Alembic Basses Tell the Truth?

[bigredbass]

I'll say what I always think vis-?-vis all these 10 cabinets:
 
Andy can get away with it as the Acmes are so well-designed in a three-way bin, but otherwise, I like horns on cars, trains, ships, even Angus beef on the hoof, but generally I think throwing one in a (fill in the blank here of the usual suspects, SWR, Eden, Trace, you name it) is a bad idea.  A cheap and harsh way to get highs (and lots of squeaks, squonks, and other sonic gibberish) that skips a smooth mid crossover to those highs.  Put me a 6 speaker or something similar (note Bag End's Hi-Drive is a co-axial driver) and we'll talk.  I understand the technical end of why I need a bass rig that goes plum to 20k, but the fact is, I don't WANT one.
 
I've heard lots of guys with these rigs who have a remarkable woody, mid-y tone, but there's no guts and it doesn't anchor a band.  No thanks.
 
Joey

[charles_holmes]

I purchased two Markbass little 800's for ease of carrying my gear but, after 3 or 4 gigs using them I went back to using my 2 F-1X's and QSC PLX 1804. For me, the Markbass kind of compressed the sound too much,muddied the Alembic tones and the one I used for the bottom end was always clipping. The F-1X's  presents clarity, crispness and an openness in tones/sound that for me are unrivaled. The clarity,crispness and openness that Alembic preamps and basses offer, demands that accuracy and technique are paramount. Like Joey, I will use 2 Bag End D10BX-D's. But the bottom line is even with great equipment if you haven't worked on fingerings, scales, modes over and over again placement of both hands (don't forget posture and breathing)...your stuff is gonna sound like mush! Happy New Year Everybody!!! With Brotherly Love...Chalie Holmes