Author Topic: Alembics at Open Mics (Read 2596 times)

JuancarlinBass · « **Reply #15 on:** March 23, 2013, 08:00:38 AM »

What is really comforting is that, despite all the mishaps and awkwardnesses, there are always situations such as Edwin's that makes us not giving up on hope entirely. I suppose if I gather a bunch of musician friends who I know well as good people who also take good care of their instruments, maybe it would happen like that to me too (but not yet so far)

stout71 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 23, 2013, 08:26:45 AM »

There's something to be said for getting a good vibe from the person expecting to play your instrument as well. I would find it impossible to let anyone go near a 10K instrument, but I wouldn't be bringing something like that to an open mic night either. However, my 1997 (pre-mass production) Warwick is a superb instrument and I would have no problem letting someone else play it as long as they were professional about it. Any less and I wouldn't hesitate to decline.

edwin · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2013, 10:29:29 AM »

I have to say that a festival situation is very different from open mic. All the bands at the festivals I've played at have reached a certain level of competence, so it's pretty much ensured that all of the bass players will be of a reasonable caliber.

pauldo · « **Reply #18 on:** March 23, 2013, 04:09:31 PM »

Joe Lynn Turner wanted to play my Distillate one night, we were the house band at a club and he was in town for Summerfest.

I declined the offer - mostly because he was too cool to come and ask me. His roadie (who looked like Hulk Hogan) came up to me In between sets to ask me if Joe could play it - then as we were getting ready to go back on stage, I pulled my Distillate out of her case and he says so this is the bass?

I didn't feel comfortable with the whole situation and couldn't allow my baby to be touched by anyone else that night.

alembickoa · « **Reply #19 on:** March 23, 2013, 05:43:04 PM »

Well, having done a few laps around the track riding the house bassist horse, I especially adhere harder and faster to a rule I am already super glued to...bring your own ax. Period. If I know you, there is a possibility that I might come unglued from my stone tablet. Same rule for my Alembic goes for my Mexi-Jazz. It's just not a wise thing to do. Circumstances are different every time the question is put forth, but the gravity does not change.

slawie · « **Reply #20 on:** March 23, 2013, 06:12:37 PM »

I always use my fretless Alembic. There are no fret markers on the finger board and only a faint gold dot at position 5, 7 and 12. I have never come across anyone brave enough to borrow it.
slawie

edwin · « **Reply #21 on:** March 23, 2013, 06:24:30 PM »

Well, that sounds like a challenge! I'd be happy to borrow it at the next jam!

slawie · « **Reply #22 on:** March 23, 2013, 07:52:28 PM »

A challenge indeed. Consider my gauntlet being thrown at your feet!

slawie

edwin · « **Reply #23 on:** March 23, 2013, 08:09:21 PM »

And yet, I shall be victorious!

[film still removed]

Of course, this might be more easily managed if there weren't quite so much distance between us.

(Message edited by adriaan on March 24, 2013)

that_sustain · « **Reply #24 on:** March 24, 2013, 12:32:05 AM »

I'd never take my Alembic bass to an open jam...at least not in Columbus. There's always some really drunk guy that just has to have his way with everything, with his friends having to pull him away from whatever he so desires.

Didn't Abbie Hoffman get bopped in the head by Pete Townsend for a similar situation?

moonliner · « **Reply #25 on:** March 24, 2013, 01:01:46 AM »

Edwin, that's just about what my Steinberger looked like after the guy was done with it!

adriaan · « **Reply #26 on:** March 24, 2013, 04:12:52 AM »

Moderator's note:

Apologies to Edwin for spoiling his repartee, but the picture of King Arthur and the recently dismembered Black Knight will not be to everyone's taste.

Adriaan

keith_h · « **Reply #27 on:** March 24, 2013, 05:41:18 AM »

Since owning them I have only taken my Alembics to open mics without issue. The only time I have been asked was at gigs where I politely replied No or an instance of the drunk who didn't bother to ask and was summarily thrown out of the bar.

One place around here that used to have regular open mics resolved the no instrument by owning a Squire Jazz Bass and Stratocaster. I also am friends with a local house band and they carry a Squire Jazz Bass for the same reason. Guitarist are on their own for some reason.

Keith

bigredbass · « **Reply #28 on:** April 09, 2013, 11:22:39 PM »

Back when I used to do 'walk-ins', I take the bigredbass and I'd let anybody play it that was reasonable, not hard in Nashville, lots of great players who realize what they're holding; you very well may be playing next to a guy with a primo vintage guitar that's even more expensive.

On the other hand, bars are @#$%holes regardless, and I have said NO quite easily on a few occasions as required. Said hapless churls, I wouldn't have even let them play a Squire !

J o e y

coop · « **Reply #29 on:** January 17, 2014, 07:27:32 PM »

I don't take any of my Alembics out to jams. Besides looking like a pompous ass when refusing to let anyone else play it, there are way too many opportunities for damage. When I go to jams, I take my Warwick Corvette $$ or, if I know there'll be folks who need a bass, I bring one of my Kramer Dukes - aluminum neck and impossible to damage.