| Author | Message | ||
| jsaylor
Member Username: jsaylor Post Number: 78 Registered: 11-2006 |
http://www.warwickbass.com/basses/buzzard_bo.html Hmmmm.... | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 71 Registered: 10-2006 |
Jason, this is addressed in the COTM for the first DW, here. To my eye, the original Buzzard seriously lacks the grace of Susan's version. (As a side note, it has occurred to me that if you were to slice the DW template at about the neck end of the neck p/u & flip the lower bouts, it would still look cool, and you'd have room for enough controls to make 8SK Mark look like a minimalist. If anyone has a little more curiosity and a lot more money than I do, feel free to use my idea so I can see if I'm right  ) Peter | ||
| senmen
Senior Member Username: senmen Post Number: 610 Registered: 7-2003 |
Jason, to have it correct: the Buzzard design was originally created by John Entwistle himself with some help of Mr.Wilfer of Warwick. Nowadays Mr.Wilfer says that he designed the bass by himself which is simply not true. Fact is that Chris Entwistle, Johns son, sold the right of the design and name Buzzard as well as the rights on the name John Entwistle in collaboration with musical instruments to Warwick. This is also the reason why Warick forbid Status through their lawyers to produce the Buzzard I anymore nor to name the still in production B2 Buzzard. He also fools people as he gives certificates with the new limited Warwick Buzzards where there is a signature of him and John in the same color of which people may think that John had signed them which is not true. Oliver (Spyderman) | ||
| jsaylor
Member Username: jsaylor Post Number: 79 Registered: 11-2006 |
Who's Jason? Yeah, its not right that they have the "signed" certificates. But what amazes me is, I though John only used Gibson and Alembic, now I'm starting to think he used Gibson/Warwick/maybe others and Alembic copied the design. Regardless, it's a great design. Saying the Alembic is better is a matter of opinion. Cosmetically to me atleast, the Alembic wins hands down, regardless if it was the original or not. | ||
| lothartu
Advanced Member Username: lothartu Post Number: 202 Registered: 8-2003 |
Make sure to give this a quick read if you haven't already. http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_dragonwing.html Personally I don't see the Alembic Dragonwing design as a copy of a Buzzard. I see it as Alembic saying "Lets design a bass that we think John will really dig." -Jim | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 449 Registered: 11-2003 |
Gents, When I was at the Mothership in August, I talked to Susan about this and many other things. What she told me was that John approached her at least once a year asking Alembic to make a copy of the Buzzard for him, but Susan always told him it was too ugly and wouldn't do it. Instead, she designed the DW, and the rest is history. Can't say that the Buzzard is better aesthetically, but the recordings I've heard are nothing short of amazing. However, in my view, the DW more than holds its own against the Buzzard from a tonal point of view. My two cents, Alan | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 662 Registered: 2-2005 |
Jordon, Actually John used many basses throughout his career. In his earlier years he used both VOX and Fender. Also the Buzzard basses he was using towards the end were Status not Warwick as I recall. Oliver, our resident John Entwistle expert, can correct me if I'm wrong. Keith | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1203 Registered: 6-2002 |
Coming back to the original post - if you open the hyperlink, the Warwick Buzzard bolt-on just does not look the part. And if you look for their take on the Exploiter on the same site, the Stryker (formerly known as Cruiser, which is still the page name at the end of the URL) it goes bad again: "With the full support of the John Entwistle estate, Warwick is proud to introduce the Stryker, which is a design that John made popular both with the Who and on his solo projects." No credits to Alembic, or even Gibson for that matter. | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 985 Registered: 10-2002 |
Jordan. I found a pretty informative webpage that gives a superb rundown of all John's equipment here Graeme | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 72 Registered: 10-2006 |
