Author Topic: Time Factor on your First Series Bass (Read 954 times)

briant · « **Reply #30 on:** September 10, 2013, 09:50:03 PM »

All this Series talk makes me want to play a Series bass really badly. I've only played one Series II bass and that was Bradley's. Unfortunately the power was out and that obviously did not give the overall desired effect.

I've had two basses with Signature electronics and two with Essence electronics. One of the Signature basses is my custom Rogue and that has an additional master bass and treble control knob (+/- 12dB). One of the Essence basses is my custom that also has an additional bass control knob (+/- 12dB).

When I first started playing an Alembic it was on standard Signature electronics and it took me a good 3-6 months before I was really comfortable playing with it live. That didn't stop me from using it live from the beginning but the learning curve and experience really took some time. I love the simplicity of the Essence electronics (+bass) that I'm using now for 99% of my gigs. It's a fabulous instrument that sounds incredible and very little needs to be done to make radical changes in tone. It also allows for adjustments to make up for changing tunings as the night goes on. We'll go from standard E tuning to full D tuning (D G C F) and all it takes is a little adjustment on the filter and bass control to keep everything consistent.

So... not to feed my GAS problem... but does anyone in the Seattle area have a Series instrument that they'd allow me to kick the tires on? I've been lusting after a Dragon Wing for some time now. Perhaps a Series I 5-string is in order.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #31 on:** September 10, 2013, 11:06:46 PM »

Perhaps is, in this case a silent word...!!!
It's just a simple matter of time. :-)

Jazzyvee

gtrguy · « **Reply #32 on:** September 11, 2013, 11:12:00 AM »

Briant, there is a fine bass store in Seattle that often has several Alembics and is downtown near the water front. I can't remember the name and you may well know of it. Is it Bass Northwest?

Dave

charles_holmes · « **Reply #33 on:** September 11, 2013, 04:40:07 PM »

Yep! That's where I got my Axe! And I love it!

hieronymous · « **Reply #34 on:** September 11, 2013, 05:05:39 PM »

Awesome picture Chalie!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #35 on:** September 12, 2013, 12:40:12 AM »

Yeah great bass and it looks like you have a good connection with it.

Love the T-shirt I remember seeing a tv documentary about it. I've probably got it recorded somewhere too.
http://www.a-great-day-in-harlem.com/

Maybe I will find it and watch it over the weekend. :-)
Jazzyvee

charles_holmes · « **Reply #36 on:** September 12, 2013, 05:52:09 PM »

Thank you guys! I was lucky enough to get to talk to Evan, the owner of Bass Northwest and he is very knowledgeable, helpful and patient. As far as settings, for me I use too many different settings.It depends on the room, the song and frankly.. how I feel or hear. But I knew I had have to have the series and short scale.My top end I use the Lexicon MPX-1 and BassIQ (together & or separate). For the Bottom I'll use the EBS Octabass and when I'm not using the octabass and going clean I'll use the Boss Bass EQ just for a little more bottom. When these effects are combined, I feel that it just inspires the other musicians I'm playing with to become even more creative as well as myself. Thank you Alembic!

terryc · « **Reply #37 on:** September 13, 2013, 01:43:17 AM »

Double post..see below.I mean it is Friday 13th

(Message edited by TerryC on September 13, 2013)

terryc · « **Reply #38 on:** September 13, 2013, 01:45:48 AM »

I just have everything full on! LOL
Seriously though, using you rig at home with the intended gigging bass is obviously going to sound totally different to stage situation. Factors are;
1. Your ears are used to the sound in your home, your brain remembers the acoustics of your practice/living/kitchen/bedroom.
2. Do you ever crank your rig to stage volume in your house?, if you do you either have a detached residence or tolerant neighbours and have reinforced windows.
3. Most venues are acoustically crap, either boomy(the most popular), dead or too much reverb(except The Sage in Gateshead UK), there the battle commences.
4. Competing with the rest of the band, the acoustic physicists amongst us will tell us that the multitude of frequencies and sound levels are going to produce in/out of phase interference. Personally I have found keyboards the most problem as they have a massive octave range.
Is there a solution to all this?...I try and get to the gig before the rest of the band and try and I emphasise the word try, to get the tone which sounds okay..it will never be perfect.
We seem to have all sorts of electronic add ons to help but even they can be a hindrance.
Sometimes less is more!
Oh yes, then if you go through a PA and monitors..well you are at the mercy of the sound engineer...a never ending road!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #39 on:** September 13, 2013, 03:27:20 AM »

