Cosmo Valdemar

Demo's finally up! I'm intrigued. The concept is right up my street. Most of the tones on offer here are way OTT for my needs but the sound at 1:30 is very promising.

I don't want to have it out with anybody, I'm just confused by the concept of flush frets! 😆

I've got one of these! Hasn't been out of the case in ages though as I put flats on it... I will rectify that. It's a wonderful bass, great neck too - narrow but deep.

David Coverdale

Really? If the frets were flush with the fretboard that would render them ineffective surely?

It's here! And I've got a house full of guests for NYE so can't try it out...

Well, I've ordered one! It arrives tomorrow...

John often said he liked the action so low that the strings were on the other side of the frets but I've never heard anything about fret filling. Having had the pleasure of playing the Status Buzzard belonging to @Wolverinebass , I can confirm they can handle a RIDICULOUSLY low action.

Good answer 😎 Thunderbuckers get good reviews - I had a set in a Cataldo Fenderbird a few years ago. https://www.thunderbuckerranch.com/pickups Honestly, I prefer the stock pickups in my Epiphone Vintage Pro - a bit livelier with more top end. Mojos are meant to be good, and are cheaper with custom options available. https://www.mojopickups.co.uk/product/thunderbird-bass/

Typical old growly Thunderbird or typical modern dark Thunderbird?

Dear God, no.

I remember when they first appeared a few years ago. IIRC it was a female-lead company. Paz Lenchantin from A Perfect Circle had a signature model. I'm actually quite tempted to get one, it looks like a ridiculous bargain!

What do the little switches do next to the tailpiece?

Ain't it! See also; - random knob placement, - BBOT bridge (nothing wrong with a BBOT but it looks a bit odd here), - Odd step in the lower edge of the body, - the headstock. I would say I'm sure it sounds good but your experience suggests otherwise 😂

Looks a bit 'parts bin special' to me.

I think some of the Signatures can run in stereo, and the Anniversary. John's WGFA at Shepperton tone was one of the first that really made my ears prick up as a kid. It just sounded like nothing else. Still doesn't!

Absolutely stunning. Congratulations! Does it run in stereo? THE key to the Alembic sound IMHO - certainly to Entwistle's. A Series (or similar) Alembic is without doubt my ultimate dream bass. Probably never gonna happen 😂

The frequent use of 'was' suggests this person isn't in the band anymore...

Meh. I like ESP basses, but these are just existing models with minor tweaks. New designs would have been nice. The acoustic bass might be new, but I skimmed over that one.

Well done mate! I do love Stingrays, but the only time they've ever really worked for me is drop tuned with a pick through a distortion pedal. Doesn't stop me from wanting another though! That's one bonus of being bandless - you can play whatever bass you like without having to worry if it suits the band or not. I reckon you'll be after a fretless next...

There was a reprint a few years ago without the edges but it's proven nowhere near as popular.

I only ever use the neck pickup. I despise the word, but I can only describe it as 'lush'.

Colin Grigson played one of these.

My one does 😊

I think they came with rounds back in the day, which is why John Entwistle got through so many of them - he'd snap the strings but couldn't buy replacements so had to buy a whole new bass. My Longhorn came with rounds when I got it new in 2005. Very distinctive tone, a hollow twang far growlier than you'd expect. I was never able to play it live as it refused to stay in tune. Useless tuners. I also have a Hofner Ignition Violin bass. Contrary to earlier posts I find it to be rather limited in what it can do - luckily, that big dull thump is just perfect. Massive bottom. Mine's wearing Hofner flats. No issues with tuning that I've noticed. There is some neck dive but it's really not a concern as the whole bass weighs about as much as a tissue.