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Alembic Club » Miscellaneous » Archive through April 21, 2014 » Anyone have an Alembic 12-string guitar (not bass)? « Previous Next »

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mavnet
Junior
Username: mavnet

Post Number: 24
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Tuesday, February 04, 2014 - 8:06 pm:   Edit Post

Once I recover from the 2 guitars Alembic's making for me now - a Darling and a series custom Baritone - (shipping any day now, according to the latest rumors), I'm thinking of getting a 12-string guitar made. Does anyone here have one? If so, what do you think? Tone, feel, etc? Thanks! Mark.
hammer
Senior Member
Username: hammer

Post Number: 453
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2014 - 7:02 am:   Edit Post

Mark:

In what state did you win the lottery? (haha)

I've had a custom bass and a guitar made for me over the past 5-years and it's set me back enough to focus on the message contained within a local advertisement for exercise equipment when I buy Alembic that goes something like..."why buy new when used with do?"
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3848
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2014 - 8:34 am:   Edit Post

One of our members here Bill, tgo may be able to enlighten you about 12 string alembics.
http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/38530.html?1385164711

Jazzyvee
mavnet
Junior
Username: mavnet

Post Number: 25
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2014 - 9:51 am:   Edit Post

No lottery. Well, sort of. I had a 335 12-string that belonged to Robby Krieger (Doors guitarist) - you can hear it on the opening to Love Her Madly, that I'd gotten from Robby a zillion years ago when we did some work together on a few albums. Retrofret (vintage guitars in Brooklyn) was able to sell it for enough to finance 2 Alembics. That's kind of winning the used equipment lottery, I guess.

So my Alembic family will be 2 custom basses (fretted and fretless) from '77, a Bari guitar and a 6-string guitar from '13, and I'm considering a 12 for '14 just to round it out. Have to figure out which of my non-Alembics to sell to help finance it :-)
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 5645
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2014 - 11:55 am:   Edit Post

As Jazzyvee noted, I have the '77 Series I 12 string in the above-referenced thread. Love it. So, what do you want to know?

Bill, tgo
mavnet
Junior
Username: mavnet

Post Number: 26
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2014 - 6:00 pm:   Edit Post

It's a beaut! I think the main thing I'm wondering is about the sound, if you're finding that it fits into those kinds of songs where if you had a Rick you'd use one, things like that or is it in a different class. It's Alembic, so I'm sure it's a very clean, clear, hi fidelity sound, vs a jangly "pickup is doing some of the overdrive" sound - how does that work for you?
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 5647
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, February 05, 2014 - 9:51 pm:   Edit Post

First of all, nothing sounds like a Ric. I had a 360/12 in fireglo. Added a real 12 saddle upgrade bridge from Ed Roman. Drop dead gorgeous guitar. But the neck was no wider than the six string. I could do chords, but not clean arpeggios. The Alembic plays as easy as any 12 string I've ever played. Being that it has Series electronics, the range of tones is impressive. I use it on a couple of songs with my band - The Youngbloods' "Darkness Darkness"; Julie Miller's "Out In The Rain". Almost like a chorus effect, but much more organic.

Bill, tgo
mavnet
Junior
Username: mavnet

Post Number: 27
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Thursday, February 06, 2014 - 3:42 pm:   Edit Post

I agree re: the neck - the 335-12 that I sold was like that, too tight to do much other than chords, at least for me (Krieger has skinny fingers, mine are happier on a bass). Good to hear that you love this thing. Now to start scheming and figure out what i won't miss if i sell it... Thanks!

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