Graeme's MK5 deluxe balance K

[tbrannon]

I'll chime in on Signature settings-
 
my favorite setting- and it's not mine, it was recommended by Charles (cgaston).
 
Neck filter at about 65-70%- Q switch off
Bridge filter at about 60%- Q switch off
Pan- about 70/30 favoring the bridge pickup.
 
I find this to be a wonderful fingerstyle tone- if I want to brighten things up or play any slap, I flick the Q's on and then brighten up the neck pickup.

[smuprof]

Graeme - beautiful bass - I bought a very similar bass from Beaver at Christmas - standard, but similar woods and configuration.  I've stopped playing everything else.

[jacko]

Thanks for the kind words all. I've spent most of the weekend fiddling - first off, the trip from hot and sunny california to mild Scotland affected the set up so I've had to reset the action and intonation a couple of times while the wood settles down. As of 8pm UK time sunday, I think she's pretty settled. As far as tones, there seems to be an infinite variety. I've got used to having a single filter and Q on the rogue but having one for each pickup more than doubles the possibilities. God only knows how series 2 players get on ;-)  For a workable fingerstyle tone to kick off, I've set both filters between 70 and 80% clockwise with the pan favouring the bridge pickup slightly. Flicking the Q switches gives a very convincing slap tone so at least I should be able to use her at next Saturday's gig without making a complete fool of myself. One thing I have noticed is that the volume right across the neck is pretty much equal whereas, on the epic I always have trouble getting a level bottom and top.
We're rehearsing Tuesday so I'll get a good chance to see how she sounds cranked up (our guitarists insist we rehearse at gig levels!!).
 
graeme

[jacko]

Well, she had her first gig Saturday night. I used her for about 2/3rds of our sets, the rest being fretless. What can I say that you don't already know? The tone was incredible. Very clear from the low B up to top E on the G string. The filters are incredibly sensitive - the slightest adjustment would give a totally different tone - and as for the volume control, I only had to move it up a millimeter or so to get angry looks from the guitarists ;-) By the time I was halfway through the first set, I was very comfortable with her and was making 'mid song' changes. All in all, an excellent night. Considering how cold and damp saturday was, there was alot of eye candy in the place ;-) the only downside (if there can be one when you're playing an Alembic) was right after soundcheck, a couple of students came over and asked if my basses were Spectors :-O  Oh how I laughed.
 
graeme

[zn_bassman]

Hey Graeme, congratulations on your new Signature! Glad it works out so well for you. I played a very similar instrument a few months ago when I was in the States - a cocobolo MK with purpleheart neck laminates owned and excelled upon by Stoney Johnstone. Fantastic bass, yours probably sounds a little deeper because of the ebony.
 
We are, of course, expecting sound files...  ;-)

[bigbadbill]

Spectors, LOL! Graeme, someone once asked if my 1st Warwick Dolphin Pro 1 (I've had 2 but no longer possess either)was an Alembic.....that was before I had one. My answer? I wish....
 
Very nice bass BTW!

[the_8_string_king]

Sorry I overlooked congratulating you on your acquisition, Graeme.  It's quite lovely, and I'm pleased you're enjoying it so much.
 
Do you feel like your getting more Coco Bolo sound... having it on both sides and all?  Your Rogue has the Coco only on one side, right?
 
Now that you've had it for a while, how do the two compare in an overall sense?  (I've read your previous comments.)
 
Take care, Mark

[jacko]

Mark.
I think the biggest differences are most likely due to the ebony neck stringer and the extra filter and 'Q' switch. I think you're more likely to notice the 'coco-bolo' effect due to having BTC laminates. What I can say is that I can get a huge variety of tones from a big fat bottom (think tony levin on 'sledgehammer') to a very aggressive 'Entwistle' style exploiter.
With the ebony laminate, the sustain goes on for ever but also seems to make the note 'bigger' in some way. ( very difficult to explain without sound clips).
 
Graeme

[georgie_boy]

Then let's have some Graeme!!
 
G

[malthumb]

If my stock options were worth more than the paper they're printed on........
 
(Message edited by malthumb on August 22, 2007)

[2400wattman]

Levin has one of the most killer bass sounds period. Sledgehammer could've been written around his tone.

[jacko]

George. All our attempts at recording so far have been very bass light to say the least. However, we've 2 upcoming Falkirk gigs on 23rd november and 27th december so I'll expect to see you at one of those ;-)
 
Graeme

[georgie_boy]

 I can't believe I live less than 20 miles from this bass and have never held her
Hahaha
 
LOL
LOVE it Graeme
One day eh?
I'm just about to put new strings on the big fella, so you, John and Mike are more than welcome to play her.
I do not think she will be BETTERb than your bass,------just a slightly different sound
As I've said many times before, A Series is only better if you like single coils etc.

[white_cloud]

I will hold you to that promise George!
 
John.