Growl From set necks?

[maclamb]

I didn't say good - I said not what was expected. Break in period or no. I never said it wouldn't sound good (however you choose to define good). Matter of fact, if I drop $15K on an instrument it had better sound FREAKING AMAZING.  
 
That's a given. My point was BTO and then have it not do what you expect.
 
 
And it's well to remember - it's all in your mind anyway - you never can know what the bass REALLY sounds like. You 're only comparing indirect sensory representations. It's all completely subjective.  
 
And we haven't even discussed $150 guitar cables yet LOL

[keith_h]

Joe said:
And we haven't even discussed $150 guitar cables yet LOL  
 
Actually we had a couple of conversations last fall on instrument and speaker cables. If you search the site you should be able to find them. :-)  
 
Keith

[adriaan]

I'm still in shock that people here seem to agree on what to understand by growl. One man's growl might be another man's string buzz. What one might consider a nice bottom end, the other might call a lower mid range that is being bumped beyond recognition.

[maclamb]

thanks adriaan - at least for noobs like me - some samples will help. Other wise black squggles on a white background don't help much

[rami]

I suppose that trying to describe sound is a bit like trying to describe color.  We can only use euphemisms that others can relate to.  I describe Growl as actually sounding like a growl, a deep, tight, full, crisp Bass tone.  
Growl is a term I use more for a fretless Bass. I use the term Punch for my fretted Basses.
 
My first ever Alembic was a fretless Walnut Excel 4 with basic electronics (which I like best).  With the Alembic round wound nickel plated steel strings - It had GROWL!  
It sounded hauntingly very similar to Jaco's fretless tone - regardless of what I plugged into.  That never went away.  I can't fully explain why I love the sound of the Excel so much.  It may be the pickup position with it's wide aperture.  The set neck, Pau-Ferro fingerboard and Ash body  definitely play an enormous role.  
I never needed someone to sell me on my Alembics - I just tried them and couldn't give them back.
 
I just think that the basic Excel is just the greatest Bass in the world.
 
In my simple, subjective opinion.
 
Rami

[maclamb]

Rami
This is why they have color swatches. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantone
 
(Message edited by maclamb on March 09, 2007)

[hieronymous]

All I really wanted to say was that there is an example of a neck-through bass - the Rickenbacker 4001 and 4003 - that is often regarded as possessing growl.  
 
I went to far in trying to characterize neck-throughs vs. bolt-ons, so take anything I set in regards to that issue with a grain of salt. Also, I agree with the comments regarding the ambiguity of the term growl - I think I have an idea, but can't go into it now...

[mele_aloha]

I thank you all for your enterpretations of Growl.  
 
I want to clarify to some of you that where I live it is not possible to go try basses on like clothes so that is why I am using this forum to try and get some of your opinions.
 
Also I would like to say that I never said anything about being dissapointed if my Series II doesn't have Growl. I was simply asking if you guys know if Bolt-ons produce more Growl than Neck throughs.
 
I guess you could say that my opinion of Growl is that of like when someone has a little flim in their throat and they continue to talk without clearing it. A kind of fullness in the note where it almost sounds over modulated. But then again like someone said everybody's opinion of Growl may be different.  
 
I don't compare growl as being a tone. I find that Growl can happen in many tones.  
 
U14, I think you describe it beautifully. Thank you for your time, I know it is precious and I appreciate it very much. This is not to say that there were many different good opinions, thank all of you including Kevin and Keith. Very good explanations.  
 
Like I say, I know pretty much what to expect from my Series II, but no one will really know what their bass will completely sound like until it's finished. All you can do is try and use the best combinations into the recipe and hope for the best.  
 
As you see my new neck design, you can now tell that I have used alot of info off of this forum to help me as it is completely different from my original order. So I thank all of you for helping me in here as like I said I have no way of going to Alembic and trying instruments.
 
Maybe this thread helped you too, ha Maclamb? Just think also, you never have to go to Alembic again as you now know that they can't make anything to suit you. You can just keep moving on until you find the right sound!!
 
Aloha guys, Paul

[maclamb]

Paul - Exactly!
As my wife said - if your bass has the exact tone you want and you can't get it on another ...Buy another one as a backup!
 
So, I'm off the bass lookout and now working on cabinets.

[dannobasso]

I have a neck thru fretless 7 w/wide ph lams. I would describe the sound as precise, focused and defined.Not a lot of growl. (DM will lee rw 7 set) But as Rami stated the sound is also in your hands. Pressure and release amounts, gauge of strings and the action will be significant factors.
 
 I really like the sound on a few Jethro Tull albums, (A, Roots to Branches, Broadsword) very mwhah + growl. I had a mutant bolt 4 a long while back, Shedua body, emg pj, badass bridge, Kubiki lined neck w/epoxy that I could never get to behave. Too much movement in the neck. Not too growly as I remember.
 
 I just ordered an Excel fretless 5 that should be a completely different animal. I can chime in with more experience in a few months.

[mele_aloha]

Well ya know Danno,
 
I only like Growl for certain songs or styles and I don't expect it out of any bass. I was just wondering if I order another bass from Alembic and I want a bass that has nice growl then I am just trying to find out which is the best one to order. But I know that in the near future I am going to want to go to Alembic and just try out Basses just like Maclamb did. Except that unlike his results there, I'm sure I won't even be able to leave the place because I'll be so in love with everything they've got. Although I really don't even know what they have.
 
Does Alembic have a showroom so to speak that you can try out different basses. I'm pretty sure you have to make an appointment to go there. Or is that just if you are going to interview and tour?
 
If anybody knows this I would rather ask here than call on Mica as I know she is very busy and somebody here should know most of the answers to my questions.
 
I am just feeling everybody out about this without having to read the whole forum.
 
Well, I'll let her go here and say Aloha, Paul

[Bradley Young]

They do have a showroom, and they have always been very welcoming (I've been twice, both times they've been lovely to my wife and me (and my kids)).
 
Make an appointment with Mica and go.  You'll really enjoy it.

[maclamb]

Personally, I have been there a few times. Next time I'll go all the way to san jose and try the basses there at Guitar Showcase. Mica kinda hinted at this, I think. Also, Alembic only has a F1 preamp and crown amp to play through - at a guitar place you'll have more choices of amps and speakers.
Maybe I caught them on a bad day (though I did make an appt.) - but there seemed a subtle pressure and annoyance of having me try all the basses, IMHO. And, since they are special orders for people, they are very sensitive (as well they should be) to others handling the instruments. And how long do you want to spend playing? Remember you're sitting in the front office area and playing  - how long would you feel right sitting in a business environment? Of Course, YMMV. Plus, I think Mica picked up on the fact I'm not a real potential customer - as I quickly came ot realize as I tried the basses -  and that may have had an effect...
The tour, however, was great. And if I was gonna fork over a bazzilion $ for a custom made bass - i'd go - there myself - pick out the woods, etc. It's all part of the experience....
 
(Message edited by maclamb on March 10, 2007)
 
(Message edited by maclamb on March 10, 2007)

[hieronymous]

I've been to Guitar Showcase recently - they had a bunch of Alembic basses (plus at least one, if not two, Tributes!), but I wasn't particularly impressed with the amp selection. I'd give a call first and see what they have on-hand amp-wise...

[maclamb]

better yet, bring your own.