Alembic Basses Opinions?
Jarl Sigurd
all the rage. Nowadays one never hears about them.
If Alembic were all that good, why have they more or
less disappeared. Were they really that good or were
they simply overrated like a lot of othe "boutique" gear
has been over the years. Anybody had any experiences
with Alembics? What are your opinions?
Jarl Sigurd
to listen to a classical cello concerto composed and
performed by me, visit: http://www.mp3.com/JarlSigurd
Brian Rost
>
> When I first started out in music, Alembic basses were
> all the rage. Nowadays one never hears about them.
> If Alembic were all that good, why have they more or
> less disappeared.
Their prices have gone through the roof. There are still some models
available for under $2000, though.
At the time, they represented a real quantum leap compared to the mass
produced basses of the day. Now a lot of other builders have come to the
market which has caused Alembic to be less visible.
--
Brian Rost
Stargen, Inc.
**********************************************************************
Rob Hewett
>
> When I first started out in music, Alembic basses were
> all the rage. Nowadays one never hears about them.
> If Alembic were all that good, why have they more or
> less disappeared. Were they really that good or were
> they simply overrated like a lot of othe "boutique" gear
> has been over the years. Anybody had any experiences
> with Alembics? What are your opinions?
I guess you haven't been lurking that long -
the topic of Alembics comes up on the NG fairly
often; see the archives. Just saw Jimmy Johnson
playing his (right, that was an Alembic?) on a big
television special (PBS) of James Taylor, and he
seems to do OK :-) For me, Alembic means Stanley
Clarke. When I was young and impressionable (now I
am middle aged and impressionable:-) Stanley was the
man, and to me if Stanley played an Alembic, I
just supposed that was the best. I still remember
seeing one in a locked display case at a Boston music
store about 20 years ago, thinking with awe, "just
like Stanley's". It was over $2000US at the time,
whatever that would be like now - a lot...
I did actually try a used 5 in a Guitar Center the
other day and it wasn't very nice to play, but
that's just one tiny data point. It seems that
Alembic is still a very viable mark, and has its
attractors, but there are many more competitors these
days on the high end. I do think your conjecture that
they are overrated may have some merit, but I should
stop gassing, because my impressions are mostly anecdotal.
-Rob
Malthumb
>>
>> When I first started out in music, Alembic basses were
>> all the rage. Nowadays one never hears about them.
>> If Alembic were all that good, why have they more or
>> less disappeared. Were they really that good or were
>> they simply overrated like a lot of othe "boutique" gear
>> has been over the years. Anybody had any experiences
>> with Alembics? What are your opinions?
>
You should go to their website, www.alembic.com, then click on the link for the
Alembic Bass Club. One of the fastest growing clubs on Yahoo. There is a lot
of discussion of Alembic basses. Everything from your typical GAS type
discussions to how to modify the stereo electronics to who's giggin' where with
their Alembics.
The president of the company pops in from time to time (she's been quite a
presence there this week in particular).
Alembics are probably an acquired taste, but I'd be hard pressed to say that
the brand is fading or disappearing.
Peace,
James
*********** *********** *********** ************
Old Bass Players never die, they just lay on the bottom
Smakutus Maximus..
> Just saw Jimmy Johnson
> playing his (right, that was an Alembic?) on a big
> television special (PBS) of James Taylor, and he
> seems to do OK :-)
Back about 12 years ago a friend and I were in a Detroit pawn shop (near
Tiger Stadium..) and saw a Alembic (5 string?) bass just like Jimmy
Johnson's. It was missing the truss rod cover (Or was it a cover on the
body?) that should have had the owners name on it and it didn't have a
case. We knew it was hot and passed on buying it.. Later I read a
interview with Jimmy talking about one of his basses being stolen.. We
always figured it was his bass. I hope he got it back..
I love the sound of Alembic pick ups.. They will improve any bass.
Outt..
Jeff.
Dave J.G.
> all the rage. Nowadays one never hears about them.
> If Alembic were all that good, why have they more or
> less disappeared. Were they really that good or were
> they simply overrated like a lot of othe "boutique" gear
> has been over the years. Anybody had any experiences
> with Alembics? What are your opinions?
Way back when, Alembic was practically the only really high-end bass
manufacturer. Now there are several dozen that make basses of equal or
better quality. Alembic basses are great. I tried a couple out at NAMM and
Guitar Center over the years and I used to own one about 10 years ago.
