Author Topic: The kids are alright (Read 509 times)

locutusofborg10 · « **on:** October 13, 2003, 03:03:40 PM »

having just seen the entwistle section on the second disc all i can say is that the alembic simply blows away the buzzards!!!the difference between the two is not even close. if you listen to the buzzard on the my generation solo on the albert hall cd it makes this point clear as a series 2.

stoney · « **Reply #1 on:** October 14, 2003, 08:16:11 AM »

It would really be interesting to hear what a Buzzard sounds like without all of the effects that John used. I don't think it's a true comparison because John used very little if any effects at all with his Seires II.

Interesting story: One night Godfrey Townshend (John's lead guitarist)asked me how I liked the John Entwistle Band's new album. Basically I told him that I liked the material but John's bass really gets lost in the effects and that it would help if he ran at least one completely dry signal. Godfrey agreed.

In any event I'd still be willing to bet my Brown Bass that the Series II blows the Buzzard away on an even playing field.

locutusofborg10 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 14, 2003, 11:52:17 AM »

i was going to get a buzzard but after hearing the series II i'll put my money towards the alembic. with or without effects it's a no brainer which is the better sounding bass. if for no other reason than the woods used in alembics make the things sound great. maybe all those effects john used was to get the buzzard to sound as good as an alembic.

stoney · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2003, 12:09:43 PM »

Yea, that would be a good bet, but if that's the case, he failed miserably. Sorry John, RIP

senmen · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2003, 12:48:32 PM »

YES!
Alembic rocks!
And the Spyders are my alltime favourites...
Now after the Spyder 4 and the Spyder 8 my dream is an original or as close as possible one.....
In the past I also thought about buying a buzzard,
but... the Spyders have always been my dream and still are the best that I have ever seen or played.

Many greetings
Oliver Baumann

rogertvr · « **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2003, 09:32:47 AM »

All this talk about Series II vs. Status Buzzard...one fundamental thing seems to have been overlooked - price! The US Dollar list price for a Buzzard is $5,990 - Series II are what, $13,000? Somewhat of a difference don't you think?

stoney · « **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2003, 09:52:32 AM »

Sure it is and you're right. Then again, I'm willing to put my Essence (with Signature electronics) or my Brown Bass (with modified Anniversary electronics) up against a top-o-the-line Buzzard any day of the week.

rogertvr · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2003, 10:19:33 AM »

I can't comment because I've never played any of them, let alone owned them.

As it happens, I'm trying to get a visit for myself to Status organised for early next year. If that happens, I'll report back on what I find out if anyone is interested, as I should have the Dragon's Wing by then to do a comparison against.

stoney · « **Reply #8 on:** October 15, 2003, 12:43:56 PM »

Yea, I'd be interested in hearing what you found out. I had an opportunity to dink around with a Buzzard II but amplification was such that one really couldn't render an opinion but you got a general feel for things.

Any news on when the Dragon's wing will be ready?

rogertvr · « **Reply #9 on:** October 16, 2003, 12:43:39 AM »

No problem, if it actually comes to pass, I'll report back.

Nah Stoney, haven't heard anything for a while regarding the DW. However, I have got Rog at THG building four knobs for it.

locutusofborg10 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 16, 2003, 11:20:06 AM »

to rogertvr - i personally would rather spend 13 large for an instrument that i know sounds, looks and plays great. we are talking high end here. i think if i spent 6 grand for an instrument that i had to boost with effects or spend extra to upgrade my amplification to achieve the sound i want i'd be pretty disappointed. i'll wait and save the extra cash and go for the series II. at these prices mistakes become difficult to live with.

locutusofborg10 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 16, 2003, 11:27:53 AM »

to rogertvr - i personally would rather spend the extra 7 thousand for the series II. i know it is more than twice as much as the buzzard but we are talking high end here. having an instrument that sounds, looks and plays as i want it is worth all the extra expense. i wouldn't be too happy if i had to add a bunch of effects or upgrade my amplification to achieve the sound i want.

rogertvr · « **Reply #12 on:** October 16, 2003, 12:46:02 PM »

to locutusofborg - I considered buying a Buzzard earlier this year, but as I've always wanted an Alembic, I decided to have the Dragon's Wing built instead (the thread is in the Factory to Customer area, entitled Rog's Conehead Dragon Buzzard - it evolved beyond the name somewhat).

I understand what you're saying about extra cost / sound / playability. I've never played a Buzzard or heard one other than Entwistle's. There seems to be an assumption with them that a lot of effects or massive amplification is required to get them to sound half-decent. I don't know if that is true or not - but as I'm still interested in buying a Buzzard, I've made arrangements today to get my ass to Status in the New Year and play one.

I'll report back - I will have the DW to compare it to then (hopefully), so if the Buzzard isn't as good as that, then we might all learn something from it as the DW is based on a MK Signature Deluxe.

valvil · « **Reply #13 on:** October 16, 2003, 01:00:01 PM »

I actually got to play one of John Entwistle's buzzards that he gave to Mario Cipollina ( formerly of Huey Lewis & The News). It was purple...cool looking bass, but it did not sound all that great, I think it was one made by Warwick. I wish I remembered more about it, other than the fact that Mario had it set up with such high action and a massive forward bow( all his basses are set up like that, he has huge hands and really digs into the strings), that I thought it'd work fairly well if you wanted to shoot arrows with it...

Valentino

(Message edited by valvil on October 17, 2003)

mattheus · « **Reply #14 on:** October 16, 2003, 11:31:16 PM »

To be honest, I also have a Status bass (Not a Buzzard). I'll try to share some lights about the differences between Alembic and Status. The most important thing about the Status is the neck. It's entirely made of graphite. This gives a very long sustain (same as Alembic) and the possibility for a very low (speedy) action. It is a really comfortable instrument to play. Then the sounds, the most important thing!
There is no way you can compare this bass to an Alembic. (Can any other instrument?) The sounds are really different. The Status sounds very good, it has a tight, clean sound onboard. But my Alembic has a more open 'in your face' sound. (That's a odd description...) Alembic can sound more aggressive, and has a more 'present' sound. The Status has a very balanced sound with very good mid's. To make a long story short (er), you can't compare these basses. Both sound very good but both have very different sounds onboard. It's a very personal taste, with what you want and expect from a bass. And surely you don't need a lot of effects and amps and stuff to make a Status bass sound good. I think that in JE's case, he was going through a fase in which he uses a lot of effects. (Sometimes I also have that , but later on I always come back to a bass with no effects ...)

Mattheus