| Author |
Message |
ox_junior
Intermediate Member
Username: ox_junior
Post Number: 199
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 25, 2004 - 2:33 pm: |  |
Alan,
Good to see you again, my friend. Looks like you won the big game this year. There's always next...
As Oliver said, an exact replica will run you $28K. That's a fun amount of money to find...
Or you can have the modifications I made to my Spyder done for you. If you like I can e-mail you the details. The master volume pot I installed isn't quite an upgrade to Series II, but it does give you some additional tone shaping options that you will probably like. The rest of the changes you see are purely cosmetic. If you have a good rig you can get that thunder happening...
Cheers to you, mate, and happy Thanksgiving.
Mike
Spyder #17
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ox_junior
Advanced Member
Username: ox_junior
Post Number: 226
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 04, 2005 - 11:19 am: | |
This is my favorite picture of me and my Spyder!
From our show in Los Angeles April 2:
 |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1977
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 04, 2005 - 1:53 pm: | |
NICE Mike,
I just can HEAR the PA-dude yell "...AND TURN THAT TRACE ELLIOT LOWER!!!!"
HA!
PAul TBO
BTW: did you change speakers? Double 15"?? |
ox_junior
Advanced Member
Username: ox_junior
Post Number: 227
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 04, 2005 - 2:00 pm: | |
Hey there Paul!!!
Yes I have finally settled on a speaker combo that sounds the best for me on the Who material: 4x10 and 2x15. Of course I'd have more if I didn't have to carry them around myself! But this combo sounds pretty ripping (if you look closely, you can see the master volume on the amp is at about 2 and it was enough to drown out the drums and guitar) and fits perfectly in my SUV, so I'm good to go. I'll be selling my other 4x10 and my 1x15 if you/anyone's interested!!
The FOH soundman said to me that he would be taking me out of the house mix BEFORE I EVEN PLAYED A NOTE. Sheesh. I have no idea if this was an idle threat or not...everyone said they could hear...oh well.
That Spyder looks pretty good under the lights, doesn't it?? 
|
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1978
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 04, 2005 - 2:59 pm: | |
So you call this a "combo"??
Jeez ...how do you call a combo??? A matchbox??
Just kidding ...I am confused how you guys call gear.
Paul TBO |
ox_junior
Advanced Member
Username: ox_junior
Post Number: 228
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 04, 2005 - 4:42 pm: | |
Well, it's obviously not a combo amp....I probably should have used the word 'configuration'.
Lost in translation.... ;) |
ajdover
Intermediate Member
Username: ajdover
Post Number: 186
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 04, 2005 - 5:11 pm: | |
Mike/Ollie,
Well, I did it again. I have another bass ... this time, a Gibson RD77 Artist. I noticed in some of the pics of John in the artists and their Alembics section that John had one. Well, I can see why ...
It has an amazing tone, very close (but not quite) an Alembic. It just thunders. I got it off of Ebay and it has some problems, but nothing I won't be able to fix. I'm considering having it refinished - it's got some dings that I'd like to get removed if possible.
How many do I have now? 15, to include the American Jazz Deluxe I bought to use in Korea. Yeah, I know, too many! Pics to come later.
Best regards,
Alan |
ox_junior
Advanced Member
Username: ox_junior
Post Number: 229
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 04, 2005 - 6:20 pm: | |
Alan....that is super cool!! Pics when you can.
I also indulged further...as you can see I've been cabinet shopping. But I also bought a '62 Reissue Precision in Olympic White, which I'm now turning around and selling on E-Bay if anyone wants it. But the latest indulgence is this...I bought an Epiphone Thunderbird that is in that same funky shape as John's Fenderbirds...I'm going to try to turn it into one! It has a bolt-on neck, so...off with the old and away we go!! That'll bring me up to 7, so I have a ways to go before catching you Alan.
But enough for now!! I'd like to get a nice acoustic guitar and maybe a Strat for around the house messing about. |
ajdover
Intermediate Member
Username: ajdover
Post Number: 187
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 4:26 am: | |
Mike,
Is the Precision a MIJ model? Only reason I ask is I might have a buyer for it in Korea - a guy I met is looking for a US made Precision. Let me know.