Jordan - sorry about the "Jason." Thought I remembered - should have checked your profile before I typed (don't feel too bad - 2 weeks before I got married, I was introducing her with "This is my fiancee....um, er.....") Peter | ||
| worldfamousandy
Member Username: worldfamousandy Post Number: 90 Registered: 3-2004 |
Entwistle gave me a Warwick Buzzard several years ago. Oddly enough, it has no serial number, and the only way that you can guess it's a Warwick is the "W" on the tailpiece. I sent it in for repairs once, and the Warwick people would only go so far as to say, "All indications are that we probably built it." I'm guessing it was some kind of prototype, especially because of the poor balance of the instrument. The neck dive make this axe very difficult to play. Aesthetically, it is quite a unique piece. My Series 1 was back at Alembic for over a year for a repair one time, and I had to use the Buzzard on all my gigs. You can imagine the looks I got when I pulled that sucker out of its flight case for a jazz standards gig at the country club! I was too loud before I plugged in! Andy Calder www.andycalderbass.com | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 988 Registered: 10-2002 |
"Entwistle gave me a Warwick Buzzard several years ago" Why do I suddenly feel like screaming!! Graeme the jealous as hell one. | ||
| southpaw
Intermediate Member Username: southpaw Post Number: 110 Registered: 12-2004 |
I recall somewhere JE joking about the advantage of the Buzzard was that it hangs on the back of his bar stool... No comparison; the DW is far better looking in every way. Regarding early JE basses, John was a huge fan of Fender P basses, look at the opening page of his Bass Culture book for an amazing collection of P basses. Also in the DVD Thunderfingers he says his "go to the grave" bass is his Frankenstein P bass made up of parts from several P basses, he says he recorded several albums with it. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 1993 Registered: 7-2004 |
Peter: Boy, can I relate. My wife's sister was engaged to Bill Kreutzmann (before I met my wife). After we were married, I was invited to an art showing Kreutzmann had in Mill Valley. We went. Kreutzmann immediately recognized my wife, who said hello and then introduced me as: "This is my husband. He's a deadhead" No name, no "successful lawyer", nuthin but 'he's a deadhead'! She's still living it down! We now return you to our regularly scheduled thread. That Buzzard is buzz-ugly IMHO. The top right horn looks like it broke off and is hanging by a thread. Susan was right. The DW had MUCH nicer lines. again IMHO. Bill, tgo | ||
| jsaylor
Member Username: jsaylor Post Number: 80 Registered: 11-2006 |
Andy,you sure are a lucky one! adriaan , I can see them giving Gibson credit, as it is their design, but why Alembic? | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1445 Registered: 3-2004 |
From what I have read, Gibson made the first Explorer back in the 50's and then shelved it. In the 70's the shape saw some use from other builders and Gibson then brought it back in their line. Alembic shares responsibility for putting the shape in JE's hands. Clearly, the Alembic version is very tightly associated with him. He took that experience with him when he went to work with Warwick. In some respects, the Buzzard and DW are both stylized versions of an instrument body that functions similar to the Explorer. I believe that all three shapes have similarities in playing position and balance. Hey Bill, how would things be different for you if the intro was "This is my husband, Bill. He's a heck of a guitar player. You guys should jam sometime."??? | ||
| lidon2001
Advanced Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 277 Registered: 4-2005 |
Rick Derringer with his 1950's prototype Explorer V-head  (Message edited by lidon2001 on January 10, 2007) | ||
| trekster
Intermediate Member Username: trekster Post Number: 135 Registered: 7-2004 |
Keith -- one other! If I recall, and granted this may have been a product placement, John was playing a Steinberger in one of the videos from the Face Dances era... geez, what song was that...?!? Brain fart! What I do remember is that it was one of the very early Steinbergers, because the EMG pickups didn't have the little EMG in white in the corner of the pickup, but huge EMG letters that were molded onto the pickup surface. | ||
| dfung60
Advanced Member Username: dfung60 Post Number: 222 Registered: 5-2002 |
