Author Topic: How long is it since you played a non alembic bass at a gig? (Read 372 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** November 16, 2014, 06:00:13 AM »

I had a gig last night with Musical Youth and realised that it was the first bass gig I've done without playing an alembic since getting my first one in 2002.

I have an Atlas Galaxy Thai hand made bass that I bought about this time last year to leave at my girlfriends home for practice when I'm over there. Recently I put some LP & HP filters into it and with the LP filter range going down to 45hz and about 20db of CVQ I thought it might be a good bass to dedicate to my reggae gigs hence me trying it out at the gig.

I wonder who, apart from JJ, whom I presume is likely to have one of the longest unbroken reins of exclusive alembic use for gigging, holds the longest stretch. Let's exclude rehearsals and jam sessions.

pas · « **Reply #1 on:** November 16, 2014, 06:07:19 AM »

1985.

malthumb · « **Reply #2 on:** November 16, 2014, 07:39:11 AM »

I lose. 2014.

It's actually fairly frequent for me. Sometimes I take my Alembic 5-string and another 4-string. Sometimes I take 2 non-Alembic basses. Have a gig coming up December 5th that I'll probably decide December 4th what I'll actually be taking. Fact of the matter is, my 2 Alembics are complimented by 5 other truly awesome basses (of course the Alembics are more awesomer) and I don't like to have basses just sit and collect dust. So I play them all. The more high profile the gig, the more likely there will be an Alembic on stage.

Peace,

James

pauldo · « **Reply #3 on:** November 16, 2014, 09:24:11 AM »

About 5 years ago I did a Christmas gig with my upright.

FC Bass · « **Reply #4 on:** November 16, 2014, 09:27:03 AM »

The only other basses I've gigged with since I got my first Alembic in 1998: Fender Jazz Bass V (96 Anniversary, traded for the '83 Spoiler) Aria Pro II SB Black 'n Gold I, used only for a couple of gigs before I sold it. Fender Prodigy (with Alembic electronics) This was my main bass before I got the Fender V and Alembic. Last used for a special gig in 2013 (second time onstage since '98) Best pics I could find... Fender V:

Aria:

Prodigy:

(Message edited by fc_spoiler on November 16, 2014)

JimmyJ · « **Reply #5 on:** November 16, 2014, 09:46:38 AM »

I've played a few sessions on provided basses just for the comedy factor... Live, my answer would have been 1975 but my streak was interrupted in 1987 when my bass was stolen and I played one Holdsworth gig on a borrowed Yamaha 5-string. I didn't enjoy it much...

Jimmy J

jazzyvee · « **Reply #6 on:** November 16, 2014, 09:48:49 AM »

Ha, looks like you had Ozzy Osbourne and a smurf on your gig. :-)

lembic76450 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 16, 2014, 10:25:02 AM »

Jimmy, due to the circumstances of the stolen Alembic, I think you would be granted a pass by all here... For me it would be 1978...

stout71 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 16, 2014, 11:08:36 AM »

I play with 3 different basses at pretty much every show. I have my Warwick tuned down 1/2 step and use it for some songs. I use the MK-5 for most of the others and I break out the Hamer 12 for a couple.

dannobasso · « **Reply #9 on:** November 16, 2014, 11:29:22 AM »

For my cover gigs I use my Status MK black beauties. A 5 and a 6. Usually the 6. Headless, neck through graphite. It never needs adjustment.

mavnet · « **Reply #10 on:** November 16, 2014, 12:12:47 PM »

Just sent my 77 custom back to to Alembic for a refinish and some love, so I've been playing a Jack Casady Epi. After the solid feel of the Alembic it's like playing a balsa wood bass. It sounds surprisingly good, although without the fine control i'm used to on the Alembic. First time since 77 since i've played something other than my fretted or fretless customs. I feel like I'm a cheating husband. 3 months or so til i get her back ... can't wait!

(Message edited by mavnet on November 16, 2014)

bsee · « **Reply #11 on:** November 16, 2014, 08:07:15 PM »

I've been gigging my Zon Sonus V for a few years, but I just picked up an Essence 5 that should reverse the trend. The Zon will still be the backup, though. When I thought I was going all four string, I let my Alembic fiver go and only recently got hooked back up properly.

tomhug · « **Reply #12 on:** November 18, 2014, 01:19:39 PM »

My pure-Alembic streak ran from 1986 to 2011.

A few years ago, I started to frequent blues jams here in Chicago so I built a parts Fender Jazz. I was worried that the hippie sandwich would get the stink-eye from the more traditionally minded.

Eventually I started as house bass player at a few regular jams here in the area, and Alembic started to re-appear on a more frequent basis.

I have a dual case, and one slot is always Alembic, the other is usually a Fender. Love 'em both. If I had to pick only one, it'd be Alembic, but I'm glad I don't have to pick.

eastcoastepic · « **Reply #13 on:** November 18, 2014, 06:17:19 PM »

December, 2003, and haven't really considered pulling out another axe for a gig (rehearsal is another story). The down side is you gotta watch your bass like a hawk so she doesn't 'walk away', but the upside is, well...you know what the upside is....

wayne · « **Reply #14 on:** November 18, 2014, 07:59:44 PM »

Not counting gigs that specifically call for upright - since 1990 after I got my first Alembic.

It was The Tone and everything else went on the shelf or out the door. :-)

C-Ya.....wayne