Author Topic: Are people startled? what questions they pose about your bass? (Read 466 times)

keavin · « **on:** August 04, 2004, 10:53:31 PM »

People are often drawn to the purity of alembic's unique soundness.,,,,.what are some of their comments?

bracheen · « **Reply #1 on:** August 05, 2004, 02:56:28 AM »

My son-in-law, who plays a Stingray in a metal band, said my Epic is what a rock bass should sound like.

Sam

karl · « **Reply #2 on:** August 05, 2004, 05:19:17 AM »

It's funny, but the average punter at a gig doesn't usually have any comments about the sound of the bass - I guess the average gig-goer doesn't listen out for the bass, and if the bass sound is doing its job well (as an Alembic always does), Joe Public just has a vague awareness that the band 'sounds good' (in bass player terms, it's because the overall sound has the kind of rock solid bottom-end and mid range definition that only an Alembic can give). In fact, Joe Public usually just comments on the look of the bass (quilted maple MK Standard): I've lost track of the number of times some guy's come up to me after a gig and asked 'Is that a Ricky/PRS/Gibson/Jaydee/insert any inappropriate name here?'. And when I patiently explain that 'No, it's an Alembic' (and I usually have to spell this for them, too), I usually get a blank-eyed stare and 'Uh, never 'eard of that. You wanna get yourself a Ricky, mate . . .'. Ah, educating the masses, eh?

It's usually the sound man or fellow bass players who comment on the Alembic sound: 'I wish everybody who played here brought one of those things' is a common one from sound men; And I've had 'What pedals do you use to get that sound?' from fellow bassists - I take great pleasure in showing them that my cable goes straight from the bass to the amp then to the DI box - 'No pedals anywhere, mate, the bass just sounds like that!'

K.
www.harambeuk.com

smokin_dave · « **Reply #3 on:** August 05, 2004, 10:10:04 AM »

Usually I'm asked if my Rogue 5 is custom or not.While it does have a few custom features(purpleheart neck lam's,abalone ovals,purpleheart top,THG knobs)I have to explain that besides the knobs,it came out of the factory that way as in I didn't order it as it is.Then I have to explain that every Alembic is hand carved and slightly different than other Alembic basses and that you can custom order one to what ever your your heart(and bank account)desires.One guy just couldn't believe that my Rogue was made that way out of the factory so I had to steer him to the Alembic web site so he could see for himself what regularly comes out of the shop.
But it's the sound that really hooks em'.I just finished a recording session where the mixdown people said that they wish they could work with my sound all the time.I wish they could too.No matter what the situation,live or in the studio,the people LOVE the Alembic sound(and the look).;-)

palembic · « **Reply #4 on:** August 05, 2004, 01:42:49 PM »

Just recently we worked with a high skilled sound-man Bob -like all Bobs he's a great guy (and a great singer too). First time we worked together he said there was a VERY nasty hum coming from my bass (DI from F1-X). Sometime I got it and sometime I don't. I was embarrased but couldn't find anything wrong so it MUST be directional ...until ...I saw the Parblazer-lighting above my head about 4 feet from my PU's.
And ...yessir ...that was it. Alembic Series PU's are VERY sensitive to lighting and lighting dimmers.
A couple of weeks ago we worked together again and there was NO hum at all (hehehehe ...sure ....NO Pars) and he asked me for the DI/F1-X pre-out.
His comment: THat is the first bass-sound I receive I can really USE in a decent mix!

hehehe 1

BTW: that day was in the audience a guy who stepped to me in a short brake to ask me about that beautiful bass I was playing with that awfull sound

hehehe 2

Paul the bad one

hankster · « **Reply #5 on:** August 05, 2004, 09:52:52 PM »

The first time I used my SC Signature Standard on a gig with my 10-piece R&B outfit, the keyboard player turned to me at the end of the first set and said where's that bass been all my life?

I knew then that it wasn't just a bass player thing.

bigredbass · « **Reply #6 on:** August 05, 2004, 10:19:27 PM »

I usually sub with some friends of mine in a country band when their regular bassist is on an occasional night off. Real Bakersfield, twang, Opry country music. Telecaster, fiddle and steel stuff. Westen Swing, Haggard, etc.

Brought the BigRedBass. Wow, what's that? Remember, these guys are REALLY used to Fenders for this kind of thing. But they're great musicians with really good ears. No more comments the rest of the night. I thought it must have went over their heads, they really don't know about these, oh well . . .

Went back last week. Took the Yamaha with the PJ pickups, figured this would be more in tune with their outlook. Played the first set. That bass sounds OK, but WHY didn't you bring that RED ONE? THAT ONE was the real s--t! We REALLY liked that OLYMPIC!!

Free their ears, and the spelling will follow !

J o e y

palembic · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2004, 12:45:09 AM »

Hey Brother Joey,

I could be mistaken but I don't think I (we) ever SAW BigRedBass over here on a picture. Ok ...you're not the newbie we can yell at for pictures but in a way that bass of yours became a kinda legend in our ears so ...IFF (if and only if) it would be possible I really would like to see a picture of that legend!

Paul the bad one

(Message edited by palembic on August 06, 2004)

bassman10096 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2004, 03:29:54 AM »

Hi Joey: I was thinkin' the same thing as Paul...

Bill

palembic · « **Reply #9 on:** August 06, 2004, 03:47:05 AM »

Brother Bill,

that's why I always get in trouble: I say what others think.
It's the story of my LIFE (oh ...uhuhuh ...and the story behiond the ridiculous high numer of post I got here I guess)

Paul TBO

somatic · « **Reply #10 on:** August 06, 2004, 08:31:25 AM »

what are some of their comments?

Once I got Can't you afford a Fender?.....

stoney · « **Reply #11 on:** August 06, 2004, 10:46:47 AM »

Brett.....that comment is PRICELESS !

Joey......DITTO on the PICS, please....(nice job, Paul)

Favorite non-verbal comment......was really just a completely blank stare in my direction delivered by a drummer with whom I've never played....followed shortly by a big cheezy smile and a nod of the head.

stoney

the_mule · « **Reply #12 on:** August 06, 2004, 10:58:06 AM »

Most of my friends and acquaintances don't know much about music, brands of musical instruments etc. but every time I show people my Alembics they love their looks, admire the craftsmanship, find them somewhat 'gothic' in appearance (several similar comments!) and everyone really loves the sound. Very positive in general...

Wilfred

bsee · « **Reply #13 on:** August 06, 2004, 10:59:35 AM »

For me, I took a borrow-to-buy deal on an Exploiter most of ten years ago and brought the bass to a gig. My band isn't the wild kind of group that would be suited by that body shape, so I wanted to see what they'd say. They didn't say much, so I brought it back to the shop and talked someone into buying it almost immediately. Mr. Berklee guitar player then proceeded to give me all sorts of grief about returning it the following week because he loved the tone and what it did to my playing. Oh well. I suspect that I will be playing Alembic for the rest of my playing days at this point, especially if I ever get the details I need to make decisions about a custom.

-Bob

bassman10096 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 06, 2004, 11:53:23 AM »

Can't you afford a Fender?.....??

That's rich!!!