| Author | Message | ||
| ajdover
Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 53 Registered: 11-2003 |
Folks, There is an Exploiter (as it's termed on the site) on Ebay, at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=3719204118&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW The seller says it has Series II electronics, but from the little I know about Series 2 electronics, it doesn't appear that way by the pics. Looks like Series 1 to me (and not much different from what I have on my Spyder, hum canceller excepted). Anyway, it has a beautiful maple top, and looks great. Not sure how much the seller wants, but if you're in the market for one, this might be your chance. Just wanted to pass the info along .. Oliver, are you listening? :-) Alan | ||
| senmen
Advanced Member Username: senmen Post Number: 261 Registered: 7-2003 |
Alan, many thanks for the info. It seems to me that it has Series electronics of course but basically this bass is an Exploiter/Spoiler and not a Spyder. It only was manufactured with the V headstock. The body is an exploiter style with the smaller lower horn and not the body shape like the Spyders or Johns original Spyders...... Oliver(Spyderman) | ||
| ox_junior
Junior Username: ox_junior Post Number: 17 Registered: 3-2004 |
I'm going to bid on it, It's a lot closer to John's bass than my current Exploiter/Spoiler. I want it!!!!! Wish me luck!!!! Mike | ||
| bsee
New Username: bsee Post Number: 9 Registered: 3-2004 |
Good luck, Mike! Talk to me about your current exploiter if you win and want to defray your costs a bit. | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 477 Registered: 5-2002 |
Good luck!! I see the reserve has still not been met. | ||
| ox_junior
Junior Username: ox_junior Post Number: 18 Registered: 3-2004 |
If I get this one (and I will be aggressively going for it), I'll offer up my current Exploiter to you and other users of this board first. The brotherhood has to stick together!! Will let you know what happens, there's 8 days left in the auction so there's a little time. Thanks, Mike | ||
| bsee
New Username: bsee Post Number: 10 Registered: 3-2004 |
Okay, thanks. If you want to show it and discuss potential price in advance, I am happy to do so on speculation and with no strings attached on your part. This way you can know the minimum you can get out of your current bass to apply to the new purchase. By the way, what's your favorite tune to do? I always got off on The Real Me. | ||
| ox_junior
Junior Username: ox_junior Post Number: 19 Registered: 3-2004 |
OK I'll shoot you an e-mail. I have all the documentation on the bass, authorization from Mica, etc. Naturally I'd expect to get at least what I paid for it - I've taken exceptional care of the guitar and is in exactly the same condition in which I bought it. We'll talk privately. I dig playing Real Me very much. Although I have to say that Won't Get Fooled Again is my favorite to play. Ever since the DVD of The Kids Are Alright came out, showing what John's REALLY playing back there, that's become both a great challenge and great fun to play! Speak to you soon. Mike | ||
| effclef
Intermediate Member Username: effclef Post Number: 133 Registered: 1-2004 |
Mike, isn't that a great video? It's unfortunate that the sound quality isn't better, but I was really surprised to see what John was playing, versus what I had always heard "in my head." Can someone explain the exact control layout on his Spyder in that video? I would love to see a future evolution of concert DVDs where they allow you to pick audio for each of the players one at a time. I think that would be really popular (among musicians, anyhow). The video Mike and I are talking about is the two-DVD set of The Kids are Alright. EffClef | ||
| effclef
Intermediate Member Username: effclef Post Number: 134 Registered: 1-2004 |
OOPS I meant to say, that the sound quality wasn't better for the Ox-Cam stuff; guess I would have preferred the Series bass being recorded in stereo. I will say that they did a heck of a job cleaning up the film; the documentary about that on the second disc was very interesting. Seeing Keith Moon blow up his bass drum on the Smothers' Brothers show was priceless. EffClef | ||
| ox_junior
Junior Username: ox_junior Post Number: 20 Registered: 3-2004 |
