• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Entwistle Spider bass clone

RL5

RL5

Nov 9, 2020
538
1,302
Colorado Springs
#1
Hi all. I may be having a John Entwistle Spider bass clone made for me. I'd like opinions on the pickups and preamp I should use in this. I am not looking for an Alembic type build, more along the lines of the Dean Spiders that were produced (don't want an Alembic price tag, or even a Dean USA Spider price tag).

I'll work with my builder to determine the wood to be used, but I would prefer to keep the bass closer to 9lbs than 10. The bass will be 24 fret, 34" scale. Body style as stated above. Other than that, I'm open on specs. Any thoughts?
 
  • Like
Reactions: darev
#3
The absolute best pickups for this type should be Alembic Activators. They are VERY expensive, though, and similar preamps can be found from John East, JTEX, or Lusithand. For alternative pickups I recommend EMG P, but they more closely resemble His later Buzzard tone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ajkula66
#4
The Alembic electronics are amazing, but I never found the “Q” filter all that useful in the active Jazz bass harness and pickups I bought from them years ago. Might as well use a wah pedal. It’s a very “hi-fi” sound, but that can be had for far less money with other systems. How about hardware? Separate tailpiece and bridge? I used a Warwick set for my Fauxlembic build, nice piece of kit and available through Thomann for far less than US distributors. Love to see some process photos if your Luthier shares them.
 
#5
RL5 said:
I'll work with my builder to determine the wood to be used, but I would prefer to keep the bass closer to 9lbs than 10. The bass will be 24 fret, 34" scale. Body style as stated above. Other than that, I'm open on specs. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
With the weight considerations I'm guessing that you might not be going to be using as much mahogany and redwood in this build? ;)

Iristone said:
The absolute best pickups for this type should be Alembic Activators. They are VERY expensive, though, and similar preamps can be found from John East, JTEX, or Lusithand. For alternative pickups I recommend EMG P, but they more closely resemble His later Buzzard tone.
Click to expand...
Oh man, the Buzzard Bass...

They say that Dean's Limited Edition run of 25 Spider Basses are using EMG Lo Z pups. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back