Author Topic: Other players with YOUR Alembic (Read 1355 times)

811952 · « **on:** November 09, 2011, 05:34:03 AM »

I have the good fortune to get to play quite a bit but not too much. A couple of times a week I've been helping out with local jam sessions. Tuesdays are jam and open-mic at a place called Blu Katt. There's usually a wide variety of genres represented and players range from near-beginner to very accomplished. I've been bringing the bass rig and letting folks play whatever bass I bring on any particular night, and I've been letting complete strangers play my Series bass. It's been fun to watch and listen to them work it out, and it's probably good for my Karma..

Here's a pic from last night, with Jeremy Palm playing 811952. He and his wife have a band called Big Dead Bird and I'm more than a little envious of their eclectic and very hip song list. But I digress.. Great player, by the way..

You guys/gals have pics of other folks playing your Alembics?

John

tbrannon · « **Reply #1 on:** November 09, 2011, 08:57:48 AM »

Karma points to you....

I'm curious to hear the comments from the players after having a go at an Alembic. I've always handed mine over without any problems and have always gotten rave reviews in terms of playability and tone. Guys who know about Alembics but have never played them typically end up telling me, 'Now I understand what all the fuss is about'.

gtrguy · « **Reply #2 on:** November 09, 2011, 09:35:34 AM »

I have not taken anything but the Epic to a jam session as I have seen too many instruments get damaged or dropped over the years. Last year I saw a mint old Gibson SG get a dent into the fretboard from some vocalist who knocked the mic stand over into it while getting into the mood. I know that Gibson owner feels that dent every time he plays that guitar.

I once saw a guy talk a Ferarri owner into letting him drive his 308 at a track day I was watching. He spun it off the road way down the track where no one but I and my binoculars could see. Ten minutes later he came around into the pits with smoke coming out the back and I heard him telll a bs story to the owner about how the car just started smoking.

More power to you though! They are meant to be played!

Dave

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #3 on:** November 09, 2011, 04:42:14 PM »

Wow, I'm so jealous about my Rogue that I couldn't let anyone touch her. I would be a pain in the S, asking him to take off his belt, checking if he washed hands first. Better not...

kenbass4 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 10, 2011, 08:08:40 AM »

My Favorite: Paul TBO playing my Series 2 in 2008 at the Bay Area Alembic Gathering

811952 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 10, 2011, 08:24:07 AM »

Ah, yes, and the elusive pic of the 3rd hand in action.

pauldo · « **Reply #6 on:** November 10, 2011, 07:32:45 PM »

Many hands on my Distillate at the Chicago Gathering - and they were soo good - one guy even played my bass with a Bass!

But having fellow owners play my Alembic is different than having someone unfamiliar with the joys of Alembics play them.

Sorry no pics of unfamiliar people playing my 'baby'. Side note: everytime my son comes to visit he can't wait to play it - he really enjoys it.

hieronymous · « **Reply #7 on:** November 10, 2011, 10:12:28 PM »

It's definitely less stressful when other Alembicians are the ones playing them - I had no qualms letting our noble moderator Dave Houck play my 5 string Stanley at the most recent SF Bay Area Gathering!

811952 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 12, 2011, 11:03:03 AM »

Pauldo, your Distillate is a wonderful bass. That thing sings.

John

oggydoggy · « **Reply #9 on:** December 14, 2011, 08:31:30 PM »

Greetings
I find whenever another player attempts to play my bass, it sounds awful. And the comments include The action is too low or wow too many highs why does it sound so good when you play it?

Any other bad experiences?
-Ed

terryc · « **Reply #10 on:** December 15, 2011, 01:56:58 AM »

When I let(which is very rare) anyone play the MK I get the same reaction as you oggy, mainly because their own basses have the action at mount everest levels and do not understand the subtleties of low pass filters - they assume them to be treble & bass boost/cut controls.
It took me 6 months of playing and experimenting with the controls as well as the pre gains on the pre amps to get the type of sounds I want.
Without dissing anyone, if you have played a passive bass and then jump to an active one whether it be an Alembic or some other make, you need to take time to understand the controls and what they do as opposed to 'it's just like a P bass but with more knobs!'

eligilam · « **Reply #11 on:** December 15, 2011, 06:27:25 AM »

My guitar player commented that my Alembic bass played more easily than his guitar.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #12 on:** December 15, 2011, 12:24:55 PM »

I'm still quite protective about letting anyone play my alembics. Apart from me I think only two other people have played one of my basses. But not at a gig yet. I do plan to arrange with one of my pro-bass player friends to use one of my basses on one of his gigs that I can go to so I can get an idea of how it sounds live. I understand there will be differences in his tone and mine on the same instrument but its an easy way for me to hear what the bass sounds like FOH.

Jazzyvee

malthumb · « **Reply #13 on:** December 19, 2011, 05:55:04 PM »

A few years ago I went to a GTG in northern Ohio. A bunch of guys from Detroit, Cleveland, and Indiana showed up. Most of them got a chance to play 87-4431. The lucky guy in this picture is Detroit bassist Steve Burk. I think that's his Sadowsky casting a jealous glance.

malthumb · « **Reply #14 on:** December 19, 2011, 05:58:23 PM »

John (811952),

What is that square patch to the left of your cable port?