Eff, I was lucky enough to get a pressing of that DVD before it was released commercially - direct from Exec Producer John Albarian, who is a friend of our group. My copies are just blank - no writing - and come in a preliminary version of the case without the booklet. Pretty cool, huh? Yes I wish the Ox-Cam footage was recorded better. But John and his team did do a remarkable job of cleaning it up. And yes I was also surprised to find what John was really playing vs. what's on the record. And doesn't that solo on My Gen (from the Smothers Bros show) sound cool? I wonder how he got that bright tone. Oliver, any idea of JE's settings on that Spyder? MB | ||
| keavin
Advanced Member Username: keavin Post Number: 296 Registered: 12-2002 |
john's bright tone was those "roto sound RS66" bass strings & he was big "treble" fan,,,i always noticed he used alot of treble on his bass mix,but one sad note is that his death was ruled as acute 'cocaine intoxicatoin',and not a heart-attack as first thought. those findings were published much later after his death.i think it's scary that alot of our heros are being taken out by those means,,,,,,lets be careful guys!!! | ||
| senmen
Advanced Member Username: senmen Post Number: 262 Registered: 7-2003 |
Mike, as for Johns Spyders (except the V-head) I think the layout was as followed: 2xvolume, 2xfilters, 2xq-switches, 1xpickup selector, 2xmaster volume, 1xminiswitch to change between two presets (in combination with the two master volumes) If you win the auction (I wish you the most luck with this) plse send me detailed pics for my collection. Oliver(Spyderman) | ||
| lowlife
Junior Username: lowlife Post Number: 47 Registered: 12-2003 |
Michael, good luck at the auction. Hope to see some pics soon. Ellery (Lowlife) | ||
| ox_junior
Junior Username: ox_junior Post Number: 21 Registered: 3-2004 |
I just received an e-mail from the owner, who says he is the original owner of the bass, and he had it custom-built for him. He does say that these are Series II electronics. Keav - I use RS66s on all my basses - I'm just curious specifically about the tone he gets on the Smothers Brothers My Generation. Not sure if he was using Rotosounds at that time. Oliver??? Thanks for your good wishes, I hope to win this bass! Mike | ||
| senmen
Advanced Member Username: senmen Post Number: 264 Registered: 7-2003 |
Mike, I think he used Rotosounds back then, but don´t know precisely. In the early eighties he began using the Maxima Gold ones.... Oliver (Spyderman) | ||
| ox_junior
Junior Username: ox_junior Post Number: 22 Registered: 3-2004 |
Oliver, Yes I have the same information. The Smothers Brothers show was in '67, so it's certainly possible he was using Rotosounds. Those are certainly much easier to get than Maximas, and more affordable as well. Thanks! Mike | ||
| senmen
Advanced Member Username: senmen Post Number: 265 Registered: 7-2003 |
Mike, to my opinion Maximas are no longer produced. I currently use DR strings which produce a real good steel sound to get the John twang out of it. As for the Exploiter, do you know the reserve? If not, I asked, send me a mail and I will give you the info.... Oliver (Spyderman) | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 426 Registered: 7-2002 |
You can still buy Maxima strings, Juststrings.com for one, has them on their website for sale. I am surprised that you do not have chapter and verse on John's strings, Oliver.  This is what I found out regarding John's string use: Early ’60s: Flatwound strings of various manufacturers, including Fender and La Bella. 1966–’80s: Rotosound Swing Bass roundwound strings (.045 - .105) , developed with John, and changed daily. 1989–2001: Maxima Gold gold-plated handmade strings, changed daily. This is what he said at the time he switched: From the August 1989 Guitar Player The big news is that Rotosounds will not be accompanying the Buzzards on their transcontinental flight. After pioneering the development of roundwound strings with that company in the ’60s and in the process becoming virtually synonymous with the name and the sound, Entwistle has switched to handmade Maxima gold-plated strings. “They sent me a set to try out, and I really liked them. I found that with the proper action on my basses, I could tune the E string as low as an A and still achieve a true tone. I tried to get Rotosound to explore that direction a year ago and they ignored me, and then came out with a set specially gauged by Billy Sheehan that will tune down to a D! So I got fed up. Billy Sheehan and Mark King can sell Rotosounds; I’m very happy with Maximas.” And finally, the switchback.. 2001–2002: Rotosound Swing Bass strings, changed daily. Valentino | ||
| senmen
Advanced Member Username: senmen Post Number: 266 Registered: 7-2003 |