A while back I actually saw a Thunderbird body that had been modified, e.g., the neck had been taken off, a neck pocket routed out, and a neck inserted. They were only selling the body, though. Should have jumped on it, I guess. Let me know how the project comes out. BTW, Bartolini makes replacement T-Bird pickups if you need them.
Alan |
jacko
Intermediate Member
Username: jacko
Post Number: 146
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 6:20 am: | |
Mike.
How did you find the sound with the 1X15 coupled with the 4X10? I've had a 4X10 250 watt combo for about ten years and have been looking for a 1x15 to go with it for some time so i'd value your opinion of how it sounds. - Yours is a bit too far away otherwise I'd be making you an offer ;-)
graeme |
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic
Post Number: 1979
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 6:50 am: | |
If I may jump in -huh I would do it anyway- my sound changed dramatically when I coupled the 15" at the 4x10. Going back in time when I used the SWR SM 400 (in Bi-amp) and even while this amp is not powerfull enough for the speaker setup (what is dangerous ...I know!)the first reaction of my colleague bandmembers was "louder and deeper". Now with the F1-X / SF-2 / Dynacord L-1000 combo (hahahaha...) I would even add "with more control". And I DON'T mean the controls of the SF-2 but the fact that WHAT you DO with the SF-2 -and of course with any other good filter and/or EQ is better translated into sound.
Mmmmm ..I don't know if that is clear.
Paul the bad one |
jacko
Intermediate Member
Username: jacko
Post Number: 147
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 6:56 am: | |
Thanks for the input paul. Trouble is in the UK, second hand trace elliot gear is rarer than hens teeth. I can find plenty 200watt cabinets but not the 300watt that I need. I'm currently looking at the ashdown ABM115 but might need to borrow one of your stockings to finance it;-)
graeme |
stoney
Advanced Member
Username: stoney
Post Number: 383
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 9:07 am: | |
Graeme,
I believe a 200W cab would work find for your 250combo. In theory you'd only be giving it 50w more than it's rating and that rating isn't anything close to what the cabinet will take. I have a 115 (ported) and I can push it with a 500 watt amp with NO problem...
stoney |
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen
Post Number: 437
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 11:48 am: | |
Mike, Alan, PaulTBO,
Mike: your Spyder is really a beauty. Love it....
Alan: Congrats to your RD. John had at least two
RDīs with one beeing a prototype.
Originally it was planned that the RD should
become the John Entwistle model but John was
so disappointed with the electronics that he
didnīt allow Gibson to put his name on.
I have two new projects on the go:
1. Alembic Dragon Wing Birds Eye
This will be a custom Dragon Wing in Johns
Spyder style. Means walnut core, birdīs eye
maple top and back, walnut headstock veneer,
20th anniversary electronics, dummy hum
canceller, master vol and pick up selector
on front lower horn
2. will not tell much about this at the moment.
Will take one year to complete....
Keep your eyes open for this to come......
Oliver (Spyderman) |
ox_junior
Advanced Member
Username: ox_junior
Post Number: 230
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 4:01 pm: | |
Alan,
The Precision I'm selling is MIJ, but I'm told that it was intended to STAY in Japan rather than be exported, so it's put together a little differently (supposedly better). I like it, it sounds great, but one P-bass is enough (I like my '75). If your friend is interested, let me know and I'll give you the E-Bay auction #. And thanks for the tip on the Bartolini pickups - right now the bass has a P/J combo and I'd like to get rid of that and go for the true T-Bird sound. I like science projects.
Jacko - I LOVE how my 4x10 and 1x15 sounded together. I'm only going for the 2x15 because I got a great deal on the cab and it just sounds that much better. Gives you complete versatility in terms of depth. 8x10 seems kinda one-dimensional to me...played with that for awhile and although it's very powerful and punchy, I couldn't get the warmth I get from the 15s. So....I recommend the 4x10/1x15 set-up if you can. Wish you could take my 1x15, it's in great shape...lots of used Trace gear here in the States...
