Author Topic: NEWS FLASH - Orphaned Series II 5-String Finds New Home (Read 1570 times)

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #60 on:** June 05, 2015, 03:59:53 PM »

Not to sound like a salesman, but I seriously did not think the non-Series Alembic tone could be dramatically improved upon.

I've been using various Alembics with various electronics configurations over the last three years and couldn't be more pleased - they all sound great and were delivering everything I needed - so I had no real burning desire to go Series.

Now that I've immersed myself in that experience over the last few days, I would describe it this way: it's everything you like about the Alembic tone, just more focused and refined. It's smoother, more responsive and touch sensitive.

Sort of like the difference between a very good wine and a great one. Both are enjoyable, it's just that the great one has that something extra.

Plus, the controls allow you to really dial in YOUR tone based on your technique and touch. Definitely not a one size fits all approach to tone.

It's taken me over 40 years to finally stop worrying about sounding like someone else and start concentrating on sounding like me - and I now have the ideal tool to help me continue that quest.

rustyg61 · « **Reply #61 on:** June 05, 2015, 05:53:32 PM »

David, I'm so glad you got the stitches out & are on the road to recovery! Glad you finally got FF in your hands too!

You are so right about the stereo sound, Series basses were made to be ran in stereo! I was blown away the first time I hooked mine up in stereo! I found all the high end I thought I was missing. The clarity is simply unbelievable! One thing I have also learned about Series II electronics is that when playing by myself I may not notice the subtle differences in tone when adjusting the CVQ's, but in a live situation with a band, I can turn them to get just the right amount of clarity to cut through the mix. Many times rather than turn up so I can hear myself, I will add a little more CVQ on the bridge pickup & it's just what the doctor ordered! It's the perfect seasoning for a gourmet meal! You are right, though, every tone is tasty!

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #62 on:** June 08, 2015, 08:30:57 AM »

Yes, Rusty - that's what I'm discovering. It's not about volume, it's about clarity - dialing in the tone that best conveys what your fingers are doing (different for everyone...) and tweaking it so that it sits in the mix (different for each band, room and even each song).

Prior to having this much versatility at my finger tips, it was a little more challenging to accomplish this. Sort of like using a knife when a precision scalpel would be more appropriate.

At first glance, the Series II electronics seem complex and confusing, but after you get accustomed to thinking differently about how to shape your tone, they make perfect sense and are actually the perfect tool kit for the purpose.

Not to keep beating this, but the stereo capability is not a gimmick - it's really key to the tone shaping. Having the ability to separate the treble and and bass pickups makes it so much easier to dial in the correct tone for each and then blend them as required for the situation. And - having a global master volume is just the icing on the cake.

I can't believe I've missed out on this all these years...oh well, better late than never - !

rustyg61 · « **Reply #63 on:** June 08, 2015, 10:48:54 PM »

What amp setup are you using?

jazzyvee · « **Reply #64 on:** June 09, 2015, 12:28:26 AM »

Good vibes to you my friend. I'm with you guys on the sound as one of the big things I notice about my series II is the clarity and pristine cleanliness of sound it produces whatever position the controls are at. Whilst I understand the benefit's of it, I've only tried stereo a small number of times and in those instances I can't say the effect was that great to make me want to do it as my norm. I think when I get to do some gigs where the purpose of the music for the audience isn't to dance, party and get drunk but to listen and focus on the stage, then I'd start looking at the stereo option in more detail.
It's one thing for me to be able to hear it on stage but to go to all that trouble I'd want to know that the music out front is better for it too.

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #65 on:** June 09, 2015, 12:06:38 PM »

Jazzy -

Thanks - your thoughts are much appreciated. Understood re: projecting the stereo effect to the audience and how effective it will be. Haven't quite gotten around to figuring out how best to navigate that with a PA / sound person. I've just gotten the hang of the basic Series II set up in my home rehearsal space - I like to be real prepared prior to taking something this showy out in public, so no one's seen her yet.

I'm thinking that I'd need two channels in the board, I'd ask that they both be set flat to start and then I'd manipulate the bass controls to show the sound person the range of what I'd typically be doing. After that, I'd leave it up to them to decide what sounds best for the band mix and the room. As long as I can hear myself onstage, I'm a happy guy.

