| Author | Message | ||
| lbpesq
Advanced Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 254 Registered: 7-2004 |
As some may have read, the World Guitar Show was in San Rafael (Marin County, between San Francisco and Alembicland) last weekend. Unfortunately there were no Alembics this time. Most shows have had a couple of basses and last July had two guitars. I did see a very unusual bass called the Spalt Wiper Bass. The pickup swings like a windshield wiper. I don't know how practicle this is in real life, but it looks cool. Have a gander:    Finding no Alembics, I turned my attention to all the other guitars and came home with two new family members. Though not Alembics, I suspect many on this site will enjoy checking out and appreciate some unusual instruments. So here goes: First up is a Valco National Westwood 77, made between '62 and '65. It has two humbuckers and a pickup built into the bridge saddle - long before anyone else figured to put an acoustic type pickup there. It originally sold for a little more than a Strat and is referred to as a "Map" guitar (along with the fiberglass Glenwoods) because the body is similar to a map of the continental United States.     Next up for your approval we have a Wechter Elite Pathmaker 12 string acoustic made in Paw Paw Michigan. Spruce top, Rosewood back and sides, Curly Maple binding, 5 piece walnut neck! The design of the peghead is based on an ancient lute:     Finally, here is my band's new drummer.  The guitar show comes back around this way in July. It would be a fun place for Bay Area Alembicians to get together. So, did you spot the Alembic? Bill, tgo | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 449 Registered: 6-2002 |
Now go and put that Spectrum properly in it's case! | ||
| lbpesq
Advanced Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 255 Registered: 7-2004 |
Adriaan: Close, but no cigar. the "ectrum" part is correct, but not the "Sp" part. Next. Bill, tgo | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 450 Registered: 6-2002 |
Oops, yes - so what does "el ectrum" mean in Spanish? Just kidding. | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 478 Registered: 7-2003 |
So Bill, drummers are pussies, eh? Hmmm, I would agree, but I'm afraid of anyone who beats on things with wooden or metal sticks for a living . . . | ||
| hollis
Senior Member Username: hollis Post Number: 595 Registered: 11-2003 |
Very cool stuff! So.... When're ya gonna order your custom neck through 5A maple top 3 pickup Wechter?.... Never mind Bill, it's just a small case of Further envy... | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 689 Registered: 11-2003 |
Bill is that the new Christmas kit? | ||
| lbpesq
Advanced Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 260 Registered: 7-2004 |
Sam: That's it! Very cool too. It comes with both regular heads and mesh heads that are silent but feel like real heads, and also comes with rubber pads to mute the cymbals. The whole thing fits in two bags. My wife has been messing around to Santana CDs while I'm at work. She doesn't really know what she's doing yet, but she's having fun. I just got her a beginning DVD. Bill, tgo | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 402 Registered: 1-2004 |
The fretless Spalt Wiper bass looks absolutely fabulous, must have something to do with the beautiful grain of the top, that can only be walnut IMHO. How much did that one go for, and who was selling it? Wilfred P.S. Wow, after exactly one year I've become a 'senior member' of the Club! Does this mean a extra discounts on any custom order or a free trip to Santa Rosa every year? LOL! | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 1223 Registered: 5-2002 |
Wilfred; senior members pay dues. | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 405 Registered: 1-2004 |
Darn! I knew it sounded too good to be true! If that's what you get for becoming a 'senior' before you're thirty, I'd almost quote a famous line from the lyrics to The Who's 'My Generation' (!) (almost... I'd love to stick around) Wilfred | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 406 Registered: 1-2004 |
The Spalt vViper (or Wiper) looks to be in Bubinga after all, so this wal-nut was wrong about its top being walnut. Shame on me! I assume it's the one for sale from Spalt basses directly, too bad I haven't got any new-bass-budget... :-( http://www.spaltbasses.com/forsale.html Wilfred |
