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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive through January 07, 2011 » Archive: 2009 » Archive through December 21, 2009 » My 1972 Alembic « Previous Next »

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handsonsound
New
Username: handsonsound

Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 8:02 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 8:07 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 8:14 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 8:31 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 8:46 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 8:58 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 9:42 am:   Edit Post

Welcome to the board,
...can't wait to see pics.
handsonsound
New
Username: handsonsound

Post Number: 8
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 10:26 am:   Edit Post

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.72-15
artswork99
Senior Member
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 913
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 10:58 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 11:32 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 11:54 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 2:58 pm:   Edit Post

welcome handsonsound..nice funky guitar..hope you get the history of you instrument.
pace
Senior Member
Username: pace

Post Number: 465
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 3:13 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 3:15 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 3:26 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 4:24 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 5:16 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 5:45 pm:   Edit Post

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?

bass
handsonsound
Junior
Username: handsonsound

Post Number: 12
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 5:51 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 5:55 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 8:06 pm:   Edit Post

Blue Oyster Cult's "godzilla" was recorded with #12.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1782
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 12:20 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 3:18 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 3:27 am:   Edit Post

72-01 was a point body.
pace
Senior Member
Username: pace

Post Number: 468
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 7:09 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 7:30 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 10:51 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 1:37 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 2:32 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 - 3:18 pm:   Edit Post

I did not know that! (Godzilla recorded with #12)
COOL!
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 2508
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Thursday, November 26, 2009 - 4:32 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, November 29, 2009 - 6:58 pm:   Edit Post

Welcome to the board Will! Great guitar!!
serialnumber12
Senior Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 600
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, December 01, 2009 - 10:47 am:   Edit Post

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

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