| Author | Message | ||
| sjhoffma
Junior Username: sjhoffma Post Number: 38 Registered: 5-2008 |
Alright, so I hate to do this, but In order to finance my next custom guitar, I need to start gathering funds for quite a large down payment, and this is the only way I think I can do so. I got a 1977 Series 1 Long Scale guitar. It is in very good condition. The lacquer has expected checking as a result of its age, but other than that, this guitar has no issues what so ever. Everything is original, and it comes with the Power supply, cable, case, and the paperwork. The build list indicates that both Michael Dolan and Rick Turner worked on this guitar. I am the second owner of this Series 1, the original owner bought it at the Namm show back in 77, and its been in his hands since last year. Im trying to get $4000 for this guitar. Im going to see how many offers I get, and based on that, I'll see how low im willing to go as far as price. I wont let it go for any less than $3000, but the reason Im asking for $4000 is because I need to get enough to make my down payment, otherwise selling this guitar (which is as of now, my most cherished instrument) would be a complete waste, If i was unable to replace it with something that I could love equally. Anyway, I have a week or so to make up my mind about the custom guitar, so In the meantime anyone who is interested feel free to email me with any questions or comments you may have. I want to find someone who will truly appreciate this guitar like I have, I don't want it to go to just anyone, thats why I thought I would try selling it on the forum. Have a grateful day everyone! ;)    (Message edited by davehouck on November 19, 2008) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3338 Registered: 7-2004 |
Sam: Not to throw a wet blanket on your dream, but I'd strongly suggest you find a way to take a Further or Tribute for a test drive before you let this one go. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE Woody, my custom Further. It is definitely number one in my arsenal. However, as sweet as it is (and it is indeed sweet), it still doesn't sound like my '76 Series I medium scale guitar. The simple fact is that nothing sounds like a Series instrument, even another non-Series Alembic. The Further is a lot more comfortable, balances much better, is lighter, etc. But the Series is a Series. I'll always be bringing it out too. Analogizing to automobiles, my Further is a brand new Ferrari, while my Series is a '62 Jaguar XKE - a little clunky and eccentric compared to the modern car, but an icon nevertheless. If there's anyway you can swing keeping the Series, you won't regret it. Bill, tgo | ||
| sjhoffma
Junior Username: sjhoffma Post Number: 39 Registered: 5-2008 |
Bill, I do really want to keep my series, and I did just play a further and my series blows it completely out of the water. The custom guitar I plan on ordering is not going to be an Alembic however. I love the clean sound I get from my Alembic, and its the most crystal clear sound ive ever heard, but I still dont really have the ability to turn on some overdrive and straight tear it up. Living in Burlington, and being a huge phish head as well as a deadhead I went over to where Paul Langeudoc builds his guitars, and played his most recent model, which differs slightly from Treys guitar, but felt really nice to play. I played it through a 66 deluxe reverb into a bruno 4x12 with a modified tubescreamer, and it made me realize that I havnt been able to get that sort of tone with my Alembic, because how hot the pickups are. Dont get me wrong, I think Alembics are the most beautiful guitars Ive ever played, and I plan on owning many in my lifetime, but being a kid working a part time job, trying to finish college, I'm not in the financial situation where I can swing owning an Alembic, and being able to still afford another guitar, and I think the best choice for me as a musician is to go with the guitar thats going to suit the type of music I am playing with my band, and although my Alembic is like my best friend, I think the languedoc will fit my needs a little better. Someday in the future I plan on seeking out another 70's series 1, and designing and ordering my own Series guitar. I've already got some great Ideas, but as much as I hate to do this, Im defiantly not in a situation where the acquisition of another guitar will allow me to keep my series. Thank you for the kind words though Bill. I think every player's dream is to be able to keep buying guitars, without having to sell any of the ones you already know and love, but its hard given the price of good instruments today. I know you are looking out for me, and I greatly appreciate your advise. I love the Alembic community above any other! There are so many kind and caring people out there. | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 743 Registered: 8-2003 |
