Hey Jorge,    
   
As you can imagine, an Alembic Series II is by definition the King of all Basses.  How much of that perfection is contributed by the top (and back) woods is difficult to say.  Mica once told me that Burl Walnut is a low density and relatively light wood.  I'll have to agree with Wayne that the neck plays a bigger role in the sound than the body woods.  In any case, the Series Basses are hollow, so the woods can't really play a significant role.    
   
For the Dark Prince we were looking for specific ingredients for the ultimate fundamental and sustain.  The combination of Ebony and Purpleheart as well as the 36 scale (and of course the solidbody construction with the top and back bookmatched to the center over the neck) results in exactly what I was hoping for; the ultimate sustain.    
   
The Black Byrd will feature this construction as well as Series II electronics for what I hope will become the ultimate Alembic Bass.  I guess this is what can be described as wanting the best of both worlds!    
   
Rami  
   
 
 
(Message edited by rami on March 11, 2004)

Thanks to all you folks for your advice.  I am always impressed with the wealth of knowledge in this group.  Rami congratulations again, it is a beautiful Bad Boy.

Rami,
 
I'm obviously not the only one to admire a few of your Alembics that have graced these web pages, and this walnut bass is no exception.  I was very interested in your above response to Jorge about the elements of a bass that contribute to its sound.  I am most interested in how the Dark Prince sounds in relation to your other instruments.  Other than having great sustain, does the B string sound deeper and/or more solid that your other basses?  If so, is that due more to the wood combination, the solid contruction of the body, or the 36 scale, or is it impossible to tell?  Thanks Rami.
 
Envious Jeff.

Hi Jeff,
 
In response to your question...  All of the above!  The heavy, dense woods, the super long scale, and the solid construction.  All the ingredients for amazing sustain and brilliantly clear sound.  The low 'B' is as tight and punchy as anything you can imagine.
 
Obviously, every Alembic sounds great, but the Dark Prince is clearly a step (or several steps) above the rest for true natural sound quality.  It is also quite easy to play.  The neck, although super long, is slim and very fast.  
 
The beauty of a custom Alembic is that you can ask for something that's really beyond everything else, and then watch it come to life.
 
Cheers,
 
Rami

I recently got into playing works by Bach.  
Playing Bach on a Series II is nothing short of a religeous experience!

Rami,
 
I would love to hear it!
 
John

Mmmm ...tempting idea Rami!
Est-ce que tu as une id?e ou trouver des transcription tout pr?s de Bach pour basse ?lectrique?? ( 5 cordes??? 4 cordes)
Il y'avait dix ans j'en avait un bouquin mais j'ai d? le rendre donc ...si tu as une id?e ?? T'as mon mail non??
Salut!
 
Paul 'le mauvais'
 
(Message edited by palembic on February 13, 2006)

Paul, there was a prior thread on this topic.

Here is one.

And another.

Oooops ...

Thanks Moder.
I think I better go for easy Bach for electric bass. I just downloaded a PDF with sheet music of the cello concerts and ...well ...it's soooo depressing. I can't even make it through the first bar.
***sigh*** maybe I should stick with tah I-V, I-V thing.  
Or catch that Blues in F.
Oh no ...
wasn't that the forbidden Key???
 
Paul the bad one

Hoping for a bonanza of free scores, I followed up on the threads Dave posted.  Came across the motherlode at mutopia.

Hey Paul,
 
I started with the book J.S. Bach for Bass by Josquin des Pres, then I found the book J.S. Bach Invenzioni by Marco Di Natale, J.S. Bach for Electric Bass by Bob Gallway, PH.D.  Also the site www.free-scores.com is an excellent source for FREE Bach scores and more.
 
By the way, it was thanks to Jaco that I was first exposed to this style.  He really influenced us all in so many ways.
 
Enjoy,
 
Rami

Merci mon ami Rami,
 
thanks a lot!
I will go back to that bar (nono ...that bar in sheet music) and try harder.
We'll see what happened!
BTW ...last summer holiday I spent some days in France with a professor Ancient French literature who is from Qu?bec. He is still giving course inb Quebec and also in Limoges France. He explained me a lot about that french speaking part of Canada, about habits, language, ...very interesting!
 
Paul TBO