Author Topic: Newbie with questions (Read 231 times)

petehnek · « **on:** August 09, 2006, 09:52:43 AM »

Hello,

I'm Pete, a new member from NYC. I've been playing for over 20 years, primarily on Fender Jazzes, but I think I'm ready to take the plunge and order that special Alembic I've always craved. I think I'm looking at a Series I with Series II electronics, standard Omega shape, flame walnut or cocobolo or something. But I'd like to try some out first before I get married to any bright ideas. Anybody know where I can check Alembics out in the NYC area? There's that place in Edison but that's a bit of a haul and I didn't read good things about it. Also on a related note, where would I order one from? What's a good dealer? I also want to see what a medium scale bass feels like, as I've only played long scale. I think the Omega shape doesn't balance as nicely on a long scale, yeah? Plus I want to check out the sound.

Anyway, I want a badass bass. Any info/help appreciated.

Thanks
Pete

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 09, 2006, 11:10:32 AM »

Hello Pete, and welcome to the club.
I live by Chicago, so I can't offer any useful dealer info local to you, but other members of the club from the East should stop in and say hi soon. Best of luck with your search.
Mike

valvil · « **Reply #2 on:** August 09, 2006, 01:04:33 PM »

Hi Pete,

I'm glad you registered; I've tried to reply to the e-mails you sent us @ Alembic but they keep bouncing back; according to the software the e-mail address you sent them from does not exist (whatever that means). I'll try e-mailing you again at the e-mail listed in your profile.

Valentino

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2006, 09:23:27 AM »

Hi Pete, welcome to the board. You might try running a search for dealers; there have been a number of past threads on that subject.

57basstra · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2006, 06:43:00 PM »

Hello, Pete. Welcome!

keurosix · « **Reply #5 on:** August 17, 2006, 07:56:40 PM »

Pete,
Welcome to the club. As far as Dealers, Edison NJ, and G-Guitars in New Haven, CT. may be the closest. I got my Europa at G-Guitars in CT, but they don't have any Alembics in stock now. You can check on their website or ask if they have a new one coming in (www.gguitars.com). You might need to see a fellow club member at a gig, and maybe get a chance to try their bass between sets or as a sit-in? Check out Gigs here at the club. You could start a new thread there for a request. ANY Alembic bass will blow your socks off for sound. I know it's hard buying sight unseen, but a lot of pre-owned basses are showing up on Ebay and in music stores, so keep checking. If you put out some requests, a fav store might get one in for you. Alembic's site has a list of dealers from the main page. Check out Bass Central's website (www.basscentral.com). They have had some of the most inspiring customs and will ship anywhere. Prices are hard to beat too. They're in Florida - not a driveby. Bass Northwest has a good selection too (www.bassnw.com). A quick way to assess the alembic sound would be to listen to recorded artists who used their Alembics in the studio: Stanley Clark, Mark King, etc.. Or, you could purchase Alembic Activator electronics for one of your current Fenders. They install without any modifications and instantly Alembicise your sound. Happy hunting.
Kris

keurosix · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2006, 08:02:28 PM »

Pete!
G-Guitars in New Haven, CT has a new 5 string Mark King Deluxe in stock now! It's awesome! Cocobolo is swirly, body is a balanced K heart omega shape. LED's on the side of the neck, Abalone inlays on the front. Too pretty for words or even pictures. If you want to see and feel an Alembic, this might be an excellent time! They have some great top end amps to try it through too. They also have an SF2 super filter and F1x preamp in stock. I also saw a few Accugroove cabs on the floor. I'm blown away! You can also see some ERB's by Ken Smith, Roscoe and F bass. Modulus, Lakland, etc... all high end gear. Worth a trip.
Kris

petehnek · « **Reply #7 on:** November 09, 2006, 10:11:22 AM »

Hey, thanks for the responses. I was unable to get on the board for awhile, not sure why, but here I am.

So on Monday I went to Alembic and began the construction of a bass! I'm very excited! Valentino took me on a tour and I picked out my woods, tried various necks out etc. I can't believe just how huge they sond. I'm getting your basic Series II with some slight mods. I am so fired up for it!

Here's some pics of me getting started: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34372341@N00

Can't wait for it to get finished so I can crank it up, knock down a few buildings.

cheers
Pete

tbrannon · « **Reply #8 on:** November 09, 2006, 10:37:59 AM »

Pete,

Congrats on the upcoming bass- that was a quick decision. You won't regret it. I just received my first Alembic about a month ago and I'm kicking myself for waiting so long.

BTW: Your link doesn't work as it is...the @NOO needs to be included. I just copied the whole thing and pasted it into a new browser. Looks like a Cocobolo top that Val is drawing on...or is it walnut? Either way, I'm sure it'll be a ripper when it's all done.

petehnek · « **Reply #9 on:** November 09, 2006, 10:55:05 AM »

Thanks for the head's up.

Yeah, I'm going to have cocobolo front and back. The sound was sick, can't wait to get it. I will have to adjust my playing style a bit, as I sounded a little sloppy, hee hee. That will be a lot of fun, can't wait to record with it etc.

P

dannobasso · « **Reply #10 on:** November 09, 2006, 03:09:45 PM »

Well done! You have discovered the first noble truth about an Alembic. Exactly how you play is exactly how it sounds. Someday I'll catch up to you series folk. Enjoy the build process, it too is part of the training.
Danno

David Houck · « **Reply #11 on:** November 10, 2006, 07:56:09 PM »

Great Alembic pics!

Congrats on the new bass!

hifiguy · « **Reply #12 on:** November 11, 2006, 07:29:35 PM »

There's no such animal as a basic Series II

Welcome to the club and have fun. I too spent years on Jazzes and an Alembic will force you to clean up your technique - it sure did with me! You have to listen to an Alembic; they all have distinct voices and personalities of their own, and once you acclimate to the changes the bass will make in you as a musician you will never want to play anything else.

Paul

petehnek · « **Reply #13 on:** November 13, 2006, 04:50:46 AM »

Excellent, thanks! I bet there are a lot of noble truths about Alembics! I'm going to have to get the laziness out of some of my playing, for sure.

The build process is sweet. It's so cool going in and starting a bass from scratch.

Hey, I'm going to need a new amp eventually. My SVT gave me back problems, so it's retired from gigging. I liked the F-1x I went through at the shop. I supppose I'll have to do some research.

P