| Author |
Message |
ox_junior
Intermediate Member
Username: ox_junior
Post Number: 181
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 - 6:29 pm: |  |
To almost answer one of the unanswered questions above:
I am not positive, but I believe "The Real Me" from the original Quadrophenia album (not the re-recorded soundtrack) was played on a Gibson Thunderbird, or at least a "Fender-Bird". I could be wrong.
I'm basing this on the fact that when The Who attempted their failed (original) Quadrophenia tour, John had made the switch from Fender Precisions to Thunderbirds. I've also heard one of my fellow Who tribute groups execute this song - their bassist used a stock T-Bird, and the tone was pretty close.
But - I do not believe it's a Fender, and I know for sure it was not an Alembic (John had not discovered them yet).
Hope this helps.
Mike Bisch |
ox_junior
Intermediate Member
Username: ox_junior
Post Number: 182
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 - 9:09 pm: | |
I'll let John himself confirm my above post:
<<From December 1996 Total Guitar magazine interview
TG: What gear were you using on the [Quadrophenia] sessions?
JE: It was a Gibson Thunderbird bass and Sunn amps. I used a very straight bass sound in the studio, although later for the tours I started to use more treble and got a bit raunchier. But I basically set the Sunn amps completely flat. I’ve never been fully comfortable with my bass sound, and it doesn’t seem to transfer to tape very well unless it’s live. I felt like I’d got stuck in a rut and the only way I could get out of it was by changing my playing style, my technique and all my gear. I started using the Thunderbird which had a much bassier sound, in fact no treble at all!>> |
jeff
Member
Username: jeff
Post Number: 69
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2004 - 6:11 am: | |
When I was a kid, I thought that the Sunn amps and their bass cabinets with two 15" drivers were just the coolest rigs. The live sound of a Gibson Thunderbird thru that rig must have been warm and full. Thanks Mike and Oliver. |
senmen
Advanced Member
Username: senmen
Post Number: 385
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, October 14, 2004 - 10:58 am: | |
Mike,
yes you are right regarding the original recordings of Quad.
As for the soundtrack of the movie, the tracks were re-recorded and John used an Alembic Spyder.
Oliver (Spyderman) |
jet_powers
Intermediate Member
Username: jet_powers
Post Number: 191
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 15, 2004 - 7:36 am: | |
Oliver,
Belated congratulations on the new acquisition. I was gone to Nova Scotia visiting with in-laws and have some catching up to do. You continue to inspire envy in all us JAE wannabees! I'm almost starting to feel my Exploiter is inadequate!
I love the sound Entwistle gets with his Alembic on the Quad re-recordings but always felt he didn't really need to "improve" it. I remember reading somewhere that he would re-do every bass line he ever recorded if he had the opportunity.
John Paul |
811952
Advanced Member
Username: 811952
Post Number: 283
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, October 16, 2004 - 10:35 pm: | |
Here are some pics I stumbled across of three of John's 8-strings, one of the Greg Lake's Pirate Alembic...
John
   |
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 607
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 5:58 am: | |
The pirate Alembic and the Buzzard are cool, but that Rick...the headstock looks like a potato chip, LOL! |
senmen
Advanced Member
Username: senmen
Post Number: 387
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 8:47 am: | |
Hi Guys,
here is another shot of my small family.
Sorry about the poor quality; still no ordinary digicam available....
Many greetings
Oliver (Spyderman) |
rogertvr
Advanced Member
Username: rogertvr
Post Number: 262
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 9:28 am: | |
I'm really disappointed with you , Oliver - for the amount of money you've spent on basses, I would have thought you could afford a decent digital camera by now ;-) Just joking! A lovely collection you have there! I hope that your new job gives you the time to play them and devote time to them!
kmh364 - I could live with the potato chip headstock on that Rick 8-string, having heard a couple of them!!!! I have to say that, owning the DW and the 4001, the DW cannot match the Rickenbacker sound. Senior Management and the people next door (on both sides) have commented that they can tell both instruments from each other. Good job I have sympathetic and understanding neighbours!!!!!
Rog |
rraymond
Intermediate Member
Username: rraymond
Post Number: 148
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 10:08 am: | |
Kevin, I love the comment on the Rickenbacker headstock. My gut reaction upon seeing it was, "What the hell were they thinking?" Then I saw your comment, most excellent! |
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 610
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 5:16 pm: | |
Rog/Reid: Believe you me, I love the Rick sound. C'mon, Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, Lemmy (LOL!), etc. Rock without a Rick would just not be the same. I just don't dig that "rrruffles have rrridges" headstock, LOL!
Cheers,
Kevin |
godoze
Junior
Username: godoze
Post Number: 20
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, November 05, 2004 - 1:48 pm: | |
I can hear "Eminence Front" in my mind... |
borisspyder
New
Username: borisspyder
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 09, 2004 - 9:49 am: | |
Nice collection. The #3 Warwick Buzzard was mine...until I sold it to someone in Wales to buy one of John's Status Buzzards that he used in 2001. I had to have it once I compared the Warwicks to the Status, the Status is lighter, has a better neck profile & of course the graphite neck never moves. I just got a Buzzard 2, plays like John's but much easier to cart around. I'd love an Alembic Spyder 8, but am worried about neck stability. I used to have an Alembic back in the mid-80's but the neck moved constantly, very frustrating. |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1755
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 09, 2004 - 10:49 am: | |
Hi Erwin,
welcome to the club.
Yep ...thsoe moving necks.