I never saw a video with Entwistle playing the Steinberger, but the picture with his obituary in Rolling Stone showed him playing one on a Who tour jet from the 80's. Modern legal claims aside, it's hard to believe that Entwistle didn't solely own the Buzzard design at the outset. The body shaping is very "Warwick" of that period (virtually no flat areas anywhere on the bass). It's extensively documented that Entwistle played with a super-low action, and had problems maintaining that setup under road conditions, both with his Exploiters and the Warwick Buzzards. John was a big fan of Modulus Graphite instruments and had a number of Exploiters built with Modulus necks for road use. Later, after the switch to Warwick, he had Modulus produce a number of through-body Buzzards which carried the Modulus logo. One of the prototype Buzzards (including a 12th fret inlay with the production number and "built for John Entwistle) was sent to Modulus to make patterns and for the Warwick hardware. The neck buck (used to make the graphite mold) and body were carved by Larry Robinson, the famed inlay artist. I have the wooden buck now (given to me by Geoff Gould right before he left Modulus), and had an opportunity to buy the first completed Modulus Buzzard. It had been presented to Entwistle, but rejected because of action problems (the neck angle coming into the body wasn't quite right) and a number of blown LED side markers. This bass, a transparent emerald green quilted maple instrument, almost got sold to the Hard Rock Cafe, but when that fell through became the equipment giveaway in Bass Player magazine (with the addition of Entwistle's signature on the body). The action on that bass was insanely low (apparently even Entwistle had commented that it was too low) although they were going to fix that problem with a refret. I didn't buy it (who's got enough game to ever strap on a Buzzard in front of people?). I don't know what the production numbers were for the Modulus Buzzards but Entwistle himself had quite a few, documented in his book as well as the Entwistle auction listings. The fact that Entwistle had Buzzards produced by Warwick, Modulus, and Status all with virtually identical shape really seems to imply that he was the one controlling the usage of the body design. David Fung | ||
| trekster
Intermediate Member Username: trekster Post Number: 136 Registered: 7-2004 |
Well, 24 hours later I still couldn't think of it, so a look at the Discography for Face Dances, a look at youtube, and..wellla! John playing a Steinberger for the video "Don't let go the Coat".. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8qtvGtxJ8I Enjoy! --T | ||
| senmen
Senior Member Username: senmen Post Number: 615 Registered: 7-2003 |
Intersting additional facts: In an old interview mentioned that he sold the Steinberger again shortly because he said that the graphite was sounding like sh.. and that he would only go for wooden basses. Very interesting that he had chosen Modulus and Status basses after some years. BTW Johns main green Modulus Buzzard, which was sold at the Sothebys auction, is now in the collection of a german friend of mine. Oliver (Spyderman) | ||
| dtrice
Junior Username: dtrice Post Number: 14 Registered: 10-2006 |
I don't know about you, but I would not play a warwick if someone gave it to me. | ||
| the_8_string_king
Advanced Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 341 Registered: 9-2005 |
Yeah, the few I've picked up... well, "half-decent" or "nothing special" would be about the best things I could say about 'em. Opposite end of the scale, or way far down, at least, from Alembic. But I've picked up and played lots of basses that were further down the scale from them, so there are worse. Of course, then, "there are worse basses (than ours) wouldn't be an inspiring motto or pitch." I'm with you, I wouldn't have any use for one, even for free. But then, unless I'm wrong (and someone PLEASE correct me if I am) aren't they the pr@#*s who basically... I dunno, sorta... plagerized the Exploiter shape? We're they the ones? Or do I not have my facts straight? In any event, regardless, I don't like 'em either. They don't do a thing for me. But I thought they were the ones that we're peddling some pathetic excuse for an Exploiter as... well, I can't recall enough to attempt a quote, but something along the lines of being some authentic representitive of the ALEMBIC EXPLOITERs he played. So yeah, the more I think about it, this thread makes me want to asks someone who knows -for info on this. I remember seeing something about this... I think it was possibly or likely on this site. I think I'll take a quick run through the "Miscellaneous" after this. "The truth is out there" do do do do do do do do(in the "X-Files" theme) | ||
