I'm quite a ways from my custom bass, but of course I daydream about it everyday. What I want out of it is a more aggressive, mean sound. I've already decided on set neck, ash body. What I'm really curious about opinions on is what would be the best electronics/pickup configuration for that badass sound. I was thinking 2 fat boys with Europa/rogue electronics, but I really don't know and was hoping for some insight
If I want GROWL ? I can get that from running stereo with Series I/II Electronics from my D5S-R Alembic Power supply or Alembic IN-2 directly into an Alembic SF-2 Super Filter then to Alembic F-2B then to Crest Power amp to EV 10 speakers in Mesa Cabs . With your SF-2 Dial in Lower mid range GROWL off the Bridge pickup.
I think if you don't want to spring for Series Electronics
Anniversary Electronics in Stereo would be nice . I used to bi-amp but recently have gone back to playing Stereo like I experimented with over 30 years ago. The difference NOW is that I have the SF-2 : if you want mean that little guy gives MEAN! If you want nice it gives NICE
If you want ANY sound ________!!!_!_!_!_!_!_! Gives that too ____
Sonic Regards __ bass dreams are fun___
ASH body might work well attack wise on the transient response!
(Message edited by sonicus on August 01, 2011)
I found that in my experiences, the absolute meanest, growliest Bass out there is the basic Excel. Just the most basic version with one pickup - WOW!!!
I fell so in love with it.....well, most of you guys know the rest!
Cheers
Well, as a matter of fact I want an excel body for my custom, and I've been looking for a four string excel for some time now but they are still so new they're hard to aquire used; probably because whenever one becomes available you take it first ;-)
perfect timing!
http://cgi.ebay.com/2002-Alembic-Excel-4-String-Bass-Guitar-/180704928935?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a12da64a7 (http://cgi.ebay.com/2002-Alembic-Excel-4-String-Bass-Guitar-/180704928935?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a12da64a7)
~Taylor
Somebody buy it already!!! At $1200, it's a steal.
There's no other Bass that's more worthy of every penny. It has the deepest, punchiest, MOST powerful and GROWLIEST tone.
Trying to buy it now! haha
My single pickup Distillate is quite swell as well ! I took it to the 2011 Northern California Alembic Gathering and split the mono signal and processed it as Stereo into my SF-2 and F-2B preamp . The results were favorable as I was told by various individuals. I think that single pickup Alembics shine like no other single pickup Bass could ever wish to ! CYCLOPS POWER !
lol ______
Wow, what a beautiful Excel !!
Did you buy it pinbacking?
That top must look 3 feet deep in person : )
cheers
Yes , Congratulations !
Haha, ya! Confirmed purchase, now just waiting for the bank to catch up. :-)
Congratulations, she's a beauty!
I think that when Alembic first produced the Excel, it was meant as an affordable and entry level Bass. Little did anyone realize that this simple no-frills Bass would be such a monster. I absolutely love it.
I'm still selling this one ! It sure give mean tones!
anyone?
http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/395/97520.html?1312312158 (http://club.alembicguitars.net/index.php?topic=14206)
I've found Essence basses have a very aggressive/growly tone. My off the shelf and the custom I had made. They're both outstanding in that regard. And every other regard for that matter.
Both are maple necks with walnut streamers and maple bodies.
Agreed , My little 91 all maple Essence has a big bellow of a bark like a 120LB Bouvier ! (http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/402/111093.jpg)
My evaluation of the Essence is that it has a very bright, very clear sound with excellent sustain and rich harmonics. The classic Alembic sound. But... it's NOT an Excel. The Excel sound is LOUDER, fuller and rounder. It's truly a MEAN, GROWLY, BEASTLY sound that just simply unmatched by anything else.
My New Excel
(http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/402/111462.jpg)
(http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/402/111463.jpg)
Havent had the chance to play it on my rig yet so I don't know how it sounds big, but playing it in my recording space its really just as beautifully playing as my Spoiler, but with a tighter midrange pop. I'll describe the sound better when I get to really open it up :-)
Nicely done Royce. Congrats!
A beauty,
I'm here in the NW , hope to see it live and loud sometime ,
congrats
Yeah totally. NW gathering?
So, what's the verdict on that infamous Excel growl? If I were a betting man, I'd guess that one sounds pretty darn mean...
Well, after playing it on my amp, Ampeg SVT-3 with a SVT 6x10 HLF, I can say that it sounds great! As for mean, weeell, I guess I might have different thoughts on mean. I have a new set of Dean Markley Blue Steels on the bass and what I would describe the sound as is ROUND, or FULL, with a sort of fretless stretch. The sound takes up a lot of space, and is naturally warm and bassy.
Like, my spoiler is more articulate sounding, because the neck picks up a thump sound, and the bridge picks up a twang sound, and then puts them together and it seems like there's more tone in the note, whereas I can't hear myself as well playing the excel because it's fatter, and it fills the room more. I like it, its just really different for me. All of my basses have 2 PU's and I've never been much of a stingray guy. Perhaps I just need to find my place with it, when I wail on it it gives me great grit, nice and middy and mean, just like I want, but when I start playing with my fingers it becomes very warm despite that I have a pretty heavy right hand on notes, my other basses don't change tone nearly as dramatically between playing styles. I like it, I think I might add a tone filter to it like I did to a prior Epic, which is a sweet addition.
I've started recording a song with it and it really shines with a pick nicely, I usually dont play with one but it sounds GREAT with a pick
One thing I really like is looking at the fretboard when I play and you see the pau ferro and all the beauty in the wood as you're playing, ebony is awesome but its just one color ;-)
So, AwEsOmE! I have to play with it more :-)
Congratulations Royce,
It is THE meanest, growliest Alembic out there.
I find that due to wide aperture Fat Boy PU that it also captures great Harmonics - Portait of Tracy - No problem!!!
Many years of enjoyment,
Rami