| Author | Message | ||
| sonofa_lembic
Member Username: sonofa_lembic Post Number: 61 Registered: 5-2014 |
On the whim of adding something to my quiver of basses I had never owned before, or ever wanted to own before, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to buy a mint condition Limited Edition John Entwhistle Spyder bass. Boy was I pleasantly surprised! Let me just list the high points: -Probably the best sounding Alembic I have ever owned -Balances beautifully -Not nearly as heavy as I had imagined -Not nearly as big as I had imagined (except for headstock) -Sits perfectly on you knee when playing seated -My favorite feature….It has a built in armrest! -Makes people in the audience freak, and ask you to use "That bass" on every song All I can say is I am overjoyed with my purchase, and for those of you out there on the fence about owning one, take the plunge! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4338 Registered: 5-2009 |
IS it the Series Electronics version ? Wolf | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8569 Registered: 6-2000 |
I know, right? It looks pointy in all the wrong places, but it balances great! Did you find that the attack is increased on this bass? That's MY favorite feature of it. To me, the combination of woods makes the fastest attack of any I've heard on an Alembic. | ||
| sonofa_lembic
Member Username: sonofa_lembic Post Number: 62 Registered: 5-2014 |
 | ||
| sonofa_lembic
Member Username: sonofa_lembic Post Number: 63 Registered: 5-2014 |
Anniversary electronics. My absolute favorite. Mica, I have always loved walnut cores. They have great depth of tone, and with the maple top and back, the bass is the "attack" machine! You know me, I rarely smile, but doesn't this picture on the gig this week tell all? Who can't help but smile when you have a built in arm rest like on a '57 Chevy? | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4339 Registered: 5-2009 |
Das picture ist Kool ! Congratulations my friend ! Wolf | ||
| sonofa_lembic
Member Username: sonofa_lembic Post Number: 64 Registered: 5-2014 |
Danke Wolf! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8570 Registered: 6-2000 |
Trevor - I love your smile! I'm gonna tell mom to come and see that grin! | ||
| susan
Moderator Username: susan Post Number: 117 Registered: 5-2002 |
I've seen you smile plenty of times...just not in pictures ;-) | ||
| susan
Moderator Username: susan Post Number: 118 Registered: 5-2002 |
Yes Entwistle loved to rest his arm on the rear Fin. That's why when I designed the Dragon Wing for him... it had that all important arm rest. FYI- Dragon wing balances in similar fashion hanging or in lap. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4340 Registered: 5-2009 |
Susan & Mica , When I get a confirmation from a gig with a signed with contract , operatic classically trained Female fronted Symphonic Metal Band like Night Wish or Epica I will most definitely want a Series II Dragon Wing , I promise, and I really am looking around for that Band as much as I like my bay area jam style bands .  Wolf LOL ! | ||
| dinan
New Username: dinan Post Number: 10 Registered: 6-2015 |
Congrats on the awesome bass and on getting one with the outrageous V peg head! I have a Spyder (also with a V) and it is without question my favorite Alembic followed by the Dragon Wing. The Spyder has sustain for days and thunders. Susan: Did Entwistle have the first Dragon Wing? | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2735 Registered: 3-2004 |
Exploiter body shapes are super comfortable to play! A bit of a pain to transport, but well worth it. | ||
| sonofa_lembic
Member Username: sonofa_lembic Post Number: 65 Registered: 5-2014 |
Susan, I guess you have seen me smile a bunch. Every time I got a new Alembic for sure. That would be about 50 times by now! There is still nothing that comes close to the joy a great Alembic instrument brings. Without a doubt the best tool for the job. | ||
| sonofa_lembic
Member Username: sonofa_lembic Post Number: 66 Registered: 5-2014 |
Yes, transportation is an issue. Everyone thought I had a double neck bass in that huge case. Fortunately I may have found a gig bag that will fit my bass. I ordered it, but will have to see if it truly fits when it gets here. If not, does anyone know of a bag that will fit? | ||
| senmen
Senior Member Username: senmen Post Number: 1148 Registered: 7-2003 |
Sonofa, Many congrats to that Great Spyder! I once Owned two and am currently Planning in buying a new one. Have fun Oliver (Spyderman) | ||
| senmen
Senior Member Username: senmen Post Number: 1149 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hey Dinan, JE did have no Dragon Wings As there were non in existance when he Passed away. At that Point only the Design drawings did exist. Greetz Oliver (Spyderman) | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3687 Registered: 10-2002 |
I always thought RogerTVR had the first dragonwing. I'd have liked to have seen it in person but he stopped posting here some years ago. Graeme | ||
| senmen
Senior Member Username: senmen Post Number: 1152 Registered: 7-2003 |
