Dean to unveil John Entwistle sig basses at NAMM
(Dave Molter | Posted 2011-01-11)
Few bassists had the high profile of the late John Entwistle of The Who. It was Entwistle who almost singlehandedly changed the sound of bass forever by working with Rotosound to develop the legendary Swing Bass roundwound bass strings. His adventurous but solid bass style was the perfect counterpoint to the raving of Who drummer Keith Moon. And Entwistle was an inveterate collector of and tinkerer with basses. Not content with stock models, Entwistle's imagination produced the "Fenderbird" and several other unique models.
Entwistle passed away in 2002, but his legacy lives on thanks to the efforts of his estate and Dean Guitars, which will unveil two models of the new John Entwistle bass line at the 2011 Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, California.
According to John's son, Chris, the estate chose Dean because of their attention to detail plus their willingness and ability to bring the project to market swiftly without sacrificing quality.
The first two models in the new Entwistle line are 'The Spider' (pictured at left) and 'The Hybrid', both made in Dean's USA Custom Woodshop in Tampa, FL. Both will incorporate the new Aphex Exciter/Big Bottom/Compression circuit on board, an industry first. There is also a Hybrid model that will sell for under $1000 USD.
Steve Luongo, John's drummer and personal friend of 15 years, steered the estate to Dean Guitars as he knew company CEO Elliott "Dean" Rubinson is a touring bass player who grew up on John's playing.
Brand was not as important to John as the actual playability and John would let the instrument do the talking" said Luongo. "John has been a huge influence on me and I am proud to be on the front line in the development of these instruments, also being able to play and hear them live on stage when playing with the Michael Schenker Group and Cactus," Rubinson said.
Specs:
USA SPIDER
Flame Maple Top & Back w/ Mahogany Body
Padauk Spider Web, Logo & Cavity Covers
34" Scale
Maple Neck Thru w/ Padauk Stringers
Ebony Fingerboard/Brass Nut
Padauk "Black Widow" Inlays
Pearl "Spider" Custom 12th Inlay
Grover Tuners w/ Hipshot
Gold Hardware, Babicz Bridge
EMG Lo Z Pickups w/Active 3 Band EQ
Aphex Exciterฎ/Compressor/Big Bottomฎ Circuit
Gloss Natural Finish
Limited Run only 25 Produced Worldwide
USA HYBRID
Mahogany Top/Body
34" Scale
Bolt-On Maple Neck w/ Dean Custom 4-Bolt Neck Cavity
Rosewood or Ebony Fingerboard
Abalone Dot Inlays
Die Cast Tuners w/ Hipshot
Black Hardware
Dual Purpose Die Cast Bridge
EMG Lo Z Pickups
Active 3 Band EQ
Aphex Exciterฎ/Compressor/Big Bottomฎ Circuit
Metallic Red, Classic Black & Trans Brazilia Finishes Available
HYBRID
Alder Top/Body
34" Scale
Bolt-On Maple C Neck
Maple Fingerboard
Black Dot Inlays
Die Cast Tuners
Chrome Hardware
Dual Purpose Die Cast Bridge
EMG HZ Humbucker Pickups
Classic Black & Trans Brazilia Finishes Available
MSRP:
Spyder USD 6555
USA Hybrid USD 3722
Import Hybrid USD 699
For more information, visit www.deanguitars.com.
From a press release.
