Rock Bassists who play Alembic?

[Kink Rimson]

Just been listening to John Entwistle's Alembic work and it';s probably the heaviest, thickest, grindiest tone I've ever heard ( outside of Live At Leeds, natch ).

Any other players who have really used Alembics in a heavier environment? I've heard loads of Stanley Clarke stuff but his sound just doesn't do it for me.

Links/sounds welcome!

 

[The Owl]

Just been listening to John Entwistle's Alembic work and it';s probably the heaviest, thickest, grindiest tone I've ever heard ( outside of Live At Leeds, natch ).

Any other players who have really used Alembics in a heavier environment? I've heard loads of Stanley Clarke stuff but his sound just doesn't do it for me.

Links/sounds welcome!

John Paul Jones of Zeppelin used one for a while in the band's later stages, and so did Greg Lake with ELP in the late 70's.

 

[j-raj]

didn't Cliff Burton have one?... And Lamar Williams?


... oh and who could forget Tripp Wamsley.

 

[Baryonyx]

I know he is more of a fusion player, but Stanley has used them on rockier things before (Animal Logic comes to mind).

 

[BassGod]

Jason Newsted used to use one during the Justice/Black days.

Graeme

 

[Obese Chess]

Trevor Dunn from Mr. Bungle

Flea used one for a while

 

[TheButler]

Did Peter Steele from TON not use an Alembic for a spell

 

[cash87]

As someone said flea used one on the album one hot minute...i believe every song but aeroplane was recored with one...oh and pea(acoustic)

 

[Jeremy Crockett]

Thor posted these images in another thread:

The inimitable Phil Lesh

 

[BassMan250]

JPJ actually had two Alembics, you can see (and hear) both on the Knebworth performance ('79). I love Phil Lesh's Alembic though, so amazing.

 

[AxtoOx]

JPJ actually had two Alembics, you can see (and hear) both on the Knebworth performance ('79). I love Phil Lesh's Alembic though, so amazing.

Yeah. 8 string and 4. JPJ used the 8 for songs off Presence. I forget the brand but he mostly play a 10 now.

 

[j-raj]

Manjon?

 

[bassist 4 life]

Newsted and burton come to mind.

 

[FoHBass]

As someone said flea used one on the album one hot minute...i believe every song but aeroplane was recored with one...oh and pea(acoustic)

I always thought he did use the Alembic on Aeroplane. What did he use for that song?

 

[Rusty Chainsaw]

I always thought he did use the Alembic on Aeroplane. What did he use for that song?

That was a Stingray. Pretty unmistakable. The rest of the album (bar Pea) was an Alembic Epic.

 

[PhR]

Yeah. 8 string and 4. JPJ used the 8 for songs off Presence. I forget the brand but he mostly play a 10 now.

The 8 string he used on "Presence" was a Hagström, he did get the Alembic for the 1977 tour. He now uses Manson basses.

Other Alembic players in the rock (or sort of) field include:

Joe Bouchard of Blue Öyster Cult
Chuck Panozzo of Styx
Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick (used an 8-string on "Gonna Raise Hell", used it occasionally live)
Tom Fowler (Zappa)
Andy West of Dixie Dregs

And of course Jack Casady who had thevery first Alembic bass.

 

[Thunder_Fingers]

never mind...

 

[Introvox]

Just watched a Nazareth DVD...Pete Agnew played a nice Alembec...

Awesome show....Dream On, always gives me chills

Although, they Yak way too much between songs

 

[Crazykiwi]

Alembics shine in rock trio settings.

The sound they supply is thick, heavy, crisp and completely dominant in the mix. I have a series 1 graphite from 1979 and when I put it through one of my 70's Burman valve amps, it sounds like JPJ (tone wise, even if not playing wise).

Huge sound!
Sh1t eating grin!
Mo' satisfaction!

 

[zombywoof5050]

Jimmy Johnson plays Alembics with Allan Holdsworth.
John McVie played one with Fleetwood Mac, and I think Mike Rutherford played one with Genesis.