HELP - Alembic Basses, Players in Austin TEXAS???

[Bryan Threlkeld (vikingman)]

I'm in the Austin, TX area (Georgetown) and have never played a short-scale Alembic bass.  I'm VERY interested in trying one out (small hands), and perhaps purchasing one.  Is there anyone who lives in this area with a short or medium scale (30.75 or 32) Alembic, who wouldn't mind me checking it out???  I'll buy ya' lunch!
 
Thanks for any and all help!
Bryan
 
please email me at bwt@cox-internet.com

[Michael Delacerda (dela217)]

If you feel like traveling, I live in New Orleans and am willing to help.  I got bunches of the short and medium scale basses you can check out.  I know what you mean I am on the short side 5'6 with smallish hands.  I just love the short and medium scale Alembics.  

[Bryan Threlkeld (vikingman)]

Thanks Michael,
 
I have an aunt and uncle that live in Shriever, LA, so maybe I could cruise out there and check 'em out.  Can you give me your email, and I'll drop you a line if/when I'm headed that direction.
 
Appreciate it!!!
 
Bryan   bwt@cox-internet.com

[gale barchus (gbarchus)]

Bryan,
 
Have you tried Resurrection Guitars in Austin? They have many Alembics there!
 
Gale

[Bryan Threlkeld (vikingman)]

Hi Gale,
 
Yes, I was at Guitar Resurrection yesterday, and the guy said he never stocks short or medium scale basses (too much of a specialty item).  In fact, I've called every Alembic dealer in Texas, and they all said that they never order short/medium scale Alembics.  It seems odd, given the amount of short/medium scale basses that Alembic produces.  
 
I wish Alembic would have some sort of promo policy, through which they would encourage their retail outlets to keep at least one short/med scale bass in stock.  On the contrary, nearly every dealer I spoke with tried to convince me NOT to buy a short/med scale Alembic (poor sound quality, etc.).
 
And so, I'll continue my search... one day I'll actually be able to play on an Alembic short or medium scale bass.  Given my busy schedule, I probably won't be able to make it out to New Orleans for quite awhile.  
 
Here's hoping there's someone in Texas with a short/medium scale Alembic bass...
 
Bryan

[Wayne McLemore (wayne)]

Bryan-
 
Are you the guy that called Larry Morgan's last week and discussed a special order?  I was in there when Chance talked to a guy from Austin.
 
I know there is at least 1 medium scale Distillate in the Dallas area.  It used to be owned by the resident bass instructor @ Larry Morgan's.  I also talked with a local player who has a short scale Series I that he never plays any more.  If you can't find anything in Austin, maybe the Chance or Marcus can hook up up with one of these guys in Dallas for a demo.
 
I know that Chuck & Jim at Guitar Rez are not big fans of the mediums (Chuck used to own one I believe).  The guys at Larry Morgan's are big into extended scale - more from a physical feel standpoint than necessarily a tone standpoint.  Chance has told me (I'm toying with the idea of a short 4) that he tried the short scale bit a few years back.  He said it was great for solo work, but didn't have the punch or bottom to carry through in a band setting.
 
Now, I've never played one with a band, but the couple that I played at the shop in Santa Rosa seemed to have plenty of punch and bottom end.
 
Anyone out there in the club have comments on using a short scale in a band setting?
 
C-Ya...............wayne

[Bryan Threlkeld (vikingman)]

THANKS Wayne!
 
YES, I just so happen to be the guy who talked with Chance last week - small world, eh?  
 
Do you work at the shop?  Do you know any of these other guys well enough to find out if they would be cool with me checking out their Alembics (can you get phone/email addresses)?  I'd like to play on the Series I short scale, but would settle for trying the medium Distillate.
 
Dallas is MUCH closer than New Orleans, so if I don't hear anything locally, I'll take the trip to the BIG D.
 
I've heard mixed reviews on the punch/bottom end of short scale basses, and would also like to hear some comments from people who are gigging in a band setting.
 