Yep Terry, there are many variables affecting the signal from both sides of the jack socket on the bass(or 5 pin socket). Many we as performers have little control of once it's in the cable from the bass. I guess for me I just want to hear a great sound coming from my part of the chain, my fingers at the bass to sound in my ears from the bass cab. The series bass has that capability but my problem this year has been bad back line bass rigs so as much as I've taken my series bass out gigging it has not sounded great on-stage for me. It's only when I've been able to use my own bass rig that I've got any idea on how good it can sound live. We have a great sound engineer he knows what Alembic basses are all about and what I want from my sound so we chat after gigs about this.

I do get a fantastic sound at home though so I expect to get that on gigs too but time is going to be the factor in getting that sound live and being able to reproduce it consistently.

Jazzyvee

terryc · « **Reply #40 on:** September 13, 2013, 03:46:55 AM »

Exactly Jazzyvee! I can a superb sound in my home, but when I play at some venues it can sound like a bull elephant farting!, even with my own gear..some places are just an absolute nightmare to get a decent sound..I guess we just look for that pure hi fi sound when our predecessors(back in the 60's) just put up with a 'thump' through a Selmer Treble'n'Bass amp and some discarded 4 x 12!

flpete1uw · « **Reply #41 on:** September 13, 2013, 05:59:55 AM »

Thank You All! For all the input,
During my learning curve stage of any new piece of gear the first thing I attempt to accomplish is to find a starting point. If I can get to this in, yes my living room using a Mesa Walkabout, I feel I can project what will eventually be heard out in the congregation. This is not a large venue and everything is close Mic?d with little to no effects, just what?s coming out of the amp.
So from what I am gathering here is players like Nick, Edwin, Charles and Jazzy (Please correct me if I?m wrong) to name a few find the definition of their sculpted sounds far more pleasing in a split pickup setup than in a Mono. At the moment my only recourse is in Mono or one pickup at a time. And with all that said at this time of my learning curve I?m finding the Bridge filter all up and the Neck filter mostly up. Q switches changing.
Terry - all your points are well taken. My neighbor did say not to worry about loudness. I?m not sure he realizes what that means. Maybe one day ;-)
Charles- that is a killer Bass!!!
Jazzy- I think your post (3607) is hitting it on the head (Perhaps is, in this case a silent word...!!!
It's just a simple matter of time. :-) )
I?m so appreciative of all your advice and I think a lot of it is what Mica indicated about the Wood mix and getting used to this Basses own special place among the best Basses made!
Thanks again Alembic Brothers,
Pete

mtjam · « **Reply #42 on:** September 14, 2013, 03:58:18 AM »

I will finally get to play my Series 2 next weekend at 2 gigs I have, and I can't wait! I plan on taking it to both.

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #43 on:** September 15, 2013, 07:29:29 AM »

it took me little time to get used to these SII electronics.

flpete1uw · « **Reply #44 on:** September 24, 2013, 04:57:05 AM »

Finally, I have a starting my point! A combination of a wrong Q switch installed, improper strings for my style of playing along with being completely ignorant to the Series Electronics has led me on this now 9 Month journey. (Note: I should have heeded Mica?s advice on the build and strings more closely)
However this process did push me to have my 1975 electronics checked out by the Mother ship and as frustrating at times as it was I did learn a ton. I almost gave up on this Bass.
I do realize this is truly subjective to each person but at the moment I have DR Nickel rounds on her. I find that this gives me the Low End punch and clarity along with the High End airiness for chord ell work. From there the Filters can do the rest. I have ordered La Bella Nickels rounds as well?
I am by no means done! In fact this is as I said the ?Starting Point?. After spending 2 hours playing last night I sat on my couch thinking, I?m Overwhelmed.
Example: 1 Pickup at a time, Q switch all up, adjusting filter 1/8 a turn at a time gives completely different Timbres!! Mind boggling
Thank you for all your patience and insight,
~Pete