Tracey,Guys,
to bring some information to your life:
Mica once told me, that Alembic has buildt at least 6 Spyder basses for John. Well, I have seen only four different yet.
Two conehead 4strings, the V-head 4string and the conehead 8string.
Mica told me once that they also had produced an 8string with the V-head, but I haven?t seen it yet anywhere. Also John had a Flying V bass with a V-head.
As for his main basses:
1. Spyder, conehead. His main bass until the
Live Aid gig, very similar to the spare bass,
main difference: neck pickup closer to the
neck than the spare bass. Currently at the
Hard Rock Vault in Orlando.
2. Spyder, conehead, sold at Sothebys. His former
spare bass.
3. V-head Spyder, sold at Sothebys, only very rare
seen on stage due to it?s heavy weight which
was much higher compared to the other Spyders
(old statement of John).
4. Conehead 8string Spyder, frequently used on
stage in his Alembic days, whereabouts unknown.
The V-head Spyder had a master volume and the pickup selector on the lower horn.
The two conehead Spyders as well as the conehead 8string all had this located on the lower horn:
Pickup selector, two master volumes, one switch to change between the two master volume settings.
To my knowledge the LED?s were constantly on.
If you need more info, plse let me know.
Many greetings
Oliver (Spyderman)