Author Topic: So Alembic didn't create the "Tears for John" Dragon Wing bass.... (Read 878 times)

blazer · « **Reply #30 on:** January 22, 2007, 03:59:38 AM »

I guess a custom built Mini Thunderbird, most likely a one-off.

blazer · « **Reply #31 on:** January 22, 2007, 04:13:32 AM »

I guess a custom built Mini Thunderbird, most likely a one-off.

ajdover · « **Reply #32 on:** January 22, 2007, 04:31:49 AM »

It's most likely John's son Christopher, playing a custom made Thunderbird replica in scale. It's mentioned in his book about his collection, Bass Culture.

Alan

811952 · « **Reply #33 on:** January 22, 2007, 05:48:20 AM »

Is the one-off explorer-bodied bass the one used in the Who Are You? video perchance?

John

adriaan · « **Reply #34 on:** January 22, 2007, 06:09:48 AM »

FWIW, I've seen Epiphone 4 string mandolins in the Explorer shape in shops over the last few years, all in that brown finish. Obviously not the same as the replica that John's son is holding in the picture, but probably the exact same scale.

Here's a link to the Epiphone Mandobird.

(Message edited by adriaan on January 22, 2007)

bracheen · « **Reply #35 on:** January 22, 2007, 06:28:50 AM »

I know all of this comparison is opinion so here's mine. I have a BO Thumb Bass that was made in 2000 and I like it. No, it isn't an Alembic but for under $800, it was used, it's a pretty good bass. When switching from the Epic to the Thumb I have to redo the settings on my amp so it doesn't get used a lot but it does play and sound good. The angled tuning keys are a plus. I do agree that I wouldn't pay the price for a new one. I don't like it that much but if I remember right I payed $750 and feel satisfied with the deal.

Sam

senmen · « **Reply #36 on:** January 22, 2007, 10:47:17 AM »

Hey guys, may I come into the discussion again. First, Gibson only has made three Explorer basses in the mid 50es and John has never owned one. The whereabouts of two of the basses are not known. The third one was played by Randy Jo Hobbs, Johnny Winters bassplayer for some years. Then in the mid ninetees an american car dealer owned this bass and I really don?t know where it is today. As for Johns Explorerbird basses, there were at least three made. The red one used in the Who Are you vid and two sunbursts which are both today in the posession of the HRC. Below are two pics of the original 58 Gibson Explorer bass and two pics of Johns sunburst Explorerbirds. Have fun Oliver

(Message edited by davehouck on January 22, 2007)

neyman · « **Reply #37 on:** January 22, 2007, 01:37:33 PM »

Wow! I've never seen an early Explorer before!

Do you know if the Explorer was a short scale or long scale neck?

senmen · « **Reply #38 on:** January 22, 2007, 02:58:37 PM »

Dan,
to my knowledge those three Explorer basses had custom Explorer Korina guitar bodies and custom mahogany EB-1 type neck with the explorer headstock, so think they were short scale as the EB-1s.

Oliver

811952 · « **Reply #39 on:** January 22, 2007, 05:52:11 PM »

I bet they sounded terrible! (the Gibson Explorer Basses, that is)

adriaan · « **Reply #40 on:** January 23, 2007, 01:18:11 AM »

Note the 3+1 peghead with the banjo-style tuners! The Gibson Explorer bass certainly looks like it's a short scale.

blazer · « **Reply #41 on:** January 25, 2007, 04:22:31 PM »

I bet they sounded terrible! (the Gibson Explorer Basses, that is)

Listen to records of Mountain or to Jack Bruce playing an EB1 in this concert footage of Cream's 2005 reunion. To hear just how Terrible

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NmHIxGaNWM

811952 · « **Reply #42 on:** January 25, 2007, 05:35:58 PM »

Blazer,

Yes, they sound pretty darn good when Jack is manipulating one. You must admit, though, that the singularly muddy tone is what they are all about. Jack is playing in a trio, where there is room in the mix for a bass that goes thud.

I have to admit that I'm probably going to pickup one of the Chinese Hofner basses and string it with flats, to get just about that same tone (McCartney, anyone?). Speaking (typing) of which, I believe I'd like to get a lefty, and learn to play it lefty. I think it might be an interesting exercise that would do interesting things to the way I approach the instrument. Good idea? Bad idea? WWJED? (What Would John E. Do?)

Back to the subject at hand, JE seems to have been heavily involved with many builders of basses, and while having lots of input with them they surely would have given him ideas in kind. He's regarded as the brain behind the adjustable nut, but I suspect that if not for the Alembic elves it would not have appeared when, how and as it did. Also, I believe that the sounds he got from his Alembics (and the extreme playability) gave the rest of the music world a benchmark to shoot for (still unmatched in my opinion). Of course, all the explorer/exploiter/buzzard basses seem to fit HIM rather than him adjusting to THEM. I wish he were still alive.

John

bsee · « **Reply #43 on:** January 25, 2007, 05:47:10 PM »

It is pretty amazing how so much of the music we revere was created with such crappy gear compared to what we have access to today.

s_wood · « **Reply #44 on:** January 25, 2007, 06:29:29 PM »

There has been quite a bit written in various sources about the fact that so-called Gibson Explorer basses from the '50's were fakes. I remember reading a JE interview somewhere we he acknowledged that.