You know ...I think in Santa Rosa they treat the tree with such a respect that they forget to control if he is REALLY dead. I admit that there was a time I expected every spring Bonnie to have fresh green leafs on her headstock, or growing roots out of her omega cut (huh ...THAT sounds sleezy).
Anyway ...one can manage to keep that neck in line. Well ....I did ...and if I can - I am the most tehnical moron in the western hemisphere- everybody can.
It takes carefull reading of the Brother Bigredbass Joey routine and basically a LOT of patience. "And in the end" -likes MIca or Susan can say so eloquently- "the tree will realize that he's a guitar now!"
Paul the bad one |
senmen
Advanced Member
Username: senmen
Post Number: 390
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 09, 2004 - 11:29 am: | |
Irwin,
welcome to the club. I am happy to meet the previous owner of my Buzzard No.3.
I knew that it was originally sold from BC to you and then to England. I bought the bass from the english guy at a real interesting price, so I couldn´t resist.
The Ovation bass I have is one of Johns originals.
I am jealous to hear about your original Buzzard.
My dream is to get one of his original Spyders someday. Compared to the Alembics the Warwick Buzzard is a bit rough in handling but I lowered the string height to come more towards Johns setup but it is not possible as low as on the Alembics. The Spyder 8 is really great and the sound is amazing.
Erwin, if you want you can send me a mail to : senmen@web.de
to discuss further.
Hope to hear from you.
Oliver (Spyderman) |
ox_junior
Intermediate Member
Username: ox_junior
Post Number: 194
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 1:38 am: | |
The neck on my Spyder moves all the time, but I'm learning to roll with the changes. I keep it as low as possible.
By the way, I've met Irwin and he is super cool. I like those Buzzards but you gotta get yourself a Spyder, there, Irwin!!
Ollie, hope you get yourself one of John's real Spyders one day.
Cheers, Mike |
senmen
Advanced Member
Username: senmen
Post Number: 391
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 1:11 pm: | |
Mike,
many thanks for your kind words.
I put in a new pickup today in my Spyder4 and I hope that the problems are solved now.
As for Johns Spyder I got an informatio where the two ex Sotheby Spyders are located now and I must say that there might be no chance to see them ever again. The third one, as said before, is in the posession of the HRC. So also no go I think.
But then there is still an 8string Spyder out there....
Many greetings
Oliver (Spyderman) |
thebass
Intermediate Member
Username: thebass
Post Number: 169
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, November 20, 2004 - 1:53 pm: | |
Hello Oliver,
I must admit that I am not the most enthusiastic fan of the spider/explorer body style but ... if they are from Alembic and looking like your collection I might easily become one. They look great ! You should do your fantastic Alembics and all the fans a big favour and ask a friend with a good digital camera to take some nice pictures. And BTW: Aachen is not too far away from Solingen :-)
Werner |
senmen
Advanced Member
Username: senmen
Post Number: 392
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, November 21, 2004 - 10:03 am: | |
Werner,
many thanks for your kind words.
I am located in Dueren, so it is even closer to you!
I will try to manage something out with a good digi cam.
The next one besides my two Spyders, the Warwick Buzzard and Johns original Ovation will be the Dragon Wing.
Many greetings
Oliver (Spyderman) |
jacko
Member
Username: jacko
Post Number: 53
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 4:36 am: | |
Werner.
off topic ever so slightly...
If you're in Solingen, then your town is twinned with my home town of Blyth in Northumberland, England. In the early seventies, i swam for Blyth barracudas against your team once - think i won my heat then lost in the final.
Back on topic - got JEs Too late the hero on saturday. The photo on the front cover, of his spyder, is fantastic. Shame about the red suit though.
Graeme
(Message edited by jacko on November 22, 2004) |
borisspyder
New
Username: borisspyder
Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 10:07 am: | |
Mike, thanks for your kind words. I've got to admit I love the fact that my Buzzard that was set up by John's bass techs for him remains exactly as he would have liked it..and I've been able to set up my Buzzard 2 similarly. I'll admit I really enjoyed playing your Exploiter when we met, great sound & feel...but with a wife & 5 year old at home my practice time is limited. It's nice just to pick it up & play. |
thebass
Intermediate Member
Username: thebass
Post Number: 170
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 8:52 pm: | |
Hello Oliver,
that's even closer. If you like to see another Alembic on stage you are welcome to some Gigs planned from my band in Cologne beginning of next year. One will be in the Hardrockcafe Cologne but the date is not fixed yet. Just check our webpage http://www.afterwork-music.com for updates. Please give me a note if you like to come and talk some Alembican :-)
Werner |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1796
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 10:00 pm: | |
Hep Werner,
please give a yell when that Köln-gig is coming up (I check the Afterwork pages too) Maybe ...just maybe ...eventually ...I can make it.
PTBO |
thebass
Intermediate Member
Username: thebass
Post Number: 171
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 10:51 pm: | |
Hi Paul,
may be you want to see us on Dec-23 when we have a Christmas gig in Oedt (15km SE from Venlo). I don't know if that's closer to your location.
Werner |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1797
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, November 22, 2004 - 11:42 pm: | |
Hu ...oh ...well it's about this:
 |
senmen
Advanced Member
Username: senmen
Post Number: 394
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 10:17 am: | |
Werner,
see Dueren in the map?
So real close...
You have a gig at the HRC in Cologne?
Cool!
Hope I can see you there...
If you want we can meet in advance.
I have some days off in the two last weeks
of December...
Oliver (Spyderman) |
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