Val, great to hear from you. As for the strings, the DR´s are really great and produce a real good steel twang. As I mostly play like John in the typewriter style I get his sound very good out of it. Even if I am a big JE fan I think there are some products I can´t/won´t use. Another example is Ashdown. But this is a personal experience with Mark Gooday of Ashdown I had. If you want to know send me a mail..... Take care mate Oliver (Spyderman) | ||
| bsee
Junior Username: bsee Post Number: 19 Registered: 3-2004 |
Alembic staffers- Can someone take a look at this bass if you haven't already and confirm that it is a Series I and not a Series II? (the link is in the top post of this thread) The seller claims to have the original receipt from when he custom-ordered the bass labelling it as a "Series II exploiter with PF-6B electronics." If that's not accurate, then maybe you want to contact him and let him know? Sure, this isn't as bad as someone trying to pass a piece of plywood off as an Elan, but it's still bad, right? | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 439 Registered: 7-2002 |
Well, it's definitely a series I, his receipt may call it a Series II, but if so, the receipt is wrong. And it's quilted maple , rather than flame. Valentino | ||
| ox_junior
Junior Username: ox_junior Post Number: 25 Registered: 3-2004 |
Thanks Val for checking this out. Mica also explained to me that this is a Series I, although the seller may think he has a Series II due to the fact that they share PF-6B electronics. The dealer may also have thought the same thing when writing up the receipt. It could be an honest mistake, but I don't want to be the one (since I wanna buy it)to run the risk of upsetting the seller by being the one to point out that his bass is not worth what he thinks it is. Then again, it may not be an honest mistake. I e-mailed the seller, he would not reveal the serial number to me. I found this disappointing, as I was hoping that Val or Mica would be able to settle the Series I/II issue. I still want this bass quite badly, I'm just holding back to see how high the bidding gets. The auction ends Friday so I have some time. If it gets close to the price of a Spyder, I'll drop out. Wish me luck! Mike | ||
| hollis
Intermediate Member Username: hollis Post Number: 152 Registered: 11-2003 |
Good luck Mike! I wonder what the seller's reasoning is for not giving out the serial #? Whatever it is, it sure is a pretty beast! | ||
| dfung60
Junior Username: dfung60 Post Number: 35 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hard to see how you could make a claim that this is Series II. The difference in electronics is just the CVQ knobs and master volume, both of which are not present on this bass. The more expensive differences are more laminates in the body and neck, which this bass also don't have. The single most expensive addition to the Series II are the side marker LEDs... again, not present on this bass. So, every indicator is Series I. This doesn't make it any less awesome in absolute terms, but it seems like it ought to at least have *one* Series II feature before there's any discussion! My Series I Exploiter looks to pretty much be the brother of this one. Mine is rosewood instead of quilted maple and cone headstock instead of Vee, but the proportions of the neck laminates, back plates, and control positions all look the same. Mine is probably much older - 1983 serial number, and I have the shiny black flattop pickups. This one has the pickups with Alembic embossed into the corner of the pickup top, but no foil logo there so I'd guess that it's late 80's. I think some of the "specs" are cribbed from the current site and probably not reflective of this bass. If it were really from the 80's I think it would have polyurethane finish instead of polyester. And it would be interesting to see a closeup of the headstock - an 80's bass would probably have the engraved sterling silver Alembic logo which I personally find to be nicer then the newer 90's style ones. Best of luck to those in who are looking at this one. There's nothing like a Series Alembic and, if you're not afraid of being identified as an Ox-poser, the Exploiter body style is incredibly comfortable to play. You wouldn't expect that to look at it, but it's even better than you could imagine. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1601 Registered: 6-2000 |
