Excel question

[trekster]

Has Alembic ever done an Excel bass in neck-thru instead of set?  I'd ask if it were possible, but I'm sure it is -- just wondering if it has ever been done.
 
Yeah, I'm dreaming  a little -- I just trying to reconcile my love for neck thru and my lust for the excel body shape.
 
--T

[bigideas]

yes, they have.
 
http://www.alembic.com/info/FC_stealth.html

[apdavis]

But then again, by the nature of the beast, it was an Essence with an Excel body shape.  The set neck with the body defines the Excel model.
You can get the Excel with different neck construction than the maple/walnut configuration.

[rami]

I feel that the set neck construction is key to the growl that the Excel is known for.  Neck construction plays a huge role in how an instrument sounds.  Sure Alembic can build you a neck through Excel, but once you change how it's constructed and perhaps it's electronic configuration, you no longer have an Excel.  You end up with a custom Bass shaped like the Excel.  It'll have better sustain with ringing harmonics, but less of that punch and growl that makes the Excel so special.

[mele_aloha]

So Rami,
 
In your opinion would you say that a Series II doesn't get the growl that a Excel does? I mean this as a real question because I don't know.
 
Thanks, Paul

[rami]

A Series II (I own 2 of them)  has a super clean, clear, tone that rings like a bell.  Amazing sustain and chorus-like harmonics.  But it does not sound anything like an Excel.  The Excel has a great raunchy growl (a fretless Excel is growl heaven) that's unique.
 
Just as I've seen Alembic neck-through Jazz Basses which I know are superior in quality, woods and construction and I'm sure sound absolutely amazing.  But they won't sound like a bolt-on neck, passive-electronics Jazz Bass.  Sometimes, we don't necessarily want the perfect clarity and sustain.  Sometimes we (I) feel in the mood for the punch and growl of a set-neck or a bolt-on.  Don't forget that the Jazz Bass has been around for 47 years and is still the best selling and most copied Bass of all time.  There must be a good reason for that.
 
Rami
 
(Message edited by rami on March 03, 2007)

[jacko]

Don't forget that the Jazz Bass has been around for 47 years and is still the best selling and most copied Bass of all time. There must be a good reason for that.  
 
perhaps not enough people know about Alembic ;-)
 
Graeme

[lowlife]

I grew up with the Jazz bass; it was the sound and the feel that was always part of my inspiration.  After taking a 20-year haitus (during which time I sold all of my gear), my first purchase was a Jazz bass.  It didn't sound right anymore but it sure felt comfortable around my neck.
 
Then I played my first Excel and the Jazz bass no longer had the same mental attraction (gave it to my nephew).  I've gone through a few Alembics, and last month got the itch for that Jazz bass again.  Bought one on eBay and realized that it's just the feel of the jazz bass around my neck that holds the attraction for me, as there is nothing that the Jazz can do that either of my Excel's cannot.  IMHO, the Excel's do it better in every way.
 
Nope, I'm not going to sell the Jazz at this time as I intend to use it as therepy every time I think I want one; I'll just strap it on and remember why it sits in it's case.  An expensive medallion, but a great reminder.
 
Ellery (Lowlife)

[rami]

I agree Ellery.  Coming from a mostly Jazz Bass upbringing, I sooooooo fell in love with the Excel.  I prefer the basic single pickup Excel with it's BIG, PUNCHY sound.  It always dominates the sound in any band I play with.  I'm sure that if Jaco was alive today and tried an Excel, he'd be hooked.  If you want growl and punch, the Excel simply can't be beat.
 
Rami
 
(Message edited by rami on March 03, 2007)

[bumhucker]

i agree!  i have an excel with an mxy and a fat boy and that fatboy stands up to the neck pickup very nicely.