Graeme, Roger did own the first Dragon Wing and I had the honor playing it when he picked it up back then with Edwin van Huik That First DW was based on Susan's and Roger's design concepts. Greetz Oliver (Spyderman)  | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4342 Registered: 5-2009 |
That is a Kool pic. That bass seems comfortable to play . Wolf | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2736 Registered: 3-2004 |
Trevor, When I picked up a used Spoiler/Exploiter many years ago, it came without a case at all. The shop was selling it with a keyboard bag for transport. It was okay, but still large. I also had the cone headstock, and I'd want to be a lot more careful with the V of a Spyder. -bob | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Senior Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 573 Registered: 6-2012 |
Carl (dinan) now has Spyder 44/50 which I previously owned. I do miss her, but she wasn't getting played as much as my other Alembics mainly due to "transportation logistics" - down-sized my vehicle = no room for case. I can confirm that a Spyder sounds MASSIVE and sustains like nothing else - even other Alembics. I once timed the sustain of the open "A" string at low volume with no compression and it was clearly audible for over 60 seconds. And Spyders are surprisingly comfortable to play either seated or standing. They are remarkably well-balanced instruments. | ||
| sonofa_lembic
Member Username: sonofa_lembic Post Number: 68 Registered: 5-2014 |
Bob, Thanks for the tip. I was eyeing a keyboard bag as an alternative, but would really like a well fitting gig bag. I have high hopes the one I ordered will work. Then this bass will be at every gig, and not just the ones with large stages to accommodate the dining table sized hardshell case. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8571 Registered: 6-2000 |
Roger did get the first Dragon Wing, but the design concept was for Entwistle as a beautified Buzzard, as John had asked several times for us to build him a Buzzard, but mom thought it just was too ugly. Sadly, John passed away only days before we were meeting to finalize the specifications on what was to be his own Dragon Wing. | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3688 Registered: 10-2002 |
I'm with your Mom on the Buzzard. Ugly as sin. Graeme | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 1037 Registered: 11-2003 |
A couple of things .... I've owned a Spoiler-Exploiter (actually my first Alembic), a Dragon's Wing, a tribute Spyder, and now my custom Series II Entwistle Replica Exploiter. The biggest differences I noted between all of them was where the neck joined the body. On the Spoiler, it wasn't much of an issue in terms of playability, for me at least, because it was a 32" scale. On the DW and the Spyder, it was. The Spyder was probably the hardest for me to play - my arms aren't all that long, and my left arm was almost fully extended when on the first fret. Both the DW and Spyder had great tone, but the ergonomics just weren't for me. Now, my Series II is a completely different animal. It is closer in shape to Entwistle's originals than the tributes are, and the body is moved up on the neck more, making it easier for me to play. The body is more pinched at the waist, and the wood back plates and truss rod covers make it far lighter. I also spec'd out a jazz bass like neck, which I prefer. And it's a Series II - the tonal possibilities are endless. Here's a pic of me with it .....  Alan | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 1038 Registered: 11-2003 |
A far better picture is here .... http://www3.alembic.com/img/co_inlay_notefornoteL.jpg | ||
| sonofa_lembic
Member Username: sonofa_lembic Post Number: 69 Registered: 5-2014 |
Looks like your Series is virtually the same dimensions as the Spyder I have. Tail pieces on mine look even farther back, making the neck reach less. Your old basses must have been unusual. Well, the gig bag arrived today, and the bass fits! The quality is pretty good, and the price is right at $44.00. Got it just in time for my gig tomorrow night.  | ||
| senmen
Senior Member Username: senmen Post Number: 1153 Registered: 7-2003 |
Trevor, That gigbag Looks good! Which make? Oliver (Spyderman) | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 1039 Registered: 11-2003 |
Trevor - my Spyder was exactly like yours, right down to the V head. Having owned one and now with the Series II, there are big differences between the two of them ergonomically, to me anyway. Oliver helped a lot in getting the body shape right (as did Mica) - we actually used a picture of Entwistle's old basses to get the body shape right. One big difference is the lower horn. On my Series, the cutaway is almost below the fingerboard. On my Spyder, it was even with it (you can actually feel the flat side of the truss rod cover on the Series). It would be interesting to do a side by side comparison of the two. I'm going to try and see if I have any pictures of my old Spyder to compare it with the Series. | ||
| senmen
Senior Member Username: senmen Post Number: 1154 Registered: 7-2003 |
