Author Topic: Slapping on an alembic (Read 206 times)

mascarasnake · « **on:** June 23, 2006, 04:11:43 PM »

Can it be done? From what I see all of the necks are set necks and neckthrus, and usually bolt-ons tend to be better for the percussive quality.

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2006, 04:39:14 PM »

Hello Bill,
Well, Stanley Clarke seemed okay with Alembic neck thru models....

and Louis Johnson of The Brothers Johnson...

Check the Artists & Their Alembics thread

Mike

lidon2001 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2006, 05:18:45 PM »

Stanley Clarke and Mark King, two Alembic Signature models are named after slap monsters. Yes, you can slap an Alembic. The better percussive quality is in Alembic's corner, IMHO.

T

lidon2001 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2006, 05:32:13 PM »

In addition, I want to add that after playing my new Alembics, I can't even think of going to a Franken-bass (bass with bolts in the neck) such as my amazing '83 USA Vintage Reissue Jazz. It really can't hold a note against my Alembics. The Fender just needs to age a few more years before I sell it.

My Alembics can be slapped just fine. And most players could slap them better than me!

T

bigredbass · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2006, 06:30:53 PM »

Bolt-ons are better for bolt manufacturers.

J o e y

olieoliver · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2006, 07:19:39 PM »

Well lets see here. I have several bolt on basses and several neck thru models and can slap them all just fine.
I will admit that on my Alembics I had to clean up my slapping some. I credit this to the Alembics superior quality in sound. On my Alembic basses I have to raise my palm up a tad to keep it from hitting the strings. In other words, nothing gets by the Alembic. It is a much more sensitive instrument than the average bass.
It's like the first time you sing with an in ear monitor, or sing in a studio with headphones. You can really hear everything, mistakes in all.

hankster · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2006, 04:18:01 AM »

You can not only slap on an Alembic, you can get every nuanced slap sound ever recorded. It requires a bit more right hand precision (at least on my Stanley Clarke model) than some other basses but once you are used to it there is no going back.

Rick

pauldo · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2006, 06:17:05 AM »

Hankster speaks the truth, on my Distillate (when strung with round wounds) I can dig in really hard with my right hand doing fingerstyle and get the precussive 'slap' sound, which I have seen Stanley do also.

worldfamousandy · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2006, 04:54:08 AM »

I love the sound of the Alembic being slapped. High fidelity definitely lends itself well to the technique. I do occasionally struggle with finding enough room between the neck pickup and the neck, however. You have to be precise with that right hand! Also, if you really start to go nuts, you risk slapping the pickup selector switch. That can be painful (I once actually drew blood from one of these accidents). I play a '76 Series 1, and I believe the newer ones feature a repositioned selector switch.

Andy Calder
www.andycalderbass.com

palembic · « **Reply #9 on:** June 25, 2006, 08:49:07 AM »

Slapping on an Alembic has it's own peticular sound I guess.
An Alembic through-neck is very responsive to brights and lows as I read somewhere written by Mica.

Paul TBO

I see that the contingent Pauls is steadily growing!
***Sigh*** ....it's great to be a Paul!

wideload · « **Reply #10 on:** June 25, 2006, 04:46:06 PM »

YOU BRUTES!
Alembics are to be caressed gently with the fingers, not beaten like common basses. I beg you, seek help!

Larry

keavin · « **Reply #11 on:** June 27, 2006, 08:23:00 AM »

I slap the sh!t outta my Alembic cause when it Cries everybody can hear it & that's what it likes!

apdavis · « **Reply #12 on:** June 27, 2006, 11:49:12 AM »

Trip Wamsley does an awesome job incorporating slap into his writing, Very worthy of a listen.
http://www.tripwamsley.com/news.htm
http://www.tripwamsley.com/totma.htm

jacko · « **Reply #13 on:** June 27, 2006, 02:49:39 PM »

And he's a really nice guy to chat with aswell.

graeme