Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Fun Stories => Topic started by: senmen on October 06, 2004, 12:57:10 PM
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Hi Guys,
yes, with the Spyder8 it took longer than planned.
So now today it arrived and I could add it to the small family which is now represented by:
Spyder 4, number 4 of 50
Spyder 8, number 8 of 25
Warwick Buzzard Limited, Number 3
Ovation Elite acoustic bass, Johns personal one.
Next in the line will be the Dragon Wing.....
Pics will come at a later point.
I have to organise a digital cam.
Many greetings from Spyderland.
Oliver (Spyderman)
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Oliver
Congratulations! Great collection you have I'm looking forward to the photos. How about adding your Eden rig to the pics?
Sam
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Oliver,
The wait is painful but worth it! It's always great to see a fellow John Entwhistle admirer adding awesome axes to his collection and paying tribute to John at the same time. Can't wait for the pics.
Jeff
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Congratulations Oliver! You are the consumate JAE collector on this site for sure. Perhaps you are only exceeded by those who encroached on Sotheby's with a large checkbook and a penchant for JAE. I imagine someday you'll make at least one of the elusive original OX Spyders your own.
Until then, enjoy what you got for many years to come.
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Oliver,
Congrats from a fellow Spyderman. You are truly an Entwistle freak! Hope you enjoy it and that it brings you many hours of happiness.
Alan
Spyder 7 of 50
P.S. Check out my new Pedulla MVP 4 in the Miscellaneous section of the board.
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Congrats Oliver. Now go to the music store and get a can of 64th notes to feed her!
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Yummy! Spyders love 64th notes!!!
Hurray to all the Spydermen. Just tooting our own horn.
Mike
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Hi Guys,
many thanks for the good wishes.
I never knew how great an 8string sounds.
It is really amazing and now I realise how
many times John used an 8string only as a backing part!
I will try to organise a digicam to take some photos. Attached a photo taken with my mobile phone cam for a first slight look.
Sorry for the bad quality.
Oliver (Spyderman)(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/13259.jpg)
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So happy together!!!
Ba ba ba ba ba!!!
Sorry, had lame coffee this morning.
Looking good Ollie! MB
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Ollie ,,,,i just LOOOOOOOOOVE those pictures ...VERY Spyderish!
***sigh*** ok ....I'll drive direction Aachen / K?ln again.
Paul tbo
ok-ok-ok ...I heard you ...ok ...I'll take Bonnie!!! But keep those SPyders on a leech ....huh strap.
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I just couldn't resist.
Sung to the tune of My Favorite Things...
Spyders and Spoilers and walnut Orions
Series and Distilates and ebony Europas
yadda, yadda, yadda,
Don't worry, I won't quit my day job.
Ellery (Lowlife)
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Shooo-shoooo Ellery ...back to work!!
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Oliver,
Gratuliere on your new acquisition. It looks great! You are the Spyderman indeed!
All the best,
Alan
Spyder 7 of 50
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Oliver, congratulations! Those Spyders look very scary lurking in the dark. I can understand why Paul has doubts about Bonnie's safety. Is the Dragon Wing thing 'in progress' already, or something for the future? A maple DW would certainly be the perfect partner for those mean Spyder machines!
Wilfred
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Wilfred,
yep the DW is in progress now.
So the collection is slightly growing. :-)
But there are still so many wishes.....
And of course main target is one of Johns
original Spyders...... :-)
Oliver (Spyderman)
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An 8 string Alembic must be a truly awe inspiring sound indeed!!
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I wish I had one.....congrats Oliver!
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Jean Luc :-), BigBad,
the 8string Spyder is really amazing.
A very great and unique sound. I have the same string setup ordered like John had to play it mainly with a pick to be able to play Johns riffs like in Success Story or Trick of the Light or so.
But it is also very good playable with fingers!
The next in the line will be a Dragon Wing, John?s last design.
