Author |
Message |
hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous
Post Number: 186 Registered: 1-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 12:07 pm: | |
I thought this might be fun - show us pictures of the logos on your Alembics! The Alembic logo, although perhaps not as well-known by the general public as the "Steal Your Face" logo (both designed by Bob Thomas) represents the height of musical instrument design and technology for those in the know. My first Alembic was a 1985 Spoiler/Exploiter. At the time I was only dimly aware of the rich history and diversity of styles of Alembic, so I thought the logo was "normal": It doesn't have the "rays" coming down from the clouds, but you can see the details in the hand, dragon, etc. My next Alembic was the infamous "wishbone" doubleneck (infamous mainly for its weight?!!), with its interesting logo placement down near the tailpieces & strap pin. It was a while before I noticed how different it is from the one on my Exploiter: If I had to state a preference, it would be for the older one, but that may just be a reflection of the rich history that the bass itself resonates. I also love how simple it is, while still expressing the idea behind it. So - those are mine - let's see some of yours!!! I know there are some amazing ones out there. But it doesn't matter if they are made of precious metals, precious stones, or plastic - they're all Alembic! |
mica
Moderator Username: mica
Post Number: 4808 Registered: 6-2000
| Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 8:10 pm: | |
On your older one, the logo is handcut from a sheet of sterling silver. The newer logos are cast in various metals by a local jeweller. There's some other strange early logos, here's a few I found with a quick scan of my files: These are roughly in chronilogical order. |
davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck
Post Number: 5509 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 8:15 pm: | |
Cool pics Mica!! Lotsa interesting stuff; like the laminate pattern on 72-05! |
bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee
Post Number: 1784 Registered: 3-2004
| Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 8:37 pm: | |
Mica, that third one looks like a ghost floating inside a circle. Really cool history lesson. Unfortunately, one logo that would have to be included in any study would be the one on Dark Star. |
hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous
Post Number: 188 Registered: 1-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 9:12 pm: | |
Wow, thanks for the pics Mica, and thanks for letting me know that the logo on my doubleneck is silver! I thought the fourth picture was Phil Lesh's Orange Osage, then realized it was a guitar! There are some interesting pictures of Phil's bass in this thread. Keep 'em coming folks! |
82daion
Member Username: 82daion
Post Number: 91 Registered: 5-2005
| Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 9:57 pm: | |
From my 1975 Series I:
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bluplirst
Junior Username: bluplirst
Post Number: 28 Registered: 12-2004
| Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 11:38 pm: | |
Plum Pudding's brass logo
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cozmik_cowboy
Intermediate Member Username: cozmik_cowboy
Post Number: 197 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 6:38 am: | |
Wow - any chance you could show us the rest of number 4, Mica? Just that much has me lusting severely! Peter |
keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin
Post Number: 1279 Registered: 12-2002
| Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 7:25 am: | |
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byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung
Post Number: 756 Registered: 12-2004
| Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 2:00 pm: | |
Inlaid logo on the forthcoming Series II:
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crgaston
Senior Member Username: crgaston
Post Number: 429 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:52 pm: | |
Bradley, that beveled Omega Crown with inlaid logo is the shizzle! Here's one with a black m.o.p. cloud... ...and a ceiling fan reflection! |
jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko
Post Number: 1333 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 4:51 am: | |
This is my favourite....
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paulman
Advanced Member Username: paulman
Post Number: 246 Registered: 2-2005
| Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 4:53 am: | |
I'd like to second the request for more pics of #4, I'm interested to see the rest of that guitar (bass or otherwise) Thanks for posting those Mica |
the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule
Post Number: 684 Registered: 1-2004
| Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 5:42 am: | |
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jseitang
Advanced Member Username: jseitang
Post Number: 215 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 9:54 am: | |
the black MOP cloud is real dark looking.... very very cool, it has a very realistic look when you stare into the cloud....the one with the rays is the most psychedelic looking one... all are amazing. |
byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung
Post Number: 759 Registered: 12-2004
| Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 2:03 pm: | |
Charles, Thanks for the compliment-- I'm pretty enamored of it, myself. |
pierreyves
Intermediate Member Username: pierreyves
Post Number: 163 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 8:25 am: | |
1/logo of my MK5 deluxe double omega 2/logo of my SC deluxe |
jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee
Post Number: 961 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 2:32 am: | |
My Orion Guitar headstock in Maple
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mele_aloha
Advanced Member Username: mele_aloha
Post Number: 243 Registered: 1-2007
| Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 7:41 pm: | |
Jacko, You beat me to the punch. That is the one that I have on my desktop and also ordered for my Series II. Good topic though! Paul |
rraymond
Advanced Member Username: rraymond
Post Number: 309 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - 10:37 am: | |
Here's a closeup of the logo on Pinot.
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mica
Moderator Username: mica
Post Number: 4833 Registered: 6-2000
| Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 7:52 pm: | |
Found another oldie:
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crgaston
Senior Member Username: crgaston
Post Number: 435 Registered: 11-2005
| Posted on Friday, September 21, 2007 - 5:52 am: | |
You know, I kind of feel stupid, but I never noticed that that was a stylized letter "A" inside the alembic vessel. I always thought it was just supposed to be some swirling reactants or something. The older logos without the vessel make it pretty evident, though. You really do learn something new every day... |
elwoodblue
Intermediate Member Username: elwoodblue
Post Number: 165 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Friday, September 21, 2007 - 6:13 am: | |
ahhhh...number 1...sigh...was a pretty cool pAddle. I'm continually amazed at the logo on the T-shirts...best silkscreening around! |
hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous
Post Number: 197 Registered: 1-2005
| Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 8:04 am: | |
That last one Mica posted would be this one wouldn't it? |
lidon2001
Advanced Member Username: lidon2001
Post Number: 337 Registered: 4-2005
| Posted on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 6:01 pm: | |
Gold on Amboyna:
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jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko
Post Number: 1366 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 12:48 am: | |
harry.... "That last one Mica posted would be this one wouldn't it?". I'm not sure it is. The logo on the peanut guitar looks like on of the early transfers (or decal in your language). Also, the wood looks different. graeme |
room037
Intermediate Member Username: room037
Post Number: 184 Registered: 9-2003
| Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 6:48 am: | |
This is my 20th Anniversary bass's logo. Standard logo on Fan head (76' 421) Standard logo on Cone head (82' 2059)
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jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko
Post Number: 1375 Registered: 10-2002
| Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 7:11 am: | |
Ok. having looked at the early spoiler logo, i'm changing my mind about the peanut logo. However, I still think it's different to the one mica posted. That looks like birdseye maple whereas the peanut looks like flame. Graeme |
fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler
Post Number: 628 Registered: 5-2006
| Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 8:15 am: | |
Here's the Spoiler Decal:
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hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous
Post Number: 198 Registered: 1-2005
| Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 2:07 pm: | |
Thanks everybody, I think this has turned out to be a really neat thread! I've learned a lot - I didn't recognize the "A" in the logo either! I'm glad we got a picture of a decal one too. Oh, and Graeme, on looking carefully, I'm inclined to agree with you that they look like different guitars. I should have looked more closely the first time! |
elwoodblue
Intermediate Member Username: elwoodblue
Post Number: 171 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 4:40 pm: | |
...I hear you shouldn't stare into the Cloud too long... ...of course there might be something good in there.(or aliens behind it). |