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Alembic Club » Swap Shop and Wish Lists » Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere » Archive 2006 » Archive through February 24, 2006 » California special.... « Previous Next »

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serialnumber12
Advanced Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 359
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 7:29 am:   Edit Post

http://cgi.ebay.com/ALEMBIC-CALIFORNIA-SPECIAL-SIX-STRING-GUITAR_W0QQitemZ7388428340QQcategoryZ2384QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 951
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 7:34 am:   Edit Post

This one is listed by the same seller from whom I just won the 1976 Series 1 guitar on eBay. Lots of positive feedback, responds quickly to email.

Bill, tgo
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 952
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 7:43 am:   Edit Post

sorry, double post

Bill, tgo

(Message edited by lbpesq on February 06, 2006)
jalevinemd
Advanced Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 324
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 9:49 am:   Edit Post

If the bidding doesn't go too high, I may toss my hat in and then send it to Santa Rosa for a refin and whatever else to make her look/play brand new.

Jonathan
hydrargyrum
Intermediate Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 175
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 2:26 pm:   Edit Post

double post, sorry

(Message edited by hydrargyrum on February 06, 2006)
hydrargyrum
Intermediate Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 176
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 2:27 pm:   Edit Post

Tempting, but I just can't tolerate fancy tremolos . . . Aside from not having spousal approval. . . I am kicking myself for not bidding on that squire strat with the alembic p/u's that sold recently.
jalevinemd
Advanced Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 326
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 8:25 pm:   Edit Post

I'm in, but I don't think this is going to happen for me. If I'm buying a used Alembic, it needs to look like it came out of Santa Rosa yesterday. I figure this guitar will need at least $1500 to accomplish that (refin, new pickup covers etc...) Considering I could probably get a new CS for $4500-4800, I need to be able to wrap this whole thing up for well under $3000 to feel like I've gotten a good deal (including the restoration work). That means it has to sell for no more than say $1300 on ebay, which isn't likely to happen. But, I'll keep my fingers crossed. Plus, what the seller calls nothing more than a finish crack near the headstock has me a little worried. I don't know...maybe I should just cut it loose.
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 1718
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 6:09 am:   Edit Post

I imagine one day that Floyd's and/or other locking wammy's will be back in style, but that day is not today. According to the blue book values I've seen lately, the value of Floyd-equipped (et al) guitars is at an all-time low.

While the Cali Special is, after all, an Alembic and is probably head-and-shoulders above just about anything else that ever wore a locking wang bar, I personally don't need another Floyd-equipped guitar. While I'm not sure the Cali has that "hair band" metal tone my Charvel/Jackson's have, I'm sure the quality and playability is superior with the Alembic (and the C/J's play pretty good with the slim satin neck, fat conical radius fb and jumbo frets).

At any rate, I'm with you Jonathan. If it's mint, it'd be nice to have an Alembic version for the collection, but it probably wouldn't be very useful to me. I've gotten too d*mn old to deal with Floyd's anymore. In this case, price is everything...if it goes cheap enough, so be it!

(Message edited by kmh364 on February 07, 2006)
jalevinemd
Advanced Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 328
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 6:27 am:   Edit Post

I'm just looking for one all purpose guitar to take out of the house and occasionally I like having a Floyd. At his point, I only have one other guitar with a FR on it and it's only 22 frets. I want one with 24. But, this isn't so important that I'm willing to move the Earth to make it happen, so I'll just let the chips fall where they may.

Jonathan
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 1719
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 6:45 am:   Edit Post

Well, any strat-style guitar with that s/s/h p/u configuration is about as "Swiss Army" as you can get, IMHO. Other than the dated looks (pointy inline headstock, shark-tooth inlays, blacked-out hardware, etc), those Charvels are as versatile as they come. Dealing with the locking vibrato is a real PITA, though. I used to think Fender-style fulcrum "tremolos" were craptastic (got two of those), and they are, but locking jobs are that and then some. I've gotten to the point that I don't lock 'em any more due to the constant tuning problems and those pesky bridege fine tuners. Having to cut the ball ends of the strings off to lock'em at the bridge end (I know you can string 'em backwards, but I don't like the look of the ball ends and the wraps at the machines) is a real PITA as well.

Just my $0.02 and is in no way a reflection on anybody else's taste/preferences.
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 1720
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 6:48 am:   Edit Post

H*ll, for the right price, I'd take the thing, Floyd and all. It IS an Alembic, after all. But to pay top dollar, or to order a new one when a Floyd is involved...tanks, but no tanks, LOL!

Cheers,

Kevin
jalevinemd
Advanced Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 331
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 9:11 am:   Edit Post

Im letting it go. I bid up to $1500. Figuring in all the work I'd want done, it's simply not worth it to me at this point. Oh well.
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 1731
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 5:44 am:   Edit Post

Wow! That thing went for $2400!
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 3209
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 6:11 am:   Edit Post

Yes, I was surprised as well. These don't come up very often, but when they have in the past, I don't remember them going for this much. But then I always thought they were a bit undervalued in the market.
jalevinemd
Advanced Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 332
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 7:12 am:   Edit Post

Plus, this one seemed to have a few issues. I'm still not sure what to make of that "crack" by the headstock.
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 976
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 7:24 am:   Edit Post

I was blown away when I checked out the final on this auction and saw that it went for only $107 less than the 1976 Series 1 I won from the same seller last week! (It's supposed to arive today - Yea!!!!!!). Does anyone know the MSRP for a California Special? It seems to have been overlooked on the site price list (... oh, the slings & arrows us guitar types must endure around here ... LOL)

Bill, tgo
ctjim
Junior
Username: ctjim

Post Number: 43
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 7:31 am:   Edit Post

Hi all, anyone know what these retail for? Perusing the product/price list no mention is made. Or, did I miss it? FWIW, thanks.
adriaan
Senior Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 761
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 7:45 am:   Edit Post

There is still a link to the California Special page on the Products page, but indeed it's not on the price list.

If you check the Spectrum page, and go to the options, it lists the California Special body shape and electronics as no-charge options.
ctjim
Junior
Username: ctjim

Post Number: 44
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 7:47 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Adriaan, simple solution I did'nt consider.
jalevinemd
Advanced Member
Username: jalevinemd

Post Number: 337
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 5:57 am:   Edit Post

Just give Alembic a call...they'll give you a price. Mica told me once, but I forgot.

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