The Essence

[Rami Sourour (rami)]

This was my first Essence - Just knocked me out!
 

[Rami Sourour (rami)]

Gotta love that Zebrawood!
 
This one has Rogue electronics - Sounds amazing!
 

[Rami Sourour (rami)]

My first fretless Essence - In Walnut!
 

[Rami Sourour (rami)]

This is my fretless 5 - with inlaid fretlines - the top is Vermillion with Rogue electronics.
 
My favorite Essence of all!
 

[Jonathan Johnstone (stoney)]

Hey Rami, nice little arsenal ya got there! Your other basses are also killers.

[Rami Sourour (rami)]

Thanks!
 
The others really are killers.  But I always like to grab an Essence for a jam.  They're light & easy to play, overall very player friendly.  Can't go wrong with an Essence!

[Jonathan Johnstone (stoney)]

You're right there, gotta post a pic of my baby soon!

[Rami Sourour (rami)]

I'd love to see it.
 
Essences are really Do everything & go everywhere basses.  I love 'em all!

[Googe Endeveronte (goooge)]

Rami-
first of all-you have to have the largest collection of alembics i have ever seen-very impressive
 
I have a question regarding the above basses-aside from the electronics-and specifically addressing the fretless basses-do you find a big difference between the walnut and the vermillion??
I am wondering since they are not bookmatched to center-and essentially there is just the maple there-does the wood really make a difference??-which would you say is more of a growler??
 
how about your mapleless rogue-any real big difference there?? (ha ha)thanks for the looks at all your basses-(just saw all the excels- GEEZ man-)can't wait to see your next custom
peace
googe

[Rami Sourour (rami)]

Thanks - it's in the works!
 
I don't really notice a significant difference in sound between the top woods - I don't think they really contribute that much.  The 5 string fretless Essence is much growlier I think because it has more mass - and of course, its electronics.
 
The Rogue (Dark Prince) is the growliest Beast I ever played in my life!  There is where you truely hear the contribution of the woods to the sound.  There is also its 36 scale.  The strings are super tight and sustain forever.  The bass weighs close to 15 lbs. It feels like it was carved out of solid granite.  Nothing like I've ever experienced before.
 
Best wishes,
 
Rami

[Googe Endeveronte (goooge)]

The importance of scale length-I heard a little jazz trio in new york once and the bassist was playing a carl thompson-talked to him about it and he mentioned the 36 scale-he said it was the only way to go-singing mids/highs death booming lows, and no dead spots anywhere-i have to admit though his sound was a bit woody to me-that bass did sing.
so now I beg the question-how the heck do you get your intonation on an unlined 36 scale beast??
my hand hurts just thinking about it.

[Rami Sourour (rami)]

The Evil Twin is surprisingly easy to play.  It's very different from the Dark Prince.  As for the intonation; experience and ALOT of practice.  Having long fingers helps too!
 
Rami

[Jonathan Johnstone (stoney)]

Rami,What's the front laminate on your first Essence?

[Rami Sourour (rami)]

Zebrawood. The second one as well.  Then Walnut, and finally Vermillion.
 
Rami

[Jonathan Johnstone (stoney)]

OK Rami, I've been cruzin' the site looking at your basses. Time to fess-up!  How many Alembics do you own...list models please. Man, your house must look like the Smithsonian of Bass...cool man! Care to add my custom Spoiler to your collection? I'm willing to bargain ;^)