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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive through January 19, 2005 » Oh man, ya'all gotta see this Alembic copy..... « Previous Next »

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fretted4
Member
Username: fretted4

Post Number: 56
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 7:23 pm:   Edit Post

Just got finished surfin the ebay waves and stumbled across this interesting homemade copy , what do you all think???
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3763974538&fromMakeTrack=true
kungfusheriff
Advanced Member
Username: kungfusheriff

Post Number: 207
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 11:22 pm:   Edit Post

I think he's got some gall (dig that logo), and there are probably a lot of unsoldered connections floating around in the electronics cavity.
That said, he's obviously ambitious and has a degree of talent and could make some nice instruments if he follows the right path.
jet_powers
Intermediate Member
Username: jet_powers

Post Number: 198
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 7:07 am:   Edit Post

I'll give the guy credit. Seems to have done a nice job. Way better than this guy I ran into a few weeks back whose band was on the same bill with mine. He built his own bass too. Out of 2x4's! It sounded as you might expect. Thankfully the rest of the band was... well, they weren't good and I wan't too sure sure which element was making me naseous!!!!!

JP
rami
Senior Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 421
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 8:12 am:   Edit Post

That's a really cool Bass! I think this guy has more that a "little" talent. It's not fair to second guess what "probably" is or isn't in the control cavity. He obviously knows more than most of us to build such a Bass. And give him credit for his honesty. He doesn't claim any relation to Alembic.
He's a true Entwistle fan.

If I could make my own Bass...
lbpesq
Intermediate Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 161
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 10:58 am:   Edit Post

The bass is, admittedly, very impressive for a homemade job. But do you think he got permission from Alembic to copy the logo? I know I don't like someone else attaching my name to their work without my knowledge or approval.

Bill, tgo
rami
Senior Member
Username: rami

Post Number: 422
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 11:34 am:   Edit Post

We can't really tell if he copied the Alembic logo. It does have the shape of the logo, but is it close enough to pass for an Alembic? It's difficult to tell. I think the important point is that he clearly states that it's not an Alembic, and that it was not made with any Alembic parts. To me, it looks like a fantastic tribute to a legendary Bass player by a dedicated fan.
mgirouard3
Junior
Username: mgirouard3

Post Number: 22
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 11:44 am:   Edit Post

I think the bass is pretty cool. I really like when people take on DIY projects, and that bass is pretty impressive. Also, that is not an Alembic logo. I magnified the picture and although it may look similar it is not the logo.
poor_nigel
Senior Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 431
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 12:02 pm:   Edit Post

I don't think Marvel Comics is going to sue (or even say anything) anyone who makes a Spider-man suit that looks to close to the comic character's costume, unless they plan to mass produce it. A zealous fan made himself his hero's bass - good for him. Personally, I hope he does well on his auction. He says he got one closer to the real thing. I wonder if he got hold of a real Spider or Exploiter? If so, great!
lindoom
New
Username: lindoom

Post Number: 7
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 12:20 pm:   Edit Post

YEAH MAN!! I think it's pretty cool, ya know not everyone can afford an Alembic. I wonder how it sounds? he also has a buzzard for sale.
dela217
Senior Member
Username: dela217

Post Number: 476
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 1:47 pm:   Edit Post

I looked at that one too. I think it is quite impressive! If I were to do that, it would be more abstract, and hard to tell if it were a bass or not. I think the guy has some talent. As far as the logo goes, it looks like some little guy in a Chinese hat. Check it out.
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 510
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 2:01 pm:   Edit Post

It looks nice in the pictures, but, objectively, it's hard to tell what the real features are. Are the webs painted on or inlaid, for example? What sort of electronics are in there, and how much of the switchwork is present only for show?

If I were a high schooler doing a Who tribute, this would be outstanding if it sounds remotely like a bass. Personally, I think it's great that someone wanted to do this enough to take this much time and effort.
hydrargyrum
Junior
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 48
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 2:20 pm:   Edit Post

He mentions in the post that the webs are painted on. I think his honesty combined with his admiration of the instrument are a sign of the true reverence for John Entwistle that so many people share around here. BTW, has anyone ever checked out "American Guitars: An Illustrated History?" Not only is there a informative section about Alembic in the book, but it is just amazing to see how many guitars are featured from John's personal collection.
zappahead
Intermediate Member
Username: zappahead

Post Number: 104
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 6:21 am:   Edit Post

I have that book (American guitars). If its the one Im thinking of then it also has a photo of Ron and Susan in it as well, posing with one of their guitars. It even covers some of the better made Alembic copies.
hydrargyrum
Junior
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 49
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 8:17 am:   Edit Post

Hmm, that sounds different than my copy. Mine features three basses, and a history of Alembic with a brief update and quote from Mica. I guess I'll have to check and see if I can find the book you are talking about.
senmen
Advanced Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 393
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 10:12 am:   Edit Post

Guys,
the person that is selling his homemade Spyder is a real gentle person and a die-hard JE fan like me.
Yes, he also has a limited Spyder with the V-headstock from last year with some extra features.
He also owns one of Johns original instruments.

Many greetings from another JE fanatic...
Oliver (Spyderman)
zappahead
Intermediate Member
Username: zappahead

Post Number: 105
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 10:53 am:   Edit Post

Ill look up the name of it tonight sometime. I may have a different book. The book Im speaking of is guitars only I think. Its been awhile since I browsed it, Ill check it out and let you know. Its a very easy to find book. I bought it dirt cheap at one of those warehouse stores fairly recently.
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 520
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 11:30 am:   Edit Post

Gotta give this guy alot of credit,the proceeds from the sale are going to cancer fund ,& how many of us could've made such a fine instrument at the age of just 15 yrs old.
zappahead
Intermediate Member
Username: zappahead

Post Number: 106
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 4:53 pm:   Edit Post

The book I have is the Illustrated Encyclopedia of American guitars.

That bass for sale is pretty sharp looking, especially for a homemade bass. Looks like he did a solid job.
ox_junior
Intermediate Member
Username: ox_junior

Post Number: 195
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 - 10:53 am:   Edit Post

I'll agree with you all. Gotta give this guy credit for doing such a good homemade job at a young age to honor his hero, then further honoring him by buying an actual Spyder and selling this one with portions of his take going to the JEF and TCT.

Before the Spyders came out, I would have probably bought something like this...

Mike
terryc
Junior
Username: terryc

Post Number: 13
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2004 - 6:19 am:   Edit Post

having had a go at building a bass(twice) this effort from a 15 year old is outstanding, obviously playability and sound are important but when you visit the alembic factory and see all the tools, jigs as well as the skill of the workforce then you have to appreciate the effort he put in all those years ago. I mean if you have ever watched New Yankee Workshop you need to shell out a load of money just to tool up for the project!!
Hats off to the guy and he is donating some of the dosh to a good cause

terry c
dgcarbu
Junior
Username: dgcarbu

Post Number: 25
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Monday, December 27, 2004 - 2:33 pm:   Edit Post

Much respect to this person due to the creative ability and the cause...

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