The-Ox Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Hi guys In your humble opinins, which is the best 'Entwistle' guitar out there The Hybrid bass by Dean Guitars: http://www.deanguitars.com/query?upc=819998175542 The Spider bass by Dean Guitars: http://www.gak.co.uk/en/dean-john-entwistle-spider-bass-classic-black/98416?gclid=CjwKEAiApYGyBRC-g_jIstuduV8SJABCEzhZ71Zc_t5a5jFim-YujE6S02IzPOgvROSRmc3qCMmACBoCPIPw_wcB The Frankenstein bass by the Bass Centre: http://www.basscentre.com/british-bass-masters/the-bass-centre-frankenstein-bass.html Thanks! Taran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 http://cataldobasses.com/JAEbird.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 The best Entwistle guitar IMO is the Warwick or the Status Buzzard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 [quote name='The-Ox' timestamp='1447062487' post='2904421'] Hi guys In your humble opinins, which is the best 'Entwistle' guitar out there The Hybrid bass by Dean Guitars: [url="http://www.deanguitars.com/query?upc=819998175542"]http://www.deanguita...pc=819998175542[/url] The Spider bass by Dean Guitars: [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/dean-john-entwistle-spider-bass-classic-black/98416?gclid=CjwKEAiApYGyBRC-g_jIstuduV8SJABCEzhZ71Zc_t5a5jFim-YujE6S02IzPOgvROSRmc3qCMmACBoCPIPw_wcB"]http://www.gak.co.uk...MmACBoCPIPw_wcB[/url] The Frankenstein bass by the Bass Centre: [url="http://www.basscentre.com/british-bass-masters/the-bass-centre-frankenstein-bass.html"]http://www.basscentr...stein-bass.html[/url] Thanks! Taran [/quote] I've never played the Bass Centre bass but it appears to be a tribute in appearance and nothing else. The Dean basses are just shameless cash-ins, both of which look vaguely similar to basses Entwistle used to play and are completely different on the electronics front. [quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1447069075' post='2904499'] [url="http://cataldobasses.com/JAEbird.html"]http://cataldobasses.com/JAEbird.html[/url] [/quote] I'll echo this - I own a Cataldo Jaebird and it is utterly superb. An extremely close replica of Entiwistle's Fenderbirds, and the Thunderbucker pickups are just incredible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Ox Posted November 9, 2015 Author Share Posted November 9, 2015 wow never heard of that Jaebird, will give it a try thanks! Cosmo Valdemar, which era does the tone replciate the most for you? I'd imagine the 70s, but pre or post Quadrophenia? He played a P bass on Quad didn't he? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 [quote name='The-Ox' timestamp='1447079657' post='2904635'] wow never heard of that Jaebird, will give it a try thanks! Cosmo Valdemar, which era does the tone replciate the most for you? I'd imagine the 70s, but pre or post Quadrophenia? He played a P bass on Quad didn't he? [/quote] JE played a standard Thunderbird on Who's Next and, as far as I know, the Fenderbirds on Quadrophenia. It's difficult to tell by sound alone as they have the same pickups and guts. It's definitely the Gibson tone on both though. This was during JE's bassy phase when he was fed up with using so much treble. Like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QbCNVxBTNo Here's a clip of an early Cataldo bass being played, very well I should add, with a treblier, driven sound. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I17XWY3kBxk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Ox Posted November 9, 2015 Author Share Posted November 9, 2015 thanks! Great tone I must admit, I saw a few reviews criticizing the cataldo's but I like what I see so far how much did yours cost (including shipping)? I'm torn between the explorerbird or the jaebird, your thoughts? I appreciate your input Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alembic1989 Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 What great sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPTroll Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 (edited) That bass collection bass is not even close to a tribute! The original bass was a slab body and alder. There one is contoured and basswood. So one of the major components is completely wrong. That is so very lazy. It was also only salmon pink right at the end. He had it refinished fairly close to 'retiring it', when he moved on to the fenderbirds. It was sunburst for all of the important work it did like Live at Leeds and Tommy. The best look at it I've found is on the rock & roll circus performance - [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0JHM0Q8JKQ"]https://www.youtube....h?v=R0JHM0Q8JKQ[/url] He also described the pickups he used, from the 66 slab basses, as being a bit hotter and distorting more when pushed. You'd