David is correct about the differences between Series I and II. Over the years the distinction between the models was at least the electronics, and as time has moved on, the feature lists have grown farther apart. Recent additions to the Series II roster include goldpalted hardware and continuous wood backplates. Couple of corretions too. Been using the same polyester paint since at least 1980, so expect this paint to be typical, though was probably originally a satin rubout. The polyurethane formula was changed without notice in 1978 and a few times after that - we don't take too kindly to such changes. The same jeweler has been making our logos since forever, well, at least since we figured we had more interesting things to do other than handmake logos. I'll confirm with my mom in the morning the year we started using the cast logos, but I know Tim was making logos for us when I was in grade school. Only Tim and ourselves have ever made our logos. The only thing different recently is the addition of the Alembic script, which isn't included on all models and of course can be optionally omitted on any custom order since it's an entirely separate casting. | ||
| ox_junior
Junior Username: ox_junior Post Number: 27 Registered: 3-2004 |
I don't think I could be any more grateful to Dave and Mica for their incredibly detailed assessment of this instrument. Thank you both so much! I feel I can copy and paste both your posts on an e-mail to the seller to help him understand what he owns. David - I AM an Ox-poser, I get paid to do it, and am dang proud of it - but I wouldn't feel as if I were doing the role justice unless I owned an Alembic like this!!! Mike Bisch | ||
| senmen
Advanced Member Username: senmen Post Number: 271 Registered: 7-2003 |
Mike, I hope it will turn out well with the Exploiter for you. And I learned a new word today - Ox-Poser. Great. I just had my Spyder reset to a more than low string adjustment; very similar to Johns one as I could see from old pictures. And I can tell you, the Spyder sounds like hell now and I can´t stop doing the typewriting thing. So much highs with such great overtones.. WOW Oliver (Spyderman) | ||
| effclef
Intermediate Member Username: effclef Post Number: 143 Registered: 1-2004 |
Oliver...I have heard you mention the typewriter style a few times: what is it? A downward stroke with the fingers, to cause the strings to hit the frets? In other words, not like thumb slapping, but more like an agressive fingerstyle in the Z direction, so to speak? EffClef | ||
| senmen
Advanced Member Username: senmen Post Number: 272 Registered: 7-2003 |
Andy, the typewriter technique was one of Johns main playing styles. With this you are able to do fast runs by getting a real steely sound with much treble and fantastic harmonics. You hit the strings SLIGHTLY with the tips of your fingers (1,2,3 or all when you are experienced) at a right angle to the fingerboard or an angle of about 45 degrees to the fingerboard. With this you can also tap chords as well tap out the harmonics of a chord as well as beeing able to play Johns speed-up triplets. It is hard to explain even if you have it in your blood and you do it automatically now. I have a very low setup now (0,9 - 1,0mms at the 24th fret) and you can really build up speed but you also have to take care only to tape slighlty. Just as John did - without that much force on the strings... Oliver (Spyderman) | ||
| xlrogue6
Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 62 Registered: 8-2002 |
Re David's last paragraph and Ox's reply: The important thing is to be good at it--if you aren't, that would of course make you an Indecent Ox-poser. Sorry about that.....couldn't help it. | ||
| bsee
Junior Username: bsee Post Number: 22 Registered: 3-2004 |
I suspect that technique requires a lot of gain, and either serious compression or absolutely fabulous control. BTW, did anyone else contact the seller on this bass to try to straighten him out about what he has? I don't think he'll listen to anyone that doesn't have an @alembic.com email address at this point, since I suspect at least three or four of us without that moniker have already done so. | ||
| effclef
Intermediate Member Username: effclef Post Number: 144 Registered: 1-2004 |
Thanks, Oliver. Looks like I'll be taking a closer look via the Ox-Cam on the Kids Are Alright DVD! EffClef | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 414 Registered: 11-2003 |
bsee, I contacted the seller when this topic first came up in another thread. I think it was titled "Oh My God!" or something similar. I asked if he was sure of the discription because it looked like a Series 1 with quilt maple to me. His response, while polite, was quite adament that the discription was correct, SII w/flame maple. I copied the response verbatum in the other thread. Sam | ||
| bsee
Junior Username: bsee Post Number: 24 Registered: 3-2004 |
