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ajdover
Advanced Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 267
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Thursday, December 01, 2005 - 7:18 pm:   Edit Post

Folks,

I've gone ahead and took the Alembic plunge yet again. This time, I've commissioned a custom to provide me with a replica of John Entwistle's famed Exploiter. It's going to be fairly exact, with a few minor differences. And yes, it will have the note inlays on the fingerboard.

Many thanks to Beaver Felton and the great folks at Bass Central for making this possible. Thanks in advance to Susan, Mica, Ron, and all of the Alembic family for making what will be the bass of my dreams. Finally, for everything else, there's Mastercard! :-)

Alan
kungfusheriff
Senior Member
Username: kungfusheriff

Post Number: 427
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Friday, December 02, 2005 - 12:34 am:   Edit Post

Awesome! I can't wait to see the factory-to-customer thread!
keith_h
Advanced Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 267
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Friday, December 02, 2005 - 3:48 am:   Edit Post

Congrats on the new bass.

Keith
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 1350
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Friday, December 02, 2005 - 4:40 am:   Edit Post

Awesome, Alan! Spyder Ollie's gonna be jealous! LOL!
jet_powers
Advanced Member
Username: jet_powers

Post Number: 242
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Friday, December 02, 2005 - 2:58 pm:   Edit Post

Spyder Ollie won't be the only jealous one!!!

JP
ajdover
Advanced Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 269
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, December 02, 2005 - 8:53 pm:   Edit Post

It's going to have Series II electronics as opposed to John's "Series I and a half" electronics, and the spider web inlays will be a bit thicker. Reasons for this, but I have the thicker inlays on my Spyder and I actually like them better. I'm also having the two volume knobs and switch for choosing between them on the lower horn included as well. Still working with Susan on other details, so I'll keep everyone posted.

Alan
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 1357
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 5:36 am:   Edit Post

Nice!
serialnumber12
Advanced Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 275
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 6:02 am:   Edit Post

DAMN!!!.
beelee
Intermediate Member
Username: beelee

Post Number: 137
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 6:04 am:   Edit Post

Hey you almost stole my idea !!

just kidding !

I picked up a used Explioter with a factory installed Kahler Tremolo from the original owner about 6 mos ago.

I have future plans of having it upgraded to Series II or Anniversary electronics with the controls placed like on Entwistle's Spyder, front and side LED's and the inlays changed from MOP to Abalone.

when its done it will be like getting a new Alembic in less time (?) and less ($$$)

sounds great AJ !

Bruce
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 510
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 9:11 am:   Edit Post

Alan,
many thanks for your kind mail and your trust in me. I am proud that you ask me for support in this.
Whenever I can help you with anything on the specs on Johns original plse let me know. And of course I will take an eye on yours when it develops and to look if the body design is ok. This is really a tricky thing.
And, guys of course, I am jealous.
But I am also working on another project a the moment which will also be a JE style which is well well known..... :-)
Alan, maybe you will also be jealous when you see mine......

Oliver (Spyderman)
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 511
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 9:11 am:   Edit Post

Alan,
many thanks for your kind mail and your trust in me. I am proud that you ask me for support in this.
Whenever I can help you with anything on the specs on Johns original plse let me know. And of course I will take an eye on yours when it develops and to look if the body design is ok. This is really a tricky thing.
And, guys of course, I am jealous.
But I am also working on another project a the moment which will also be a JE style which is well well known..... :-)
Alan, maybe you will also be jealous when you see mine......

Oliver (Spyderman)
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 1371
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 9:19 am:   Edit Post

It's all in good fun, guys...I'm jealous of the both of you, LOL!

I'd not only love to have Entwistle-ized Spyder and Dragon Wing basses, I also want 6-string guitar versions of each!

Nobody's done those yet...I imagine it's for the same reason I haven't done it yet...big-time dosh outlay is required! LOL!