| hifiguy
Member Username: hifiguy Post Number: 65 Registered: 10-2006 |
The DW is so much more elegant and aesthetically pleasing than the Buzzard that it's no contest. That Buzzard bolt-on is one motherplucking ug-lee bass guitar. | ||
| dfung60
Advanced Member Username: dfung60 Post Number: 223 Registered: 5-2002 |
In the relatively small circle of premium basses, Warwick has long been a sort of pariah. I guess this is because they like to engage in some level of copying the work of others without appropriate acknowledgement. When you look at a Warwick Streamer next to a Spector NS bass, it's hard to not see it as an almost direct copy. The Spector bass was designed by Ned Steinberger (yes, that Steinberger, and this was before he started making his own basses) and features a curved body, so it's would certainly be an "odd coincidence" that the Streamer came out with the same basic profile and curved body! Warwicks come with "MEC" pickups, which are actives with integral preamps, gee, sort of like EMG pickups. And many Warwicks are fitted with innovative features like a sustain block and adjustable nut! That all said, pre-1991 Warwicks are excellent basses. They were all handmade in West Germany from exotic African hardwoods, milled from raw logs at the Warwick factory. I have a bunch of these old Warwicks and a 1990 Thumb 4 (through-body, but there were no bolt-ons in their line at that time) was my main bass for many years. The woodworking and materials were really excellent, and I liked many of these specific features that had raised so much flak from the bass boutique community. I'm not quite sure what happened to Warwick in the early 90s. Part of it was German reunification, I think - product moved to a different factory, quality of materials dropped precipitously (ovangkol was no substitute for bubinga), all the ugly bolt-on models at lower prices became the main part of their product offering. Their US distribution changed from Kaman/Ovation to Dana B. Goods. They continued to sell the expensive models, but the quality of handwork was just terrible and the sound suffered as well. If you've only played the mass produced Warwicks in Guitar Center, you've never played a real Warwick. I've got my Thumb 4, a Thumb 5, Streamer Stage II, and a very rare model called a Corvette (mine is a semi-hollow body with f-holes, not the ugly starfish shaped bass they use that name on now) from 1986-1991 production. I've also got a 1997 through-body ovangkol Dolphin that's not a horrible bass, but only a shadow of the old boire Dolphins. | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 451 Registered: 11-2003 |
Dave, I'm sure the pre-1991 models are nice basses, as you say. Unfortunately, most of us will never get our hands on one. This being said, I've never played a Warwick I thought was worth a damn. They're heavy, sound and play horribly, and well, they're designs aren't something I care for personally. It can't help that they're the bass of choice for "metal" or "modern" bands - it plays into the Gutiar Center reference you refer to, e.g., "if my bass hero is playing one, I need to get one." This is nothing new - I bought a Rick 4001 as a teenager because Geddy Lee played one. Now, most of my bass heroes play other basses (Jazz Bass, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Musicman, etc.), and I have basses from those manufacturers. I bought those basses in part because my bass heroes played them. This being said, if it played and sounded bad to me, I wouldn't have bought them. If Geddy, Stanley, Jaco, Greg Lake, John Paul Jones, Victor, etc. were playing an Ibanez, I probably try, but not buy one for the same reasons I don't play Warwicks. In any event, if someone likes Warwicks, more power to them. You'll never see one strapped on me, however - my DW blows the doors off of every Warwick I've ever played, IMHO. To each his own, I guess. Alan | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1448 Registered: 3-2004 |
I don't know. Steinberger was a pretty good designer and most of the neck-thru Streamer basses play pretty well and sound decent to boot. They aren't Alembics, but they're pretty good. I wouldn't mind owning a Stage II, but it probably wouldn't be #1 in my stable. There are just too many better basses out there. The only non-Alembic bass I would like to have right now is a Zon VB-4 Vinny. | ||