Sam, I e-mailed a link to your craigslist ad to a friend who lurks around this forum and fawns over my Alembic basses. He and I both live near Albany. Maybe you'll hear from him. | ||
| bluplirst
Junior Username: bluplirst Post Number: 32 Registered: 12-2004 |
Hi Sam, Don't sell it! You could get a guitar that plays and sounds as good as the Languedoc, for a fraction of the cost. Any quality hollow/semi-hollow with seymour duncan '59s (Hamer, Gibson, Heritage, etc) could get you the tone you're after. Another option is getting a less expensive alembic (it is possible) and swapping out the pickups for '59s or similar. This would make for a guitar with the ultimate alembic playability and the conventional overdrive tone. Trust me, it works. Dan | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3339 Registered: 7-2004 |
Sam: If an overdrive tone is what you're after, have you checked out the Seymour Duncan Twin Tube Classic? A GREAT pedal - replaced an AnalogMan silver-modded Tubescreamer on my pedal board. If that's not enough dirt for you, they also recently came out with the Twin Tube Mayhem. Here's a review of the Classic on youtube. As for the Alembic pickups being "too hot", have you tried turning down the gain on the internal trim pots? (This is starting to sound like an Alembic intervention ... lol!) If you do go ahead with the plan, please come back for a visit and post picks of the Languedoc. Bill, tgo | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 688 Registered: 12-2003 |
Sam: As far as OD/Distortion pedals an Alembics go, it's doable, just a bit of a pain in the ass if you're starting without any fingers pointing you in the right direction. Here are the ones I settled on after MUCH experimentation: 1. Nice tube overdrive: Fulltone OCD, Duncan Twin Tube. From my experience, the lead channel on the Twin Tube will not give balls to the wall distortion with Alembics, but I've gotten great lead tone playing some Black Crowes, Phish and Little Feat. 2. Cranked Marshall Distortion: Keeley Modded DS-1. Very Alembic friendly. Tried the Radial Hot British, Plexitube and Trimode. They sound great with my PAF and Dimarzio equipped guitars. Sound like shit with Alembics. 3. Fuzz: Frantone Sweet is quite Alembic friendly. Also, the Bixonic Expandora is a very versatile, Alembic friendly pedal that can go from subtle tube overdrive to full fuzz. I almost forgot...and don't laugh...but the nicest 70's rock lead tone I've found for my Alembics is from tweaking the EH Metal Muff. (Message edited by jalevinemd on October 27, 2008) | ||
| sjhoffma
Junior Username: sjhoffma Post Number: 40 Registered: 5-2008 |
I thank everyone for their input! It is truly what I love about this forum! Im going to try out some of the pedals that you guy recomended and see how that goes. I got a feeling though, that the hotness I get from my overdrive pedal is because the age of the guitars electronics. I emailed Alembic and asked what It would cost to put in up to date electronics, and they gave me a price estimate that was a little beyond what I could afford. I've played some newer alembics, and they dont seem to have as much fuzz/breaking up when you turn on the overdrive than the older models i've played. Im still thinking about the languedoc, only because Im starting to get into my phish phase again, seeing how the march shows are approaching. Im going to wait a while until I make a final decision. I would love to make my series 1, my main guitar, but I have a feeling that would involve a lot of work/ dedication to making it sound just right. Untill then, I am still taking offers, and exploring my possibilities. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3343 Registered: 7-2004 |
Sam: Doesn't turning down the gain trimpots resolve the "hotness" issue? Bill, tgo | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 689 Registered: 12-2003 |
I was thinking the same thing. | ||
| hydrargyrum
Advanced Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 379 Registered: 3-2004 |
I owned a Skylark, and simply put, adjusting the gain trimpots did nothing for my Zvex fuzz pedals, octavias, etc. I don't think it was simply a gain issue, but rather a difference in the impedance between a regular guitar signal, and an active buffered ciruit. This probably explains why tube based effects seem to do so well, since they rely on pushing a tube hard for their sound. | ||
| drjenney
