Tone Questions! Alembic or Cirrus

[calmb4tehpwn]

Okay, so I'm no newb to playing bass, but I'm certainly new to dialing down the right tone. So, I'll start by saying that I don't have any experience playing different tonewoods, or even know what wood my bass is made of!

So, I'm looking at something in the cirrus/alembic epic/europa/orion range. I love the clear coat/oil finish, and they've certainly got the look I'm going for. They're absolutely beautiful, in fact.

So, I'll do the best I can to describe the sound I want. Something earthy, soft, but still clear and vocal. But I still want something I can take up into the highs and still articulate.

Hell if I can describe sound for anything, but hopefully that helps. I'm in no rush to run out and get anything, just in the information gathering phase.

So, if I were to choose off of looks, I would go straight for cocobolo, or wenge. What sounds can I expect from these woods? Would it be worth it for me to look into the woods I don't like at all, like maple and ash?

Thanks for looking!

 

[bottomzone]

If you haven't played a Cirrus, you need to.



I used to own an Alembic Spolier for many years, one of the best basses I've ever owned. In my opinion, my Cirrus is a better bass, which is why I still have it. Next to my Ken Smith, my Cirrus is the second best bass that I have ever owned or played.

The bass that really speaks to you is the one that you'll get.

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

 

[Zooberwerx]

The Cirrus is more comfortable / ergonomic IMO. Plus, you can afford a Cirrus. Best bang for the buck.

Thought I saw a Cirrus 4 for sale in the classifieds.

Riis

 

[calmb4tehpwn]

You did, my dream cirrus at 700 dollars, but I wasn't ready. It slipped away.

I have to say I like the look of the alembics a bit more, esp. the Epic. Gorgeous!

Anyways, I'm going to sell my precious Gitane Gypsy Jazz guitar. So I will be able to afford what I want when it comes by.

 

[arialembic]

I have recently acquired a used U.S. made 5 string Cirrus, and it is amazing. Even with dead strings. I have wanted one since they first came out. My main bass until now has been an Aria Pro LTD, which was essentially produced with Alembic Spoiler electronics, including pickups. This model is the "Poor Man's Alembic", (one of them, anyway, as the Aria Pro SB 1000 and the Kawai F2b also have been called by this name), and the Cirrus is sort of the "Poor Man's Ken Smith". Find one and get it. You won't be disappointed. A gift from God it is.

 

[GIBrat51]

Never played a Cirrus; but I do have an Alembic Epic; maple/vermillion over mahogany. IMO it will do what you want, and it's comfortable to play -for me, anyway. And, it's an Alembic, so it's obscenely well made. Stock Epics, however, are the least elaborate Alembics, control-wise; so, if you're looking for a lot of versatility there, you'll be disappointed. It's my only active bass; for me, simple is just fine. I don't know what a used righty would go for; I had to pay the usual Lefty Surcharge for mine..