| blazer
Intermediate Member Username: blazer Post Number: 117 Registered: 12-2003 |
"From what I have read, Gibson made the first Explorer back in the 50's and then shelved it. In the 70's the shape saw some use from other builders and Gibson then brought it back in their line. Alembic shares responsibility for putting the shape in JE's hands. Clearly, the Alembic version is very tightly associated with him. He took that experience with him when he went to work with Warwick. " NOPE! Entwistle was playing Gibson Thunderbird basses at the time which he preferred for their offset design and powerful sound, the thing he didn't like about them was the fact that they have very skinny necks and often had their headstocks come off. http://www.thewho.net/whotabs/images/bass/jae_64tbird-home.jpg So he hooked with a local builder to built him a couple of Thunderbird style basses using surplus Gibson Thunderbird pickups and surplus Fender precision bass necks the "Fenderbird" was the result. http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/ent-2-c74.jpg But Entwistle also had bought a fifties Gibson explorer and he loved the way it looked so he had one custom bass made in the shape of that explorer but with Thunderbird pickups and a Fender neck. And that one-off custom bass was the one on which his Alembic exploiter basses were based on. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1463 Registered: 3-2004 |
Kind of why I used the word "shares". It is clearly the Alembic version that people associate with him more than the prototype you are describing. Also, John was bouncing around from bass to bass through the late 60s into the early 70s. The Alembics must have resonated with him, though. He played the Exploiters for most of ten years before moving on to the Buzzard shape. | ||
| jsaylor
Member Username: jsaylor Post Number: 81 Registered: 11-2006 |
Blazer, Whats that tiny TB that that kid is playing??? | ||
| blazer
Intermediate Member Username: blazer Post Number: 118 Registered: 12-2003 |
I guess a custom built Mini Thunderbird, most likely a one-off. | ||
| blazer
Intermediate Member Username: blazer Post Number: 119 Registered: 12-2003 |
I guess a custom built Mini Thunderbird, most likely a one-off. | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 459 Registered: 11-2003 |
It's most likely John's son Christopher, playing a custom made Thunderbird replica in scale. It's mentioned in his book about his collection, Bass Culture. Alan | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 952 Registered: 10-2003 |
Is the one-off explorer-bodied bass the one used in the "Who Are You?" video perchance? John | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1233 Registered: 6-2002 |
FWIW, I've seen Epiphone 4 string mandolins in the Explorer shape in shops over the last few years, all in that brown finish. Obviously not the same as the replica that John's son is holding in the picture, but probably the exact same scale. Here's a link to the Epiphone Mandobird. (Message edited by adriaan on January 22, 2007) | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 1124 Registered: 11-2003 |
I know all of this comparison is opinion so here's mine. I have a BO Thumb Bass that was made in 2000 and I like it. No, it isn't an Alembic but for under $800, it was used, it's a pretty good bass. When switching from the Epic to the Thumb I have to redo the settings on my amp so it doesn't get used a lot but it does play and sound good. The angled tuning keys are a plus. I do agree that I wouldn't pay the price for a new one. I don't like it that much but if I remember right I payed $750 and feel satisfied with the deal. Sam | ||
| senmen
Senior Member Username: senmen Post Number: 617 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hey guys, may I come into the discussion again. First, Gibson only has made three Explorer basses in the mid 50es and John has never owned one. The whereabouts of two of the basses are not known. The third one was played by Randy Jo Hobbs, Johnny Winters bassplayer for some years. Then in the mid ninetees an american car dealer owned this bass and I really donīt know where it is today. As for Johns Explorerbird basses, there were at least three made. The red one used in the Who Are you vid and two sunbursts which are both today in the posession of the HRC. Below are two pics of the original 58 Gibson Explorer bass and two pics of Johns sunburst Explorerbirds. Have fun Oliver    (Message edited by davehouck on January 22, 2007) | ||