therefore want a hot vintage voiced pickup. Bareknuckle do a 58' P pickup that's fairly good, and the kent armstrong hot vintage would probably get you close too. I've managed to sort of get the sound with an SD QPB. Also rotosounds. Nothing but rotosounds. And Cosmo, that is a superb tone. Edited November 10, 2015 by TPTroll Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 [quote name='The-Ox' timestamp='1447111101' post='2905051'] thanks! Great tone I must admit, I saw a few reviews criticizing the cataldo's but I like what I see so far how much did yours cost (including shipping)? I'm torn between the explorerbird or the jaebird, your thoughts? I appreciate your input [/quote] Their are a few harsh reviews online but they are for Carlo's very early attempts, which were a little rough round the edges but were also being sold for a ridiculously low price, it should be remembered. His current work is excellent and has a far higher build quality and far superior hardware and electronics. I've owned two of the JAEbirds, both purchased from here second hand, and the current one I own is a better instrument than the old one. I can't imagine there being much of a sound difference between the JAEbird and the Explorerbird so it's really just down to aethetics and playing comfort. My JAEbird is very light and balances perfectly - the Explorerbird looks cool as hell but I imagine it being a little cumbersome! The hardcase is huge as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolverinebass Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 It depends what sort of thing you want really. The Live at Leeds is easiest to copy in terms of sound and gear. Personally, I find this Bass Collection bass immensely distasteful. Yeah, John used to play basses made of basswood. Not. At least if you're going to copy something do it properly!! As for the Dean basses, I've tried a few of them and they're crap. The limited edition is not bad, but it's not an Alembic so what's the point? Well, the answer to that question is that Chris Entwistle can license his dad's name onto any bass for some quick pile of cash. I gather the Wickershams at Alembic weren't amused, but as with the Warwick and Status buzzards, anyone who's ever played both variants (as I have) knows that the Warwick version is totally inferior in almost every way just as the Dean is a 9th rate cousin to the Alembic it has ripped off in the most brazen way. Were it me, I'd be getting a Cataldo (and I have considered it in the past actually). Not that I've ever played one, but sound samples I've heard sound great. As long as they're put together right, I'd imagine they'd be very, good instruments. More than likely because the pickups have some serious kick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Wolverinebass' timestamp='1447249046' post='2906099'] Were it me, I'd be getting a Cataldo (and I have considered it in the past actually). Not that I've ever played one, but sound samples I've heard sound great. As long as they're put together right, I'd imagine they'd be very, good instruments. More than likely because the pickups have some serious kick. [/quote] Next time you're around SE London/Kent pop round and have a go on mine! Bring Buzzards Edited November 12, 2015 by Cosmo Valdemar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted November 12, 2015 Share Posted November 12, 2015 [quote name='Wolverinebass' timestamp='1447249046' post='2906099'] the Dean is a 9th rate cousin to the Alembic it has ripped off in the most brazen way. [/quote] Perhaps...but at approximately a 20th of the price it gives those with very little disposable income (most of us) the opportunity to get at least a 9th of the Alembic vibe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolverinebass Posted November 13, 2015 Share Posted November 13, 2015 [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1447365321' post='2907180'] Perhaps...but at approximately a 20th of the price it gives those with very little disposable income (most of us) the opportunity to get at least a 9th of the Alembic vibe. [/quote] Funnily enough, my point of a "9th rate copy" was actually slightly more right than I knew. A Dean spider costs £2500 or so. An Alembic re-issue spyder costs $15500. So, call it £16000. Those aren't completely accurate copies as John's Explorers were basically just normal signature electronics with a second master volume knob for a boost with series pickups. The reissues don't have the same pickups or 2nd master volume. That's aside from the various other profile idiosyncracies which he asked for at the time such as a flat fretboard to name but one. Even if it were a series 2 Alembic that would be 10 times more than the Dean, not 20 times