The choices we must make

[James L. Martin (malthumb)]

Should I play the 4 string or the 5...should I play the Series I or the Series II  

[James L. Martin (malthumb)]

The 4 string bass balanced on my foot in the photo is a 1987 walnut Series I, s/n 87 4431.  The 5 string bass that's strapped up is a 2000 Mark King Deluxe with Series II electronics and a few other custom goodies.  It's s/n 00MKC12421
 
Peace,
 
James

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Hi James,
 
i didn't saw this thread before!
Nice basses.
You know this is funny: abouyt 5 years ago I had about the opposite as you are holding.
I had a MK SIgnature Deluxe 4 string in Coco Bolo (with a point) and a SII 5 string with omega cut-out. Gosh ...what a luxury.
Unfortunately I had to part from the MK.
***sigh*** sad history.
On the other hand: I don't have to choose anymore ;-)
Congrats on your basses ...VERY nice instruments and completely me.
 
Paul

[Rami Sourour (rami)]

Great picture James,
 
One question; is what differentiates your Mark King 5 (with Series II electronics) from a true Series II, that the body is NOT chambered?
 
Rami

[James L. Martin (malthumb)]

Rami,
 
You are correct.  The body is not chambered.  Also, it has 5 body laminates instead of the traditional 7 for a recent Series II.  Also, some of the things I added as options would have been standard on a Series II (side LEDs for example).  I also believe Series II 5 strings have 9 neck lams instead of the 7 mine has.
 
When I ordered it I was on the fence between ordering a Series I and adding $200 to get the Series II electronics upgrade (CVQs and master volume) or ordering the Mark King Deluxe and adding Series II electronics ($2,200 on top of the MKD price).  The deciding factors were getting the solid body and the fact that this was the more economical route to getting coco bolo (no cost on MKD, $1,600 on Series I/II).  Solid body with coco bolo is heavy, but INCREDIBLE tone.
 
Peace,
 
James

[eugen]

Excuse my Ignoranz, but you?r 4 String is absolutely perfect. ( I?m only play 4 String basses )
I have to learn to write in English what I feel!!
James, what kind of music you play with your Alembic?s??

[malthumb]

Eugen,
 
For the most part I play contemporary gospel at my church and occasionally other churches in my area.  I usually use the 5 string for those sessions.  When I'm just playing around the house I also play what we call Smooth Jazz.  Artists like Fouplay (Nathan East, Bob James, Larry Carlton & Harvey Mason) and Incognito.  I also play a lot of 70's and 80's funk.
 
As far as your english is concerned, I guarantee that your english is better than any secondary language I pretend to speak (Russian, German, very little Spanish)
 
Peace,
 
James

[keavin]

hey james ,i just wish i could own two hippie sandwiches!!,i got lucky when i got #12 back in the day, (1980),(guitarcenter in san fran, for  $2 gran), hey i bet you play bass like you made it up!!  

[malthumb]

Keavin,
 
Don't let them Alembics fool you.  I'm an okay player.  You want be hearing any Stanley-esque or Jaco-esque riffs flying off my strings.  
 
I can do some half decent Louis Johnson covers and a lot of 70s / 80s funk stuff.  I can also do some Fred Hammond / Terry Palmer / Andre Gouche' type stuff.  But there's dozens of guys in the Detroit area that have me lookin' like a piker.
 
The important thing is that I love doin' it and I truly enjoy playing all  my basses, especially the Alembics.
 
Peace,
 
James

[poor_nigel]

Hey James:
 
I could not agree with you more.  I am a very mundane driver.  I drive within the speed limit and have never been in an accident.  However, if the opportunity arose to own an old Ford GT racing machine, I would indeed own one.  I would love to drive it and just enjoy it immensely, and I would treat it pretty much the same as I do my basses.  I polish, tune, and change the oil (lemon) on them, too.
 
I really like your basses, by the way.  I also really like that we share a deep love for these basses and have this in common with others all over the world.  Add in that we all play different music, styles, and levels, and that just makes it all better.  I hope for lifetimes of satisfied playing on these basses for your whole family.  So do take care and have fun.

[keavin]

hey your rite guys, us bassplayers number in the millions,they all have different approachs ,my favorites are ,graham,clarke,johnson,(any body kunky, i like) speaking of clarke ,i emailed him a pic of #12 yesterday,& he mailed back saying...(wow!!!!! brings back memories!!! ) .i was surprized! ,and it made my day!

[alemboid]

Hi James,
 
I know oh so much how you feel about your basses!
 
I have an MK Deluxe five string with a chambered body in coco bolo. It is my heaviest bass weighing in at 13 & 3/4 pounds! Yes, almost 14 pounds. Ho much does your MK5 weigh?
 
Like you said, tone is what its all about.  
 
I was talking to John Patitucci the day before yesterday, and he commented that he never gets hired for playing blazing 16ths. All of his calls are about coming in and laying down in-the-pocket grooves. So, as long as you are doing that, you'll stay busy!  
 
As you know, Andre Gouche is incredible. I just said that because he deserves it! ;-)
 
What are you using for amplification?
 
Peace,
 
Bryant

[malthumb]

Alemboid,
 
I tried to respond to your post a few days a go and had system problems.  Forgot to come back to it 'til now.  My MK / SII weighs in at 13 lbs 6 oz.
 
As far as amplification, I just recently switched over from an  
 
F-1X -> SF-2 -> Alesis QV2 -> SWR SM500 setup to  
 
F-1X -> Korg DTR-1 -> Alesis QV2 -> Crown XS500 setup.
 
In both set ups I play through 2 SWR Triad cabinets.  I may be looking at selling one of the Triads and picking upa 210.
 
Peace,
 
James

[keavin]

sounds like a monster rig! cool set up ! im running through two alembic cabs w/two jbls 15s with a 'randall rb1000' amp ( 300 watt rig).  

[dadabass2001]

Hey Keavin,
Two Alembic cabs with 2 15 in each? Very old school, and very cool!
 
Mike