Author Topic: I want to announce the birth of my Spyder 4?s brother, my Spyder 8 (Read 729 times)

bishopqdog · « **Reply #15 on:** September 13, 2003, 10:58:40 AM »

Are Whammy bars an Alembic option?

zappahead · « **Reply #16 on:** September 13, 2003, 04:44:01 PM »

Ive seen Whammy bars on used Alembics and the California Special comes with a Floyd Rose I believe. Ive seen Kahler, Floyd Rose and Bigsby's on Alembics.

blazer · « **Reply #17 on:** December 12, 2003, 07:54:49 AM »

That's a whole lotta bass, you got there, congratulations.

But erm... isn't it awefully neck heavy? I used to own an Epiphone explorer bass and it was a pain to play because its neck kept diving towards the floor.

mica · « **Reply #18 on:** December 12, 2003, 12:13:29 PM »

Actually, the Exploiter shape is by far one of the best balancers - it doesn't look like it should, all pointy in the wrong parts. I think it's because the upper body point behind the tailpiece is larger on ours.

blazer · « **Reply #19 on:** December 12, 2003, 04:26:12 PM »

I guess that my Epiphone Explorer was an exception to the rule then.

I know from experience that an Explorer guitar, I own a very funky Vox explorer copy fitted with Jazzmaster pickups, is indeed a very comfortable and good balanced instrument but as a bass with the longer neck (and as was the thing with my Epiphone) the heavier tuners it makes it very unbalanced.

On the other hand, the exploiter was first made as a custom Boris the spider bass for John Entwistle right? Prior to playing Alembics he played Gibson Thunderbirds and custom basses with Fender necks and Thunderbird and explorer shaped bodies. Even the current Warwick and Status Buzzard models still have that offset shape that Entwistle liked in the Gibsons he used to play and I guess with him strapping the bass up high, he pushes the bass down with his elbow keeping it well balanced.

At least, that's what I think.

mica · « **Reply #20 on:** December 12, 2003, 05:08:19 PM »

I actually only have experience with the Alembic version (I lead a sheltered life you see). I wasn't disagreeing with you about your own experience with the Epiphone (I've never played one (sheltered life again)).

Since you specifically asked about an Alembic, I shared with you not only my own observation, but also the observations of a great many Exploiter owners I've personally spoken with. Most are very surprised at how well they balance. Most are not surprised about how heavy they are - they are BIG!

senmen · « **Reply #21 on:** December 13, 2003, 05:53:02 AM »

Blazer,
no I can tell you: the Alembic Spyders are fantastic balanced. You can keep your hands of off the bass and it stays in position. 100%!
As for Johns original basses: look at old concerts.
Mostly when John was announced to sing a song he put both hands of off the bass to have an arm wide open here I am position. Then you can see:
also the original Spyders were perfectly balanced!

Oliver Baumann (Spyderman)

senmen · « **Reply #22 on:** December 13, 2003, 05:54:27 AM »

Blazer,
no I can tell you: the Alembic Spyders are fantastic balanced. You can keep your hands off of the bass and it stays in position. 100%!
As for Johns original basses: look at old concerts.
Mostly when John was announced to sing a song he put both hands off of the bass to have an arm wide open here I am position. Then you can see:
also the original Spyders were perfectly balanced!

Oliver Baumann (Spyderman)

eugen · « **Reply #23 on:** December 14, 2003, 12:11:55 AM »

Big Alembic day?
Don?t forget me.

Eugen ( the Tattooman )