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Alembic Club » Swap Shop and Wish Lists » Archive through January 03, 2005 » Interesting "1971" Sieries 1 on e-bay - Is it real? « Previous Next »

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lbpesq
Intermediate Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 197
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Sunday, December 19, 2004 - 6:36 pm:   Edit Post

There is an allegedly 1971 "pre-serial numbers" Series 1 guitar on e-bay. The seller claims to have e-mailed Alembic where it was verified and appraised @ $10,000. I haven't heard that Alembic made non-serial number instruments in 1971, but then there's lots of things I haven't heard of.

here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=3770690024&rd=1

Perhaps Valentino or Susuan could give us the scoop on this one (Mica, as I understand it, is blissfully out of the loop for a few days).

Bill, tgo
davehouck
Senior Member
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 1106
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, December 19, 2004 - 9:57 pm:   Edit Post

I was staring at that earlier today. It's a nice looking guitar. The tuning pegs kinda don't look like they are lined up right. The nut doesn't appear to be brass. The bridge appears much newer than a '71. But the brown pickups look pretty early. Since there is no serial number, perhaps it was an employee's guitar.
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 533
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 5:23 am:   Edit Post

That cant be a 1971,that bridge is not a 71, and i dont think anything before my (old #12) looked newer than mine,plus alembic numbered everything from number 1 and up!but it is indeed an alembic but an employees project (probably).or maybe the seller doesnt know the serial no is on the top of the peghead.
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 595
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 5:54 am:   Edit Post

If there's no serial number, how does he know it's a '71?
dela217
Senior Member
Username: dela217

Post Number: 487
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 6:05 am:   Edit Post

Well, when I took a look at it, there are some things that don't make sense. First of all, it has PF6 electronics. The PF6 card was not around until 1974. Hmmm. If I were to guess on it's age, I would say that it was a 1974 and had it's dummy pickup replaced. I seem to remember that in 74 the dummy pickups had a screw in the middle of them holding them into the body. It could also be an early 75 too. If it were a 71, the logo on the headstock would be inlaid. The nut would be scalloped and the electronics would be much different. It would probably have clear pickups! But I don't think any instruments were made in 71 anyway.
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 534
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 6:13 am:   Edit Post

Yes the first four or five instruments were made in 71.(alembic#1)was indeed a 71.
lbpesq
Intermediate Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 198
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 6:52 am:   Edit Post

I would certainly wait for some confirmation from the Alembic elves before I would consider bidding on this guitar. One thing (among the others mentioned above) that has me concerned and a little suspicious are the poor quality photos - out of focus and covered with shadows. It's almost like the shadows were deliberate. I e-mailed the seller for info on electronics, history, and more photos. No response yet.

Bill, tgo
smichaels
Junior
Username: smichaels

Post Number: 35
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 12:21 pm:   Edit Post

If there's no serial number I would guess that this is an employee "shop night" creation.
valvil
Moderator
Username: valvil

Post Number: 603
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 3:30 pm:   Edit Post

I am pretty sure I did not communicate with the seller myself, although it sounds like he may have been in contact with Mica; I noticed the same things Michael did, the new logo, newer bridge, the card and so on. To me it looks more like a later 70's model that might have some non-original parts. That logo looks very 'modern' to me. Most shop-night instruments do not generally get a logo; if the employee wants to buy one to put on, he can, but most don't bother. Of course I have no idea if those were the same rules that were in effect during the 70's. Another possibility would be that the serial number has completely faded and can't be seen. Still, a nice instrument.

Valentino

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