Sam- I did the same, as did at least one other preson I know of, and got the same response. I told him that I had verified that it is a series I with Alembic, and he did not respond. I think he believes that he is sitting on a gold mine and won't hear the truth. I just think he could use a dose of reality, and that his false advertisement of the bass could lead to problems, both for him and the eventual buyer. I don't want to complain to eBay and see his liting shut down for false claims, as that would inconvenience at least one of our friends here. I would, however, like to see him forced to update the description and reconsider his reserve before the auction draws to a close. Additionally, he claims that he had the bass built for him and that the receipt says it is a Series II. This might be an issue for Alembic to deal with if the dealer he bought through sold it to him as a Series II at a Series II price. That may be water under the bridge at this point, but the issue could arise if he is ever convinced that it is really a Series I. | ||
| senmen
Advanced Member Username: senmen Post Number: 273 Registered: 7-2003 |
Bob, no it doesn´t require much gain or volume. It works with a Spyder even if the signal is clear. Try it out! Oliver (Spyderman) | ||
| ox_junior
Junior Username: ox_junior Post Number: 28 Registered: 3-2004 |
Oliver, I'll be getting my Exploiter set up this weekend with the action extremely low so I can master the technique you mentioned. I've seen John do this a lot and have tried to imitate it, but it doesn't work too well if the action is too high. I remember reading that JE didn't need a lot of volume to do this (although volume was his friend), but the action on the guitar is critical. BSee - thanks for pointing out to the seller that he has a Series I - I didn't want to be the one to do it since I want to buy it. It does appear he may be in for a somewhat rude awakening to find that he will not be able to get the kind of money he's looking for. I'm sure he knows the Spyder edition exists, which creates competition for what he's selling. I will make him a generous offer at the end of the auction, I hope he takes advantage of it. Mica pointed out to me that it is very possible his original dealer may have erred when putting the receipt together. But...if he's truly the original owner and had the bass custom-ordered, wouldn't he know what he was buying in the first place? XLRouge - bad joke but clever! Mike Bisch | ||
| bsee
Junior Username: bsee Post Number: 26 Registered: 3-2004 |
I wasn't talking about distortion or preamp gain per se, but about gain in general to create volume. There's got to be a significant volume difference between that style of playing and full-bore fingerstyle, using a pick, or slap/pop, right? By definition, if you're hitting the strings lightly, they aren't moving as much as if you're slamming them around with some other technique. Therefore, you need to amplify the result more in order to reach the same volume level, right? So, with the signal thus amplified, if you then revert to a more feisty method of moving the strings, intentionally or not, the result should be some seriously loud notes. So the question, how do you get enough volume for the light touch to come through while protecting against a significantly heavier hit? I thought that you would set an electrical ceiling on the power of a note to be passed up the chain with compression. You still want to be able to control dynamics, so you can't totally lock things down, but you want some protection, right? This difference in amplification requirement between styles might explain the need for JE to have switchable master volume settings on his guitars. | ||
| senmen
Advanced Member Username: senmen Post Number: 274 Registered: 7-2003 |
Mike,Bob...... Mike: take care because if you have the setup that low it is more than close to rattle. But on the other side you will see that you get a much more trebly sound with many overtones. Also, as you already said, fast runs and triplets are much more easier to play than with a higher setting of course. Especially Johns speed triplets are very hard to do on a higher setup. Bob: for me personally I really don´t need more volume for the typewriter thing because with this the sound gets much more percussive with more highs and overtones than normal fingerstyle. Believe me. I am no sound technician but maybe it is also the different way in which the strings vibrate. With normal fingerstyle the strings vibrate more horizontally while with the typewriter style they vibrate more in a vertical direction..... Oliver (Spyderman) | ||
