Author Topic: Entwistle's Alembic beginnings (Read 373 times)

senmen · « **Reply #30 on:** July 23, 2008, 01:44:34 PM »

David, Toby,
yes and right. it is no tapping but more a touch and let go.
The name typewriter says it very well. Touch the strings lightly as if you press down a typewriter and mmediately after hitting the string release it again. It is a bit like doing slapping with your thumb but only with your fingertips. You can use it with one finger or with all four fingers at the end of the fingerboard. But also John used this with a normal fingerstyle playing. If you look closely at his playing you will notice that also then he has the tapewriter motion than the normal plugging of the string. This combined with the low action you really get fast and get that strong overtones. Due to this you have to develop a light touch and that is also what John did. There was no power in his playing, it was the gentle and most controlled touch. And David, you are right: of course a strongt left hand pressure/muting combined with many open string playing. Look closely at his playing. You will see that he buildt up walks and licks combined with fretted and open strings, constantly.
Sorry guys, it is really hard to explain without showing.
Any questions, plse ask.
Oliver (Spyderman)

0vid · « **Reply #31 on:** July 24, 2008, 02:31:53 AM »

Back to the OP's question:
some anecdotes re: early Alembics are here:

http://www.amazon.com/Bass-Culture-Entwistle-Guitar-Collection/dp/1860745938

garethnh · « **Reply #32 on:** July 24, 2008, 03:02:42 AM »

John's first Alembic was purchased from Fred Walecki whilst on holiday in L.A, on the way back from Hawaii around '74. From the horses's (or Ox's!) mouth - 'I could never stand being away from a bass for longer than two weeks. When I got this one home I had it rewired to stereo by Peter Cook. He brought it to a Who rehearsal when he'd finished. I plugged it in - and it blew my mind. I jetted to San Francisco three days before the tour started and bought three more.'
John sold his Spyder bass because of a wiring problem...I believe one of his tech's was responsible. He sold it '..as it's punishment for going wrong at Live Aid.'
In his book 'Bass Culture' there is a picture of an Alembic Precision with a Modulus Graphite Neck and Kahler Tremelo...WOW, I'd like to get me a go of that!

bigbadbill · « **Reply #33 on:** July 24, 2008, 12:40:28 PM »

I seem to remember John once addressing his damping technique and saying that whenever anyone else tried playing his gear it was just a cacophony, simply because they couldn't damp like him.

I'm so glad I got to see him (twice). I actually cried when I heard he'd died.

terryc · « **Reply #34 on:** July 25, 2008, 08:10:57 AM »

I am not an Ox fan but I did see the original Who lineup at Charlton Athletic Football ground in 74.
I went with a mate who had a spare ticket..they were outstanding.
There is a killer bass solo that someone posted on the forum with his graphite bass which shows that 'typewriter' technique.

danny_bryant · « **Reply #35 on:** July 31, 2008, 06:54:51 PM »

The best tone from an Alembic player was John Entwistle. This had a lot to do with the ability to run in stereo and seperate the highs and lows.If im not mistaken, he was using the Sunn rig during his Alembic tenure. No one will ever be able to have that sound again. IMO the best that ever picked up the bass and my inspiration for playing.

senmen · « **Reply #36 on:** August 01, 2008, 04:56:50 AM »

Danny,
yes he did use Sunn poweramps and german made Stramp preamps. I own one of these since last week and the sound is awesome.
Oliver (Spyderman)

s_wood · « **Reply #37 on:** August 01, 2008, 09:02:58 AM »

Put me down as a charter member in the Ox Appreciation Society. The day I first heard Quadrophenia changed my musical life forever. Even though that album was recorded with a Gibson Thunderbird, JE's tone just kills. I very much prefer his Alembic tone live, though. There's no doubt that when JE switched from Alembic to Warwick his tone went to hell.

aquaman · « **Reply #38 on:** August 01, 2008, 01:01:05 PM »

Speaking of Quadrophenia, the killer track is The Real Me. Per Wikipedia, The song features an impressive bass performance by John Entwistle. According to a 1996 interview with Entwistle by Goldmine Magazine, the bass part was recorded on the first take. Entwistle claimed he was joking around when he played the part, but the band loved it and used it in the final version. Just great.

pauldo · « **Reply #39 on:** August 01, 2008, 04:42:24 PM »

Quadrophenia (The Real Me) in particular was certainly a light bulb moment for me and what I would eventually do with my musical career (I think I was playing bassoon in middle school at the time).

The whole album is un-frickin-believable - Moon's drumming on it is Master work, the writing both lyrical and musical are out of this world - How did Pete manage to pen such magnificent work time and time again?

The Who by Numbers is another all time favorite of mine - fabulous material- Dreaming From the Waist on Down is another one of Thunder Finger's finer moments. I could see him joking around with that one also.

Right - listen to this! :-D

danny_bryant · « **Reply #40 on:** August 02, 2008, 09:37:57 AM »

Oliver, You are the true JE buff. If I could only stumble accross that stuff in the US I could get a little of that tone myself. You rock!!

senmen · « **Reply #41 on:** August 02, 2008, 12:20:27 PM »

Danny,
thank you for your kind words. Well as with the Stramps it is really hard. I looked four years to find one and they are now 30+ years old...
But I now have to find two old Sunn Coliseum Slaves.
If anyone knows some around in great condition plse let me know.
Oliver (Spyderman)

jeramaya · « **Reply #42 on:** August 04, 2008, 09:53:26 AM »

Can anybody tell me specific recordings by the Who that JE played Alembic basses on? I have a couple of his solo albums, but I'm unsure about the Who recordings, even after looking at that link with his equipment listed. Thanks!

PS. Right now I'm beyond being in love with Live at Leeds and I've moved into some other deep feeling toward that one (knowing that it's not an Alembic, of course). It's so incredible.

senmen · « **Reply #43 on:** August 04, 2008, 10:12:47 AM »

Hi Jeramaya,
of course. Here you are:
the only solo album recorded with Alembics was the Too Late The Hero Album
As for WHO albums:
parts of Who By Numbers, parts of Who Are You, completely Face Dances and It?s Hard
John got his first Alembic, a Series 1, in 1975 and played them until around 1985, when he switched to Warwick.
If you want to have more details, let me know.
Oliver (Spyderman)

jeramaya · « **Reply #44 on:** August 04, 2008, 01:16:39 PM »

Thanks Oliver! I'm sure you can tell which songs the Alembic is played on for those albums you listed as parts of. Believe it or not, I have not heard all of Who By Numbers or Who are You, so I'll have to put those on my short list. I'm skeptical about those last two Who albums, though (hehe)...Jeramaya