Dream Bass Let-Down

[Charlzm]

(First-off I want to state that this has nothing to do with the instrument. It's strictly a personal "feeling".)

Ever since I was a kid seeing pictures of Jones or Entwistle with their Alembics, I considered their basses the absolute tops. Then when they came out with the Distillate, I'd thought that would be the perfect dream bass. They seemed smaller and simpler. I remember my brother bringing the new guitar player mags home with the ads in there and just drooling over them. Unfortunately, the local guitar shops have always been pretty lacking in quality inventory and I'd never been able to actually try one out. Fast-forward 35 years and I finally had the opportunity to take the plunge. The one with the right wood, scale and nut width came up at a time I actually could afford to buy it. It looks, plays and sounds really good ... But ... It doesn't do a thing for me. I've been a Fender and Rickenbacker guy all my life and this just feels too different. I've been playing it every day for a month and I just can't get used to it. I've really tried, but I'm coming to the realization that it's probably just not for me.
Has anyone else gone through something like this?

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I felt that way about my Kiesel Icon 5. I specced it out exactly like I thought I wanted and when I got it, I just didn't love it. I had it de-fretted so now it's my 5 string fretless and as such it will always have a place in my stable. But I still don't love it; it just fills the role it needs to.

 

[LuckyScott]

I had the same experience with redhead women when I was single......... Thought it was a good idea, just couldn't get into it. I tried, but had to go back to blondes....................

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I completely get it. As much as I like some more extreme designs like the thunderbird, mockingbird, etc. I like the feel of p/j style basses w/ j bass necks the most.

 

[bbh]

I've played a couple of Alembics, and they felt a bit 'cold', if that makes sense? For all the beautiful wood they weren't warm woody-sounding basses. The charm was in the electronics, and therefore they were a bit too much of a blank canvas for me. Tonally the wood seems to be out of the equation, and it is all about how you dial in the filters etc.

The charm is in the setup. It looks simple but it’s pretty involved setting up an Alembic and until that’s done correctly, it will just not be right. Setting the sounds is just a touchy process and take patience and futzing.
I bought a SCDCobolo which is also not for me. My issue is, I’m a 5 string guy. I don’t know if I’ll sell it or give away in my will. Depends on how my money lasts, I guess...

 

[bbh]

I had the same experience in the late 70s. Having never seen one in person, I order an Alembic from the factory. On the day of its arrival, I pulled it out of the case and maybe played it 5 minutes.
I disliked it the moment I touched it. It had a lousy feel and my arms were not long enough to reach the first fret. I then put it back in the case and under my bed, never to be played by me again. I later gave it away. Expensive lesson.

Ooh, giveaway? I want to b your friend.

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

Well one thing.......

Gibson seems to have a lock on hiring idiots to run their company............they might sue if someone else does that?

 

[the_home]

I had the same experience with redhead women when I was single......... Thought it was a good idea, just couldn't get into it. I tried, but had to go back to blondes....................

Like everyone has already said, you just didn't get 'the one', or at least the one for you.
Tim (married to a redhead for the past 36 years)

 

[BassplayinBob]

(First-off I want to state that this has nothing to do with the instrument. It's strictly a personal "feeling".)

Ever since I was a kid seeing pictures of Jones or Entwistle with their Alembics, I considered their basses the absolute tops. Then when they came out with the Distillate, I'd thought that would be the perfect dream bass. They seemed smaller and simpler. I remember my brother bringing the new guitar player mags home with the ads in there and just drooling over them. Unfortunately, the local guitar shops have always been pretty lacking in quality inventory and I'd never been able to actually try one out. Fast-forward 35 years and I finally had the opportunity to take the plunge. The one with the right wood, scale and nut width came up at a time I actually could afford to buy it. It looks, plays and sounds really good ... But ... It doesn't do a thing for me. I've been a Fender and Rickenbacker guy all my life and this just feels too different. I've been playing it every day for a month and I just can't get used to it. I've really tried, but I'm coming to the realization that it's probably just not for me.
Has anyone else gone through something like this?

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Sometimes it's better just to want something and not get it. Now go find someone else who has always dreamed of this bass.

