Author Topic: My New Spyder 4 arrived (Read 1628 times)

ajdover · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2006, 04:40:44 AM »

Irwin,

I gave a lot of thought to whether I should attempt an exact replica vs. getting something that was more me. Given the fact that technology has advanced, I felt that if John were getting another Alembic made he'd take that fact into account and consider it for any new instrument. It was for this reason that I chose to go with Series II electronics rather than Series I, and to have a radius rather than a flat fingerboard. The way I see it this instrument will be made for me, not John Entwistle. I'm the one who will be playing it, so I might as well get something more suited to my hands, playing style, etc. than someone else's.

This being said, I think it will be a fairly close representation of John's instruments, closer than any others to date, anyway. No two Alembics are alike, not even John's. This will probably be as close as I'll ever get to a true Entwistle Spyder ($100K for one of his original instruments is a bit out of my price range at Sotheby's), but with features I'll appreciate and use.

Didn't know John used a radius on the Status and Warwick instruments. I've never played a Warwick Buzzard, but frankly, I wouldn't play a Warwick if someone gave me one for free. I've always found them way heavy for their size, and their necks are like baseball bats to me. Never played a Status, but unfortunately, they're not making them anymore.

Really looking forward to getting this one. It will be my dream bass.

Alan

zn_bassman · « **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2006, 05:53:27 AM »

Hi Alan,

Very much looking forward to seeing your replica, as I've mentioned in the thread about it.

Irwin can answer far better than I about this issue, but I thought I'd bring it up - Status makes and can still sell the Buzzard-2 (known as the B-2 on their website), which has the same specs for the graphite neck and elecs as the big Buzzard, with a wood body that's very much toned down in mass and looks. It's still got a bulge up top for an armrest. Rob Green made one for John for his birthday (I think about 2 years before John died), and I think I remember seeing footage of John using it in his home studio on the John Entwistle Band DVD, in Steve Luongo's tribute section.

I'm a 2-Alembic owner (bought my Rogue about 8 months ago and my Epic almost 13 years ago), and I want to get a B-2 (probably won't happen in the immediate future, but who knows...). According to certain advocates of this bass, it's the best thing since sliced bread.

Just FYI...

Zvi

borisspyder · « **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2006, 06:04:06 AM »

Alan,
I've got both a B1 Status (one of John's) and a B2.
When I got John's bass the action was lower than I was used to...one of my friends suggested I raise the action but since I know John personally set up each of his basses I wasn't going to touch it. I got used to it & now try & set up all of my basses like Johns Buzzard. You can get used ti anything I suppose... I used to own the Warwick Buzzard that Ollie had & sold & the Status is a major improvement. Also with the dust-up between Status & Warwick, if Warwick were the only bass in the world I'd give up playing before I bought one.

ajdover · « **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2006, 06:21:54 AM »

Irwin,

Any time you want to sell the Status Buzzard 1, you know where to find me. I'm not really interested in the B2 - don't like the design, though I'm sure it's a fine playing and sounding instrument.

Agree with you on Warwick. I think it's a love them or hate them kind of thing for a lot of folks. A lot of metal bassists seem to like them for some reason. All that matters is that it works for them. I know a lot of folks who wouldn't touch an Alembic for any amount of money in the world. I do think they're also somewhat mentally challenged for thinking that way ... just kidding! :-) We all play what we like, and that's all that matters in the end.

Alan

borisspyder · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2006, 06:48:34 AM »

In 15 years or so when I'm faced with my kid's college tuition maybe...but not till then.
Also, I currently don't own an Alembic. I had a Distillate in the early 90's & loved the sound, just could never get the neck to stay straight & I don't have the time or inclination for what was a weekly adjustment.