Rusty -

As for the practice rig - it's pretty primitive: I use the portable DC-5 power supply. Treble PU is fed straight to a Henriksen Jazzamp 112 ER (which is a 1x12 solid state 160 watt closed back combo amp with a tweeter that is really designed to amplify jazz guitars). Bass PU is fed straight to an AER Amp One bass amp (which is a 1x10 solid state 200 watt closed back bass amp with a port).

FWIW: I haven't twisted a single knob on either amp - I left the Henriksen set as I normally do for my jazz guitars and the AER set as I normally do for my other Alembic basses. All of the tonal variations have come from the Series II controls on the bass.

Volume is low (home situation, no band), but the sound is still full and meaty and sits in the mix well when I crank my practice CD's to rehearse with.

I'm starting to think about the rig I will use when I unleash FF in a band situation. Currently, I just plug my non-Series Alembics into anything available at the studio where I've been rehearsing - really doesn't matter too much because eventually everything sounds good (or so I've been told). Live I've been using a SansAmp DI and powered monitor - so the PA is my amp.

I may have to rethink that a bit.

edwin · « **Reply #66 on:** June 09, 2015, 12:54:47 PM »

The Grace Design Felix is finally in production. I got one about a week ago and have been loving it, sending the stereo signals to the FOH and then blending the channels for onstage monitoring. Coupled with a Peavey IPR 3000, it's a very lightweight and versatile rig.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #67 on:** June 09, 2015, 01:25:14 PM »

I did a stereo setup at a gig last December and the sound guy was great. He took a DI from both of my F1-x's and mic'd both cabs.

sonicus · « **Reply #68 on:** June 09, 2015, 02:07:45 PM »

Stereo with a center mono channel containing a set balance of both pickups is my current experiment.

Wolf

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #69 on:** June 09, 2015, 04:28:14 PM »

Ah yes, the Felix DI. I remember it from your earlier post, Edwin. At the time I didn't have a Series instrument, so I filed it away for the future.

Which has arrived.

Wolf - please keep us informed on the progress of your experiment. It sounds really interesting.

This is a whole new frontier for me, so I'm gonna be like a sponge for awhile and just soak it all up.

rustyg61 · « **Reply #70 on:** June 13, 2015, 01:26:35 AM »

David, add a F-2B to your wish list! It is the perfect companion for Series bass! It give's you the option to go full stereo into separate cabinets, or combine both channels into one cabinet which is how I'm running now. Nothing beats stereo, but even going mono into one cabinet, having a separate channel for each pickup makes a huge difference. You can still use your powered monitor & have a pseudo-stereo effect.

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #71 on:** June 15, 2015, 11:43:45 AM »

F-2B is also under consideration along with the Felix!

As is simply getting another AER Amp One...which would be really portable and flexible.

Hey - you know it's really a great time to be a musician right now with all of these amazing equipment options available to us.

I wish some of this stuff would've been around when I was starting out - oh wait, Alembic has always been there, I just missed th' boat back then...

tmimichael · « **Reply #72 on:** June 18, 2015, 09:23:23 PM »

5A...
Oh MAN...she is beautiful! It's so cool to finally see that slab of cocobolo in a gorgeous, finished instrument!
It's funny, but I kinda feel like we're related now or something... :-)
And all you had to say about the Series II electronics took me right back to when mine came in...and I still drop my jaw every time I stand out in front of our PA and listen (I run from a Demeter VTBP-201 tube preamp direct into the PA-no amp on stage. In-ear monitors). And since ours are sort-of twins, I know what FF sounds like...
Congratulations are in order, but somehow don't really seem to say it all, so...
Play her in health, happiness and peace...

Michael

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #73 on:** June 19, 2015, 12:25:07 PM »

Thanks Michael - same to you!

I was going to PM you at some point to thank you for initiating this project - but you beat me to it with your post.

UR correct - she has exceeded expectations and they were set pretty high. I'd have to say without a doubt - the finest bass I've ever played. I hate to use the word perfect, but nothing else seems to fit. I love all of my other Alembics, but Framboise just has that little something extra - there's magic in her.

I agree - our basses are fraternal twins and we are related, too - by marriage! A marriage of wood to vision and craftsmanship.

Nature's wood, your vision (with Susan's guidance) and the master craftsmanship of the entire Alembic team.

I'm basically just an innocent bystander who happened to be in the right place at the right time to be able to take advantage all of that talent and effort.

Maybe one day the twins can meet.