Finally, the Spyder 8 has arrived today.......

[ox_junior]

To almost answer one of the unanswered questions above:
 
I am not positive, but I believe The Real Me from the original Quadrophenia album (not the re-recorded soundtrack) was played on a Gibson Thunderbird, or at least a Fender-Bird.  I could be wrong.  
 
I'm basing this on the fact that when The Who attempted their failed (original) Quadrophenia tour, John had made the switch from Fender Precisions to Thunderbirds.  I've also heard one of my fellow Who tribute groups execute this song - their bassist used a stock T-Bird, and the tone was pretty close.
 
But - I do not believe it's a Fender, and I know for sure it was not an Alembic (John had not discovered them yet).
 
Hope this helps.
 
Mike Bisch

[ox_junior]

I'll let John himself confirm my above post:
 
>

[jeff]

When I was a kid, I thought that the Sunn amps and their bass cabinets with two 15 drivers were just the coolest rigs.  The live sound of a Gibson Thunderbird thru that rig must have been warm and full.  Thanks Mike and Oliver.  

[senmen]

Mike,
yes you are right regarding the original recordings of Quad.
As for the soundtrack of the movie, the tracks were re-recorded and John used an Alembic Spyder.
 
Oliver (Spyderman)

[jet_powers]

Oliver,
 
Belated congratulations on the new acquisition. I was gone to Nova Scotia visiting with in-laws and have some catching up to do. You continue to inspire envy in all us JAE wannabees! I'm almost starting to feel my Exploiter is inadequate!
 
I love the sound Entwistle gets with his Alembic on the Quad re-recordings but always felt he didn't really need to improve it. I remember reading somewhere that he would re-do every bass line he ever recorded if he had the opportunity.
 
John Paul

[811952]

Here are some pics I stumbled across of three of John's 8-strings, one of the Greg Lake's Pirate Alembic... John

[kmh364]

The pirate Alembic and the Buzzard are cool, but that Rick...the headstock looks like a potato chip, LOL!

[senmen]

Hi Guys,
here is another shot of my small family.
Sorry about the poor quality; still no ordinary digicam available....
 
Many greetings
Oliver (Spyderman)

[rogertvr]

I'm really disappointed with you , Oliver - for the amount of money you've spent on basses, I would have thought you could afford a decent digital camera by now  ;-)  Just joking!  A lovely collection you have there!  I hope that your new job gives you the time to play them and devote time to them!
 
kmh364 - I could live with the potato chip headstock on that Rick 8-string, having heard a couple of them!!!!  I have to say that, owning the DW and the 4001, the DW cannot match the Rickenbacker sound.  Senior Management and the people next door (on both sides) have commented that they can tell both instruments from each other.  Good job I have sympathetic and understanding neighbours!!!!!
 
Rog

[rraymond]

Kevin, I love the comment on the Rickenbacker headstock. My gut reaction upon seeing it was, What the hell were they thinking? Then I saw your comment, most excellent!

[kmh364]

Rog/Reid: Believe you me, I love the Rick sound. C'mon, Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, Lemmy (LOL!), etc. Rock without a Rick would just not be the same. I just don't dig that rrruffles have rrridges headstock, LOL!
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin

[godoze]

I can hear Eminence Front in my mind...

[borisspyder]

Nice collection. The #3 Warwick Buzzard was mine...until I sold it to someone in Wales to buy one of John's Status Buzzards that he used in 2001. I had to have it once I compared the Warwicks to the Status, the Status is lighter, has a better neck profile & of course the graphite neck never moves. I just got a Buzzard 2, plays like John's but much easier to cart around. I'd love an Alembic Spyder 8, but am worried about neck stability. I used to have an Alembic back in the mid-80's but the neck moved constantly, very frustrating.

[palembic]

Hi Erwin,
 
welcome to the club.
Yep ...thsoe moving necks.
You know ...I think in Santa Rosa they treat the tree with such a respect that they forget to control if he is REALLY dead. I admit that there was a time I expected every spring Bonnie to have fresh green leafs on her headstock, or growing roots out of her omega cut (huh ...THAT sounds sleezy).
Anyway ...one can manage to keep that neck in line. Well ....I did ...and if I can - I am the most tehnical moron in the western hemisphere- everybody can.
It takes carefull reading of the Brother Bigredbass Joey routine and basically a LOT of patience. And in the end -likes MIca or Susan can say so eloquently- the tree will realize that he's a guitar now!
 
Paul the bad one

[senmen]

Irwin,
welcome to the club. I am happy to meet the previous owner of my Buzzard No.3.
I knew that it was originally sold from BC to you and then to England. I bought the bass from the english guy at a real interesting price, so I couldn?t resist.
The Ovation bass I have is one of Johns originals.
I am jealous to hear about your original Buzzard.
My dream is to get one of his original Spyders someday. Compared to the Alembics the Warwick Buzzard is a bit rough in handling but I lowered the string height to come more towards Johns setup but it is not possible as low as on the Alembics. The Spyder 8 is really great and the sound is amazing.
Erwin, if you want you can send me a mail to : senmen@web.de
to discuss further.
Hope to hear from you.
 
Oliver (Spyderman)