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Alembic Club » Swap Shop and Wish Lists » Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere » Archive through August 17, 2009 » Alembic California Special on Ebay « Previous Next »

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jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1567
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, July 10, 2009 - 8:02 am:   Edit Post

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=160347735946&Category=2384&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D1


Jazzyvee
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8348
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, July 10, 2009 - 4:39 pm:   Edit Post

Very nice California Special!
57basstra
Senior Member
Username: 57basstra

Post Number: 1026
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Friday, July 10, 2009 - 5:05 pm:   Edit Post

Yes it is nice. Does anyone know anything about this one? (The last time I asked this question I was told "It has six strings and is made of wood.."

Other than the obvious. Does this belong to anyone here or does anyone know anything about the guitar or the seller?

Being someone who won, paid for and never received a Series I bass via eBay (from a seller in Toronto, Canada) I am somewhat cautious now; but I am interested.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8350
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, July 10, 2009 - 5:38 pm:   Edit Post

Glancing at feedback, it would appear that the seller purchased the guitar on Ebay three months ago from Chuck Levin's. The "specs" shown in the listing suggest that perhaps the seller isn't fully familiar with Alembic terminology, and is thus perhaps not a frequently participating member of this board.
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 750
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, July 10, 2009 - 6:51 pm:   Edit Post

I was taken one time from a seller in Canada,(Montreal)
for a '87 G&L ASAT. I even got contacted him a year later by phone...he said he'd send me the cash I was out from the deal...yeah right.

I decided to move forward and only buy from within the states. Luckily those type of experiences are in the minority...still it sure does sting when it happens.
Buying from established club members seems pretty comfortable.
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 3994
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Friday, July 10, 2009 - 7:18 pm:   Edit Post

I've been keeping an eye on this one too (on U.S. ebay where it's also listed), though with my newly purchased Hyak due to be delivered tomorrow, I'm most likely a spectator on this one. It's listed as being in the North S.F. Bay Area, so if anyone is serious about it and can make the arrangements, I can check it out in person.

Bill, tgo
57basstra
Senior Member
Username: 57basstra

Post Number: 1030
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Friday, July 10, 2009 - 9:08 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Bill, on behalf of all of us interested in this guitar.
Do not let me stand in anyone's way on this ax. Looks like a nice one.

(Message edited by 57basstra on July 10, 2009)
jx2638
Junior
Username: jx2638

Post Number: 39
Registered: 2-2008
Posted on Saturday, July 11, 2009 - 3:38 pm:   Edit Post

I believe I was following this same guitar back in late March on Craigslist OHIO. I saved an email exchange...RE: Alembic California Special Electric Guitar wcase - $1600.

After asking a few questions the seller disappeared. The guitar then went up on ebay.

Just a gut but I'd be very careful on a sight unseen purchase with this one.
bearistr1
New
Username: bearistr1

Post Number: 1
Registered: 7-2009
Posted on Monday, July 13, 2009 - 3:57 pm:   Edit Post

jx2638, there's nothing to be concerned about. It's my Calif.Spc. on eBay. The previous poster is correct: I'm not that familiar with "Alembic terminology."

I tried to represent the guitar as I know it to be. If anyone has any suggested changes to my listing I'm all ears (or eyes as the case may be).

In case anyone is wondering why I'm selling the guitar, I thought I'd give the Floyd Rose a try but it's just not for me. I play an old beat up tele, just as slab of wood with simple electronics. Maybe I'm too old to change my ways.

I've always been interested in Alembic because of the Grateful Dead connection and because they are located in my backyard. I've known guys that have worked there over the years and have been curious about their guitars which are obviously beautiful and sound incredible in the right hands; just not mine.

Thanks everyone.
57basstra
Senior Member
Username: 57basstra

Post Number: 1031
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Monday, July 13, 2009 - 4:07 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks for the info, Steve. Welcome to the Alembic Board. Nice looking guitar.
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 4003
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Monday, July 13, 2009 - 6:05 pm:   Edit Post

Steve:

Welcome to the club. I hear you about the Floyd Rose system. I'm NOT a fan. I especially dislike the locking nut - what happens if you break a string at a gig? As for your listing, the only suggestion I'd make is that your description of the pickups isn't quite accurate. They are neither a "humbucker" nor "single coils". Rather, both shapes are the same design: "humcanceling". Each is composed of a coil wrapped around a magnet and a "dummy" coil (no magnet). Alembic doesn't make humbuckers (double magnet/coil), and only puts single coils on Series instruments. Good luck with the auction.

Bill, the guitar one
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8365
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, July 13, 2009 - 6:30 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Steve, welcome to the board!

In addition to Bill's suggestions about the pickup description, I would add a slight change in the description of the top. I don't think it's accurate to describe it as "three piece". It's a "bookmatch". There are two pieces, one on each side of the neck.

Nice guitar!
bearistr1
New
Username: bearistr1

Post Number: 2
Registered: 7-2009
Posted on Monday, July 13, 2009 - 6:32 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Bill! I'll change the listing.

Nice to be a member.
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 518
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Monday, July 13, 2009 - 7:13 pm:   Edit Post

"I play an old beat up tele"

Cool - what year? I learned my first chords on a '66 Tele, & have yet to come across one built anytime from '59-'66 that I didn't love.

Peter
bearistr1
New
Username: bearistr1

Post Number: 3
Registered: 7-2009
Posted on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 - 7:17 am:   Edit Post

Peter, I have a '62 tele with '68 pups on it and a '68 Thinline. Great guitars, although nothing to look at compared to an Alembic.

Do most people on this forum own Alembics?
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8370
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 - 7:24 am:   Edit Post

Steve; most, but not all, of the people on this forum own one or more Alembics.
thoughtjewel
New
Username: thoughtjewel

Post Number: 1
Registered: 7-2009
Posted on Saturday, July 18, 2009 - 2:31 pm:   Edit Post

have had a long standing desire to have an alembic...can anyone tell me the strengths and weaknesses of this model and also what a reasonable amount to pay would be? greatly appreciate the help.
57basstra
Senior Member
Username: 57basstra

Post Number: 1035
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Saturday, July 18, 2009 - 3:24 pm:   Edit Post

Jon, Welcome to the Alembic Board.

Alembic guitars do not come up for sale nearly as often as do Alembic basses. The California Specials are among the most seldom seen for sale among the guitars.

This looks like a nice one. I will not hazard a "guesstimate" on price. Perhaps someone who has been following prices on these models closer than I will ring in.

Again, welcome aboard.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1579
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Sunday, July 19, 2009 - 8:49 am:   Edit Post

Yep I have never seen many used Alembic guitars up for sale as basses. I think over the years I've seen 3 or 4 California Specials up for sale but never seen a Spectrum. They seem to be rare indeed. Does anyone here have one?
I've seen a couple in the Archive with series electronics but not seen a standard one.

Jazzyvee

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