 

[Reedt2000]

I bought an awesome Spector 6 string. It looked amazing, played amazing, but weighed 13lbs...

I sold it after a couple super-uncomfortable gigs, no regrets

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Anyone else have this problem? Why, yes- yes I have.

 

[ezstep]

I dreamed of an Alembic when I was young, and in my 40's I found a lefty 4-string Orion. Absolutely gorgeous, all the parts worked together very well, slim neck, great tones. But I have big hands - bigger than the narrow string spacing on the Alembic worked for me. I kept her about six years, played her out quite a bit, but I finally came to the conclusion that we were just not a couple. I sold her to a good home (actually, a military guy), and I hope she is doing well. No regrets, but if I ordered one, I would get a different spacing.

Great instrument, great support.

 

[blowinblue]

I had the same experience with redhead women when I was single......... Thought it was a good idea, just couldn't get into it. I tried, but had to go back to blondes....................

This is why I prefer bald women. Hair color never becomes an issue. Lol.

M. M.

 

[wvbass]

Dang. I read the title and before I clicked on the thread I though, “that reminds me of my Alembic.”

Incredible instrument. For somebody else.

 

[Skillet]

This is why I prefer bald women. Hair color never becomes an issue. Lol.

M. M.

Cuffs and collars do need to match one supposes.... in any case.

 

[HolmeBass]

I would give it way more time, like at least a year. It will take time to get used to that vs a Fender. It took me about a year to get used to my Warwick and switch over to using it as my main player from an SSD, and those two basses are quite similar.

It’s not like that Alembic will lose any value over the next year, and it may actually appreciate in value.

 

[Reedt2000]

I would give it way more time, like at least a year. It will take time to get used to that vs a Fender. It took me about a year to get used to my Warwick and switch over to using it as my main player from an SSD, and those two basses are quite similar.

It’s not like that Alembic will lose any value over the next year, and it may actually appreciate in value.

You make good points.

OP, is it the feel and playability you're not into, or the tone? If the sound does it for you then hanging in there and getting acclimated might be worth it. If you hate how it sounds then move it along.

 

[Lepparda]

I did the same a couple of years back.

I had always wanted an early 80's Ibanez Musician 924DS but when I finally got one I sold it within a few months. It was a beautifully made/looking instrument a bit like the Alembic but was not the tone I was after at all. Saying that I sold a Jaydee Mark King bass in 1994 which again is a little like the Alembic and I wish I hadn't sold that.

 

[Misfit toys]

yep me too, i had a ric, sold it, missed it, bought another, tried to love it, sold it, bought another one, tried to love it, now have it for sale, i really tried, lol there are more switches than spocks computer panel on that alembic

I've seen more

 

[Spectrum]

I think basses are like cars. Every one feels different.

I’m reminded of when I used to do a lot of business travel. I’d rent a car and drive it for a week. It always felt weird. But invariably, when I returned home and got back in my car, then IT felt weird! Every time you drive a different car, it feels weird—not because it is—it’s just different from what you’re accustomed to. Every time I ever got a new bass, it felt weird. But you can accommodate to anything.

Just because you drive a Chevy, doesn’t mean you can’t drive a Porsche. They do the same basic things, they just feel different. And your body acclimates eventually.

Not to me. I once went away on business for three months and had to drive a rental, a fairly nice Pontiac. It was okay. But when I got home and got back in the cab of my old pickup truck I knew I was actually home.

Likewise, I've had my Rickenbacker for almost 8 years now and am totally used to it. But my 1980s Westone is still the bass that just seems to fit my body perfectly. It's the bass I learned to play on and for over 20 years was my one and only.

When it comes to bass GAS I'm pretty much under control. I like to look at pretty basses and of course there is always that one "maybe someday" instrument out there somewhere, but when I got my Ric I got my dream bass, and I happened to really like it. So I'm done for now.

 

[retslock]

I’ve never owned or wanted an Alembic but for most of my playing life I used an early ‘70s P and still have it. A satisfying instrument to play and to hear. I had a need to switch to 5 strings so when I saw a used American Deluxe P advertised I jumped at it believing it would be the one. I never ever bonded with it even though it sounded good. I eventually sold it and don’t miss it.