lozbass

My first gig was well over thirty years ago (yikes!) - it was one of the most exciting and momentous evenings I've experienced and remains one of my most vivid memories. Practise a lot beforehand (with the band and your own bass parts - play along to recordings of successful rehearsals), don't drink much at all beforehand (seriously), try to relax and stay calm, don't argue with bandmates whatever the circumstances before or during the gig, look like you're enjoying yourself throughout (you will anyway), don't worry about mistakes (the best bass players in the world make them and nobody will notice or care). Your nerves will disappear with the opening notes (this one one of the weirdest feelings for me) and the gig will be over in no time - 40 minutes will feel like 5. More than anything just soak it up and have a ball. I'm excited for you! I hope that the rain holds of for you and this will be the first of thousands of gigs.

I'm looking forward to the final result, but the current image confirms what I've thought for a long time. In terms of aesthetics - and on many other counts - Martin is producing the finest basses to come out of the UK at the moment (IMO)

Between around '79 and '83, Fender produced a Precision Special (in LPB and CAR and later in White) - these were active basses and contained one of the earliest commonly available active preamps. I had the pre cloned around 1982 to fit into my Gibson Ripper - great tone but I lost the original tone of the bass! I've had and recently sold a Precision Special (in which the pre needed a simple repair) - I'm a big fan of the circuit, it's extremely powerful if a bit noisy. You'll ocassionally see the pre on its own or a loaded scratchplate come up on ebay (usually in the US) - I'm not sure if they fit directly into a standard P without extra routing but it's worth a look.

That's lovely - some of my favourite features: white with tort and mhs! Clearly a man of taste.

oh yes!

+1 on hugeosity - I took my bass along for a thorough going over (by a well-known and first-rate luthier) just after picking it up. He plugged it in and his jaw bounced off the floor - he was genuinely stunned (but it put a smile on his face!) It's almost impossible to believe the size of the sound that comes out of this very small (but bl**dy heavy) bass. Each note is massive and massively complex. Now I would say that etc...but seriously, I'm trying to be objective here - I've honestly never heard anything like it in very many years of playing. I had the Alembic up against my Warwick Streamer Stage II last week - now the latter's a big, growly, phat sounding bass, but the Alembic was significantly bigger, more defined and more aggressive right across the range from the deepest lows, through the mids and right into the top end (and with real complexity across the lot). I'd have to say, I was shocked again at the size of the sound - it's huge (honestly!) As for rigidity - this gave me a laugh - I'm not sure about hewn from granite, but there's something a bit unusual about an Alembic: the stiffness is either something you like, you don't like, or you can get used to. I'm in the latter camp. The bass really did feel a bit odd at first (and remember, it is tiny). However, a couple of sessions (it's hard to keep your hands off it anyway) and the bass simply became perfectly comfortable...sat down at least - I'm still not sure about playing this on a strap as the neck is pushed well-out because of the toggle placement.

Thanks to all for the comments - Series II custom (small standard) updated with new images on p4

More images added - some reasoable close-ups for those interested in detail (thanks for the posts and PMs!)

Hi Aaren, I think there's a good number of us plying our filthy trade in Manchester - welcome to Basschat (but be careful, it's a bit addictive!)

Hi Shaun, Thanks and no problem on the PM - I've been overwhelmed with work myself (in fact, I've only just finished for the day). I'll call in the next day or two. It's gorgeous over here in Manchester - I was hoping to get some better photographs in the sun, but I'm too knackered!

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='500594' date='May 29 2009, 09:00 AM']sgh - what does the switch by the output jack do?[/quote] Hmm...I'm intrigued too - is it two Q switches plus a switch for the LEDs?

[quote name='funkypenguin' post='498852' date='May 27 2009, 03:09 PM']how does it compare with some of the other high end material around? whats the neck profile like?[/quote] This is always a difficult - and sometimes contentious - one! In my opinion, this MG compares very well with any other high-end bass I've played (cue here all those that would say 'you would say that etc...') However, it feels different to the vast majority of basses insofar as it has a 33", 26 fret (mandolin wire) board. The shape of the body is supremely comfortable and the bass as a whole is surprisingly compact (this is a good thing for me). I find the neck to be extremely comfortable - it's a flattened D profile and fairly shallow with a satinated finish. String spacing is wide (about 19mm) but I've not experienced any discomfort with this - indeed, the bass plays super-fast with a ridiculously low action and low tension (not to everybody's taste of course). I'm not always a fan of wide spacing, but on this bass it isn't an issue and for chordal playing, the spacing is a real bonus.

sgh - gorgeous - that looks like a lovely thick slab of walnut? I'm always impressed by the quality of the maple in Alembics (and the pintripes set it off beautifully!)

Thanks to all for the very kind comments - I'll get some decent photos asap. Funkypenguin - I'm just to the south of the city, around the university area (Fallowfield).

I'd be thinking about one of the lightweight (neo) 1x12 cabs. I have an Epi ul112 and I'm very pleased with it, however, the options are numerous (MB, EBS, Bergantino etc.) I heard an Accugroove Tri 112 a couple of months ago and it was very impressive.

I'd have a look at a Danelecto Longhorn re-issue - you can pick them up for around £150 second hand (though you don't see too many of them). I've used one for a few years - they're incredibly light, easy to play, have a slender and narrow neck, low action and low string tension. The downside, for me at least, is that they don't sound too great.

[quote name='wombatboter' post='497968' date='May 26 2009, 01:27 PM']I have seen many basses but I think this is the most beautiful bass I have ever seen.. In fact I am looking for a bass like this.. I've been selling a couple of basses recently (like my blue Wal) and with that money I would like to buy a Fodera like you have. Unfortunately not easy to find second hand.. Buying a new one is a bit too expensive but I hope within the near future to find a similar beautiful Fodera like yours. Absolutely stunning and breathtaking.. Congratulations.[/quote] Thanks very much for the comments - I hope you find something soon. I must admit that I've been very pleased with the bass so far. Beyond the looks, it's a lovely bass to play (the action is fantastically low) and the tone is really lush - clean, clear and slightly compressed (it's the first bass I've had that makes me sound like a proper player - I can usually manage to make any bass sound dreadful). I was hoping to get some better photographs over the weekend but ended up working. I'll post further images as soon as I have a bit of time and there's a bit of sunshine in the North of the UK

We're blessed with some fantastic luthiers in the UK just now so it makes the decision that much more difficult. I had a look at your list (absolutely incredible - I've been through a few basses but my efforts are pathetic by comparison) and didn't see a Wal. This could be because you don't like them. If that's not the case, maybe you'd consider a Paul Herman Wal (I've a feeling these are going to be pretty special, but the build time could be an issue). Alternatively - and given your long-standing relationship with Fender - another Masterbuilt? Some are gorgeous but I'd be a bit careful here. I have one: I didn't commission it but the guy that did wasn't presented with what he expected! Beyond these, I'd have a serious look at a Sei - for me, on aesthetics alone, Martin builds some of the world's most beautiful basses. Then there's also another Sadowsky - the stained top model that just sold on BC was an instrument or rare and special beauty

Thanks Steve - Brilliant - love the video and it's all so clear now. Marcus' bass had exactly that effect on me!