Author Topic: Thinking about an upgrade (Read 635 times)

bassplaynmatt · « **on:** September 02, 2003, 02:33:02 PM »

Hello, The name is Matt and I am new to the site.
However, I have had an Epic 6 since 1996 and I have loved it more than any other bass I have ever owned. It has been my main axe since I bought it and I have never gone to a gig without it since 96.
I have recently started thinking about another Alembic 6 and I was wondering if a move to the Essence series will trill me or if a bigger jump in the market is what I need. I have always wanted to be a neckthru kind of guy but I have to say my Epic has served me well. Does anyone have any suggetions?

bigredbass · « **Reply #1 on:** September 03, 2003, 10:21:46 PM »

bsplnmt:

I can hardly begin to suggest what to get from ALEMBIC's broad range.

But I can second you wishing to move to a neck-thru instrument. While the smooth heel is handy for playing in the stratosphere, there has always been a noticeably stronger presence to the fundamental and the first several harmonics in a neck thru for me. I don't know the physics of it all, but I can feel it and hear it. I also prefer the mechanical advantage of the strings fighting the entire length of the instrument, instead of them pulling on a separate neck. My neck thrus have always tended to be easier to maintain action-wise.

J o e y

bassplaynmatt · « **Reply #2 on:** September 03, 2003, 10:56:14 PM »

Thanks for posting BRB

(Message edited by bassplaynmatt on September 03, 2003)

bassplaynmatt · « **Reply #3 on:** September 03, 2003, 10:58:52 PM »

Thanks for posting BRB

I have been eyeing the Essence, Rouge, and Europa because I am attached the the wide neck and heavy feel of my Epic. I do agree that the Epic does tend to be a tad bit less round than the neck trough Alembics I have heard. Unfortunately, I am in Bloomington, Indiana and a large selection of Alembics are not at my disposal to try. Does the scaled down version of the electronics on the Essence sound very different from the Epic electronics? Basically, I am trying to see how much I am going to have to spend to get a significant improvement from my Epic.

By the way here is a picture of my one and only true love!

Matt

mica · « **Reply #4 on:** September 04, 2003, 05:38:59 PM »

There is a special bass at Guitar Showcase (San Jose, CA) right now... a fretless Mark King Deluxe in extremely Flamed Walnut. It's got 20th Anniversary electronics and an Omega cutout. Also a Balance Point body shape (the second one we made). If you like 'em big, it might be your next bass!

How do you want your next bass to sound different from your Epic (nice looker, BTW)?

We've just opened a new dealer in Greenbrae, IN called Guitar Works so soon you'll have a least a few basses a little closer to home.

bassplaynmatt · « **Reply #5 on:** September 04, 2003, 11:30:58 PM »

Mica
Thanks for the word on the Showcase Bass but I am going to need this one fretted. If you have seen my Introductions thread you know I have a Roscoe fretless 6 and I can barley keep that sucker in tune : )

I was hopeing for something with more depth than my Epic. I love the brightness of the bass but I have a very heavy handed playing style and often times when I am deep in a solo or playing an agressive feel I get a snapy sort of thin sound. Also, The Epic has developed a bit of a hiss in the electronics over the years (I play it pretty much every day and I have to say that for the abuse it has seen it has out lasted all my expectations) so I am hopeing to get an upgrade in the electronics from my next bass that is more resistant to EM and FM hum and other interferance. Finally, I am restricted to keep the cost within reason so a Series I or II is out uf the question. I really would like to shoot for somewhere in the Essence/Rouge range. Any expert advice is greatly appreciated.

I will be sure to checkout the Greenbrae store as soon as possible!