But my biggest wish, an original Spyder from John,
has not turned up yet.... :-)
Many greetings from Spyderland
Oliver
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Oliver,
Once again, congratulations on a tremendous aquisition, and I will bet that the bass sounds awesomely full! Do you know on what recordings John used an 8 string? I want to listen again! Thanks Oliver.
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Jeff,
I have to relisten to the CD?s to list them all.
Here are a few:
Success Story, Trick of the Light, You....
I have to relisten again. There are many on the Too Late The Hero album as well as some on the The Rock CD.
But The Rock was completely recorded with Warwick basses, even the fretless and 8string.
A great source is the audio cassette training course of John where he is playing extensively with his Alembic Spyder 8string.
Oliver (Spyderman)
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Oliver,
I'm taking a guess here, but it sounds like John is using an Alembic on a few of the Who's really popular songs, like, You Better, You Bet, Another Tricky Day, The Real Me, but I don't know for sure. Do you have any information on his choice of bass with these songs? Thanks Oliver!
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Jeff,
as for You Better You Bet and Another Tricky Day it was definetely an Alembic.
The original version of The Real Me - dunno!
But the second version on the Quadrophenia soundtrack was also re-recorded with an Alembic.
Oliver
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Sooo, does anyone know how many of the JE spiders are left at the mothership? I assume not many if any. Also is the spyder shape something you can order in a custom or would it be the standard exploiter?
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Oliver,
As always, you are a valuable source of JE/Who information. Thanks.
Jeff.
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I believe you can order the Exploiter body with whichever headstock and electronics you wish.
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stoney-
but I think the spider shape differs from the exploiter in it's contour cuts. I'm wondering if the spyder is offered on customs of if there's any JE spyders left.
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Geddy, guys,
there are three Spyders known to be left in the world.
Johns then main Spyder (the one which failed at the Live Aid Gig) is currently at the Hard Rock Vault in Orlando. It was located for many years in the Berlin HRC, but after the Sotheby?s auction they thought to bring an instrument with such a high value to the vault.
The second Spyder he used (also with the pointed headstock) was sold at the Sotheby?s auction. I am still on the search to locate this instrument.
The V-head Spyder was also auctioned at the Sotheby?s event. Also here no chance to locate it yet.
In an old statement Mica said that they made at least 6 different Spyders for John.
The above three and three different 8strings.
I have only seen one of those; this one is also in Johns book but was not in Johns posession anymore.
Whereabouts? Don?t know. Also the other two 8strings did not uncover yet. Following Mica one of the 8strings was equipped with a V-headstock!
I have never seen a photo of it but I really would like to know where they put the tuners on the V.
In general the body designs Exploiter - Spyder Limited - John?s Spyders is really different.
Even the Limited Spyders do not have the shape of Johns original ones. Take a look at some photos.
The two pointed Spyders that John had were very similar in body design, but the pickup spacing was different. The V-head body was totally different to the others and matches more the current limited Spyders.
I still dream of getting one of his originals or at least an exact replica. But even this would burn a deep hole in my pocket.....
Oliver (Spyderman)
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Actually, I think Geddy's (If only HE played Alembics!) question was more along the lines of How many MORE Spyders will Alembic make of the current run? Are all 75 sold yet? (50 4-string, 25 8-string)
Ken (TEO)
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Ken,Geddy,
sorry if I understood wrong.
If I am informed well about half of the Spyder4?s are still available. Don?t know for the 8strings.
Maybe Mica can tell us.....
Oliver (Spyderman)
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Thanks guys, ken yes you're right I'm wondering if the reissue spyders (4 string) are still available new, not actually looking for one of JE's personals! If only!
Senmen
you answered exactly what I was trying to find out about, which is can we still get the JE style spyder body, (which I prefer)?
quote:
In general the body designs Exploiter - Spyder Limited - John?s Spyders is really different.
Even the Limited Spyders do not have the shape of Johns original ones. Take a look at some photos.
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To almost answer one of the unanswered questions above:
I am not positive, but I believe The Real Me from the original Quadrophenia album (not the re-recorded soundtrack) was played on a Gibson Thunderbird, or at least a Fender-Bird. I could be wrong.