Intermediate Member Username: drjenney Post Number: 113 Registered: 11-2004 |
Hmmm... I'd encourage you to consider swapping heads, not guitars. Get one [a tube!] with two channels and trim pots on each channel. The latter will help with any impedance matching problems you may be having. I'd go directly from the guitar to Channel 1. Use Chanel 2 as [or with] an effects loop. That works especially well especially if your head gives you the ability to blend the output from both channels. You'll keep that sweet, clear Alembic sound on Channel 1 and can muddy up the tone [sorry, my bias is showing] anyway you want on channel two. Good Luck! Dr. J | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3344 Registered: 7-2004 |
The Seymour Duncan Twin Tube Classic I discussed above basically does that - without all the extra connections and mickey mouse wiring. It essentially turns a single channel amp into a 3 channel amp. You set the amp for your desired clean tone. Then set the rhythm channel (gain and volume) for your distorted/muddy/metal/whatever-you-want-to-call-it tone, and the lead channel (separate gain and volume) for your lead tone. The only booger I'd pick with the pedal is that the rhythm and lead channels share the same bass/treble controls. Bill, tgo | ||
| sjhoffma
Junior Username: sjhoffma Post Number: 41 Registered: 5-2008 |
What do you guys recommend for a good amp head? as of now, ive been playing a 66 deluxe reverb into a bruno 4x12. I love the sound i get from it, but I was thinking of adding a preamp or something that might make my sound a little tighter. Any suggestions? How do Alembic preamps work for guitar rigs? | ||
| sjhoffma
Junior Username: sjhoffma Post Number: 42 Registered: 5-2008 |
Adjusting the gain pots on my series did help a little, but as hydrargyrum said, I dont think its simply a gain issue. However, I think the idea of having an amp with trim pots on each channel, or even a preamp, will help me adjust my sound to my liking. I just would like some feedback on how I should build my rig from some of you guys who have a little more experience with the alembic sound. | ||
| drjenney
Intermediate Member Username: drjenney Post Number: 114 Registered: 11-2004 |
Glad we could help! My experience is with Alembic basses. I have an Ampeg B15 Portaflex, modified with yellow jackets for Class "A" operation (very, very smooooth). I also use a solid state Class "A" Glockenklang Bass Art Classic preamp (well rounded, tight, ultra quiet, almost as smooth). I've also used an Alembic FX1 and found it good, but not as quiet as the Glockenklang, nor as smooth as the Portaflex. If you can afford it, I'd recommend a Class "A" tube amp. The guitarists among us will be able to recommend one better than I. Blessings, Dr. J | ||
| pace
Advanced Member Username: pace Post Number: 384 Registered: 4-2004 |
Get a couple of "Matchboxes" from Goodrich or Brad Sarno. One for each channel/pup of your series, or just one if you sum the outputs of your DS-5.... These will help you to better match the impedance coming from your series to WHATEVER pedal/amp/rig you decide to plug into.... pedal steel's best kept secret.... | ||
| pace
Advanced Member Username: pace Post Number: 385 Registered: 4-2004 |
http://www.sarnomusicsolutions.com/products/freeloader.html http://www.sarnomusicsolutions.com/products/sgbb.html | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3345 Registered: 7-2004 |
Sam: I've found that my Alembics generally like my Fender amps better than my Boogies. I been slowly playing around with a rack system for the last few months. I'm using an Alembic F2-B Stereo pre-amp (based on the Fender Dual Showman circuit) into a Mesa 50/50 power amp. In between I've got a Lexicon MX200 (using reverb only - thinking of replacing this with a Demeter Real Reverb), an Alembic SF-2 Superfilter, BBE Sonic Maximizer, and an ART PS 4X4 Rack Power Strip (better than the Furman). It goes to two 2x12 Earcandy cabs with JBL, hemp reconed JBL, and Tone Tubby speakers. By the way, one of my guitars is your's brother, a '77 Long Scale Series I 12 string. You can see it here. Bill, tgo | ||
| sjhoffma
Junior Username: sjhoffma Post Number: 43 Registered: 5-2008 |
Bill, what would you recommend as an additon to my deluxe reverb, an F2-B, or an SF-2? Or would I need to get a power amp for either of them. Ive never really experimented with racks, and I hear so many great things about alembic preamps, so what would be the best place to start, ive already got a nice cab, and my deluxe reverb ... how should i go about adding a preamp into that setup? | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3346 Registered: 7-2004 |