I fancy myself a conneseur of high-end basses ( not that I've owned them all
... just tried many of them ). I was fortunate enough to hook up with the
luthier at Hanewinckel Guitars ( http://www.hanewinckelguitars.com/ ). I
just received my first 7-string from them (
http://www.unpronounceable.com/dave/photos/photo_hanewinckel7-3.html ). I
have a fretless 7-string on order.
Sincerely,
Dave
Dave's Guitar and Bass Resource Pages - http://www.Guitar-and-Bass.com/
David J. Grossman
daveg -AT- unpronounceable -DOT- com
http://www.unpronounceable.com/dave/
Rob Kloka
--
-rob
\ /
O
( \ / )
" "" "
"Dave J.G." <s...@signa.ture> wrote in message
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Dave J.G.
"Rob Kloka" <rkl...@REMOVEwi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:igcx6.17456$4D.3...@typhoon.mw.mediaone.net...
> Nice bass Dave.
Thanks! I have more instrument pictures and some NAMM pics including some
killer Michael Tobias Designs basses at:
http://www.unpronounceable.com/digital/
Sincerely,
Dave
Rob Kloka
before it #14 IIRC is a Jerzy Drozd.
--
-rob
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( \ / )
" "" "
"Dave J.G." <s...@signa.ture> wrote in message
news:g8dx6.10420$ea6.1...@news1.frmt1.sfba.home.com...
Malthumb
>Tiger Stadium..) and saw a Alembic (5 string?) bass just like Jimmy
>Johnson's. It was missing the truss rod cover (Or was it a cover on the
>body?) that should have had the owners name on it and it didn't have a
>case. We knew it was hot and passed on buying it.
Although you may have been correct in your assessment that this bass could have
been hot (maybe even Jimmy Johnson's) there is another possible explanation.
Alembic didn't cover the truss rod on their earlier basses. I have a '74 that
never had a truss rod cover and an '87 with a brass truss rod cover. The
telltale signs are "are there any screwholes on either side of the truss rod
cavity?" and "does the serial number indicate a '70s or early '80s vintage?".
If there are no screw holes and it's an early model, it's probably on the up &
up.
Smakutus Maximus..
>
> >Back about 12 years ago a friend and I were in a Detroit pawn shop (near
> >Tiger Stadium..) and saw a Alembic (5 string?) bass just like Jimmy
> >Johnson's. It was missing the truss rod cover (Or was it a cover on the
> >body?) that should have had the owners name on it and it didn't have a
> >case. We knew it was hot and passed on buying it.
>
> Although you may have been correct in your assessment that this bass could have
> been hot (maybe even Jimmy Johnson's) there is another possible explanation.
> Alembic didn't cover the truss rod on their earlier basses. I have a '74 that
> never had a truss rod cover and an '87 with a brass truss rod cover. The
> telltale signs are "are there any screwholes on either side of the truss rod
> cavity?" and "does the serial number indicate a '70s or early '80s vintage?".
> If there are no screw holes and it's an early model, it's probably on the up &
> up.
Hi James,
There were holes and a cover was missing from that bass..
Thanks for the info..
Outt..
Jeff.
Dave J.G.
> Thanks for the look. The marble bass is a Roscoe I believe, and the one
> before it #14 IIRC is a Jerzy Drozd.
It looks like you know your basses! I really regret not taking more
pictures. If I go next year, I will certainly take a lot more. It isn't
always easy to get good pictures when it's crowded. You have to stand back a
bit to get the whole bass in the picture and there's always someone in your
way.
Thanks,
Dave
Edwin Hurwitz
<jarls...@geocities.com> wrote:
I think they are great basses, but to get the real Alembic sound, get a
Series I or II. Pricey, but it's the real deal. Nothing sounds like it.
Their preamps and Superfilter are also great sounding and built like
tanks (I have one of each and use them daily).
Edwin
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Edwin Hurwitz
Boulder, CO
http://www.indra.com/~edwin
http://www.essenseoils.com
remove nospam to reply!
Dave Sneed
(one is a maple top the other is walnut) but I think both are great. A
friend of mine has a Series I (might be a II - have not seen it in a while)
and it was indeed a very impressive bass - both in tone and construction. I
have seen a lot of the other boutique basses and have not been very
impressed with them. Occasionally one will catch my eye/ear (Watts comes
to mind).
I think they provide a great bass for most price points in the $1000 and up
class basses. I don't think you read or hear a lot about them because they
are not out for world bass domination. They know they make a fine
instrument and that anyone interested in getting a fine crafted instrument
will eventually come to them to see what they are about.
