Author Topic: Mark King new balanced k model (Read 345 times)

dubalbal · « **on:** April 11, 2005, 09:06:21 AM »

Everyone knows Mark King and his basses...but did he ever tried the new balanced k model ? Another question is : how does alembic utilize the right to use his name for new model of basses ( for example , new bal k model ) ? Does Mark King knows there his a new model on his name ? ...well , i'm no business man at all so i wished someone could explain me how all those deals work ? thank's alembifriends

ALAIN - TBO ( the belgian one...hi paul ! )

flaxattack · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2005, 10:07:18 AM »

mark king refers more to the electronics and the neck dims etc
you could pick out and change the body design and customize it
like i did
mark king signature deluxe- bal k body, neck dims,etc

southpaw · « **Reply #2 on:** April 11, 2005, 10:25:18 AM »

As Flaxattack pointed out, a model name simply refers to a few standard items that are unique to that model. One reason we love Alembic is because you can customize any model! An Essence with an Exploiter body for example... Electronics, body shape, whatever you want.
Also the K in balance K body does not refer to Mark King, rather the K is for a club member who wanted a different shape body that was lighter and better balanced than the classic standard shape.

dubalbal · « **Reply #3 on:** April 11, 2005, 01:15:22 PM »

Hi Jeff and Southpaw ,

Well , thanks to you , i understand a bit better...i thought that may be , mark king has been advised that a new model on his name was on production and he'd tried it ...after all , stanley , i think , plays his own model ( body shape only...) and seems to be partly involved in basses models having his name ...

Thank's again alembifriends

ALAIN TBO ( the belgian one )

alanbass1 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 11, 2005, 11:52:56 PM »

My take is that a signature model is only valid if either the artist is endorsing the model, or the guitar is one that is, or has, been used by the artist. I don't subscribe to the notion that a signature is down to pick ups and electronics as the construction, and mass, of the instrument would have a large bearing on the sound. After all, a signature model, which is not endorsed directly, should be able to replicate the look and sound of the instrument actually played by the artist.

Well, that's my take anyway.

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2005, 06:07:48 AM »

I think Alain and Alan have made a good point. For someone who has never visited this forum, and doesn't have the information that we've been able to accumulate, if they saw an ad in the local paper for a used Mark King, it does not seem unreasonable that they would expect that the bass being advertised has some connection to Mark King the bassplayer. Alembic does put the letter 'C' in the serial number of some basses that have been customized, so that for instance instead of a Mark King 4 string, the bass becomes a Custom 4 string. However, I do have a bass with a point body and Europa electronics that the serial number says is an Orion. At what point that happens, I don't know. It is interesting that according to the quote generator, you can order a Stanley Clarke with a regular Standard Point body and Europa electronics. Perhaps the answer is that if you own a Mark King with a K body, you tell people that you own a Mark King model with a custom Balance K body.

dubalbal · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2005, 08:10:31 AM »

Hi Dave ,

Thanks for the explanation . ...do you think it's possible that mark king knows about this new body ( bal k ) ? For example , is it possible that alembic called mark and told him : we have a new body shape with your name on it , is it ok for u ? ...and may be send him one model ?

Thank's

ALAIN

flaxattack · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2005, 10:42:52 AM »

balance k shape has nothing to do with mark king

bsee · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2005, 12:09:17 PM »

And Alembic doesn't send basses to anyone, Alain. I don't know what the actual deal is between Alembic and the players for whom they have signature models, but it doesn't involve sending them free instruments. My understanding from chats with Alembic is that the 30th Anniversary bass they made for Stanley was the only give-away they have done, and that was a thank you for many years of dedication.

-Bob

kenbass4 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2005, 12:39:18 PM »

To expand on what Bob said, the Signature models have the body style of the SERIES Basses that Stanley Clarke and Mark King use (Short Scale for the Clarke, Long Scale for the King), but to put the basses in the hands of more players, they use the Signature electronics, which cost considerably less than the Series. Mark King and Stanley both paid for every Alembic that they played, with the exception of Stanley's 30th anniversary model.

dannobasso · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2005, 05:38:08 PM »

For those in the north joisey area, GCParamus has a used mk balance K w led's and stinger for about $5400.
Danno

88persuader · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2005, 08:57:36 PM »

Very interesting topic. Well we're all members of this club and it's probably safe to say we're all very PRO Alembic. It's the only brand I play now. But I have to agree that when I buy an instrument that's endorsed ... or even named after an artist I expect that they had a lot to do with it's design and they actually USE or at least USED it sometimes. I of course also realize that companies use endorsements from famous people to help sell items so you need to take things with a small grain of salt. Heck Steve Morse of the Dixi Dregs indorsed a Music Man guitar several years ago and when i saw them he pulled it out for ONE tune. Granted it was only one tune but at least he actually played it.

I'd LOVE to hear Alembics official stand on this subject.

So what do you think Alembic? These rooms are monitored and we're all friends and loyal Alembic players here. What is your criteria for calling a bass or guitar a Signature instrument? I have a Stanley Clark standard and LOVE it. However I doubt Stanley ever used Signature electronics ... or Essence electronics during a recording session or tour. How does this work?

rklisme · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2005, 10:23:18 PM »

Speaking of Mark King! Looks like an Alembic to me.

Rory
http://www.basslobster.com/videos/mark_king.html

dubalbal · « **Reply #13 on:** April 13, 2005, 02:00:17 AM »

Hi Rory ,

Yes indeed , i think it 's an alembic ! I've seen this a lot of time and you can have a full-video tape called fait accompli describing the life on tour , rehearsals...Btw , i already found once on the web , a small site that was teaching how mark king plays this fast trick ! It was relatively simple ( not for me ) but required a lot of precision ! Too bad i lost the link to that website , i'll try to find it back ...if you have it or any video teaching how to play that , don't hesitate , post it ! thank's

ALAIN

haddimudd · « **Reply #14 on:** April 19, 2005, 01:46:25 PM »

C'mon guys, why would you speculate while Ken already delivered the correct answer. Both Mark King and Stanley Clarke use Series models of the body shapes and neck scales they used to get associated with.

The Signature models have been created to make the respective style of bass more affordable for the audiences. Less expensive electronics are the main feature of the signature models compared to their Series' counterparts while maintaining the general feel of the original Series instrument.

Therefore if you are referring to a Signature Mark King bass you are not referring to the actual Series II model Mark King is using but to the type of long scale model with the specific and more affordable signature electronics.

Signature in this case became the name of a new model line, in the same way as Series I and Series II are just model names and not meant to indicate these instruments would by any means be produced in large quantities on an assembly line.

Accordingly the Signature instruments are not supposed to be exact copies of the instruments of their name holders but rather the more affordable version of their more expensive counterparts, losely yet not arbitrarily connected to the basses and names of Mark King and Stanley Clarke who in turn gave their autographs for these models.

Of course you can always start with a Signature instrument and have it customized as you go, that is why you are dealing with Alembic. Unless you change the electronics you would always refer to that instrument as a Signature model, although as Dave mentioned at some point you may just call it a Custom instrument with Signature electronics.

Besides, if you like to watch Mark King play his Series bass check out the DVD section at www.level42.com or this real player clip: http://www.level42.com/media/video/mk_dsl_320x240.ram. Enjoy!

(Message edited by haddimudd on April 19, 2005)