sounds that in a super clear enviornment, give them selves away. What to do? Any advise welcome. Siggy in Texas

[bigredbass]

rrbass:
 
My gosh, this is SOOO subjective . . .
 
Chasing the sound in your head thru the choices we make for amps, boy this could fill a LARGE book. And there is no 'right' answer ! So here's some random thoughts looking back over my 25 years:
 
I see basically two fundamental choices:
 
1)  The basic, fat, less than surgically-clean tone of an old Precision thru a creaky SVT (or any combination that's similar)
 
2)  ...or the REAL clean rig you went to after that: preamp, power amp, cabinet (maybe biamped).
 
With #1, you're loud enough, but where's the articulation?  With #2, now I hear EVERYTHING (gee, I never heard all this FRET NOISE / PICKUP HUM / HISS with the Peavey head ! !), but it's so clean it doesn't sound like it's that loud.
 
By now, you're sick of calling Allied Van Lines to move your rig, so . . . gee, these ACMEs are nice and small (or 210s, 212s, 410s) . . .
 
See where this is going?  You can 'logical' yourself to the poor house.  So, find a tone that's 'you' and build out from there.  Always buy more watts than you need.  Stick with companies that have been around.  Remember that the tones you hear on recordings or in concert are HEAVILY processed in ways that aren't usually reproduceable live with just you and an amp and effect. Always buy the best you can afford, all the way down to good cords.
 
I recently bought the MESA Venture combo 210 with an add-on MESA 115 cabinet.  It's got 'my' tone, MESAs are built to withstand WW3, and it's easy to move, with more than enough watts to fill my needs. This is what I liked out of many choices I could have made.
 
I'd love to have an f2b, sf2, Lexicon, Crown, BagEnd/ELF component rig, but my life just doesn't require/justify it.  THAT would be the ultimate ALEMBIC rig for me, but I don't need 'that much amp' any more.
 
J o e y
 

[wayne]

Ricky-
 
My simple answer:  F1-X into QSC PLX 1602 into BagEnd S15X-D and/or Bergantino HT112.
 
C-Ya............wayne

[rami]

My rig is an EDEN DC210XLT 600W combo sitting on a 410XLT cabinet.  
 
It brings to life everthing from my 60s & 70s Jazz Basses to my custom Alembics.
 
Best setup I ever had.
 
Rami

[alembic76407]

everybody builds a good amp these days, but for my money the Mesa-boogie 400+ is the best amp I've ever used, bar none
 
David T

[wideload]

Good Morning!
I have used a bi-amped Peavey rig for 16 years-Bass 400 head for preamp and lows to a Black Widow 18, Peavey 500 powered 2x10 for the highs. Tone flat, all the clear volume I wanted. But since I am now moving from church to rehearsal to gig to church...I am using a Peavey Bam210. I like the power, the onboard compressor and THE WHEELS. Most gigs have PA support, so I really just need a monitor. And it fits in my convertible and I can leave the Suburban at home! Larry

[palembic]

Tweak Peaks!  
 See http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/6134.html?1067089353
 
Paul the bad one
 
(Message edited by palembic on November 10, 2003)

[elzie]

I usually clamp my teeth around the top curve of the bass. It works well and if I need more volume, I just bite down harder. No one else can hear it, but at least it keeps the voices in my head quiet for a while. Just kidding
 
I use a Hartke 2000 with a Hartke 2x10 w/aluminum cones, Laney 4x10 w/aluminum cones and an old Yamaha 2x15. In case I need more power, I still have my old trustworthy Peavey Mark VI 400 watt head.
 
 
Paul II

[palembic]

Well ...you got a point Brother Paul the good one.
Chuck Rainey explains in one of his books a lot about letting the upper half  of the body being the resonance chamber of your bass while practicing.
However ...reading your story we now know 1 thing for sure, your head must be enormous and empty Haaaaaaaaaa-haaaaaaaa LOL
 
Paul the bad one

[rickyrbass]

I think I am going to try the Eden stuff.
I currently have a SVT classic with 610 but the clubs I played do not require nearly all of that.
Of course that is a killer rig but as far as clarity goes I think I need to look elsewhere, not to mention giving my back a rest!
I just got a New xlt 410 on a trade and I have a Eden head on the way. I hope it works out!

[dnburgess]

A common thread among a number of high end rigs is an F1X preamp into a power amp into fairly hifi bass speakers. I still haven't found the ideal power amp - am not convinced of the musicality of the QSC PLX which I currently use. I use and recommend Acme speakers (for whom I am the Australian rep.)

[kenbass4]

Although it seems unpopular here, I use an SVT Classic with an 810...yes it weighs alot, but the cbinet has a built-in dolly and is really fairly easy to move. I have always loved the sound of this rig, and it suits the music we play...sort of an edgy progressive rock ala Rush and Marillion. It also helps that I have a minivan...

[jorge_s]

I'll agree with Alembic76407.  The Boogie 400+ gives a very tight and focused sound with the added warmth of tubes.  But you just have to experiment.  You'll know it when you hear (feel) it.