Dave
The Norm
www.thenormband.com
"Edwin Hurwitz" <edwin...@indra.com> wrote in message
news:edwinnospam-23AA...@news.indra.com...
Benjamin Jacoby
> Their prices have gone through the roof. There are still some models
> available for under $2000, though.
> At the time, they represented a real quantum leap compared to the mass
> produced basses of the day. Now a lot of other builders have come to the
> market which has caused Alembic to be less visible.
I've got an Alembic and I agree. Once they were way ahead of mass basses
but now I don't think they measure up. I've had lots of go-rounds with
Alembic over this. Stuff that shouldn't even be an issue but yet is.
Like noise in the electronics; gold hardware which isn't all gold...some
of it is chrome; or a ridge in the neck because the wood wasn't cured
all the way. Hokey cowtown stuff that a "quantum leap" maker should
NEVER allow, but Alembic does.
But don't get me wrong it's a killer bass. And yes Alembic pickups are
really great...but not especially greater than the Barts I own. And I love
the Alembic bridge design for adjustment...but I can't help feeling that
the sonic design of it isn't up to modern bridge standards (though I
have no tone complaints). Quite frankly, I think Alembic is simply not
keeping up and falling further and further behind the pack and with
prices rising, I wonder how much longer they can live on their past
reputation. Next time I think it'll be a Zon! :-)
Benj
--
SPAM-GUARD! Remove "user.", if present, from address to email me.
Rob Kloka
Alembics and stopped to chat. I pointed out the shrunken fingerboard wood,
and he claimed that this was common. He in fact had to "go over" all the
Alembics the store got. I guess he had to shave their necks to match the
fingerboards too.
Sounds a bit odd if you ask me, but once you get one "broken in", I bet it's
a player.
--
-rob
O>
/(\)
^^
"Benjamin Jacoby" <bja...@user.netwalk.net> wrote in message
news:9be2ct$p91$1...@news.netwalk.net...
Dd
take it from me: Alembic employee are by-and-large
crank addicts, coke heads, and stoners at the very least.
I know this first hand.
Drug dealers work there, drug users build basses.
If you think world-class quality basses are going to be built
by tweekers, think again.
Benjamin Jacoby <bja...@user.netwalk.net> wrote in message
news:9be2ct$p91$1...@news.netwalk.net...
Malthumb
>As a former Santa Rosa resident (home of Alembic),
>take it from me: Alembic employee are by-and-large
>{some very non-complimentary stuff I choose not to repeat} at the very least.
>I know this first hand.
>Dxxx dxxxxxs work there, dxxx uxxxs build basses.
>If you think world-class quality basses are going to be built
>by tweekers, think again.
I chose not to copy Dd's words verbatim, cause this kinda stuff gets a life on
the 'net & it becomes unclear WHO said WHAT. Now, to the point.
Although I have not personally toured Alembic's factory, I know people who
have. In such a small company it would be hard to hide the allegations Dd
makes in his post. It's even harder to believe that people operating under the
influence can craft instruments as fine as these. I have Alembics that were
produced in 1974, 1987, and 2000. All are top notch in terms of workmanship
and sound. There is incredible attention to detail. Are they the best in the
world? I don't know, but they're the best I've ever played. I've owned Smith,
Music Man, & Fender and I've played Warwick, Pedulla, G&L, Peavey, Conklin and
lord knows how many others.
I have spoken on the phone often with members of the Wickersham family who
founded and still own the company. It is highly (pun intended) unlikely that
they would knowingly jeopardize their company and family name by employing the
types of folks suggested in Dd's post.
My 2 cents.
Cody M. Stumpo
a Rogue and totally loved it. The E*** was very thin-sounding, and just
sort of OK to play. The Rogue was dreamy.
In article <9be2ct$p91$1...@news.netwalk.net>,
--
---------------------------*************************------------------------
co...@soda.CSUA.berkeley.edu http://www.csua.berkeley.edu/~cody/
Holding a titular Archbishopric since 1999.
Peter McFerrin
early backers was Owsley Stanley, the great LSD "cook" immortalized in Steely
Dan's "Kid Charlemagne."
Bob
own (out of 8)...I have a Fender '76 P...a Fender '86 J Special....a Gibson
EB4-L....two Hofner 500/1's.....a Spector 2000-4, and an old Teisco Del Ray, and
the ALembic ROCKS!....(I kinda love the Teisco, too...that cheap, funky sound does
it for me....)
Bob.