Thanks Matt

smokin_dave · « **Reply #6 on:** September 04, 2003, 11:40:49 PM »

Hey Matt,cool that you live in B-Town.I live in Indy myself and have a Rogue 5 coming to me in a few hours.Thanks for the info Mica about the new dealer.I'm going to have to look up Greenbrae,never heard of it.There used to be a shop north of Indy called Vic Zinn that carried Alembic but they went out of business.Mars music was where I fell in love with a Rogue 5 a few years ago but eventually, they quit carrying Alembic and they too went out of business.Shame really.Hey Matt,ever go to Nick's?A bartender there works in a band with me.Goes by the name of KB or Kevin.Used to play Uncle Festers also.Good luck in you're hunt for an Alembic 6.Nice Epic by the way.I play an Epic 4 myself.

mica · « **Reply #7 on:** September 05, 2003, 10:53:24 AM »

Matt - I think you might enjoy a Rogue with a Coco Bolo top. Either Mahogany or Ash for the body. From Valentino's expeience, it's hard to hear the difference between those two body woods with a Coco Bolo top. The Coco Bolo is dense so it retains the brightness, but its oils get excited by the bass frequencies and keep a rich bottom end.

So your Epic hasn't influenced you to lighten up on your heavyhanded technique? Usually these basses are harsh mistresses in that arena, and they whip their players into a lighter touch.

Dave - Vic Zinn was the very first Alembic dealer. After Mr. Zinn passed away, the store held on for a while. I bet you have that bass in your hands at this very moment, and we might not hear from you for a few days while you're getting to know eachother.

bassplaynmatt · « **Reply #8 on:** September 06, 2003, 03:01:52 AM »

Dave, Hey man we should find that bass shop and head up together. I would love to try out some new gear.

Mica, I have my eye on an Essence 6 on ebay with Laminated maple neck tight flame grain pattern, 5 ply with walnut veneers, mahogany body wings with bubinga laminate on the top, bubinga headstock overlays on front and back, MXY56 pickups, volume, pan and low pass controls, how would that compare to my Epic?

Matt

bassplaynmatt · « **Reply #9 on:** September 06, 2003, 11:00:53 PM »

Mica,
I decided against the Essance on ebay, but
I am very interested in The Rouge with a Coco Bolo top.
Can you post a picture of anything you have that would resemble this bass? Also, do you suggest the Rouge electronics?
Thanks, Matt

smokin_dave · « **Reply #10 on:** September 09, 2003, 10:36:12 PM »

Hey Mica,
You sure about that town in Indiana?Can't seem to locate Greenbrae.The only thing I come up with on Mapquest is Green Brae CA.

Hey Matt,
Sure thing.Just need a location and time off.

bassplaynmatt · « **Reply #11 on:** September 10, 2003, 06:06:55 PM »

Hey Dave I asked around and I think there is a store in Greenwood, that could be the place that Mica was talking about. I don't know Indiana that well so I can't be sure. I'll check on it. By the way I played a gig in Indy today at a corporate lunch for Roche Industrys on 96th. Not a bad gig considering the free food and the band was a blast. Worked with a great guitar player named Peter Kienla (a jazz guy from Germany). Do you do the jazz gig thang or are you a Rock/Bluegrass/Classical/or Whatever player? I have done a few rock gigs at Uncle Festers and The Blue Bird. I also play The Chatter Box in Indy.

Later Matt

bassplaynmatt · « **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2003, 06:36:09 PM »

Dave, I found Guitarworks in Greenwood and they do sell Alembic but they have nothing in stock so its not much help.

Sorry, Matt

smokin_dave · « **Reply #13 on:** September 10, 2003, 06:38:14 PM »

That would make more sense.I bought my Epic at a store in Greenwood in 94'.I went back there a couple of years later and they quit stocking Alembic.Greenwood is really just a burb on the south side.I play whatever is called for on any particular gig that I play although I don't get called for a whole lot of jazz gigs.I'm sort of juggling four different bands at the moment.Since winter is coming along,I hope to settle in to just a couple of steady gigs and maintain a steady cash flow.I mostly play alot of Blues,Rock and really anything that can make a dollar or two.Some consider me to be a bass whore,I just think of my self as a working bass player constantly on the look out for a gig.

http://www.larrycrane.net/

Here's a guy who used to live in Bloomington that I work for a couple times a month.He lives in Florida now.You may have heard of Gordon Bonham.I work with him every now and then as well.He lives not too far from B-Town.

http://www.kennybrack.com/

I also work with this guy too.Cool guy,GREAT gig.
We'll find that store yet.They may have just what you are looking for.

mica · « **Reply #14 on:** September 10, 2003, 06:46:52 PM »

They don't have any basses yet, they just became a dealer this month. Some good stuff's in the oven, but it won't show up for a few weeks.