Body Shape

[dtrice]

Hi, I am new to Alembic.  I am currently looking at having an Exploiter built.  I really like the way his body shape has been altered to more exactly replicate JE's personal bass.  Would it be possible to save this new shape's dimensions in order to build another one?

[ajdover]

Daniel,
 
    I see no reason that the craftsmen and women at Alembic can't do the same for you.  I was out there in August, and Chip had the templates in hand; as my bass is the first attempt at recreating that particular body shape, I would think that the good people in Santa Rosa will hold on to it like they do their other shapes.  Susan told me that she had quoted many Entwistle style basses, but none had actually gone on to make a custom order.  To my knowledge, mine will be the closest thing one can get to John's original basses without actually buying one (which would be hideously expensive).
 
Alan

[mtnst8]

I'm curious how the bodies would have changed from JE's.  According to the Featured Custom page (June 2003) for the Spyder basses, We used the same templates for the body and peghead shapes as we used on John's basses.  Clearly though the one you're having built differs from that and more closely reflects JE's.  What would explain the difference?
 
Brad

[ajdover]

Brad,
 
     When I initially began the process of ordering a custom, I had a wonderful conversation with Susan about this.  Apparently, back in the day, they did not save all their templates (though they do now).  This was the case with John Entwistle's Spyders.  I own a Spyder, but I wanted one like his, or as close to it as I could get.  One look at a picture of his basses and you can see that the Spyder Limited Editions and those he played have different body shapes.  I can't explain why the Featured Custom page states what it does, but I do know that the great people in Santa Rosa did the Photo Shopping necessary to get the body right.  To wit, the upper horn meets the neck further up, the cutaway is a bit deeper, and the bass itself is thinner at the waist, if you will.  
 
Susan told me each bass they made for John was slightly different, so if there is variation in the body shape, this might also be a reason for it.  I do know, for example, that John's V head Exploiter had the long tailpieces that are similar to those on my Spyder; the one's on others were much shorter (I'm having these recreated for my bass as I'm cramming a bunch of Series II electronics into the body; I need all the room I can get!).
 
I'm only speculating here, but I'm sure Alembic had good reasons for any changes made.  I'm sure a phone call to Susan or Mica would clear it up if you're so inclined.
 
Alan

[mica]

Here's something that concerns me about this replica. The original control layout is not good:
 

 
Notice how the neck pickup volume and Q switch are really crammed right up against the edge of the bridge. Now, that can't be fun to use. Also, the bridge Q switch is cramped to use.  
 
I regard the original layout as a mistake. There is actually room to scoot the controls away from the bridge and leave each with a little more breathing room.  
 
My question is do you want us to replicate the original layout of the cluster, or should we improve it while keeing the controls on the horn the same?

[ajdover]

Mica,
 
    I'm all for improving it, as I think that's what John would have done.  Besides, I'm playing this instrument, not him.  Let's see where we can move them to.  Having them up against the bridge would indeed be problematic for me, anyway.  Lower horn looks fine.  
 
Thanks,
 
Alan