Author Topic: The Mini-Alembic Convention, North Carolina Style (Read 681 times)

ajdover · « **on:** May 14, 2005, 07:48:11 PM »

Gents and Gals, Well, I've been trying to have an Alembic get-together for a while here in Fayetteville. I finally succeeded, and the turnout was 100% of what I expected. Of course, it was only Keith and I, but hey, 100% is 100%! Keith came down from Holly Springs today, and was kind enough to bring his Brown Bass and his Orion 5. I countered with my Dragon's Wing, Spyder, and Europa. We played each other's instruments (Keith was especially fond of my Europa), and swapped stories about all things Alembic. Keith even explained what a byte was to me (I am somewhat "technically challenged" when it comes to technology!). However ... Once I got my hands on his Brown Bass, I knew what my next Alembic would (will) be. Man, that thing is absolutely amazing. I tried hiding his bass while he wasn't looking, but to no avail! I even offered to trade - he wanted my Spyder and Europa for his Brown Bass! There's no pleasing some folks I guess! :-) BTW, Keith is a great player, and a far better slapper/popper than I am. I learned a few things today - thanks, Keith! Anyway, wanted to share pics with everyone. If you ever get a chance to get together with another Alembic owner, do so. Keith is not only an Alembic owner, but a great player and person to boot (not to mention dinner companion). I look forward to visiting him and his family in Holly Springs soon. Thanks again Keith for making this a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Ahh yes, yet another reason to buy an Alembic ... Alan`Al with Keith's Orion}

(Message edited by davehouck on May 14, 2005)

richbass939 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 14, 2005, 09:13:58 PM »

Cool collection of basses. We had a really good time in Salt Lake City a couple of months ago. Looks like you guys had fun too.
Rich

ajdover · « **Reply #2 on:** May 14, 2005, 09:28:53 PM »

Rich,

We did. Keith had the first five string I've ever felt comfortable with (his Orion) ... uhh, I feel a GAS attack coming on ...

His Brown Bass is nothing short of astonishing. I just loved it. I thought the short scale would be a problem, but it wasn't. My next Alembic will be an SC model. It's that good.

Alan

keith_h · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2005, 06:22:08 AM »

I had a real good time. Alan was a great host and is a pretty good cook too. If you think he has a bass collecting fetish you should see the cooking gear. :-)

It was fun playing the different basses and being able to compare the different electronics side by side. Not something you get to do unless you live close to a stocking dealer. While they all have that Alembic sound there is quite a difference in how you dial in the tones. It did confirm my thoughts that I would like the Europa electronics
on my next bass.

Alan had enough amps so I left mine at home. It was nice to play through a different rig in a laid back atmosphere. I have never been much into hanging out in the big box stores and trying to test out equipment. The Ampeg stack with SF-2 sounded awsome. I would realy like to hear it one day where it can be openned up without having to worry about the neighbors house foundations. :-)

All said I had a great time and look forward to another one.

Keith

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 15, 2005, 09:28:27 AM »

Wow that RD Artist!(gibson),brings back memories!,that's a real Relic!

ajdover · « **Reply #5 on:** May 15, 2005, 09:37:36 AM »

Barnes,

Well, I guess that makes me a relic then! :-)

Oddly enough, that RD sounds great. I think it was Gibson's answer to Alembic back in the 70's, but it never really caught on. It's a beast, but it does have some very useful sounds, and it's surprising comfortable and easy to play.

Alan

bigredbass · « **Reply #6 on:** May 15, 2005, 10:49:18 AM »

ajd:

I had an RD Artist back in the day, and was without a doubt the heaviest bass I ever owned. Nothing else was even close. And it was very long. I also endured no end to the jokes about the 'Flying Shrimp' logo on the headstock!

Incidentally, about your sunburst DynaBass: Is it the earlier version with the thin pickups in mounting rings, or the PJ setup? I think these are terribly underrated (and terrific buys on the used market) basses, American made by one of my true heroes, Hartley Peavey.

Looks like y'all had a good time!

J o e y

palembic · « **Reply #7 on:** May 15, 2005, 04:26:50 PM »

Great you two had a wonderful time.
And about Alan's cooking gear ...I already had a glimpse of his cooking knives and his taste is as excuise as his taste for basses.

Paul the bad one

ajdover · « **Reply #8 on:** May 15, 2005, 06:01:35 PM »

Joey,

My Dyna Bass is the P/J set up, and it has a Kahler tremelo. Oddly enough, it does not have a serial number, but an inscription on the headstock dedicating the instrument to someone named Mike. I asked Peavey about this, and they told me all of their instruments have serial numbers ... looked all over and couldn't find it. In any event, it's a nice instrument, and was relatively cheap to boot.

Alan

senmen · « **Reply #9 on:** May 16, 2005, 04:38:02 AM »

Alan,Keith,
I think you had a great time. Unfortunately it is soo far away to join you.... :-)
The picture with Keith playing the Spyder is really great.
Hey guys, this headstock is most sexy or?
Alan, I am waiting for my DW too. It will be a special one with bird?s eye maple top and back and a dummy hum canceller to remind a bit to Johns Spyders.....

Oliver (Spyderman)

exploiterplayer · « **Reply #10 on:** May 16, 2005, 10:16:22 AM »

I'll bet you guys had a blast. I would have had a lot of fun playing all of those different basses. The Jazz bass brings back pre-Alembic memories for me. I mostly played Pre-CBS L-Series Jazz Basses until I found my Exploiter.

David Houck · « **Reply #11 on:** May 16, 2005, 02:43:21 PM »

Paul; what language is excuise??

bob · « **Reply #12 on:** May 16, 2005, 10:53:41 PM »

In English it would be exquisite.

Verbally, Paul is remarkably fluent in several languages (I can only respond to English, but can often make reasonable guesses to fill in the blanks), though his writing isn't quite as strong, especially when his wonderful imagination is running wild.

What I'm really curious about are the knives, and whether Paul actually saw them, or if there's a photo out here somewhere. Personally, I favor Henckels Professionals, but there are some other nice ones.

David Houck · « **Reply #13 on:** May 17, 2005, 04:44:55 AM »

I'm thinking that those Henckels Professionals are probably a bit too big for the gig bag, so I just carry a Swiss Army Knife.

David Houck · « **Reply #14 on:** May 17, 2005, 04:51:34 AM »

Oh, and I figured excuise would be French; but the Babel Fish didn't find it.