Author Topic: The Scorpion Basses (Read 554 times)

chuckc · « **on:** August 17, 2004, 03:15:02 PM »

Hi All:

I have seen some pictures of Greg Lake and John Panazzo of Styx using Alembics and they seem to have a rather unique body syle. I have seen it referred to as the Scorpion style. Is that design still available and are there any recent requests for that design lately?? I always thought it was an extremely well balanced looking bass. Any info would be appreciated.

mica · « **Reply #1 on:** August 19, 2004, 12:13:20 PM »

Scorpion body shapes - there's at least a dozen variations of them. They can be an optional feature on just about any model.

The last one I remember us making was about 2 years ago.

4u2nv · « **Reply #2 on:** August 19, 2004, 12:42:26 PM »

In what consist those variations, and where can we see them, any pics ?

mica · « **Reply #3 on:** August 19, 2004, 07:00:21 PM »

If I run across any pictures, I'll gladly share them. It's only recently that we've collected photoraphs of our work. Maybe a web search for Lake or Panazzo will turn some up?

mica · « **Reply #4 on:** August 19, 2004, 07:01:41 PM »

Variations are in size and symmetry - some have a longer upper horn, others are mirror images.

bsee · « **Reply #5 on:** August 19, 2004, 07:36:33 PM »

A search for scorpion on the boards will find you a couple. There are a couple in the Entwistle collection as well.

chuckc · « **Reply #6 on:** August 20, 2004, 11:20:11 AM »

Thanks Mica, bsee's recommendation brought up several in the Entwistle collection to view. In looking up Greg Lake the only shots I was able to find was the 8 string he played with ELP and as I understand that item evidently was sold by Greg to John at some point and then sold in the Sothby's auction.

senmen · « **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2004, 01:26:33 PM »

Chuckc,
yes you are right about John.
He had one Scorpion shaped bass that once belonged to Greg Lake. He had not bought it direct from Greg Lake, but from the Bass Centre in London.
This particular 8-string bass had pirate motif fingerboard inlays and had the serial number 79 1300. It was sold at Sothebys for GBP 10800.
Also John had another Scorpion shaped bass, a medium scale 4string with a graphite neck and serial number 75 A043. This was equipped with an upward-down Bigsby whammy bar and was also sold at the Sothebys auction for GBP 4560.

Many greetings
Oliver (Spyderman)

kmh364 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2004, 02:00:41 PM »

Oliver,

Good to see you on the site again. As always, you're a wealth of info on everything JAE. How's the job search going? Any improvement in the Deutsch economy? My friend Dieter had to close down his auto repair shop in Munchen due to lack of business. He will be visiting the States shortly.

senmen · « **Reply #9 on:** August 21, 2004, 05:40:17 AM »

Kevin,
many thanks for your kind words.
Job search is doing good. I am waiting on decisions from different companies. But it sounds good. Also I have won the court procedure against my former boss in first instance. Now they can contradict against this within 7days. If they do so and don?t accept the judicial decision the whole thing will go into the second instance.
Otherwise all ok here.

Many greetings
Oliver (Spyderman)

kmh364 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 21, 2004, 05:57:14 AM »

Oliver,

Good luck in your job search and your court case. I hope you are finding the time during this difficult period to relax by losing yourself in your Alembic's. I just got my new Custom this week and I am enjoying playing bass again immensely.

Cheers,

Kevin