| rogertvr
Advanced Member Username: rogertvr Post Number: 229 Registered: 1-2003 |
Interesting discussion this, about gain and protection. One thing has surprised me with The Dragon's Wing, and that is the range of dynamics that are possible. I have found that the best thing for me (I'm not a great fan of compressors) is to set up the input to my mixer so that it just about peaks with gentle playing. Of course, really getting stuck in means that I would be well over the top in the gain stakes. Simple answer to this - turn the bass down. Bit difficult in the middle of songs to keep messing about with the volume but there's not really much I play that requires such a vast difference of volume as a song progresses anyway. I'm open to other ideas regarding control. The 'turn the bass down' system goes back lots and lots of years for me as my 4001 responds sort of in the same way as the DW, it's just less sensitive and less dynamic. I'm always open for being educated if anyone wants to share their secrets! Cheers, Rog | ||
| bsee
Junior Username: bsee Post Number: 27 Registered: 3-2004 |
Rog- As I understand it, that's a perfect place to use compression. You certainly want to prevent extreme signals from reaching the mixer and the audience. You would prefer to control this through your fingers. That is, you want to play with the right amount of energy relative to the volume setting on your bass to produce an appropriate signal. Great, as long as you do. What happens if you don't? Right now, unless your mixer has a built in compressor that is handling it behind the scenes, an overzealous note goes straight out to the audience at full power, possibly with some distortion thrown in for good measure. Well, here's where the compression comes in. A quality compressor should be able to catch that note before it gets to the amp. It can either cut it off at your comfortable max volume, acting as a limiter, or it can reduce the signal strength by a percentage of the excess power. Yes, this is likely to alter the character of the tone, but only if you were going to sound bad anyway. For you, a compressor would be insurance. It's not there unless you get too loud, but it hurt's less when you do. Of course, cheap anything doesn't work right, and poor implementation can do in the best of plans. Consider this a theoretical solution to your problem that may be worth playing with a bit. | ||
| jagerphan84
Junior Username: jagerphan84 Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2003 |
I also emailed the seller letting him know that he has a Series I, not a Series II. I received the following reply: -- Hi! Thanks for the info on the electronics. I wouldn't want to steer anyone wrong but what I wrote in my description is what Alembic had told me on my receipt. I called them and told them my situation and gave them the Serial # and they said it is a Series I PF-6B electronics. They don't know how this happened. Again, thanks! -- But apparently he does not feel the need to change the listing or make a note of the correct information. Doesn't seem like the most honest seller, but at least WE know the truth now. Adam | ||
| kungfusheriff
Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 79 Registered: 8-2003 |
Here's another, sorta. Guess it was just a matter of time before This Joker chimed in: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=3720972780&rd=1 | ||
| ox_junior
Junior Username: ox_junior Post Number: 29 Registered: 3-2004 |
Adam, agree with your post. I still want that bass though. Like I said, I won't pay more than it's worth. I'll let someone slightly more foolish than I do so. I'm glad the seller is finally aware of what he has, but you're right in that the information on the auction page continues to mislead some (except the inquiring minds who want to know). Funny that Ed Roman is STARTING the bidding at $7,500. This thread must be starting a rush on these basses. SHHHHH! You guys are driving up the costs!!! Mike | ||
| ajdover
Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 57 Registered: 11-2003 |
