| Author | Message | ||
| handsonsound
New Username: handsonsound Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2009 |
I have just joined this group and have a 1972 Alembic guitar. It's serial number is 72-13. Can anyone help me with information on this model and perhaps the history of the instrument? It seems to be an very early model. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1779 Registered: 6-2002 |
Welcome, i think it would help if you could post some photo's. Also put a serial number request in this thread. http://alembic.com/club/messages/394/22072.html?1259052739 Jazzyvee | ||
| handsonsound
New Username: handsonsound Post Number: 4 Registered: 11-2009 |
Thanks much. I put in a serial number request and shall post some photos later today. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4168 Registered: 7-2004 |
Will: Welcome to the club! Yes, pictures, pictures, pictures, we want pictures!!!! If you poke around here a bit you'll find that both #12 (Keavin's bass) and #10 (my guitar) are active members. So tell us a little about the history of your instrument. How long have you owned it, etc.? Bill, the guitar one | ||
| serialnumber12
Senior Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 590 Registered: 12-2004 |
Boy i cant wait for this one!!!....where has this bass been & are you or how long has it been yours? | ||
| serialnumber12
Senior Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 591 Registered: 12-2004 |
As you can see the alembic club is like "Harley club" We don't Mess around!!!  | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 900 Registered: 6-2002 |
Welcome to the board, ...can't wait to see pics. | ||
| handsonsound
New Username: handsonsound Post Number: 8 Registered: 11-2009 |
Wow! What a fine collection. Here is #72-15. After I got my glasses on, I realized that it was not #13. Sorry about that.  | ||
| artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 913 Registered: 7-2007 |
Will, That is a sweet piece of history! Welcome to the forum. Continue to Play it Healthy! Art | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4169 Registered: 7-2004 |
Is it just me, or do the upper horns look familiar? A little "wolfy" maybe? Do we have DNA evidence 'further' establishing the true origin of Jerry's "Wolf" guitar? Will: I don't know where in California you are located, but if you haven't yet visited the Mothership in Santa Rosa, it is well worth the effort. It would also be great if you brought your baby along to the next Alembic gathering. We usually have one here in the Bay Area in the spring, and there's been some talk about getting one together in Los Angeles. I'd love to check out your guitar in person. Bill, tgo | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 691 Registered: 3-2004 |
I thought the same thing Bill. I don't think there can be any question of provenance with this example to compare against. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1135 Registered: 11-2004 |
welcome handsonsound..nice funky guitar..hope you get the history of you instrument. | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 465 Registered: 4-2004 |
Looks like Neil Young's stage props in the background.... just a guess.... sure is a nice early model, Handsonsound!!!! welcome to the club! | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 901 Registered: 6-2002 |
So this was made for Neil Young according to Valentino's post. Very intriguing , Kris | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 466 Registered: 4-2004 |
I WANT TO LIVE WITH A CINNAMON GIRL I COULD BE HAPPY THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH... A CINNAMON GIRL!!!! | ||
| crobbins
Senior Member Username: crobbins Post Number: 498 Registered: 6-2004 |
Welcome to the club. I own this Alembic guitar as well. http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/1819.html?1172366081 | ||
| handsonsound
Junior Username: handsonsound Post Number: 11 Registered: 11-2009 |
Good eye, Pace. Yes, those are indeed Neil Young stage props in the background of my photo. | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 1010 Registered: 6-2002 |
I own 72-16, the next one in line from yours! It's nice to see another one with that electronics package. I am sure that they were being constructed at the same time. Do you have the hammered brass plate on the back of yours? I wonder if mine is the first one with the batteries between the pickups?  | ||
| handsonsound
Junior Username: handsonsound Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2009 |
I already knew that the guitar was made for Neil, but you folks have helped fill in the blanks as far as where it fits in with the history of Alembic (1st year, 15th made...one of a number of guitars that this list was looking for). Neil doesn't know how it came to him. Given as a gift? Made to order? Alembic gave it to him? This is unknown. What I do know is that the guitar has seldom been played since the early 1970's and it has been carefully stored since that time. Perhaps if there is someone who was with Alembic back in the 70's, they might remember the guitar and it's origins. | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 1011 Registered: 6-2002 |
I would LOVE to know who mine was made for. I've heard that it was once owned by the bassist for Willie Nelson. But, I don't know if he was the original owner or not. | ||
| serialnumber12
Senior Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 592 Registered: 12-2004 |
Blue Oyster Cult's "godzilla" was recorded with #12.  | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1782 Registered: 6-2002 |
I really like that alembic logo on the bottom of your bass Keavin. I don't recall seeing that on any other alembics. Its a really nice touch and I guess nowadays it could be mounted into the body and have a smooth to the touch feel. Jazzyvee. | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 467 Registered: 4-2004 |
Will, As far as the lineage of Alembic body shapes goes, I'm guessing that what we refer to as the Wolf/Furthur shape AND the standard point (Mark King) shape were derived from #15. Does anyone here know of an earlier standard point?!? I had always guessed that Neil's Alembic was a small-standard shape (like Dela's #16 above), so for me this is quite a surprise! -Mike | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 1014 Registered: 6-2002 |
72-01 was a point body. | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 468 Registered: 4-2004 |
Yeah Mike, but weren't the horns were equal like Keavins #12, and McVie's first one? | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 604 Registered: 10-2006 |
So, Keavin, was Joe Bouchard the original owner? Yes, 72-01 had symetrical upper bouts, but the Evolution of Body Shapes page starts "First there was the Standard Point.", so I guess 01 & 12 count. Peter (Message edited by cozmik_cowboy on November 25, 2009) | ||
| serialnumber12
Senior Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 595 Registered: 12-2004 |
yep Joe Bouchard was the original owner he used #12 as his studio bass & used his other alembic for gigs. | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 469 Registered: 4-2004 |
I always think of 72-01, 72-12, McVie's, and 78-999 being their own unique shape~ whatever you want to call it. I'm not trying to split hairs, but just trying to figure out where the offset treble horn w/ either a point or omega came into play. With all the scroll and peanut guitars in the low digits, so far #15 is the earliest example I've seen. | ||
| dluxe
New Username: dluxe Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2009 |
That is cool to know Bouchard recorded Godzilla with that bass. I've always loved that tasty little solo he does on it. Their "Some Enchanted Evening" record has a photo of him with what looks like a Series 1 with Omega.  | ||
| pauldo
Advanced Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 353 Registered: 6-2006 |
I did not know that! (Godzilla recorded with #12) COOL! | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2508 Registered: 10-2002 |
here's a thread I started in 2006 with more photo's and links to photos of Joe's stage bass. Graeme | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8971 Registered: 5-2002 |
Welcome to the board Will! Great guitar!! | ||
| serialnumber12
Senior Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 600 Registered: 12-2004 |
you might wanna post a pic of your alembic here since it is a part of guitar history!http://www.vintageguitar.com/gallery/list.asp?catID=4  |