Cheers,

Kevin
ajdover
Advanced Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 271
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 9:54 am:   Edit Post

Oliver,

I'm sure I'll be jealous when I see the finished product of your JE project ... damn this one upmanship! ;-)

There's no one I know of with more knowledge of John Entwistle, his music, and of course, his choice of instruments. That's exactly why I'm looking forward to and appreciate your input on this custom - I know you'll help me to get it right. For this I thank you in advance.

Kevin,

As for the big time dosh outlay, yes, it is. Alembics can be more expensive than drugs! However, the last time I looked, there isn't a U-Haul behind your hearse when you die. You can't take it with you, so you might as well enjoy it when you can. So, I see you getting that guitar version of John's basses soon ... you'll just need stockings, that's all! ;-)

Alan
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 1374
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 10:04 am:   Edit Post

I almost had a heart attack when I read that, LOL! I'm still getting over the $5k I just dumped on that Series...my bank account will take longer to recover, LOL!

Actually, I want BOTH bass and guitar versions of EACH, LOL!

I'd also like sick, inlayed-up-the-wazoo, Jerry and Phil-style instruments (guitar and bass, respectively).

All I need to do is hit the lottery!

Alembics in particular, and guitars/basses in general, are most certainly like drugs...the more you get, the more you want!

Seriously, that's why I got the Series...I'll never get an opportunity to own a new hideously expensive bass like that for less cash outlay, so I bought it.

I like to do one expensive To: Me, From, Me: present each year since my 40th because, as you aptly put it, you only live once!

Fro now, I look forward to living vicariously through you and Oliver during the construction of your JAE masterpieces!

Cheers,

Kevin
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 2150
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 10:41 am:   Edit Post

Ok ...the littl egreen monsters are hopping on the shoulder all over the JE-loving world. But (good ol' but) let's be supportive no????

PTBO
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 1377
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 11:05 am:   Edit Post

I think the support for Alan and Ollie are universal here: both great guys and fervent Alembicians and JAE fans/preservationists.

Personally, I can't wait to see what both of them come up with with their respective JAE Tribute projects.

No ill-will or bad karma from this camp is inferred or intended. If I've offended anyone, my apologies.

Cheers,

Kevin
ajdover
Advanced Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 272
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 11:31 am:   Edit Post

Kevin,

It's all good. Both Ollie and I are going for the same thing, just taking different approaches. Like you, I'd love to be able to A/B them both. Better yet, we can have a get together at Ollies, drink much beer, and play lots of Alembics. PTBO, I'm sure, would be up for that one!

This bass will be the achievement of a dream. I've always wanted one like it, and now I will have one. Of course, it won't be JAE's personal instrument, but geez, I'd have to be Bill Gates in order to afford that, after first, of course, prying it out of the current owner's grasp, whoever that is.

I think it's a great way to keep John's memory alive and to do what I'm sure John would have wanted anyone to do - make music with a beautiful instrument.

To say I'm giddy with excitement would be an understatement. The wait is going to be hell!

Alan
keith_h
Advanced Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 268
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2005 - 2:39 pm:   Edit Post

Anticipationnnnnnnnnn. :-)

Keith
zn_bassman
Junior
Username: zn_bassman

Post Number: 43
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 4:46 am:   Edit Post

Alan - Early congrats! How long is the wait?
jalevinemd
Advanced Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 259
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 7:43 am:   Edit Post

Alan...congrats! After my current Alembic project is finished, I've planned on doing a 6 string guitar replica of JAE's bass. I've always been a huge Who fan and John's basses were my first intro to Alembic so many years ago. I'd love to go with the inlaid notes like you (quite jealous). But, more strings means more notes, more notes means more inlays and we all know what that means! Plus, I think it would look way too cluttered with so many strings on so much smaller a neck. So, we'll see. My compromise would be MOP dots, three across.

Hope all the wives, girlfriends and significant others out there realize, there's only 21 shopping days left until Christmas!

Regards,

Jonathan
ajdover
Advanced Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 273
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 9:56 am:   Edit Post

I'm told six months, but we all know sometimes it takes longer than that, and that's OK. I'd rather get what I want and have it take longer than get something not exactly what I was looking for sooner. And I know this is how the good folks in Santa Rosa approach every project.

