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dekazman
New
Username: dekazman

Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2008 - 9:25 am:   Edit Post

This guitar was left to me by a friend. He got it in the late 70's at a Pawnshop in San Francisco. I was just hoping you could give me some background on the instrument.
Pic of guitar



(Message edited by davehouck on August 08, 2008)
artswork99
Senior Member
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 412
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2008 - 10:28 am:   Edit Post

Welcome to the club David! Beautiful guitar, do you have any other pictures? According to a quote (included below) from this thread the guitar sits among serial numbers with lots of Alembic history. I'd be interested in seeing the specifications that may be on file. Please be patient while waiting for this information from Alembic. Mica, whom tries to fulfill all of these requests, has been out of the office and returns tomorrow August 6.

What I can tell you from the serial number is that Alembic manufactured this guitar in 1975 and #18 would be their 18th instrument produced.

Quote: "according to the original work order board from those times (which we still have) #2 was made for Bob Weir, #3 was made for Jerry Garcia & so were #13 & #25. Garcia was also owner of #6 for a while then he damaged it and traded it in for a new one. Phil Lesh had #8, Mickey Hart #19. Stanley had #14 , Neil Young had #15 & John McVie had #27. Of course #1 was Casady's and so was #17."

Play it Healthy!
Art

(Message edited by artswork99 on August 05, 2008)
dela217
Senior Member
Username: dela217

Post Number: 906
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2008 - 7:27 pm:   Edit Post

That guitar's serial number is 75-o18. That is an alpha O in the serial number and not a zero. I've seen pics of this guitar before somewhere and remember hearing that the pick guard made for that guitar was made by Bruce BecVar.

From what I understand the O was in the serial numbers in some instruments made from 74 through 76. I have tried to figure out the puzzle of the O but with no luck. I personally have owned 74-o13, 75-o49, and 76-o62. It may have meant it was a specific export or something. I questioned someone at Alembic about it (I don't remember who it was, but perhaps John Prock) and they could not find out anything about the O.

The guitar was made in 1975 but it was not the 18th made. In 1975 they had already made well over 200 instruments.

(Message edited by dela217 on August 05, 2008)
dekazman
New
Username: dekazman

Post Number: 3
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2008 - 8:22 pm:   Edit Post

I'm happy to post more pix. Dela217 - I'm pretty sure you saw the pix on a Yahoo Alembic site a few years ago. I have since been unable to find that site - I think it went away. But I did post a request for info there and posted the pictures. I contacted Rick Turner and he thought that was a BecVar pickgaurd, too . . . so I guess it probably is. Thanks for any info you can send my way. Best Regards. Kazman
more 75  o18 pix






(Message edited by davehouck on August 08, 2008)
artswork99
Senior Member
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 413
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2008 - 9:46 pm:   Edit Post

Very nice pictures of the guitar. Thanks Kazman!

Interesting Michael, I look foward to seeing what Mica is able to report.
cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 343
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Wednesday, August 06, 2008 - 6:57 am:   Edit Post

Beautiful guitar, David; please accept my condolances on the loss of your friend, my congratulations on acquiring such a sweet instrument, my extreme envy on the latter, and my welcome to the board.
I wondered about the '75/18 thing, but don't know nearly enough to comment on it - thanks, Michael. With all you know about vintage Alembics, you really should write a book, dude! I know I'd buy it.

Peter
barryr1
Junior
Username: barryr1

Post Number: 42
Registered: 10-2007
Posted on Wednesday, August 06, 2008 - 6:14 pm:   Edit Post

WOW!!
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 554
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, August 07, 2008 - 7:20 am:   Edit Post

dekazman..you have a unique piece of Alembic history there and a lovely guitar.
Hope it holds many happy memories.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 6872
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, August 08, 2008 - 9:07 pm:   Edit Post

Wow! Very nice!!
admin
Board Administrator
Username: admin

Post Number: 35
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, April 17, 2009 - 8:51 pm:   Edit Post

I've looked, and I don't see any files for O18. I do keep track of unfound files, and if I ever locate yours, I'll notify you. So please keep you email address in your profile current so I'll know where to contact you.

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