Author Topic: Alembic Australian launch (Read 204 times)

dnburgess · « **on:** November 17, 2003, 03:28:48 PM »

The Australian Alembic launch was last Monday. For those unable to make it, here is a rundown of the night.

There was a brief talk about Alembic's history and the how most Alembic's are made to order.

Christian Young performed a solo piece on the Essence 5 string. This bass has an Australian Silky Oak top.

Then Christian changed to the Spyder 8 string and was joined on stage by the incomparable Jackie Orszaczky (1990 Series 1 Piccolo), Dave Symes (Excel with Zebrawood top) and Hamish Stuart on drums. The group played Superstition by Stevie Wonder and Long Distance Love by Little Feat. Jackie demonstrated the versatility of piccolo bass - shifting from brass/synth sounds to a very tasty Fender Rhodes type vibe.

Relinquishing the Spyder for the Mark King Signature Deluxe, Christian launched into Love Games by Level 42 - a great demonstration of the punch and clarity of the Signature bass.

For the gear heads: Christian was playing through an Alembic F1X preamp, PSS Audio 2400 power amp and an Acme B4. Dave Symes played through a Clarus integrated amp and Acme B2. Jackie played through an ancient Mutron, TC Electronics SCF (stereo chorus), Alembic SF2 (configured as stereo preamp) and a pair of stand mounted Acme B1s. All cables were Mogami.

There were door prizes galore (courtesy of Alembic).

Christian took a well-deserved break after the Mark King number while the trio played a short set.

Guests were then invited to come up and try the instruments for themselves - and the instruments received a solid work out.

Although all the instruments were greatly admired, many people commented on:

* How great the Excel sounded with the band through the Clarus and Acme B2 - proving you don't need huge amounts of power (the Clarus is 200W into 4 ohms) for Acme speakers to sound good (although the little amp was probably approaching its limits).

* How awesome the Mark King played and sounded.

* How good Jackie's piccolo sounded.

Photographer Peter Hoyle captured the night. Check out the highlights at:

http://www.petezimagez.com/alembic/

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2003, 03:47:56 PM »

Congrats on what sounds like a great event. And nice pics too. That Zebrawood really looks nice on the Orion.

If I may, could you share the details of the Series I Piccolo; scale length, tuning, string gauges?

kayo · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2003, 03:58:56 PM »

Sounds like it was a great event!

Please expound a bit more on that Orion with the Zebrawood top - and explain the pickup configuration and electronics that are on that bass - if you would?

dnburgess · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2003, 04:11:38 PM »

That's an Excel with the Zebrawood top. The pickup configuration is fatboy at bridge and MXY at neck. Controls are vol, pan, bass, treble. This instrument was one of the surprise hits - looked great sounded fantastic - from old school to nu school.

The Series 1 piccolo is short scale (30.75); tuned E to G (same as regular bass but up an octave); strings were D'Adario piccolo set .052 to .020. To my ears these sound much nicer than the GHS piccolos (which are brighter and slightly lighter) and also feel nicer to play.

senmen · « **Reply #4 on:** November 18, 2003, 07:21:39 AM »

David,
many congrats on this great event and the great photos! I think this was really a success!
Love the Spyder.... (but you know this!)

Many greetings from Germany
Oliver Baumann (Spyderman?)

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** November 18, 2003, 08:31:13 AM »

David; thanks for the details on the piccolo bass. And yes, I guess I was so taken with the Zebrawood that I was confusing Orions and Excels!

malthumb · « **Reply #6 on:** November 18, 2003, 10:17:40 PM »

Looks and sounds like a super cool session!