Thanks Wayne!
 
Bryan
 
BTW - what type of bass are you playing?

[Wayne McLemore (wayne)]

Bryan-
 
I don't work there, people just think I do since I'm there all the time (my wife even wonders sometimes!).
 
Chance & Marcus know the guys a lot better than I do, so they'd be in a better position to work something out.  I can't imagine the guy with the short scale not being willing to bring it into the shop.
 
You can influence the punch of a short scale by using different woods.  I've played one that's standard purpleheart/maple neck with coco top and back and it sounded really solid.  The Brown Bass edition was a little more airy, but not wimpy at all.  The signature bass that Mica had in the shop once that was put together like Stanley's main axe (coco top & back, vermillion core) was positively thunderous.  If you were to add ebony in the neck, I can't imagine that the short scale couldn't blow away any Fender out there.
 
But then again, I'm biased toward ebony necks.
 
As far as what I'm playing.....I'm the lucky SOB that has the infamous The Dark and The Light and The Unicorn.  Both are Series models with ebony necks and are absolutely the finest basses I've ever held in my hands.
 
Let me know if you make the run up to Dallas, and I'll bring them over to the shop.
 
C-Ya.............wayne

[Bryan Threlkeld (vikingman)]

Hey Wayne,
 
I'll call Chance and Marcus (is he the bass instructor?) up in Garland, and I'll let you know when I'm coming up for a visit.
 
I sure appreciate your help - I'm still trying to navigate my way through all of the information out there.  I'm not familiar with either The Dark and the Light or the Unicorn bass - are they 4,5, or 6 string Alembics?  Are either short or medium scale?
 
Again, thanks for your time and advice!
 
Bryan

[Wayne McLemore (wayne)]

Bryan-
 
Check out the Alembic Featured Customs for Jan '00 and June '02 and the Featured Construction Vault.  Also, look at the thread, Repair - not for the faint of heart here in Factory to Customer topic list.
 
My basses are both 5 string, long scale, with ebony neck laminates.  One is fretless (now) with coco bolo top, maple back, and mahogany core.  The other is fretted with maple top and back, maple core, and coco bolo accent laminates.
 
I'll give you the saga of the Dark and the Light when you make it up here.
 
C-Ya............wayne

[Bryan Threlkeld (vikingman)]

Hey Wayne,
 
I'm thinking about coming up one Friday or Saturday.  Are you ever off on Fridays during the day?  Is Marcus someone who works at the shop during the day?
 
I saw your bass in the repair thread - quite a story!
 
I'll call Chance when I get back in town and set up a good time to get together with all you guys.  Let me know what days/evenings of the week typically work best for you.
 
Thanks Wayne - looking forward to meeting you face to face.
 
Bryan

[Bryan Threlkeld (vikingman)]

Wayne,
 
I talked with Chance and he's trying to track down a short or medium alembic for me.  I'll be in the area this FRIDAY, OCT 11.  If you can swing by Larry Morgan's, that'd be great.  Let me know if you can make it.  I'm planning on camping out in Dallas for the entire day/evening.
 
Thanks,
Bryan

[Wayne McLemore (wayne)]

Bryan-
 
I unfortunately have to work this Friday (deadlines coming up next week).  I hope to be able to cut out of the office by 4:00.  Do you plan to be in town that late?  If so, I'll swing out to Larry Morgan's with my basses for you to try a Series.
 
C-Ya...............wayne

[Bryan Threlkeld (vikingman)]

Yes, I'll be sticking around into the evening.  Come on out as soon as you can.  
 
I'm looking forward to this trip!
Bryan
 

[Paul Ellsworth (elzie)]

I can't imagine that the short scale couldn't blow away any Fender out there.
 
Hehehe. I have a short scale Fender and have no problem with the bottom end  As a matter of fact, I like the bass so much that I have owned it for 20 years now( and I am 6' 4, so you can imagine how small it looks). I will admit that it does sound different than my Alembic, but then again, nothing sounds like an Alembic.