I'm basing this on the fact that when The Who attempted their failed (original) Quadrophenia tour, John had made the switch from Fender Precisions to Thunderbirds. I've also heard one of my fellow Who tribute groups execute this song - their bassist used a stock T-Bird, and the tone was pretty close.
But - I do not believe it's a Fender, and I know for sure it was not an Alembic (John had not discovered them yet).
Hope this helps.
Mike Bisch
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I'll let John himself confirm my above post:
>
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When I was a kid, I thought that the Sunn amps and their bass cabinets with two 15 drivers were just the coolest rigs. The live sound of a Gibson Thunderbird thru that rig must have been warm and full. Thanks Mike and Oliver.
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Mike,
yes you are right regarding the original recordings of Quad.
As for the soundtrack of the movie, the tracks were re-recorded and John used an Alembic Spyder.
Oliver (Spyderman)
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Oliver,
Belated congratulations on the new acquisition. I was gone to Nova Scotia visiting with in-laws and have some catching up to do. You continue to inspire envy in all us JAE wannabees! I'm almost starting to feel my Exploiter is inadequate!
I love the sound Entwistle gets with his Alembic on the Quad re-recordings but always felt he didn't really need to improve it. I remember reading somewhere that he would re-do every bass line he ever recorded if he had the opportunity.
John Paul
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Here are some pics I stumbled across of three of John's 8-strings, one of the Greg Lake's Pirate Alembic... John
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/13478.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/13479.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/13480.jpg)
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The pirate Alembic and the Buzzard are cool, but that Rick...the headstock looks like a potato chip, LOL!
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Hi Guys,
here is another shot of my small family.
Sorry about the poor quality; still no ordinary digicam available....
Many greetings
Oliver (Spyderman)(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/13483.jpg)
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I'm really disappointed with you , Oliver - for the amount of money you've spent on basses, I would have thought you could afford a decent digital camera by now ;-) Just joking! A lovely collection you have there! I hope that your new job gives you the time to play them and devote time to them!
kmh364 - I could live with the potato chip headstock on that Rick 8-string, having heard a couple of them!!!! I have to say that, owning the DW and the 4001, the DW cannot match the Rickenbacker sound. Senior Management and the people next door (on both sides) have commented that they can tell both instruments from each other. Good job I have sympathetic and understanding neighbours!!!!!
Rog
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Kevin, I love the comment on the Rickenbacker headstock. My gut reaction upon seeing it was, What the hell were they thinking? Then I saw your comment, most excellent!
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Rog/Reid: Believe you me, I love the Rick sound. C'mon, Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, Lemmy (LOL!), etc. Rock without a Rick would just not be the same. I just don't dig that rrruffles have rrridges headstock, LOL!
Cheers,
Kevin
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I can hear Eminence Front in my mind...
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Nice collection. The #3 Warwick Buzzard was mine...until I sold it to someone in Wales to buy one of John's Status Buzzards that he used in 2001. I had to have it once I compared the Warwicks to the Status, the Status is lighter, has a better neck profile & of course the graphite neck never moves. I just got a Buzzard 2, plays like John's but much easier to cart around. I'd love an Alembic Spyder 8, but am worried about neck stability. I used to have an Alembic back in the mid-80's but the neck moved constantly, very frustrating.
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Hi Erwin,
welcome to the club.
Yep ...thsoe moving necks.
You know ...I think in Santa Rosa they treat the tree with such a respect that they forget to control if he is REALLY dead. I admit that there was a time I expected every spring Bonnie to have fresh green leafs on her headstock, or growing roots out of her omega cut (huh ...THAT sounds sleezy).
Anyway ...one can manage to keep that neck in line. Well ....I did ...and if I can - I am the most tehnical moron in the western hemisphere- everybody can.
It takes carefull reading of the Brother Bigredbass Joey routine and basically a LOT of patience. And in the end -likes MIca or Susan can say so eloquently- the tree will realize that he's a guitar now!
