Author Topic: Status Graphite Buzzard 8-String (Read 512 times)

rogertvr · « **on:** December 06, 2005, 12:00:11 PM »

I've actually had this instrument for some months. I was so impressed when I collected my 4-string Buzzard in February that I ordered an 8-string! I've had it since June, but at the time the story with Warwick was kicking off and Rob Green respectfully asked me not to speak about the 8-string. It's all died down now, so here are a few pictures of it. Note the theme of the gold e-tuners - I had that on my 4-string so I decided to continue it. It's been killing me not being able to speak about it!

davr35 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 06, 2005, 12:11:52 PM »

That whole Warwick thing is just stupid it doesn't make any sense.. Status is what John was using when he died so shy can't they still make his bass... great bass btw

bassicinstincts · « **Reply #2 on:** December 06, 2005, 01:50:03 PM »

Yum yum!!

All I can say really!

...apart from I want one too!

Ben

palembic · « **Reply #3 on:** December 06, 2005, 02:31:39 PM »

Gasp!
When are those trains to the UK???

Paul TBO

senmen · « **Reply #4 on:** December 06, 2005, 02:52:31 PM »

Rog,
shame on you... :-)
No I really understand this matter. It was wise not to speak about this. Hhm, you see me jealous......

Oliver (still Spyderman) :-)

kmh364 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2005, 05:11:26 AM »

Rog: Very nice! Just looking at it resulted in a rousing rendition of Success Story reverberating in my cavernous, yet empty, cranium, LOL!

Cheers,

Kevin

zn_bassman · « **Reply #6 on:** December 07, 2005, 05:11:48 AM »

Hey Rog,

Great bass! And shame on W*rw*ck again! A couple of us have been discussing Buzzards off-forum, and I'm wondering if you can tell us about the sound. John's 8-string Buzzard sound often came across kind of muddy in the legit and bootleg recordings I have. The recordings in question are of Status Buzzards, save the Join Together release from The Who's '89 tour, on which he used the Warwick 8 for Trick of the Light. I distinctly remember the muddy 8 sound at both of the live shows I saw that year in Washington DC. Maybe graphite isn't so good for 8s?

bigbadbill · « **Reply #7 on:** December 07, 2005, 06:15:33 AM »

Rog, HOW jealous am I? :-)

And there was me pretty happy with the somewhat used Status Energy 5 (graphite neck/walnut body/twin Js) I just scored off ebay for peanuts.....

rogertvr · « **Reply #8 on:** December 07, 2005, 06:15:38 AM »

Thanks for your kind comments folks!

To answer ZN's question about sound - it sounds like my SG Buzzard 4-string, except that the sound is more full in the 8-string sense of that statement. It's not muddy at all, it has the same ring and cut to the sound.

It's also amazingly easy to play - the last 8-string I played (which was about 20 years ago - a BC Rich with the aluminium baseball bat neck - horrible) was configured with the strings paired the other way and I struggled with that.

This Buzzard really is an amazing instrument. Shame that there won't be anymore...

bigbadbill · « **Reply #9 on:** December 07, 2005, 06:19:50 AM »

Yeah, I would've liked one one day. Still, there's always the B2 and the Stealth....

FWIW I owned a Rickenbacker 4003s8 (which I sold to help finance my Alembic) and that was a fantastic bass...I miss it a lot. One day I'll get another....

rogertvr · « **Reply #10 on:** December 07, 2005, 06:31:22 AM »

I always wanted a 4001 8-string but never managed it!

bigbadbill · « **Reply #11 on:** December 07, 2005, 10:28:44 AM »

Hard to find...great basses though. Imagine the 4001/4003 but even more so....

zn_bassman · « **Reply #12 on:** December 07, 2005, 10:36:35 AM »

Rog, thanks for your answer and enjoy that great new toy!

Personally, I prefer the incredible sound John got with his Alembic 8s. And the studio version of Success Story (on 1975's Who By Numbers) was apparently recorded with a Rick 8.

Let's hope the W*rw*ck-induced ban is eventually lifted - who knows what a little legal razzle-dazzle could do!

stoney · « **Reply #13 on:** December 07, 2005, 11:04:45 AM »

WOW! NICE AXE

beelee · « **Reply #14 on:** December 07, 2005, 01:55:29 PM »

Roger your a lucky guy having a SG Buzzard 4 and 8 !!

I wish I had one of each !!

ZN I second the let's hope the W*****K ban is lifted....those B*st*rds !!

Well I have to settle for my Ibanez Studio ST-980 8 string.........its a nice one, has a slight Alembic like design

but I REALLY want a SG Buzzard !!