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2006, 09:18:31 AM »

You wear the Spyder very well, sir. It looks great on you.

senmen · « **Reply #21 on:** January 12, 2006, 01:52:51 PM »

Alan, Irwin, Zvi and all you guys,
this is a thread I feel home. This is my family... :-)
Alan, as already offered to you, if you need help on the body shape and the details, I would be proud to help you.
BTW I am close to John?s main Buzzard bass he used mainly on stage in his last years but there is still a HUGE financial problem to solve.
Alan, I am really eager to see how your bass will turn out. You know that I am currently also doing a homemade replica of it. This will be fun......
Take care guys
Oliver (Spyderman)
www.whoareyouband.de

ed_r · « **Reply #22 on:** January 12, 2006, 04:05:26 PM »

Me ! Me! I want one! I want one!

jlawson · « **Reply #23 on:** January 12, 2006, 09:13:55 PM »

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I also love the pointed headstock. Actually, I was totally surprised when I opened the case the first time and saw it. I don't know if Beaver specified it be built that way or if Alembic decided to make some 4 strings that way. Anyway it really doesn't matter to me since I love everything about it.

Alan, I can't wait to see how your replica Spyder turns out.

Oliver, I'm really interested in seeing more of Tears for John.

Jeff

ajdover · « **Reply #24 on:** January 13, 2006, 03:13:14 AM »

Oliver,

You can rest assured that I will be relying on your wise counsel as my instrument progresses. I plan to solicit your input often, and you have my gratitude in advance. Hope you are able to get that Buzzard as well. I almost bought one from them before they stopped making them - like an idiot I hesitated. As they say, if you snooze, you lose! And I definitely did on that one!

John,

I too am looking forward to this bass. It will certainly be unique ... uhh ... at least unique in the sense that it's the closest I'll get to one of John's original Spyders.

Best regards,

Alan

borisspyder · « **Reply #25 on:** January 13, 2006, 04:50:59 AM »

Alan,
If you ever make it to NYC you are welcome to test drive John's buzzard. Also, if you'd like to chat more about Entwistle & instruments several of us including Mike, Zvi & Oliver do so outside this forum on an irregular basis. irwin@communiqueny.com
Irwin

ajdover · « **Reply #26 on:** January 13, 2006, 05:21:32 AM »

Irwin,

Very kind of you to offer John's Buzzard for a test drive. If I'm ever in the NYC area I'll definitely take you up on it.

My email is dover@infionline.net, and I'd love to discuss JAE and instruments with you all. Count me in!

Best regards,

Alan

ox_junior · « **Reply #27 on:** January 15, 2006, 02:31:44 PM »

I'm a little slow in joining in the conversation here, but Alan's Spyder is looking REALLY good.

Bet you love it, don't you???

And of course, now you're going to trump us all by taking the GIANT plunge into a pretty-darn-near-close replica, with all the note inlays and Series II electronics and all that good stuff.

Jealous? Yeah.

Can I afford what you're getting? Uh, not right now. If we're successful with our QUAD show and get some extra scratch, I may have my Spyder retrofitted with Series electronics. And all this talk of two master volumes with the toggle switch certainly makes sense for what I'm doing. Otherwise, I'm quite happy with my pointy headstock and dummy humcanceller (as honored by KMH). I'm a trendsetter. It's my profession.

Looking sharp, Alan. Can't wait to see the custom job.

Mike

ed_r · « **Reply #28 on:** January 15, 2006, 04:17:46 PM »

I'd love to be included in that chat, if it's ok with you guys.

ajdover · « **Reply #29 on:** January 15, 2006, 10:41:13 PM »

Mike,

I've yet to see my bass in construction. I'm guessing that Alembic hasn't begun building it yet. I've emailed Mica and Susan privately on the matter, and am waiting for a factory to customer thread to start. I'm not too concerned at this point since I know that not every project gets worked on every week/day, and besides, it's not like I'm going to be able to play it any time soon being where I'm at at the moment. Patience has its virtue, and that is certainly true in this case.

You haven't actually seen it, have you? If you have, then I should be the jealous one!

And yes, you are the trendsetter. Let's just hope that the Roger induced cracked headstock isn't a trend that's repeated! :-) Your Spyder is far too nice an instrument to have that happen again.

My bass will certainly be my dream bass. I can't wait to get it.

Alan