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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive: 2007 » Archive through November 26, 2007 » Logo lunacy! « Previous Next »

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hieronymous
Intermediate Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 186
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 12:07 pm:   Edit Post

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":

logo exploiter

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:

logo doubleneck

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:   Edit Post

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:

brass and black logo

brass and black logo

brass and shell logo

silver and brass logo

silver logo

silver logo

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:   Edit Post

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:   Edit Post

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:   Edit Post

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:   Edit Post

From my 1975 Series I:

bluplirst
Junior
Username: bluplirst

Post Number: 28
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 11:38 pm:   Edit Post

Plum Pudding's brass logo

Plum logo
cozmik_cowboy
Intermediate Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 197
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 6:38 am:   Edit Post

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:   Edit Post

byoung
Senior Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 756
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 2:00 pm:   Edit Post

Inlaid logo on the forthcoming Series II:

Headstock
crgaston
Senior Member
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 429
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 4:52 pm:   Edit Post

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:   Edit Post

This is my favourite....
logo
paulman
Advanced Member
Username: paulman

Post Number: 246
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 4:53 am:   Edit Post

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:   Edit Post

jseitang
Advanced Member
Username: jseitang

Post Number: 215
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 9:54 am:   Edit Post

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:   Edit Post

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:   Edit Post




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:   Edit Post

My Orion Guitar headstock in Maple
mele_aloha
Advanced Member
Username: mele_aloha

Post Number: 243
Registered: 1-2007
Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 7:41 pm:   Edit Post

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:   Edit Post

Here's a closeup of the logo on Pinot.

PinotLogo
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 4833
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 7:52 pm:   Edit Post

Found another oldie:
logo von oldie
crgaston
Senior Member
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 435
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Friday, September 21, 2007 - 5:52 am:   Edit Post

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:   Edit Post

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:   Edit Post

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:   Edit Post

Gold on Amboyna:

cmsb_1
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 1366
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 12:48 am:   Edit Post

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:   Edit Post

This is my 20th Anniversary bass's logo.
20th Anniv. logo

Standard logo on Fan head (76' 421)
logo on Fan head

Standard logo on Cone head (82' 2059)
logo on Cone head
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 1375
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 7:11 am:   Edit Post

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:   Edit Post

Here's the Spoiler Decal:

hieronymous
Intermediate Member
Username: hieronymous

Post Number: 198
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 2:07 pm:   Edit Post

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:   Edit Post

...I hear you shouldn't stare into the Cloud too long...
...of course there might be something good in there.(or aliens behind it).

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