First gig!

[4001]

Ok, here's the scene.  Played my first gig with the Alembic - it was a benefit for a good friend with cancer who a very well known musician locally.  Anyway, shared the stage with other bands and had a club full bass players (all pro/semi-pro).  Truth be told, I'm probably the least experienced player there.  
 
You should have seen the reaction when the ol' Alembic came out.  Eye's got wide and everyone drifted to my side of the stage just waiting to hear the first note.  The song starts up and jaws from all these bassists drop to the floor!  And believe me, it wasn't due to my stellar playing!  After the show everyone is in line to look at, listen to, touch the Alembic.  And these are players that own Music Man's, Wall's, Ric's, Pedulla's, etc.
 
Think I may just have made a few converts that night.
 
I love this bass!

[olieoliver]

Very cool story John.  
 
I've only had my Alembics recognized once and that was by a retired music professor.  
 
I took one of them to Guitar Center once trying to find a gig to fit it and I about fell over laughing at the clerk when he ask, ?Nice bass, who makes them?.  
 
Olie

[jazzyvee]

It is not an unusual story. Be prepared a repeat performance from your audience on future gigs. They are rare and beautiful instruments.
 
Not to put a damper on things, but as a
personal thing I don't let anyone hold or play my instruments on gigs, ( alembic or not), either before or after.
 
It's only a matter of time before someone drops one. If that happens, who do you think is gonna pay for it???
 
Many bass players think Alembics are expensive so if they don't own one, then I presume they would rather not shell out the money to replace one they have broken either.
 
Enjoy it, keep it safe in your fingers.
 
 
Welcome to the club... :-)
 
 
Jazzyvee

[terryc]

I remember the first time I used my MK Signature, many people asked who made it but were unsure about the company, the best was when I was in a pub and a guy came up to me and said You're the bloke with the Alembic, do you want to sell it, he offered me double the price I paid for it in NY where I bought it( I am from the UK). I had waited 20 years for one so I kindly refused.

[jacko]

Hey Terry. I'm coming down to Whitby for a weeks holiday this saturday. Are the midnight bear playing anywhere in the next 7 days?
 
Graeme

[benson_murrensun]

I played my first gig with an Alembic bass, June 16, 2007, outdoors, in Golden, CO. We played classic rock covers (Band, Dead, Allmans). I ran it through my SVT Classic Head and 8 X 10 cab. It was very satisfying. Three people inquired about the bass, but none of them knew about Alembic.

[terryc]

Jacko...sorry drummer is away on hols , if the weather is fine I may blast up to Whitby on Sunday afternoon on the fireblade, could meet up and talk all things Alembic(anoraks rule!!)
Will send tel number to e mail address..hope the weather holds out

[richbass939]

John, cool story.  People who recognize the Alembic name or logo are always interested and the ones who don't know what it is will know a great sound when they hear one.
Benson, (sorry for the short thread hijack, John) I'm in Golden for one week each fall.  I'd like to go to one of your gigs or at least get together if we could (I take a bass with me).  Let me know.
Rich
Edit: Forgot my manners.  John, welcome to the club.
 
(Message edited by richbass939 on July 28, 2007)

[paulman]

I had a surpise a couple of years ago.  
 
We were playing a gig in this little bar, and on break.  This guy named Captain Crooner (he did a ukelele bit during our break too) leaned towards my Skylark and said What is that, an Alembic?  I almost fell over!  Never before or since has that happened.

[howierd]

I was playing a gig last Saturday night and this young man asked me if my 77 SeriesI was a warwick. I had to laugh out loud.
Howierd

[ajdover]

Couldn't be a Warwick.  In order for it to be a Warwick it would have to be:
 
1. For the most part, made out of some type of dark wood (yes, I know they have lighter woods).
2. Have a neck like a baseball bat.
3. Have really dead strings (can't forget that Guitar Center experience, you know).
4. Be recommended by a GC salesman.
5. Sound horrible regardless of what one plugs it into.
6. Be heavier than my '81 Gibson Victory Artist (believe it or not, it's heavier than any of the Alembics I own).
7. Feel like a boat anchor in one's hands.
8. Been played by some metal artist of the moment, preferably with some kind of mask on.
 
Geez, I crack myself up.
 
 
Before all the Warwick owners come to my door with torches and a battering ram ... I'm only kidding!  My comments are more in line with a lot of stereotypes I've seen on other forums, and are meant to be taken tongue in cheek.
 
I know there are some great Warwicks out there, but I think it's because they're so popular with many young players these days that the individual asked if it was a Warwick.  That and the fact that Alembics aren't a mass produced instrument.
 
Speaking for myself, I wouldn't play a Warwick even if it was one of John Entwistle's original Warwick Buzzards.  Every Warwick I've ever played (outside of GC too) just didn't appeal to me, but to each his/her own.  What works for one guy (or gal) may not work for another, and that's cool.  It's great we have so many choices in instruments today, whether it's an Alembic or other marque.  It wasn't always that way.
 
Alan
 
P.S.  Last time I took an Alembic into a GC (it was my SC Sig Std) a crowd developed, and I had to refuse repeated requests to try it out, especially amongst the younger crowd (based on what they were doing to Warwicks, Fenders, and Musicmans, I demurred).

[ajdover]

 
 
(Message edited by ajdover on September 14, 2007)

[Bradley Young]

I didn't nickname my Warwick The Tank for nothing.
 
The Epic feels like a toy after playing the 'wick for a few years.