Some time ago, a person associated with the John Entwistle Foundation contacted me and asked if I would do a tracing of the body of my Series II JE Replica for them. He explained that they were working with Dean to make a JE Signature bass a la John's Exploiters, and since my body shape is the closest to the originals, that they wanted that shape. I initially was non-committal since I wasn't sure what the legal ramifications were (patents and all). I spoke to Mica and she had no problem with me giving them the tracing, but she also suggested that the JEF contact Alembic, and they would give them the template. I emailed them this information, but I never heard anything back from them. I don't know if they used a template from Alembic or not.
I will say that the body on that bass isn't exactly like mine. for example, there is a point on the end of the bass behind the bridge, the upper horn looks like it angles upward too steeply to me. I could be wrong, but that's my take.
I'd love to play one just to see what it's like. As I own the only replica of John's Alembic Exploiter basses in the world (and by this, I mean the inlays, two master volumes, etc., and the fact that it is an Alembic), I wonder how this thing will play/sound.
Alan
