/ Register

Band Has a New Favorite....I Agree. FBII

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Sufenta, Jan 3, 2009.

  1. Jan 3, 2009 #1
    Sufenta

    Sufenta Trudging The Happy Road of Destiny

    Mar 14, 2002
    The Signpost Up Ahead.
    Broke out my Kawai FBII today and it just powered the low end. I hadn't really played it much before. My drummer gave it to me about a year or so ago and I have 6 other basses that I usually go to, but now they don't want to hear any others but the FBII. It has such a thunderous growl to it that it just fits ideally into the our rock sound. Kind of ironic that of all the basses I've bought, the one that sounds the best was a gift. I know that the FBII was modeled after Alembic and now I'm wondering if I should thin the heard and get my hands on a real Alembic. Anyone have experience with both and can comment on the similarities/differences between Alembics and the Kawai FBII?
    IMG_3468.jpg
     
  2. Jan 3, 2009 #2
    JazzyJames

    JazzyJames

    May 31, 2008
    Guelph, Ontario, Canada
    Ive never heard of Kawai but if I had 6 basses I would definitely sell a few for an Alembic. Stanley Clarke model of course.
     
  3. Jan 3, 2009 #3
    Webtroll

    Webtroll Rolling for initiative

    Apr 23, 2006
    Austin, TX
    those kawaiis are really something else. never did figure out why they weren't more popular. were they expensive?
     
  4. Jan 3, 2009 #4
    bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    I think the problem was that they came out just as the Alembic style "hippie sandwich" basses fell out of popularity, in favor of hot pink Charvels and white Steinbergers.
     
  5. Feb 14, 2009 #5
    mikhay77

    mikhay77

    Feb 14, 2009
    Dont suppose you guys know of anybody selling an FB11?Missed out on one on flee bay for under $600 I,m kicking myself now
     
  6. Feb 14, 2009 #6
    Rope

    Rope

    May 27, 2003
    Essexville, MI
    I had a couple of them. Really heavy, but great basses. I also had a graphite necked Kawai that was a really good instrument. I seem to remember them listing for about $1000 and paying $800 new in 1989-90. The FBII deserves its reputation as a poor man's Alembic. It was like a grand piano with four strings.
     
  7. Feb 14, 2009 #7
    M.Wrenn

    M.Wrenn Guest

    Feb 9, 2009
    Santa Barbara, CA
    i have a Kawai FBII, i love it, its one of my favorite basses :)

    if you have 6 basses i would definitely sell a few for an alembic, altho that depends on what the other basses are. care to tell?
     
  8. Feb 14, 2009 #8
    The Eristic

    The Eristic

    Mar 19, 2005
    Cartersville, GA
    I let one slip through my fingers a few years ago out of mutual obstinacy. I didn't get to plug it in, but having played numerous Alembics, the basics (at least with that example) weren't too far off, honestly. Obviously, Alembics usually have much more exotic woods and better hardware, and I can't compare the electronics, but you'd be hard pressed to quantify major differences in terms of build quality and playability.
     
  9. Feb 15, 2009 #9
    DreadyDiggs

    DreadyDiggs

    Apr 15, 2008
    Portsmouth, VA
    I wouldn't man. Well, I'm not saying I wouldn't sell some of the basses. What I'm saying is I wouldn't sell with the intention of getting an Alembic. I'd lighten the herd and use the money or just save a some of it. You've got a bass the band loves, if you are content playing it, there's no need for the Alembic.

    With that said, any "thought" about not selling one of them and it wouldn't get sold haha.