Ollie - I know what YOU'RE up to without even asking. So I won't ask. But I KNOW.
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ajdover
Intermediate Member
Username: ajdover
Post Number: 188
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 4:48 pm: | |
Ollie,
I can only shudder at what you have up your sleeve with your Wing (I assume that's what you're getting)! Nice touch with the dummy hum canceler and master volume - I'm sure it will look and sound great. I'm jealous already.
I'm surprised John didn't like the electronics of the RDs. I find mine awesome, almost Alembic like. What is not Alembic like is the neck (thick) and the action (higher than I like). I'm working on the action, but there's not much I can do about the neck sans having it shaved down by my tech in VA. It does have one other thing in common with Alembics - it is very heavy, much like my Spyder. The body is one solid piece of maple, so it should come as no surprise there. However, it has great sustain, and it does have the strings through body option, which I like.
Mike - I'll let my friend know and advise if applicable. He told me he was looking for an American Precision (and of course, wanted it for cheap!), but I don't know how hard and fast he is on it.
You'll probably have to rout out the TBird body you have, but it will be worth it for Bartolinis. I have them in my Pedulla, and they're awesome. I also have a set of the TBird pickups with an active electronics harness I have yet to put in my '87 T Bird. They are the old three screw type, not the two screw type of modern T Birds. Shouldn't be an issue for you, but mine has the newer two screw type pickups. I don't think it will be a problem, though.
Best regards,
Alan |
ajdover
Intermediate Member
Username: ajdover
Post Number: 189
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 - 7:19 pm: | |
Gents,
Here's a pic of my RD77. It's a bit beat up as you can see, and the truss rod cover is removed because I'm trying to get it set up correctly. The brown spot between the pickups is where the previous owner had put a thumbrest, which I've removed.
Enjoy,
Alan |
jacko
Intermediate Member
Username: jacko
Post Number: 148
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 12:50 am: | |
Mike, Jonathon.
Thanks for the advice. After a bit of searching, I've found an 1818x cabinet right here in edinburgh. It's 1x18 and 1x10, originally designed to be used in a biamp setup but can be run full range. There's some confusion over whether it's 200 or 300 watts but I'm going to check it out anyway.
Alan, if you look at the 'family' photo on my rogue thread http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/17164.html?1110857827 you'll see my homemade fretless RD copy. Built around the time the RD came out - '77/'78 ? Solid 2 piece mahogany body and 3 piece oak neck. It has a very warm sound, much thinner neck than the original and a ridiculously low action.
Graeme |
ox_junior
Advanced Member
Username: ox_junior
Post Number: 231
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 9:54 am: | |
Wow Alan! Truly a rare find. Seems to be in pretty decent shape. I'm sure you'll have fun with it. Nice 70's Jazz bass too - I love the block inlays and the binding.
Graeme - hope the 1818 works for you. My 2x15 is rated for 300 watts, so I'm guessing an 1818 should be the same. |
ajdover
Intermediate Member
Username: ajdover
Post Number: 191
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 10:53 am: | |
Graeme - Interesting take on the RD. I like the Precision with Rick guts too.
Mike - My Jazz is a '73. Has a Badass bridge and Seymour Duncans in it (the hottest ones they make, whatever those are - I forget the nomenclature). It's the second one like it that I've owned. I had one up until I joined the Army that I bought for $200 in 1981, and like an idiot I sold it before I went on active duty (car payments, don't you know?). Picked up the one I have now from Gruhn Guitars in Nashville, and I have the original hardware (pickups, bridge, tuners, etc.) if I ever one to make it totally stock again. It just had a refret last year.
Alan |
ox_junior
Advanced Member
Username: ox_junior
Post Number: 232
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 5:04 pm: | |
That thing is AWESOME Alan. Cool that you can make it stock again. I have a '62 Jazz reissue that I had hotrodded with EMGs. It's good for everything else I do that's non-Who Show.
