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fishmanpa
New
Username: fishmanpa

Post Number: 8
Registered: 1-2013
Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2013 - 4:18 am:   Edit Post

I didn't recall the model name but it has to be an Electrum :-) ser#86E4159. I'm the original owner. Purchase at Zapf's in Philly in 86-87.

fishmanpa
New
Username: fishmanpa

Post Number: 9
Registered: 1-2013
Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2013 - 4:19 am:   Edit Post

fishmanpa
New
Username: fishmanpa

Post Number: 10
Registered: 1-2013
Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2013 - 4:21 am:   Edit Post

fishmanpa
Junior
Username: fishmanpa

Post Number: 11
Registered: 1-2013
Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2013 - 4:22 am:   Edit Post

tmoney61092
Senior Member
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 854
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2013 - 6:51 am:   Edit Post

That's actually one of the California Specials. Very gorgeous guitar! Don't see these very often

~Taylor
fishmanpa
Junior
Username: fishmanpa

Post Number: 12
Registered: 1-2013
Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2013 - 7:49 am:   Edit Post

Really?... cool! I'm waiting to hear what Mica has to say on it. I've not seen another like it.
jcdlc72
Advanced Member
Username: jcdlc72

Post Number: 212
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2013 - 8:19 am:   Edit Post

It's one of the guitars I dream about, a California Special. :-)

Does it make a California Special Dreaming? :P
fishmanpa
Junior
Username: fishmanpa

Post Number: 13
Registered: 1-2013
Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2013 - 8:21 am:   Edit Post

It's interesting as it doesn't have the "CS" in the serial#... I'd love to know what she's valued at these days.
tmoney61092
Senior Member
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 855
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2013 - 8:33 am:   Edit Post

well let me rephrase that, it has all the makings of California Special, same body and headstock shape, Kahler tremolo, but the electronics are that of an Electrum with 3 pickups, the only difference being the Electrums have the 5-way pickup selector, as seen here http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/15011.html?1155134366, and the California Specials have 3 on/off switches instead, seen here http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/56053.html?1224687699. So it could be designated as an Electrum based off the electronics in it.

~Taylor
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 5335
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2013 - 8:50 am:   Edit Post

The body seems to me to be a little different than a California Special. The horns are a little longer and curve in a bit more than on the Cali. Also, the lower bout seems a little narrower. Electrums came in both two and three pick-up configurations. My guess is that this is a custom bodied Electrum. I'm sure Mica will soon chime in with the definitive answer. Cool guitar - enjoy!

Bill, the guitar one
fishmanpa
Junior
Username: fishmanpa

Post Number: 15
Registered: 1-2013
Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2013 - 10:03 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Bill,

I've not seen another one like this anywhere. With the "E" in the serial# I think you're onto something.

Many years ago, I called Alembic to get an idea of value for an insurance rider. I believe it was Mica who I spoke with. I told her the serial number and she paused and then said "Ohhh, you have that one!" :-)
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 3014
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2013 - 2:46 pm:   Edit Post

If it were a bass, the body shape would be called a Vector. California Specials would appear to have skinnier horns. Nice one, whichever way you want to name it.

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