| Author | Message | ||
| pedalpeddler
New Username: pedalpeddler Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2003 |
Does anyone have any info on this guitar?  | ||
| smichaels
Junior Username: smichaels Post Number: 11 Registered: 6-2002 |
Looks like a highly modified Electrum. I would say that the price the guy is asking on ebay is fair if the guitar is in good shape (hard to see in the photo though). They made alot of these in the early 80's. They're great guitars. Sean | ||
| davehouck
Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 76 Registered: 5-2002 |
The ebay listing says that it has EMG active pickups. | ||
| elzie
Intermediate Member Username: elzie Post Number: 137 Registered: 8-2002 |
I saw that too... Did you ask the seller for detailed photos/info/serial number? It does look like a good price, provided that detailed pics don't reveal damage. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 1031 Registered: 6-2000 |
Keep us posted if you get some more information or photos from the seller. If it has been gutted, new Alembic pickups will run $80 each and new Electrum guts ( 2 vol, 2 filter, 1 pickup selector switch) will be about $650. I can't tell from the picture if the pickups are Alembic or EMG, but I'm assuming the seller could read the mark on the pickups. | ||
| pedalpeddler
New Username: pedalpeddler Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2003 |
just wanted to say thanks for all of your help. great online community you have here. i hope i have something to share back soon! Lars | ||
| u14steelgtr
New Username: u14steelgtr Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2003 |
I received the following information from the seller. __________________________ Alembic 6 String Electric "Electrum" Guitar # Made in 1983, Alembic Serial Number #83 E2714 USA I did know the original owner, Eric Byak, Producer / Guitar instructor for Randy Rhodes and others, Eric used the guitar strictly for studio work. I don’t have a current number on him, I could check with my ex-brother-in-law, who originally brokered the deal. I am the second owner of this guitar, I have had it in my possession since about ’87 – ‘88 and used it predominantly for studio work, although I did use it for some live shows. Alembic, as you may know, makes mostly Bass Guitars that are known for their workmanship, neck-through body construction, and heavy wood and “density” for sustain. This the only Alembic Guitar that I have seen, and the solid mahogany body and neck with a ebony fingerboard, although a thin-line tear drop design has good weight and sustain for the size guitar. It is not nearly as heavy as a Les Paul. The neck is also thin and easy to play on, my first impression when I got the guitar was that it was “like running down-hill”. The action has been set pretty low, the strings used were Stainless Steel 8’s for faster tracking on the synth pickup. The EMGs are stock from Alembic, they are “Active Electronics, and give a real clean sound and “attack” and really cut through the mix. When you start with a really clean sound, even with Compression / Distortion / Over Driven sounds there is a “definition” to the sound that most “wound” pick ups don’t have. The Korg Z3 pickup is an add-on. The Korg Guitar Synthesizer does track pretty well and delivers about a hundred decent six string keyboard, bass, horn, and guitar synth sounds, the Kawai K3M Keyboard synthesizer was also used for layered “pads” or “washes” i.e. strings, behind the guitar and/or guitar synth sounds which were out front. (You can mix between guitar and guitar synth sounds and select the guitar synth sounds at the guitar). There are some scratches on the backside of the guitar, although the front side is very clean. Overall from a scale of 1-10 with ten being immaculate, I would rate this guitar about a #7 or an #8. This guitar’s current set up does deliver some very “unique” layered sounds. Original Cost was approx. $1450.00 Solid Ebony Body, Ebony Neck-Through Body Design EMG Pick ups are original to the best of my knowledge Pro Kahler Tremolo was original to the best of my knowledge Korg Z3 Pick up is an add-on Korg Z3 Synthesizer also available (Add $250 / OBO) Kawai Keyboard Synthesizer Unit also available (Add $200 / OBO) | ||
| smichaels
Junior Username: smichaels Post Number: 12 Registered: 6-2002 |
I would not pay $750 for a guitar that has had it's original electronics stripped out and replaced with EMG's, in my opinion (considering the cost required to get it back to stock). Also...there are bound to be body modifications to accomodate that wacky Korg synth. Sean | ||
| pedalpeddler
New Username: pedalpeddler Post Number: 4 Registered: 7-2003 |
I would have bought it in a second if I had heard back from the seller. I think the synth pickup is nothing but a bonus. Someone said to JG after listening to him play midi at a show "you would have been a great horn player." JG looked him in the eye and simply said "I *AM* a great horn player" | ||
| u14steelgtr
New Username: u14steelgtr Post Number: 2 Registered: 7-2003 |
By the way clearer pictures of this instrument can be seen at http://www.fj45.com/fj45/Instruments/ Look for file names that begin with "Alembic_Electrum-" | ||
| rockandroller
Member Username: rockandroller Post Number: 59 Registered: 11-2002 |
WOW - check out that Blue EXPLOITER! ( from link above ) |