Fellow Alembicans, Seems to me that the starting bid on Ebay for the Spyder offered by Ed Roman Guitars and referred to by kungfusherriff in the last post is pretty close to list - Bass Central's list price for a Spyder is $8600 or so (based on latest price increases according to the site), and superbass.net has one that they sold that listed at $9650. Mica, Val, help here? I bought mine through Beaver and the good folks at Bass Central. Oliver purchased his instruments there as well. Frankly, I think the seller in this case is starting the bidding too high based on list prices as stated elsewhere. I say this based solely on my experience with Bass Central. If the seller is trying to get more than list (don't know if he is or not), I think that's pretty smarmy, but that's just my opinion. Reminds me of car dealers who charge over MSRP when a hot new model comes out, even though the car is only worth what the sticker says. Six months later, the price comes down, but the car dealer has already taken a number of folks for a good amount of cash. Now, people will pay what they're willing to pay, and no one's putting a gun to their heads and telling them to buy something. As PT Barnum once said, there's a sucker born every minute. Some folks will gladly pay more than they should, and will rationalize the purchase any way they can. Afterwards, they'll realize they paid too much, and then it's too late. As the saying goes, caveat emptor - let the buyer beware. Most of us in this club, I think, are willing to pay a little more since we know each Alembic is unique, and the product of superlatively skilled craftsmen and women. That doesn't mean we want to overpay, either. It does mean that we'll pay more for a quality instrument than we would for, say, a Fender or Gibson, and at the same time support a family owned business that's been building (IMHO) the best basses (and guitars) on the planet since the 1970's. Kind of like quid pro quo for everyone concerned. Speaking only for myself, I'm glad I'm able to support Alembic. In today's age of instant gratification, high speed everything, and over-engineered mass-produced crap, it's good to know there are still folks out there who take the time to do it right. In any event, as fine as my Spyder is (and it is fine, believe me!) it is not one of John Entwistle's original instruments. To me, that is the ultimate Spyder owner's dream - to own one of JE's original Spyders (right, Oliver?). For that, I'd pay over list price. Wayyyyyy ovvvverrr. Unfortunately, I can't afford it! Damn, where's that winning lottery ticket when you need it? Anyone wishing to talk about my sales experience(price paid, service, communication, etc.) with Bass Central can email me if so inclined. Suffice to say I recommend them wholeheartedly, and I plan on purchasing my next Alembic through them if that is possible. I got what I wanted, and at what I thought was a fair price for both parties concerned. Again, as they always say, caveat emptor. Alan | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 440 Registered: 7-2002 |
Alan, The list price listed on Beaver's website is the correct one. I suspect that Steve at Superbass got confused and posted the list price for the 8 string version. Valentino | ||
| bsee
Junior Username: bsee Post Number: 35 Registered: 3-2004 |
Well, after enough harassment, the seller of the Series I Exploiter has updated the listing to say it is. I hope I don't get subscribed to a billion spammer lists for staying on his case... | ||
| ox_junior
Junior Username: ox_junior Post Number: 32 Registered: 3-2004 |
We'll see....I'm making him an offer today. Will let the gang know what happens. Wish me luck! Mike | ||
| hollis
Intermediate Member Username: hollis Post Number: 154 Registered: 11-2003 |
I hope you get it Mike. Good luck to ya! | ||
| ox_junior
Junior Username: ox_junior Post Number: 33 Registered: 3-2004 |
After bidding away at this thing, it's gone over $5,000 and I'm still not the top bidder. Seems he's gonna get more than it's worth. Therefore, I'm pulling out and discussing my decision on another thread.... | ||
| ajdover
Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 60 Registered: 11-2003 |
The ending bid was 5K, and the reserve was not met. Looks like the seller will be holding on to it. Alan | ||
| bsee
Junior Username: bsee Post Number: 41 Registered: 3-2004 |
He'd be a fool not to take the 5K if he can get it. No offense to the mighty builders, but 5K for a used Series I seems to be a bit of an over-achievement to begin with. List for it brand new is on the order of $11,500 if you catch the right monthly special. | ||
| ox_junior
Junior Username: ox_junior Post Number: 45 Registered: 3-2004 |
Whoever won this auction yesterday backed out. I ended up in 2nd place. The seller contacted me and asked if I was still interested. I said no, I've already purchased another bass. So, heads up - if anyone is still interested in this instrument, it's still available. I believe you could still contact the seller via the original listing. Thanks, Mike |
