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tncaveman
New
Username: tncaveman

Post Number: 10
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Monday, March 21, 2011 - 7:20 pm:   Edit Post

I was curious about how many instruments have been made by Alembic? It would be cool to see a tally - especially the number of each model. I have a Rogue and have never personally seen another one. I have only seen a few other Alembic models over the years, other than in photos. I have never seen an Alembic guitar in person.

Stephen
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1239
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Monday, March 21, 2011 - 8:27 pm:   Edit Post

They are heading for 14200, I think it's almost impossible to tell per model...

Check out this list: Click here
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 2364
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, March 21, 2011 - 11:28 pm:   Edit Post

14,000 is a very small number when you consider the number made by the big boys over the same number of years.

I've only ever seen my Alembic Guitars in person. They still seem to be rare in public. In saying that, I've only seen an alembic bass live in the hands of Stanley Clarke.

Hopefully some of the UK owners will post some gigs nearer to where I live so I can get a chance to hear.

Jazzyvee
rustyg61
Junior
Username: rustyg61

Post Number: 48
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Monday, March 21, 2011 - 11:47 pm:   Edit Post

I asked Mica that same question when I spoke to her on the phone right after I got my Alembic. My serial # is 14148, but she said there were maybe 600 - 800 additional Alembics that had duplicate serial numbers, so the total count could be around 15,000. Still a very elite owner's group when you consider that lots of people own more than one Alembic, so the total number of owners is much smaller than the total number of Alembics.
rustyg61
Junior
Username: rustyg61

Post Number: 49
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 12:58 am:   Edit Post

I just checked out your list FC, VERY impressive! Where did you get all the data?
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 870
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 3:17 am:   Edit Post

#12#12
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 871
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 3:20 am:   Edit Post

#33
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 872
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 3:22 am:   Edit Post

the Gang!the gang!
tncaveman
Junior
Username: tncaveman

Post Number: 11
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 4:04 am:   Edit Post

39 years and 14,200 -------> average of 364 per year - that's one a day! But I would assume that the efficiency and number per year somewhat increased over the years.

And, Barnes (ser#12) that is one heck of a photo - are they all yours or from a gathering?
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2878
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 4:34 am:   Edit Post

Jazzyvee.."Hopefully some of the UK owners will post some gigs nearer to where I live so I can get a chance to hear"

You'll need to move to Scotland ;-)

graeme
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 873
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 6:01 am:   Edit Post

they all belong to various members from the chicago gathering two yrs ago
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1551
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 6:06 am:   Edit Post

tncaveman,
The group instrument shot is from the Chicago Alembic gathering in May 2009. It was a fabulous day at Bag End.
Mike
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 1529
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 6:31 am:   Edit Post

I love nostalgie and looking at the catalogues is really interesting.
Mine is proudly in the list
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1240
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 10:02 am:   Edit Post

@ Rusty: Got most of the info (about 99%) right here from the club, so thanx Ya'll!
It gives a pretty good idea of production per year (see summary @ the bottom), huge peak in the 90s (Newsted influence?)

Extremely fun project, though in desperate need of an update...

Pretty close family, with +/-15000 Alembics and some of us that are actually insane enough to own more than one. :-)
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 874
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 10:29 am:   Edit Post

Here's a summary/log of quite a few so far. http://painandgrief.com/aaa/fcbasssite/alembic/10.htm
rustyg61
Junior
Username: rustyg61

Post Number: 50
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 10:43 am:   Edit Post

Awesome pictures Barnes!

FC, thanks for taking the time to compile the list! I wouldn't say you are insane for owning more than one Alembic, I would say you are blessed!
jon_jackson
Member
Username: jon_jackson

Post Number: 69
Registered: 12-2008
Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 6:44 pm:   Edit Post

Flip, do you still want new information / pictures for the data base?
-Jon
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 910
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 - 6:45 am:   Edit Post

Hey, Keavin, looking back through Flip's list, I think you've confused Michael's basses. That's 72-16, not 73-33.

Here's 33:


Peter
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1241
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 - 7:52 am:   Edit Post

Info and pictures are more than welcome, bring 'em on! (see profile for email address)

and Rusty: Blessed indeed! :-)

(Message edited by fc_spoiler on March 23, 2011)
malthumb
Senior Member
Username: malthumb

Post Number: 485
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2011 - 6:32 pm:   Edit Post

FC,

You could add 74 80 to the list. That was Stanley Clarke's Brown Bass, now owned by Victor Wooten.
mario_farufyno
Senior Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 617
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Friday, March 25, 2011 - 9:07 am:   Edit Post

Incredible job, Flip.
We all thank you!
peanutsfan1995
New
Username: peanutsfan1995

Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2011
Posted on Friday, March 25, 2011 - 10:33 pm:   Edit Post

FC,

Jason Newsted owns an Alembic Europa, Elan, and Spoiler, all in 5 string.
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1242
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Saturday, March 26, 2011 - 4:37 am:   Edit Post

I've updated the list with the latest info I got, thanx!


Hey Michael, welcome here :-)

Check out the dedicated to Jason/Alembic page on my site: Click here
There are more ;-)
So far I have:

4 string Spoiler Exploiter
4 string JJ Persuader *
4 string Spoiler Series II with "Distillate bottom"
5 String JPJ Elan - later converted to Series II
5 string Europa Series II
6 string Europa Series II
10 string Europa Series II

And I think Mica said he bought an Anniversary bass at the mothership.

I've also heard that he gave away or sold the Elan (not confirmed, have not seen pics and/or serial #)

I’d love to have the serial numbers of those.

* I think the Persuader was also converted to Series II and refinished in Black. (see Jason/Alembic page)

Cliff Burton used a Spoiler in '85 (maybe from late '84) until it was stolen after practice (he left it standing against his car)

Be sure to check out my tribute to Jason's JPJ Elan: here

And my Jasonized Spoiler: Here

Jasonized Spoiler
rustyg61
Member
Username: rustyg61

Post Number: 64
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2011 - 12:25 pm:   Edit Post

Hey Flip, I noticed you have an engraved truss rod cover on your Elan 5, I have emailed Mica about getting one for my SC Signature Deluxe, but so far have not gotten a reply. Do you know how much they charge for the engraved cover?
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2883
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Friday, April 01, 2011 - 12:10 am:   Edit Post

Rusty. 6 years ago I got a quote of $85 for a replacement brass trussrod cover - no engravings. I'd have thought it would be cheaper to take your existing cover to a local jeweller to get them to engrave anything you want on it.

Graeme
rustyg61
Member
Username: rustyg61

Post Number: 69
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Friday, April 01, 2011 - 7:20 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Graeme! I had thought about that too, but didn't know how that would work out with the clearcoat finish on the plate.
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1243
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Friday, April 01, 2011 - 8:04 am:   Edit Post

I think it was about $75 in 2009, certainly worth it. (looks amazing)

And you're right about the cover, it has a thin layer of clear coating that would have to be removed if you want it done by a local.

Blurry pic:

rustyg61
Member
Username: rustyg61

Post Number: 70
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Friday, April 01, 2011 - 10:21 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Flip! Money well spent, it looks awesome! The script font on the serial number is a nice touch!

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