Alembic bass for metal, looking for advice

[gridchin]

Hi guys! I’m a bass player, play mostly metal music and I’m thinking on getting a 5 strings Alembic. I’m looking for an aggressive sound. I love the Orion shape, so I’m considering buying one Signature Standard. I’d would like to hear your advices and experiences with Alembic in metal music, specially with the Signature model. My current concerns are the weight (the Signature Alembics that I saw for sale are over 12 lbs) and the ergonomics (I move quite a lot on stage).

Any advices and recommendations are very welcome. Many thanks in advance guys!

[edwardofhuncote]

Welcome to the Alembic Club. 

Just the guy you need to talk with is around here somewhere... in the meantime, here's their www presence: 

http://nij.damagedjustice.nl/

[pauldo]

I believe besides FC there are a couple other Metal guys here.

Regardless of genre, Alembic basses have such tonal flexibility and clarity that you really can't go wrong.  Add to that the artisan craftsmanship put into each one and they are beautiful to look at.
If that wasn't enough we can discuss the integrity of their design which makes them brilliantly easy to play - they almost play themselves.

P.S. A wider strap can help with distributing the weight of the instrument.

[hieronymous]

Whatever electronics package you get, I'm thinking Exploiter! Something like this but in black? (This was sold over a year ago, can't find the black 5-string that was discussed on the club a couple of years ago)


https://reverb.com/item/1733376-alembic-exploiter-custom-cocobolo-5-string-bass

[jazzyvee]

Check out his sound on his band’s youtube channel.
https://m.youtube.com/user/DamagedJusticeNLD/videos?shelf_id=1&sort=dd&view=0

[FC Bass]

 

 Welcome here! 
Orion would be a great choice because of the weight and ergonomics requirements, but I would advice to get one (or mod one, it's pretty easy) with a Filter setup.
Bass and treble setup is great, but I find it much more useful in a " subtle" situation. Same for a multiple Filter setup, for raw metal a single Filter is more than adequate.

My Series I is undergoing surgery so I'm using my Elan 5 in my " subtle" band now, in that setting I can hear the difference in pickup selection and Filter/Q settings much better.
In the Metal setting that distinction mostly gets lost in the hard driven tube amp and wall of guitar sound, so I would say the Signature setup is also more useful in a subtle situation.
Though if you have enough budget, there's no reason to not go for it. 

They can do aggressive very well, depending on what you use for effects/amps. In this clip I use an extremely saturated Ampeg model from Line6:

[gearhed289]

Hard to go wrong with an Alembic. They can all cut like a knife. I don't play metal, but I do play a heavier form of progressive rock (Rush, Crimson) and I'm very happy with my Distillate for a lot of our material. As far as body style, based on what you're saying, I'm thinking Essence. Very compact, almost Spector-like.

[jwright9]

I am selling my Distillate Exploiter in case you are interested.
Would definitely recommend it for metal!

http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=23575.0

[gridchin]

Hey guys! Thank you very much for your comments! I really appreciate them. I think I’m more then ready to buy my first Alembic

FC, your JPJ pickup configuration is gorgeous! Very nice video A Filter setup is definitely a plus.

The Exploiter model looks really cool, unfortunately it’s difficult to find them in 5 strings version. Essence model is elegant as well. I like its compact body. This one with Buckeye Burl top is really amazing https://reverb.com/item/1814456-alembic-custom-essence-5-string-buckeye-burl Though this one is quite expensive.

I think I’ll give a try to a Signature Standard with an Orion shape. There are several used ones for sale on the internet, still have to decide which one. And have to buy an extra wide strap for it

[StephenR]

Wanted to second the recommendation for you to get a bass with a filter or add one. I don't play in any metal bands but do play with enough guitarists that use heavy distortion from time to time and having the ability to quickly move the resonant peak of the bass pickups via the filter and engage the Q-switch can really help cut through a distorted guitar. If you can find an Orion body that was made neck-through instead of with a set neck you will get even more punch. The Essence is a great small body Alembic and would weigh less than an Orion. Some members here have added a filter to their Essence and Wolf also added the brass block under the bridge. His Essence has a great punch to it. So many good choices only limited by how much you want to spend or if you are buying used what is currently available.

Good luck with the search!

[jazzyvee]

I sold an epic 4 bass to a bass player here in the UK who is in a heavy metal band. He works in a large music shop and has told me it's his number one bass now.

[pauldo]

5 string will give the lowest lows.

Maybe jwright can offer feedback on the Distillate/ Exploiter, not sure of its scale length - on my standard Distillate I have a hipshot d-tuner mostly set to D but right now it holds a C rather well... a tad on the floppy side but a lighter touch allows it to "boom" rather nicely.

[gridchin]

Just ordered this Mark King V Buckeye Burl Standard! Can't wait to play it!!

[jwright9]

Nice choice.

Delicious!!!

[StephenR]

Cool. My favorite Alembic body shape. It is going to be heavy but the Balance K style does a great job of distributing the weight. Having two filters is a plus, too. Enjoy!