Sam: The F-1X (mono) and F-2B (stereo) are pre-amps. They should be used with a power amp. On some guitar amps you can use the effects in as a pre-amp in, essentially bypassing the pre-amp section and using the Alembic instead. I'd certainly check with a tech or someone knowledgeable about your particular amp before trying this. Personally, I think a power amp is the better way to go with either pre-amp. The SF-2 is another animal entirely. Think Series II electronics on steroids in a box. It is the ultimate tone shaping unit. It can be set as a pre-amp, IIRC at either 10db or 20db boost, or with no boost at all, but I wouldn't recommend using it as your only pre-amp. If you want to try moding your existing rig (deluxe reverb), I strongly suggest trying the SF-2 first. You can put it in the effects loop, (if you have one), and I've heard that the reverb out and in jacks can be use as an effects loop (again, you should verify before trying). Alternatively, you can put the SF-2 between the guitar and amp. My bass player puts one in front of his old Traynor amp. You might want to search around this site for discussions on how best to use the SF-2. There have been numerous threads on this in the past. Bill, tgo | ||
| hydrargyrum
Advanced Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 380 Registered: 3-2004 |
I run my SF-2 in mono between my guitar and amp. The results are incredible. It is by far the most versatile tone shaping device I have ever played with. | ||
| sjhoffma
Junior Username: sjhoffma Post Number: 44 Registered: 5-2008 |
Kevin, what guitar and amp are you using? and what sort of sounds are you getting out of it? i am thinking of running an SF-2 between my amp and guitar, atleast until I can afford both a power amp, and preamp, in addition to it. Mainly, I just want to shape my sound in ways my amp will not allow, by use of filters, etc. If you got some sound clips/samples of your rig, I would love to hear them! | ||
| sjhoffma
Junior Username: sjhoffma Post Number: 47 Registered: 5-2008 |
anyone got any alembic guitars they may be willing to part with for around 1500-2000? Im gonna try and get the sound I want without parting with my series, and staying with my favorite brand. Drop me an email if you do | ||
| hydrargyrum
Advanced Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 389 Registered: 3-2004 |
Hi Sam, My setup is incredibly simple, Giffin Custom guitar into SF-2, into mid-seventies Fender Pro-Reverb or Zvex Nano amp. I might throw in the occasional stompbox (fuzzes, Zvex seek wah, looper, etc.), but most of the time it is just Guitar, SF-2, and amp. As far as the tone, if you have never played around with an SF-2, then you are really missing out. I like to run it with one channel set for low pass, and the second set for High pass. I dial in a good low thump with the low pass, and then add sparkle to the sound with the high pass. These are blended with the bypass to form the final tone. The best thing about the SF-2 is how a small and subtle change in the settings can change the sound from being quacky, to muddy, to crystalline. It is the sort of effect that provides instant gratification, but which also allows for greater development and understanding over time. My ears have improved since I first bought mine. Someone once said that I wouldn't fully appreciate the adjustable Q for some time, and they were correct. I could go on and on about it, but I think you probably get the idea. Unfortunately, I don't have any good sound clips. I haven't played out since I bought mine a couple of years ago, and my recording equipment is currently in storage, as we are trying to sell our house at the moment. I occasionally see them pop up used on Ebay, usually in the range of about $500-$600, and while that isn't exactly cheap, the unit easily destroys any EQ I ever played with, and is just generally one of the most musical sounding ways of processing guitar I have ever come across. I know there are some other folks using them for guitar on here. Maybe someone has some clips. | ||
| new2alembic
Member Username: new2alembic Post Number: 88 Registered: 9-2008 |
Hello Sam: I see you are in the market for a bass as well. I read your other post. Are you still going to buy the custom guitar and bass? I know you are in the valley of decision right now. Good luck! Regards Carl | ||
| sjhoffma
Member Username: sjhoffma Post Number: 51 Registered: 5-2008 |
No, instead of the custom guitar, Im going to get a more inexpensive 6 string alembic guitar to tool around with as far as my overdriven sound. In addition, I am also in the market for an alembic bass to get some recording done with. Good luck on your search as well! |
