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This is why Louis Johnson ended up with a Stingray!

#22
bucephylus said:
All I'm saying is that drawing the conclusion that LJ went to the Ray because the Alembic couldn't cut it is not consistent with my experience.

This ain't too shabby:

YouTube - Lee Ritenour - RIT Special - RIO FUNK
Click to expand...

Not too shabby at all. But listen to those highs. That ain't no stingray. And that's really the point. It's not about a 'Ray vs an Alembic. It's obvious from these few cuts they BOTH can cut it. But they have a different character from each other. So the question is which sound do you want for the particular music, not which one is "better".
 
#23
bassbenj said:
Not too shabby at all. But listen to those highs. That ain't no stingray. And that's really the point. It's not about a 'Ray vs an Alembic. It's obvious from these few cuts they BOTH can cut it. But they have a different character from each other. So the question is which sound do you want for the particular music, not which one is "better".
Click to expand...
No, that is not the original OP point nor is it what I was responding to. But, I completely agree with what you said regarding differences and preferences.
 
#25
bassbenj said:
Not too shabby at all. But listen to those highs. That ain't no stingray. And that's really the point. It's not about a 'Ray vs an Alembic. It's obvious from these few cuts they BOTH can cut it. But they have a different character from each other. So the question is which sound do you want for the particular music, not which one is "better".
Click to expand...

This what I should have said. I know Alembics are fine basses. They just don't sound like Stingrays, and that Stingray sound really brought Louis Johnson's tone to life.
 
#26
Dr. Cheese said:
This what I should have said. I know Alembics are fine basses. They just don't sound like Stingrays, and that Stingray sound really brought Louis Johnson's tone to life.
Click to expand...
+1

Actually I'm surprised you found that vid with Louis playing the Alembic. I didn't even know he went through an Alembic phase.

He is such a monster player, I think he would sound good on almost anything with strings.

Don't know what this bass is, but he sounds pretty danged great here as well.
YouTube - Louis Johnson - Get on the floor
 
#28
bucephylus said:
+1

Actually I'm surprised you found that vid with Louis playing the Alembic. I didn't even know he went through an Alembic phase.

He is such a monster player, I think he would sound good on almost anything with strings.

Don't know what this bass is, but he sounds pretty danged great here as well.
YouTube - Louis Johnson - Get on the floor
Click to expand...

He used that Alembic on the Right on Time album. It's on the cover. The biggest hit on that album was Strawberry Letter 23.



 
#29
#30
Before the Alembic, he was a P-Bass player!

album-look-out-for-1.jpg
 
#32
bucephylus said:
All I'm saying is that drawing the conclusion that LJ went to the Ray because the Alembic couldn't cut it is not consistent with my experience.

This ain't too shabby:

YouTube - Lee Ritenour - RIT Special - RIO FUNK
Click to expand...

MAN!!! Jimmy Johnson was smokin'!:eek::bassist::eek:

That is also historical because it must be one of the oldest performance clips (1984) of a five string bass strung BEADG in existence.:cool:
 
#35
jazz Bass 74 said:
Before the Alembic, he was a P-Bass player!

album-look-out-for-1.jpg
Click to expand...

Yep, he was originally killin' on a P Bass. Despite the fact that you can't slap on a P. Fortunately nobody told Louis.

Alembic Series basses are cool if that's what you're into and they're probably not is you're not. Many basses fit that description. I owned a new one and it was a no go for me as well. For others they're nirvana.

Back in the day that was "the" choice if you had the bucks... but for many folks it just didn't fit as well as some much lower end (price-wise) basses. More money still does not equal a better fit for everyone.
 
#36
Brad Johnson said:
Alembic Series basses are cool if that's what you're into and they're probably not is you're not. Many basses fit that description. I owned a new one and it was a no go for me as well. For others they're nirvana.

Back in the day that was "the" choice if you had the bucks... but for many folks it just didn't fit as well as some much lower end (price-wise) basses. More money still does not equal a better fit for everyone.
Click to expand...

Witnessing all of those guys use and then dump Alembics was the first time it ever occured to me that more money did not alway mean better pereformance or better playing.
 
#38
The quality of those mixes are different, but the Alembic seems to be cutting through fairly well. Since the "Alembic sound" and the "Music Man sound" don't have the same tonal earprint, it's tough to compare them. However, I have never heard a Sting Ray getting lost in the mix! The Alembic used in this track-which I believe is a Distillate or Spoiler-cuts like a knife! I used to own a Spoiler for many years until I sold it to get my Smith.

YouTube - Mazarati - 06 - Suzy

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste! :cool:
 
#39
The Musicman alway seemed to fit LJ better IMO. Even his P bass was a better fit. LJ was the first guy I saw with a Stingray, which was the first affordable bass that I can recall with an onboard preamp. The highs and punch were a revelation back then. I bought a first year one brand new.

It's similar to the story Dennis Chambers tells about when Gary Grainger switched from his Musicman to a Smith. There was an obvious change in the dynamics. Seems Gary dug the Smith and Dennis dug the Ray.
 

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