Author Topic: Am Alembic that has the low end thump of a P bass and the cut and growl of a Warwick?? (Read 252 times)

maxcoleman · « **on:** November 15, 2004, 03:25:13 AM »

I am looking for one bass that could replace both my '66 P and my Warwick Jazzman. I have tried a number of high end basses over the years such as MTD, Wal, Sadowsky, Lakland etc. All of these basses are wonderful in their own way but cannot IMO deliver both the low end thump of a P bass and the cut and growl of a Warwick in the same bass. I have never tried an Alembic so I am interested to know if there is an Alembic model that may be the answer. Does anybody have any comment or recommendations. I appreciate any help. Thanks Max

keavin · « **Reply #1 on:** November 15, 2004, 04:22:29 AM »

where do you live is there a store near you with alembics?,if so i would suggest trying any(model) alembic out to see which model you'd fall for,but to cut to the chase a series bass would answer all your questions reguarding your bass tastes!

lowlife · « **Reply #2 on:** November 15, 2004, 04:33:56 AM »

Hi Max, and welcome to the club. I have to agree with Keavin. Get yourself over to an Alembic dealer and try out several models. IMHO each member here probably his/her own way of getting the sounds that you looking for, each from a different Alembic bass. Let you ears guide you.

Ellery (Lowlife)

pace · « **Reply #3 on:** November 15, 2004, 04:37:10 AM »

Welcome to the club Max!

Adjectives like thump and growl can get very subjective, but that's besides the point. I think it can be done, but you have to decide on an construction method (set neck vs. neck through) and an electronics package that will dial in the right amount of each characteristic.

As far as construction method, things to consider are the woods on both the Fender & Warwick. Does the P bass have a maple or rosewood fretboard? What's the main body wood on the Warwick? Do you want increased sustain & mid-highs (neck through)? IMHO, A slightly scooped midrange (set neck) will help get you close to what you're trying to achieve, but you might be better off going with a neck through (for some of those P-bass characteristics) and letting the electronics dial out what you're not using.

Off the rack you might find the thump of an Alembic to have more clarity and resonant focus then a split coil P-bass pup. When it comes to dialing both sounds you might want to consider the Signature or Anniversary electronics which give you a volume & filter for each pup....

Hopefully that's enough to chew on for now~ just keep in mind that anything is possible with Alembic. Just dig around on this website, talk to the club members. Hopefully you'll get a good idea as to what's going to suit your needs....

-Mike

keavin · « **Reply #4 on:** November 15, 2004, 05:45:22 AM »

another suggestion would be to listen a (stanley clarke) cd or a (level 42) cd and listen for the bass sounds and see what you like. those players use alembics or maybe some one else in the club might know some other stuff you can listen to with alembics on it.

malthumb · « **Reply #5 on:** November 15, 2004, 06:09:38 AM »

[double-post]

(Message edited by malthumb on November 15, 2004)

malthumb · « **Reply #6 on:** November 15, 2004, 06:10:24 AM »

Max,

It has been said and debated that for the most part, wood selections on an Alembic don't impact tone very much. There is one notable exception that most agree on. Cocobolo has some interesting sound dynamics that in my OPINION make for some interesting tones. Cocobolo is capable of bringing out solid low end funadamentals and accentuating fairly bright high end tones as well. My Series II bass with cocobolo sounds so much different than my Series I with walnut that it's scary.

Bottom line, whatever Alembic you settle on, strongly consider cocobolo to deliver the strength on both the low and high end.

Peace,

James

muller1007 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 15, 2004, 10:49:31 PM »

Some fantastic Alembic listening stuff:

King Biscuit Flower Hour presents: John Entwistle. It's a concert recorded live in Philadelphia in March 1975. John plays a Series I bass: really loud!

Too late the hero by John Entwistle. Alembic Explorer bass.

Duncan

maxcoleman · « **Reply #8 on:** November 16, 2004, 05:10:24 AM »

Thanks to all for the helpful comments and advice. I live in Australia where Alembics are very hard to find and the opportunity to try one out first hand is very unlikely. I will follow up the recommended recordings for a better understanding.

An important characteristic of the sound I am looking for is the low-mid growl which is produced by the Warwick. Do Alembics have a strong low midrange and if so what timbers, electronics or models would be relevant.

thanks again
Max

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** November 16, 2004, 06:55:47 AM »

I realize that Australia is a very large area, and I have no idea where in Austrailia you are located; but perhaps you should get in touch with our fellow club member David Burgess:
www.greensquare.net

dnburgess · « **Reply #10 on:** November 16, 2004, 12:16:28 PM »

Max

Dave H. beat me to the punch. Green Square Music is the Australian representative for Alembic. We presently have seven demonstration basses spanning the model range from Excel to Series 1 and Spyder. This month we are running great specials on our demo instruments to tie in with the factory Mother of All Specials to help customers get set before the price rise in January.

David B.

effclef · « **Reply #11 on:** November 17, 2004, 05:44:50 AM »

An important characteristic of the sound I am looking for is the low-mid growl which is produced by the Warwick. Do Alembics have a strong low midrange and if so what timbers, electronics or models would be relevant.

I have heard everyone say the Excel is great for midrange punch - not sure if that would apply to the newer Excels I've seen with two pickups, vs. the original one-pickup configuration.

http://www.alembic.com/prod/excel.html

The single pickup Excel is also the least expensive Alembic on the price list.

EffClef

lowlife · « **Reply #12 on:** November 17, 2004, 05:53:22 AM »

I can't speak for everyone, but I will speak for my Excel (a 2-pickup model from 2003). It has growl plus, and since the pickup selector is a pan pot, the type of growl can be easily alterd and tailored by slightly favouring one pickup over the other. Since I like to slap/snap, I'll equate that to mid-range punch. Mine will go from noticable to painful depending upon my finger technique.

Ellery (Lowlife)

bkbass · « **Reply #13 on:** November 20, 2004, 08:19:50 AM »

One man's humble opinion based on ownership of six field tested battleground proven instruments is you might want to consider as a starting point,a set neck,mahogany or paduk body,cocbolo top,signature electronics.The filters are additive so with both rolled towards the bass side you should get all the warmth and bottom your after.The modern sound is anywhere else with the bridge filter rolled mid to full bore on the treble side.This is a very,very brief discription of a rainbow of tonal possiblities that exist on any Alembic.Other things to consider would be a mahogany neck,ebony neck laminations and adding an additional bass/treble controls with the filters.The only limitation is your budget and your patience on the build times.Go to any store and play as many as possible.Put down a deposit NOW as there is a substancial price increase on January 5th.Also spend at least an hour a day on this site reading everthing and you'll start to get a composite sketch of what you looking for.

jimbobv · « **Reply #14 on:** November 20, 2004, 08:32:15 PM »

Ah, the P-bass comparison again...what a dilemma!

I've got an Elan with the PJ pickup configuration, and I can get right to a Pbass thump (already has the growl) thru my F1X and SF2 - just gotta find the right settings.

As far as my fretless P, the pickup winding has recently opened up, so I'm in for a disassembly and repair at minimum. I'm interested in a P activator setup, with the volume / filter control if one is available - anybody have one?