Paul the bad one
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Irwin,
welcome to the club. I am happy to meet the previous owner of my Buzzard No.3.
I knew that it was originally sold from BC to you and then to England. I bought the bass from the english guy at a real interesting price, so I couldn?t resist.
The Ovation bass I have is one of Johns originals.
I am jealous to hear about your original Buzzard.
My dream is to get one of his original Spyders someday. Compared to the Alembics the Warwick Buzzard is a bit rough in handling but I lowered the string height to come more towards Johns setup but it is not possible as low as on the Alembics. The Spyder 8 is really great and the sound is amazing.
Erwin, if you want you can send me a mail to : senmen@web.de (mailto:senmen@web.de)
to discuss further.
Hope to hear from you.
Oliver (Spyderman)
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The neck on my Spyder moves all the time, but I'm learning to roll with the changes. I keep it as low as possible.
By the way, I've met Irwin and he is super cool. I like those Buzzards but you gotta get yourself a Spyder, there, Irwin!!
Ollie, hope you get yourself one of John's real Spyders one day.
Cheers, Mike
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Mike,
many thanks for your kind words.
I put in a new pickup today in my Spyder4 and I hope that the problems are solved now.
As for Johns Spyder I got an informatio where the two ex Sotheby Spyders are located now and I must say that there might be no chance to see them ever again. The third one, as said before, is in the posession of the HRC. So also no go I think.
But then there is still an 8string Spyder out there....
Many greetings
Oliver (Spyderman)
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Hello Oliver,
I must admit that I am not the most enthusiastic fan of the spider/explorer body style but ... if they are from Alembic and looking like your collection I might easily become one. They look great ! You should do your fantastic Alembics and all the fans a big favour and ask a friend with a good digital camera to take some nice pictures. And BTW: Aachen is not too far away from Solingen :-)
Werner
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Werner,
many thanks for your kind words.
I am located in Dueren, so it is even closer to you!
I will try to manage something out with a good digi cam.
The next one besides my two Spyders, the Warwick Buzzard and Johns original Ovation will be the Dragon Wing.
Many greetings
Oliver (Spyderman)
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Werner.
off topic ever so slightly...
If you're in Solingen, then your town is twinned with my home town of Blyth in Northumberland, England. In the early seventies, i swam for Blyth barracudas against your team once - think i won my heat then lost in the final.
Back on topic - got JEs Too late the hero on saturday. The photo on the front cover, of his spyder, is fantastic. Shame about the red suit though.
Graeme
(Message edited by jacko on November 22, 2004)
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Mike, thanks for your kind words. I've got to admit I love the fact that my Buzzard that was set up by John's bass techs for him remains exactly as he would have liked it..and I've been able to set up my Buzzard 2 similarly. I'll admit I really enjoyed playing your Exploiter when we met, great sound & feel...but with a wife & 5 year old at home my practice time is limited. It's nice just to pick it up & play.
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Hello Oliver,
that's even closer. If you like to see another Alembic on stage you are welcome to some Gigs planned from my band in Cologne beginning of next year. One will be in the Hardrockcafe Cologne but the date is not fixed yet. Just check our webpage http://www.afterwork-music.com (http://www.afterwork-music.com) for updates. Please give me a note if you like to come and talk some Alembican :-)
Werner
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Hep Werner,
please give a yell when that K?ln-gig is coming up (I check the Afterwork pages too) Maybe ...just maybe ...eventually ...I can make it.
PTBO
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Hi Paul,
may be you want to see us on Dec-23 when we have a Christmas gig in Oedt (15km SE from Venlo). I don't know if that's closer to your location.
Werner
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Hu ...oh ...well it's about this:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/14648.gif)
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Werner,
see Dueren in the map?
So real close...
You have a gig at the HRC in Cologne?
Cool!
Hope I can see you there...
If you want we can meet in advance.
I have some days off in the two last weeks
of December...
Oliver (Spyderman)