Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: fretted4 on November 21, 2004, 07:23:34 PM

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: fretted4 on November 21, 2004, 07:23:34 PM

Just got finished surfin the ebay waves and stumbled across this interesting homemade copy , what do you all think???  
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3763974538&fromMakeTrack=true (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3763974538&fromMakeTrack=true)

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: kungfusheriff on November 21, 2004, 11:22:58 PM

I think he's got some gall (dig that logo), and there are probably a lot of unsoldered connections floating around in the electronics cavity.
That said, he's obviously ambitious and has a degree of talent and could make some nice instruments if he follows the right path.

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: jet_powers on November 22, 2004, 07:07:26 AM

I'll give the guy credit. Seems to have done a nice job. Way better than this guy I ran into a few weeks back whose band was on the same bill with mine. He built his own bass too. Out of 2x4's! It sounded as you might expect. Thankfully the rest of the band was... well, they weren't good and I wan't too sure sure which element was making me naseous!!!!!
 
JP

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: rami on November 22, 2004, 08:12:37 AM

That's a really cool Bass!  I think this guy has more that a little talent.  It's not fair to second guess what probably is or isn't in the control cavity.  He obviously knows more than most of us to build such a Bass.  And give him credit for his honesty.  He doesn't claim any relation to Alembic.
He's a true Entwistle fan.
 
If I could make my own Bass...

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: lbpesq on November 22, 2004, 10:58:10 AM

The bass is, admittedly, very impressive for a homemade job.  But do you think he got permission from Alembic to copy the logo?  I know I don't like someone else attaching my name to their work without my knowledge or approval.
 
Bill, tgo

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: rami on November 22, 2004, 11:34:32 AM

We can't really tell if he copied the Alembic logo.  It does have the shape of the logo, but is it close enough to pass for an Alembic?  It's difficult to tell.  I think the important point is that he clearly states that it's not an Alembic, and that it was not made with any Alembic parts.  To me, it looks like a fantastic tribute to a legendary Bass player by a dedicated fan.

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: mgirouard3 on November 22, 2004, 11:44:06 AM

I think the bass is pretty cool.  I really like when people take on DIY projects, and that bass is pretty impressive.  Also, that is not an Alembic logo.  I magnified the picture and although it may look similar it is not the logo.

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: poor_nigel on November 22, 2004, 12:02:25 PM

I don't think Marvel Comics is going to sue (or even say anything) anyone who makes a Spider-man suit that looks to close to the comic character's costume, unless they plan to mass produce it.  A zealous fan made himself his hero's bass - good for him.  Personally, I hope he does well on his auction.  He says he got one closer to the real thing.  I wonder if he got hold of a real Spider or Exploiter?  If so, great!

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: lindoom on November 22, 2004, 12:20:12 PM

YEAH MAN!! I think it's pretty cool, ya know not everyone can afford an Alembic. I wonder how it sounds? he also has a buzzard for sale.

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: dela217 on November 22, 2004, 01:47:23 PM

I looked at that one too.  I think it is quite impressive!  If I were to do that, it would be more abstract, and hard to tell if it were a bass or not.  I think the guy has some talent.  As far as the logo goes, it looks like some little guy in a Chinese hat.  Check it out.

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: bsee on November 22, 2004, 02:01:42 PM

It looks nice in the pictures, but, objectively, it's hard to tell what the real features are.  Are the webs painted on or inlaid, for example?  What sort of electronics are in there, and how much of the switchwork is present only for show?  
 
If I were a high schooler doing a Who tribute, this would be outstanding if it sounds remotely like a bass.  Personally, I think it's great that someone wanted to do this enough to take this much time and effort.

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: hydrargyrum on November 22, 2004, 02:20:36 PM

He mentions in the post that the webs are painted on.  I think his honesty combined with his admiration of the instrument are a sign of the true reverence for John Entwistle that so many people share around here.  BTW, has anyone ever checked out American Guitars: An Illustrated History?  Not only is there a informative section about Alembic in the book, but it is just amazing to see how many guitars are featured from John's personal collection.  

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: zappahead on November 23, 2004, 06:21:16 AM

I have that book (American guitars). If its the one Im thinking of then it also has a photo of Ron and Susan in it as well, posing with one of their guitars. It even covers some of the better made Alembic copies.

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: hydrargyrum on November 23, 2004, 08:17:42 AM

Hmm, that sounds different than my copy.  Mine features three basses, and a history of Alembic with a brief update and quote from Mica. I guess I'll have to check and see if I can find the book you are talking about.

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: senmen on November 23, 2004, 10:12:04 AM

Guys,
the person that is selling his homemade Spyder is a real gentle person and a die-hard JE fan like me.
Yes, he also has a limited Spyder with the V-headstock from last year with some extra features.
He also owns one of Johns original instruments.
 
Many greetings from another JE fanatic...
Oliver (Spyderman)

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: zappahead on November 23, 2004, 10:53:48 AM

Ill look up the name of it tonight sometime. I may have a different book. The book Im speaking of is guitars only I think. Its been awhile since I browsed it, Ill check it out and let you know. Its a  very easy to find book. I bought it dirt cheap at one of those warehouse stores fairly recently.

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: keavin on November 23, 2004, 11:30:55 AM

Gotta give this guy alot of credit,the proceeds from the sale are going to cancer fund ,& how many of us could've made such a fine instrument at the age of just 15 yrs old.

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: zappahead on November 23, 2004, 04:53:57 PM

The book I have is the Illustrated Encyclopedia of American guitars.  
 
That bass for sale is pretty sharp looking, especially for a homemade bass. Looks like he did a solid job.

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: ox_junior on November 24, 2004, 10:53:49 AM

I'll agree with you all.  Gotta give this guy credit for doing such a good homemade job at a young age to honor his hero, then further honoring him by buying an actual Spyder and selling this one with portions of his take going to the JEF and TCT.
 
Before the Spyders came out, I would have probably bought something like this...
 
Mike

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: terryc on December 08, 2004, 06:19:03 AM

having had a go at building a bass(twice) this effort from a 15 year old is outstanding, obviously playability and sound are important but when you visit the alembic factory and see all the tools, jigs as well as the skill of the workforce then you have to appreciate the effort he put in all those years ago. I mean if you have ever watched New Yankee Workshop you need to shell out a load of money just to tool up for the project!!
Hats off to the guy and he is donating some of the dosh to a good cause
 
terry c

Title: Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy.....
Post by: dgcarbu on December 27, 2004, 02:33:14 PM

Much respect to this person due to the creative ability and the cause...