| neyman
Junior Username: neyman Post Number: 34 Registered: 7-2002 |
Wow! I've never seen an early Explorer before! Do you know if the Explorer was a short scale or long scale neck? | ||
| senmen
Senior Member Username: senmen Post Number: 618 Registered: 7-2003 |
Dan, to my knowledge those three Explorer basses had custom Explorer Korina guitar bodies and custom mahogany EB-1 type neck with the explorer headstock, so think they were short scale as the EB-1s. Oliver | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 954 Registered: 10-2003 |
I bet they sounded terrible! (the Gibson Explorer Basses, that is) | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1234 Registered: 6-2002 |
Note the 3+1 peghead with the banjo-style tuners! The Gibson Explorer bass certainly looks like it's a short scale. | ||
| blazer
Intermediate Member Username: blazer Post Number: 120 Registered: 12-2003 |
"I bet they sounded terrible! (the Gibson Explorer Basses, that is)" Listen to records of Mountain or to Jack Bruce playing an EB1 in this concert footage of Cream's 2005 reunion. To hear just how "Terrible" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NmHIxGaNWM | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 956 Registered: 10-2003 |
Blazer, Yes, they sound pretty darn good when Jack is manipulating one. You must admit, though, that the singularly muddy tone is what they are all about. Jack is playing in a trio, where there is room in the mix for a bass that goes "thud." I have to admit that I'm probably going to pickup one of the Chinese Hofner basses and string it with flats, to get just about that same tone (McCartney, anyone?). Speaking (typing) of which, I believe I'd like to get a lefty, and learn to play it lefty. I think it might be an interesting exercise that would do interesting things to the way I approach the instrument. Good idea? Bad idea? WWJED? (What Would John E. Do?) Back to the subject at hand, JE seems to have been heavily involved with many builders of basses, and while having lots of input with them they surely would have given him ideas in kind. He's regarded as the brain behind the adjustable nut, but I suspect that if not for the Alembic elves it would not have appeared when, how and as it did. Also, I believe that the sounds he got from his Alembics (and the extreme playability) gave the rest of the music world a benchmark to shoot for (still unmatched in my opinion). Of course, all the explorer/exploiter/buzzard basses seem to fit HIM rather than him adjusting to THEM. I wish he were still alive. John | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1477 Registered: 3-2004 |
It is pretty amazing how so much of the music we revere was created with such crappy gear compared to what we have access to today. | ||
| s_wood
Advanced Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 236 Registered: 5-2002 |
There has been quite a bit written in various sources about the fact that so-called Gibson Explorer basses from the '50's were fakes. I remember reading a JE interview somewhere we he acknowledged that. | ||
| blazer
Intermediate Member Username: blazer Post Number: 121 Registered: 12-2003 |
811952 About getting a lefty Hofner and learning how to play it lefty: Look at Artie Sharraf, who plays "Paul" in the Beatles Tribute Band "The Fab four" He has done just that and became REALLY good at it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwuYv_rfxIg | ||
| senmen
Senior Member Username: senmen Post Number: 622 Registered: 7-2003 |
Guys, as for the fake Gibsons, John talked about the fake Flying V basses and the Discoverer bass, but never about fake Explorer basses. Oliver | ||
| jsaylor
Member Username: jsaylor Post Number: 85 Registered: 11-2006 |
Oliver, What did he say about the fake flying v's and the discoverer? And what is the discoverer? And whats the HRC? Sorry for my lack of knowledge. Also, why do you call them Explorerbirds? Didn't John have a few fenderbirds (thunderbird with fender neck) aswell? | ||
| senmen
Senior Member Username: senmen Post Number: 623 Registered: 7-2003 |