more. However, it's worth noting that you'd probably be able to get a 2nd hand series 1 Alembic from say the 1980's for £2800. There are a few that pop up reasonably often. It's in effect that same sound and given the choice of one of them as compared to the Dean, it's no choice at all. Especially if you're comparing like for like in pricing situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Ox Posted November 14, 2015 Author Share Posted November 14, 2015 well that's confirmed Cataldo for me then! Only problem is there's a price hike in Jan, and I don't think I can quite afford it just yet! How does the low action feel on them? What strings are on there too? Also Wolverinebass, whats that Status Graphite like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 [quote name='Wolverinebass' timestamp='1447406435' post='2907345'] An Alembic re-issue spyder costs $15500. So, call it £[u]16000[/u]. Even if it were a series 2 Alembic that would be 10 times more than the Dean, not 20 times more. [/quote] Yes, however the cheaper Dean explorer featured in the OP's original post is priced at £775....we aren't discussing the higher priced Dean explorer. 775 x 20 = 1550 Just sayin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1447516505' post='2908261'] 775 x 20 = 15,500 [/quote] Fixed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolverinebass Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1447516505' post='2908261'] Yes, however the cheaper Dean explorer featured in the OP's original post is priced at £775....we aren't discussing the higher priced Dean explorer. 775 x 20 = 1550 Just sayin! [/quote] Apologies mate, I missed that! Such a pity it's black as price wise it's not completely horrific. I doubt you'd get that much alembic similarities out of that though aside from the shape. Just a shameless cash in really. On the other hand, you could get something more like it by putting in an ACG filter preamp but that's another £200 or so on top. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted November 14, 2015 Share Posted November 14, 2015 [quote name='Wolverinebass' timestamp='1447526200' post='2908379'] Apologies mate, I missed that! Such a pity it's black as price wise it's not completely horrific. I doubt you'd get that much alembic similarities out of that though aside from the shape. Just a shameless cash in really. On the other hand, you could get something more like it by putting in an ACG filter preamp but that's another £200 or so on top. Just a thought. [/quote] No need to apologise dude, its only rock n roll! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted November 15, 2015 Share Posted November 15, 2015 [quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1447535540' post='2908463'] Note the picks stuck in the pickguard. John used pick quite a bit back then, sometimes with palm muting (like the intro to Sparks), but people typecast him as a fingerstyle player. [/quote] I'll second this. At least 50/50 pick and fingers back in the day. His pick technique always gets overlooked which is a pity as it's pretty phenomenal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Ox Posted November 15, 2015 Author Share Posted November 15, 2015 Thanks Meddle! Very interesting indeed yeah I have seen him use a pick in the Isle of Wight festival, especially when he performs 'I Don't Even Know Myself' which has a cool bassline Well it seems Cataldo is the best shout then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Drop Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 I can actually recall in an interview where he said he preferred the tone he got with a pick for most things, but fingerstyle looked so much more impressive live, being a reason he used it often then. Great stuff, love these threads! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigsmokebass Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Never been phased by the Dean Basses here but always fancied a Warwick Buzzard. Possibly even a 5 string Custom Shop to complete my dreams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Ox Posted November 30, 2015 Author Share Posted November 30, 2015 Cheers for the feedback! Funnily enough I'm getting an ACG with a filter preamp Bigsmokebass check my thread in the sales section, I've got just the bass for you mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 [quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1447102978' post='2904946'] Here's a clip of an early Cataldo bass being played, very well I should add, with a treblier, driven sound. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I17XWY3kBxk [/quote] That Cataldo sounds amazing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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