Alan, Yes indeed they Are Most Different in Body Shape. But keeping an eye on John's V Head Spyder it is closer to the Body Shape like the Limited Edition Trevor Owns. Greetz Oliver (Spyderman)  (Message edited by Senmen on July 15, 2015) (Message edited by Senmen on July 15, 2015) | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 1040 Registered: 11-2003 |
Oliver - my thoughts exactly. My Series II has a shape that reflects John's cone head instruments, which as we know is different from the V-heads and the Spyder tributes. For me, I found that the Spyder was harder to play due to the reach to the first fret, and that was one of the reasons when I spec'd out my Series I wanted the body John had on his cone head basses. Just works for me better. The Spyder is a great instrument, though. Alan | ||
| senmen
Senior Member Username: senmen Post Number: 1155 Registered: 7-2003 |
Alan, It is indeed!! Would Love to own one.... :-). Oliver (Spyderman) | ||
| sonofa_lembic
Member Username: sonofa_lembic Post Number: 70 Registered: 5-2014 |
I do see there are differences in the cone versus the V head basses. Typical of early Alembics and the one off custom workmanship. I am glad you were able to fine tune your spec's on the Series II. As far as the case goes, it is just tagged as "Deluxe" gig bag. Found it on Ebay. They have 20mm foam which this is, as well as a 30mm foam bag. I was afraid to go with the 30mm thick foam in case it would make the bag too small. It is a tight fit, but the 20mm foam bag does work. | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 1041 Registered: 11-2003 |
Trevor, In the early days, Alembic didn't keep templates of their bass bodies - they do now. And you're right - that fact reflects the subtle difference between instruments, even if they're the same model. Alan | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1906 Registered: 10-2006 |
Good luck with the gig bag - and I've heard Alembic is really good at fixing broken headstocks....... Peter (who thinks gigbags are the worst invention since pantyhose) | ||
| sonofa_lembic
Member Username: sonofa_lembic Post Number: 71 Registered: 5-2014 |
Well, I don't know how old you are Cowboy, but at my age, carrying around a dinner table sized case to a gig three nights a week is a bit much. Besides, if you knew me and how cautious I am with my instruments, you would not question my sanity. I do have to confess many years ago, I did have a 1964 P-Bass that I never really could get the neck straight enough on. One night after a late gig, I leaned my bass in the gig bag up against the bumper of my 4x4 pickup. I went inside and forgot about it in the garage. The next morning I got in the truck and backed out of the garage. Both front and rear tires rolled straight over the entire length of the bass, and as I rolled down the driveway, saw that my bass in the gig bag was laid out like road kill. I unzipped the gig bag and pulled the bass out expecting multiple pieces. I saw that the strings had compressed into the fingerboard all up and down the neck, but nothing was cracked or broken. Then I tried to play it, and to my utter amazement, the action on the bass was perfect and the truss rod was set perfectly for a dead straight neck! It played like a dream from that day on. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2737 Registered: 3-2004 |
I'll have to try that. NOT! I decided that it would be easier to carry a double gig bag than two singles and bought a $40 Fender model. Used it for two years without a problem before I was done tempting fate and got a Gator. A lot heavier, a lot harder to fit into small spaces, and a lot more protection. You never know when someone may want to help you carry your stuff without the level of care you would normally use. | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 990 Registered: 5-2007 |
Are those webs brass? | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 1042 Registered: 11-2003 |
Webs are sterling silver, which, over time age under the finish and look like brass. As for gig bags .... I'd consider one for my Series II if it were like a Sadowsky gig bag (best one I've ever used). Until then, I'll use the case. Alan | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1908 Registered: 10-2006 |
I'm 59 with 2 back surgeries in the last 5 years. Still wouldn't use a gig bag; hope it goes well for you. Peter | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 995 Registered: 5-2007 |
Sterling Silver!!! | ||
| sonofa_lembic
Member Username: sonofa_lembic Post Number: 72 Registered: 5-2014 |
I'm sure it will be fine using this bag. I have known Marcus Miller and his "handler" for over 30 years, and that Jazz Bass of his has never been transported in anything other than that brown Reunion Blues gig bag. Maybe what I need is a 6'5" 280LB handler to insure nothing ever happens to my bass. LOL. | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1909 Registered: 10-2006 |
Well, as former professional roadie, I'd say yes, you do need one - and let him tote the big-ass hard case Peter (who tried to talk all the talent into flight cases back then) |