My '75 P-Bass is all original. Never even been re-fretted! It's not quite a slab bass or Frankenstein but it has a growl to it that I haven't heard from a lot of other P-basses, so it works great for my band just as it is. I traded a Hohner full-body but headless Steinberger copy for it in 1989. It's probably the only bass I have that will never leave my possession....except for, of course, my Spyder.
Whoa...we ARE supposed to be talking about Alembics, aren't we? Sorry Mica!! We're just comparing notes about those inferior instruments not known as Alembics!! |
ajdover
Intermediate Member
Username: ajdover
Post Number: 193
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 06, 2005 - 10:49 pm: | |
Mike,
I'm glad you like it (the Jazz). I grew up playing one, so for me it's a great instrument. And I love the black inlays, which are original.
I've never been a big P-Bass fan. I suppose I should get one to round out the collection, but I've always considered them a one-trick pony. One pickup, one sound, etc. To each his own and all, but for me it just doesn't work as an all around instrument. That, and the fact that I'm heavily influenced by Geddy, Chris Squire, John, Jethro Tull, Jaco, Stanley, etc., and you get the picture.
All this being said, I'm sure I'll end up with a P-Bass in my stable eventually. Not that I need or want one, but just to round things out! :-)
Like you, I'll never sell my Alembics. They are the prizes in my collection, and the finest instruments I've ever played or owned. I talked with Val about converting my Spyder to a true Entwistle model, and he told me it would be better to order one from scratch given the cost of a conversion. So, I'm saving for my dream bass. Someday, it will be mine .... and Ollie will be jealous. Until then, I still have my Spyder, and my Wing, and my Europa ...
BTW, I played my Wing at an open mike night tonight (space limitations prohibited taking Boris there). First time she's been out of my house. Anyway, the response from the other bass players was as expected ... drooling, followed by jaw dropping ("man, that's awesome ... what brand is that? ... where can I get one? I could tell when you were playing - it was thunderous!"). I love the Signature electronics, in some ways more than the Anniversary electronics in my Spyder. And it's better for slapping and popping due to the positioning of the neck pickup.
It's the end of the post, and I'm still talking Alembic,
And, as Martha "the Antichrist" Stewart would say, this is a "good thing,"
Best Regards,
Alan |
jacko
Intermediate Member
Username: jacko
Post Number: 150
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 8:23 am: | |
Mike.
Sorry to hijack your showcase thread but I've just found out that Peavey have bought the trace name and are remanufacturing the original product line..
http://www.trace-elliot.co.uk/index.html
Looks like i might be able to get the 1518 new after all.
graeme |
ox_junior
Advanced Member
Username: ox_junior
Post Number: 233
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 8:46 am: | |
Alan,
You're right in that P-basses are not very ultra-versatile in terms of tone shaping. But each one sounds different. Depends on which one ends up in your hands.
Glad you like The Wing!!! Of course, any Alembic is going to blow most people away, but the Wing's design - stunning!! I'd like to have one. If anyone wants to send me one.
Graeme, that's cool that Peavey is picking up the Trace name. It will be interesting to see what they do with it. It was great as an independent shop. Gibson ran them into the ground. Peavey has the distribution but not the reputation of quality. I'll keep an eye on it myself. |
senmen
Senior Member
Username: senmen
Post Number: 438
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 12:11 pm: | |
Alan,
plse send me a mail:
senmen@web.de
Have to tell you something interesting.
Oliver (Spyderman) |
ajdover
Intermediate Member
Username: ajdover
Post Number: 194
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2005 - 8:08 pm: | |
Mike,
I've not tried a PBass yet that didn't sound like the last one I tried. I will give them this ... they are consistent... ly ordinary. Again, to each his/her own, but I just can't understand for the life of me why anyone would purchase an instrument with only one sound or tone. Just me.
Alan |
ox_junior
Advanced Member
Username: ox_junior
Post Number: 234
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 08, 2005 - 4:29 pm: | |
Must be me then, as my two P-basses sound very different. My '75 with the maple neck is very ballsy and bright, and my '62 reissue is much deeper sounding. Go figure. |
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