I have both a SCSD and a SI bass, I really dig both but for a few reasons stay home when I gig.  One reason is weight and ergonomics, the main reason is that the stages I play on are just too crowded for me to feel comfortable bringing them out of fear they will get damage.  Two drummers, keys, singer, and two guitar players and myself make even some of the larger stages at the venues we play feel like a game of Tetris.


As a result I have what I've grown to consider my beater bass, which is a Fender Jazz Elite I picked up a few years ago.  It's actually a great bass, and from an ergonomic and balance standpoint fits me like a glove.  The tone is great also, but it sounds like a jazz bass.  Not a bad thing, but that mid-rangey jazz growl isn't what I am always after.


Whats the path of least resistance for getting more of that clean, Alembic hi-fi type sound out of this?   


My main am these days is a Mesa subway TT800 which I'd rather not get away from due to its weight.  So that leaves pickups, pedals, or some kind of small pre-amp I guess.

Activators.

Peter

+1 on Activators


Also, how about an SF-2? I remember running my Rickenbacker through it and being amazed at the sound. You can dial in some deep bass and some zing or various midrange frequencies for more of an "Alembic tone"

Ditto on the SF2, lots of tones in that box.

I'd agree here...
The SF-2 is the way to get really close to an Alembic sound when playing something other than an Alembic.