Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: senmen on March 01, 2007, 08:51:17 AM

Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: senmen on March 01, 2007, 08:51:17 AM: Guys,
today I picked up Tears for John from UPS. Everything went ok with the transport and as I opened the case it was a simple: WOW
This bass is amazing. Another Alembic masterpiece.
I will post some pics soon; this evening I have to do rehearsal with TFJ and it will be used on stage for the first time next week saturday.
Susan, Mica, Ron and the whole Alembic staff: THANK YOU
Also very special thanks to Beaver Felton and the whole staff of Bass Central. You rule !!!

Oliver (Spyderman)
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: olieoliver on March 01, 2007, 08:57:22 AM: Congrats Oliver, can't wait to see the pix.

I've dealt with Beaver on a few basses and I agree, he is very good to deal with. Knows his stuff and knows how to treat his customers.
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: tom_z on March 01, 2007, 11:18:49 AM: Great news - congratulations Oliver!
Ditto on the pix.
Tonight I'll raise a pint of Stout in honor of TFJ.
Enjoy!!

Peace
Tom
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: lbpesq on March 01, 2007, 12:47:20 PM: Oliver:

Congrats! Don't forget to come up for air. LOL

Bill, tgo
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: senmen on March 01, 2007, 02:02:34 PM: Guys,
many thanks for your nice mails. Just came back from rehearsal with our band. What shall I say: it is absolutely fantastic.
It is not as heavy as the Spyders are and not as thick. The case is not the huge piano-style size but a bit smaller.
What suprized me is that TFJ has more bottom end than the Spyders while having great upper mids and highs. The Spyders were not that defined at the bottom.
Attached a first quick shot from my mobile phone. Will do a bit more over the weekend.
What do you think?
Oliver (Spyderman)(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/36814.jpg)
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: speicky on March 01, 2007, 02:22:27 PM: wrong question, Oliver... is anybody able to think while viewing TFJ ?

Please tell me just one reason why I should NOT be in Dueren next weekend ;-) I know it's quite a distance...

Christian
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: senmen on March 01, 2007, 02:37:55 PM: Christian,
great to hear from you. Long time no see huh?
I would be very happy if you would come to our gig next week saturday. Let me know.
I would be very happy to see you after that long time.
Oliver
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: keith_h on March 01, 2007, 02:54:33 PM: Oliver,
It looks great. Congratulations.

Keith
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: dtrice on March 01, 2007, 03:52:42 PM: Hey Oliver, I was going to ask you about your comparison of the Dragon's Wing vs. Spyder. I am considering my next Alembic and am going back and forth between the DW or the Triple-O. You mentioned that TFJ is noticeably lighter than the Spyder, but also more defined in sound. It appears to be largely the same electronics in both (except the master volume and dummy hum canceller) I was wondering what accounts for the sound improvement (i.e. wood choice,etc.)? I am planning on going for Series electronics for the next one, which will make a difference anyway. I mean I love my Spyder (I don't even mind its weight), but I realize its limitations.
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: blazer on March 01, 2007, 05:39:56 PM: What do I think?

I think you've got yourself the raddest axe. Congrats bro and may you play it very much.
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: David Houck on March 01, 2007, 06:28:39 PM: Congrats Oliver!
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: harald_rost on March 01, 2007, 11:45:09 PM: Oliver,

congrats to this fantastic bass.
Let me know when you're playing with your band in my area (I'm located in Bamberg, that's near N?rnberg).

Harald
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: ajdover on March 02, 2007, 12:03:56 AM: As a fellow DW owner and also a Spyder owner, Oliver's observations are pretty much spot on. Spyders are more trebly in response, and I attribute this to the Anniversary electronics, though the signature electronics are not too dissimilar. The DW is lighter, and easier to tote around for sure, and is surprisingly comfortable either sitting down or standing.

Oliver, congrats my friend, she's a beauty!

Alan
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: adriaan on March 02, 2007, 01:38:30 AM: Happy times for Oliver!

If I remember correctly, the weight of each individual string anchor on the Spyders is the same as that of a normal Alembic tail piece. Would that account for some of the trebliness?

And what about the main body wood - perhaps walnut versus mahogany?
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: senmen on March 02, 2007, 02:43:00 AM: Alan, Adrian, Guys,

well, TFJ is completely custom, means:
it has a walnu core and birds eye maple top and back. Also the neck has the Spyder dimensions, means wider and thicker than the standard DW.
Also the front horn is bigger than on a normal DW to have space for the pu selector and the master vol.
And Alan, TFJ is equipped with the Anniversary electronics...
Oliver (Spyderman)
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: jacko on March 02, 2007, 04:19:41 AM: Way to go Oliver. I'm really glad this worked out ok in the end.

graeme
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: senmen on March 03, 2007, 03:54:21 AM: Guys, here are some more photos as promised. Sorry, I am no really good photographer. So plse excuse the bad quality. Oliver (Spyderman)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/36998.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/36999.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/37000.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/37001.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/37002.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/37003.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/37004.jpg)
(Message edited by davehouck on March 03, 2007)
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: jsaylor on March 03, 2007, 06:54:16 AM: Oliver,
Nice Dragon wing. I think the trebleness of the spyders was a good part of Johns sound. Remember, John went for a very trebly sound.

Is that an old Gibson Flying V bass?
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: senmen on March 03, 2007, 07:27:27 AM: Jordan,
yes, you are right. I also play treble fully on.
You need it for John?s sound. What I meant is that the DW has a bit more on the bottom end than the Spyders while having the upper mids and the treble.
As for the Flying, no, it is an 81 german made Hoyer bass. Serial number 40. It has a great boombastic sound. I use it as spare on stage. Remember, John played a white Flying V bass on Tommy.
It was a Gibson, ok, but it was a FAKE Gibson.... :-)
Oliver (Spyderman)
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: fish on March 03, 2007, 11:06:39 AM: Congratulations Oliver.. ENJOY IT!!!
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: foth on March 03, 2007, 01:29:48 PM: Oliver,
What a long strange trip it's been for this bass! I'm glad that it's ended up in your hands where it always belonged. It's so beautiful with the tinted body and the dark headstock.
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: senmen on March 04, 2007, 04:43:02 AM: Guys, attached another photo with TFJ, Boris and me on the balcony. The usual background.... :-) Also attached, especially for Jordan, a pic of my Hoyer Flying Arrow bass on the balcony..... Oliver (Spyderman)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/37034.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/37035.jpg)
(Message edited by davehouck on March 04, 2007)
Title: Tears for John is here......
Post by: ajdover on March 04, 2007, 05:02:07 AM: Oliver,

TFJ is a beauty, very nice indeed. I can only hope my Spyder replica turns out as nice.

Didn't know you got the Anniversary Electronics, but having an Alembic with both gives me bit of perspective. I find the Spyder to have much more top end, while the DW is more balanced in that respect. I personally like a pan pot as opposed to a toggle switch or rotary knob (I'm having a pan pot put in on the lower horn of my Spyder, but it will have the pointy knob as John's did) as a result. More versatile at blending tones if you ask me. I've enjoyed that feature on my other Alembics, and really like it.

Anyway, you look quite sophisticated with necklace and bass. I'm sure you're playing her often and well (no snide comments from the peanut gallery!). Glad to see you have her in your possession - I can't think of anyone else who should have such a fine instrument.

Best regards,

Alan