Jordan, as for the Flying V basses and Discoverer he clearly had stated, that he had once bought them as original at a not that cheap price and later found out, that they were fake. He had two Flying V basses, both with Gibson name. One of the two was sold over the years, donīt know where it is actually. The second one was autioned of at the Sothebys auction. He had used one of them in the Pinball Wizard sequence of the Tommy film. The Discoverer was also a fake. In a mid seventies book on Gibson guitars and basses the author spoke about the Discoverer as Gibson prototype, later it was found out that it is a fake. HRC means Hard Rock Cafe. Unfortunately the HRC bought many of Johns basses which are now simply hanging around in the cafes. John had different Fenderbirds and Explorerbirds. Fenderbirds have generally been the Thunderbird bodies with Fender P-necks, Explorerbird the Explorer bodies with the P-necks. Here are two photos of the second V-bass and the Discoverer:   Oliver | ||
| lidon2001
Advanced Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 282 Registered: 4-2005 |
Just hanging around....  | ||
| senmen
Senior Member Username: senmen Post Number: 624 Registered: 7-2003 |
Yeah itīs a shame. This this is now worth 25K and the HRC has 5 of them..... Oliver (Spyderman) | ||
| jsaylor
Member Username: jsaylor Post Number: 86 Registered: 11-2006 |
Oliver, Do you know who made the fenderbirds? That has really , and now I might just go make one out of warmoth parts. I guess this will be my "poor mans custom". (Message edited by jsaylor on January 28, 2007) | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 1478 Registered: 3-2004 |
If HRC ever went south and needed to liquidate, there would be quite a few super instruments returned to the market. I wonder how they connect them to the wall, hopefully in a non-destructive fashion! | ||
| senmen
Senior Member Username: senmen Post Number: 625 Registered: 7-2003 |
Jordan, Bob, the Fenderbirds, the Explorerbirds, the Lightning Bolt, the Flame etc. were all made by british luthier Peter Cook. As for the HRC, I saw several guitars which were mounted rather rudely to the walls.... Oliver | ||
| blazer
Intermediate Member Username: blazer Post Number: 122 Registered: 12-2003 |
Jordan, Bob. Hotwire bass have the "Funderbird" which is a modern re-think of John Entwistle's "Fenderbird" basses and it comes in all shapes and sizes the customer asks for. http://www.hotwire-bass.de/basses/funderbird/seiten/funderbird_en.htm | ||
| jsaylor
Member Username: jsaylor Post Number: 87 Registered: 11-2006 |
Hi Blazer, Those "Funderbirds" look nothing like the "fenderbird". It's a shame though. | ||
| joelp
New Username: joelp Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2007 |
I am in the interesting position of now playing John Entwistle in a Los Angeles-based Who tribute band, The Who Show (http://www.thewhoshow.com). Besides getting to play all of this wonderful music, I get to indulge my bass lust by buying lots basses and parts, and assembling a collection of "Entwistle-like" basses. So far I have a couple of Epi Tbirds (turning on into a Fenderbird, and getting a Moses neck for the other), have completed a cream colored Precision (now with the correct pickguard, a great after-market neck and EMG active electronics), and a pretty good EASTWOOD large hollow-body style (with flatwounds for the 60's stuff). The big Kahuna will be the Alembic-style Explorer (or Exploiter), which I am recreating using an Epi explorer bass body/neck. When completed it will have all active bass and guitar pickups and electronics, a birdseye maple top, a Moses graphite fingerboard with letter inlays, and the spider web gold-plated inlays (I'm skipping the LEDs, thank you very much). My only criteria is that these all play and sound great - I have been a Steinberger player for over 20 years, and am only now returning to wood basses (and miss some of the finer composite advantages). John did not continue playing basses that would not suit his hands or ears, and niether will I, although I am trying to stay authentic when it comes to the right era basses for the right sings. And I'm skipping the Buzzards, not attractive to me... I'll be posting phots on the who show website, as well as my own (http://www.joelp.com), and welcome all comments (thanks, Joel Pelletier) | ||
| jsaylor
Member Username: jsaylor Post Number: 97 Registered: 11-2006 |
Question: Why guitar pick-ups? I'm pretty sure John never used guitar pups. If you are a Steinberger fan why don't you just continue to use them? Music is about being what you want to be, not copying someone else. Does this also mean your going to be buying some Alembics? They sure will hit your wallet harder than the epi-birds. |