Alan
ox_junior
Advanced Member
Username: ox_junior

Post Number: 307
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 2:11 pm:   Edit Post

Alan -

One word - jealous.

It's gonna be a beautiful, beautiful bass. The investment and waiting time will be worth it.

I know I speak for Ollie and Irwin and all our other friends in the "Thunderhood Brotherhood" out there who wish you the very best with this fine instrument. Can't wait to see the progress reports and the final result.

Cheers, Mike
ed_r
Member
Username: ed_r

Post Number: 69
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Monday, December 05, 2005 - 8:55 am:   Edit Post

I want one too. I just can't get good enough specs!
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 1403
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Monday, December 05, 2005 - 9:58 am:   Edit Post

Jonathan:

You're breaking my heart here, LOL! First the Cornish pedalboard and now the JAE guitar...you beat me to the punch yet again, LOL! J/K.

Seriously, If nothing else, I'll get to live vicariously thru you.

Congrats and good luck with those great plans of yours...just another thing to throw on the "things I'm jealous of" pile, LOL!

Cheers,

Kevin
jalevinemd
Advanced Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 260
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Monday, December 05, 2005 - 10:59 am:   Edit Post

Kevin,

The JAE guitar I'm really excited about, though there's still quite a lot to do with my current project first. It's actually still in the blueprint stage, though ready to take off any day, hopefully. The Cornish pedalboard...well, let's just say that I came to my senses. For the price of it, I easily could fund 2 custom Alembics. I'm almost embarassed to say, given the fact that I actually talked to Pete Cornish about building me a board, but I tried out the POD XT Live and have been quite happy with the results. So much so that I've abandoned my current pedalboard completely the last 2 months. Oh well...live and learn.

Jonathan
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 1406
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Monday, December 05, 2005 - 11:12 am:   Edit Post

Jonathan:

Can't blame you for that...his work is stellar, but so are the prices!

FWIW, as a prospective owner (of both), I am concerned about the apparent relative lack of compatibility of Alembic guitars with most off-the-shelf effects. I think it was Kevin (hydragyrum) that got rid of his Alembics(s) because of that. Is that your experience as well?

As far as the JAE stuff, I originally thought the DW would make an awesome 6str, then it hit me about the Spyder. Either way, I don't think you can go wrong. With this year's substantial price hike, as well as the impending '06 rise, I don't think either one is in my near future, however. One can always dream, but with my penchant for escalating specs., I'm afraid my dreams are out of my reach...a guitar version of what Alan is doing could be a down-payment on a house, buy me a custom chopper, or new car!

Cheers,

Kevin
ajdover
Advanced Member
Username: ajdover

Post Number: 274
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, December 05, 2005 - 10:43 pm:   Edit Post

Mike,

I can't wait to see the final result either ... hopefully, you'll get a chance to play it someday and give me your opinion. I hope to have Ollie do the same thing as well.

Thanks,

Alan
ox_junior
Advanced Member
Username: ox_junior

Post Number: 311
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Friday, December 09, 2005 - 11:44 am:   Edit Post

I can tell you my opinion already -

I'm jealous.

Does that sum it up? :-)
bassicinstincts
Junior
Username: bassicinstincts

Post Number: 34
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Saturday, January 07, 2006 - 11:10 am:   Edit Post

Just a quick question - Is a Series 1.5 not the series pickups with a hidden (rear-routed?) humcanceller? I know John's Spyders had 2 master volumes amongst their modifications.

Ollie must know what each of those knobs did on John's basses...

Ben
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen

Post Number: 535
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Saturday, January 07, 2006 - 11:33 am:   Edit Post

Ben,
yes you are right. These had been two master volumes on the front horn with a mini switch to switch between the two volume presettings. At first I had my doubts what John did with this but you can clearly see it in the isolated track on The Kids are Alright DVD (Wonīt get fooled again). As he didnīt use any volume pedals he went between two volume presettings from loud to less loud by the flick of a switch.....

Sorry for my bad english; hope you understood it.

Oliver (Spyderman)

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