Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: rogertvr on December 06, 2005, 12:00:11 PM

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: rogertvr on December 06, 2005, 12:00:11 PM

I've actually had this instrument for some months.  I was so impressed when I collected my 4-string Buzzard in February that I ordered an 8-string!  I've had it since June, but at the time the story with Warwick was kicking off and Rob Green respectfully asked me not to speak about the 8-string.  It's all died down now, so here are a few pictures of it. Note the theme of the gold e-tuners - I had that on my 4-string so I decided to continue it.  It's been killing me not being able to speak about it!  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/23042.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/23043.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/23044.jpg)

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: davr35 on December 06, 2005, 12:11:52 PM

That whole Warwick thing is just stupid it doesn't make any sense.. Status is what John was using when he died so shy can't they still make his bass... great bass btw

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: bassicinstincts on December 06, 2005, 01:50:03 PM

Yum yum!!  
 
All I can say really!
 
...apart from I want one too!
 
Ben

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: palembic on December 06, 2005, 02:31:39 PM

Gasp!
When are those trains to the UK???
 
Paul TBO

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: senmen on December 06, 2005, 02:52:31 PM

Rog,
shame on you... :-)
No I really understand this matter. It was wise not to speak about this. Hhm, you see me jealous......
 
Oliver (still Spyderman)  :-)

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: kmh364 on December 07, 2005, 05:11:26 AM

Rog: Very nice! Just looking at it resulted in a rousing rendition of Success Story reverberating in my cavernous, yet empty, cranium, LOL!
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: zn_bassman on December 07, 2005, 05:11:48 AM

Hey Rog,
 
Great bass! And shame on W*rw*ck again! A couple of us have been discussing Buzzards off-forum, and I'm wondering if you can tell us about the sound. John's 8-string Buzzard sound often came across kind of muddy in the legit and bootleg recordings I have. The recordings in question are of Status Buzzards, save the Join Together release from The Who's '89 tour, on which he used the Warwick 8 for Trick of the Light. I distinctly remember the muddy 8 sound at both of the live shows I saw that year in Washington DC. Maybe graphite isn't so good for 8s?

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: bigbadbill on December 07, 2005, 06:15:33 AM

Rog, HOW jealous am I? :-)  
 
And there was me pretty happy with the somewhat used Status Energy 5 (graphite neck/walnut body/twin Js) I just scored off ebay for peanuts.....

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: rogertvr on December 07, 2005, 06:15:38 AM

Thanks for your kind comments folks!
 
To answer ZN's question about sound - it sounds like my SG Buzzard 4-string, except that the sound is more full in the 8-string sense of that statement.  It's not muddy at all, it has the same ring and cut to the sound.
 
It's also amazingly easy to play - the last 8-string I played (which was about 20 years ago - a BC Rich with the aluminium baseball bat neck - horrible) was configured with the strings paired the other way and I struggled with that.
 
This Buzzard really is an amazing instrument.  Shame that there won't be anymore...

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: bigbadbill on December 07, 2005, 06:19:50 AM

Yeah, I would've liked one one day. Still, there's always the B2 and the Stealth....
 
FWIW I owned a Rickenbacker 4003s8 (which I sold to help finance my Alembic) and that was a fantastic bass...I miss it a lot. One day I'll get another....

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: rogertvr on December 07, 2005, 06:31:22 AM

I always wanted a 4001 8-string but never managed it!

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: bigbadbill on December 07, 2005, 10:28:44 AM

Hard to find...great basses though. Imagine the 4001/4003 but even more so....

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: zn_bassman on December 07, 2005, 10:36:35 AM

Rog, thanks for your answer and enjoy that great new toy!  
 
Personally, I prefer the incredible sound John got with his Alembic 8s. And the studio version of Success Story (on 1975's Who By Numbers) was apparently recorded with a Rick 8.
 
Let's hope the W*rw*ck-induced ban is eventually lifted - who knows what a little legal razzle-dazzle could do!

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: stoney on December 07, 2005, 11:04:45 AM

WOW! NICE AXE

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: beelee on December 07, 2005, 01:55:29 PM

Roger your a lucky  guy having a SG Buzzard 4 and 8 !!
 
I wish I had one of each !!
 
ZN I second the let's hope the W*****K ban is lifted....those B*st*rds !!
 
Well I have to settle for my Ibanez Studio ST-980 8 string.........its a nice one, has a slight Alembic like design
 
but I REALLY want a SG Buzzard !!

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: ox_junior on December 09, 2005, 02:02:16 PM

Nice bass.
 
How much you want for it?
 
 MB

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: rogertvr on December 09, 2005, 02:51:11 PM

Make me an offer!

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: bigredbass on December 11, 2005, 12:16:56 PM

Just to stir up this Warwick/Buzzard/Entwistle love fest a little more:
 
www.gbase.com/stores/gear/geardetails.aspx?item=810057 (http://www.gbase.com/stores/gear/geardetails.aspx?item=810057)
 
Have fun,
 
J o e y

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: senmen on December 11, 2005, 01:37:31 PM

Joey,
if you have 50 K this could be yours... :-)
Too much for me anyway....
 
Oliver (Spyderman)

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: bigredbass on December 11, 2005, 11:08:13 PM

Whenever they find the sap that would step up and actually give them 50 grand for this, I'd love to sell him my beach house on Mars.
 
J o e y

Title: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String
Post by: kmh364 on December 12, 2005, 04:56:54 AM

My attitude is, if you believe the spiel in that advert, if John meant that much to the guy, he wouldn't be selling the bass!  
 
Actually, considering what rock memorabilia is selling for these days, this is a bargain! Where's that guy from Microsoft when you need him? LOL!