Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere => Topic started by: room037 on June 23, 2007, 02:45:04 AM

Title: Activator by Alembic Electronic systems ???
Post by: room037 on June 23, 2007, 02:45:04 AM

I found  this (http://page18.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w8273590) on Yahoo Auction in Japan.
It is replacement neck for stratocaster.
But it has the script Activator by Alembic Electronic systems.
I think it is fake.
 

(http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/41421.jpg)
 
 
Eiji

Title: Activator by Alembic Electronic systems ???
Post by: FC Bass on June 23, 2007, 03:02:17 AM

Wow!
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/41425.gif)
  Must... have... one...  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/41426.gif)

Title: Activator by Alembic Electronic systems ???
Post by: David Houck on June 23, 2007, 07:56:23 AM

I don't recall seeing anything like that on this forum.

Title: Activator by Alembic Electronic systems ???
Post by: pace on June 23, 2007, 10:23:29 PM

I wonder if this one originated from Texas....

Title: Activator by Alembic Electronic systems ???
Post by: olieoliver on June 24, 2007, 05:29:26 AM

I don't get it Mike.

Title: Activator by Alembic Electronic systems ???
Post by: 57basstra on June 24, 2007, 06:19:38 AM

I think there were some fake 'alembics'  (with bolt on necks) and fake alembic products that could have possibly been generated from the Lone Star State and/or the approximate vicinity your great State some time back ? as best as i can recollect. (I believe the allegations were that some of these items and instruments were showing up in pawn shops all over the south, including the Volunteer State. )
 
T for t'aint real Texas
T for t'aint legit Tenn.
 
(And states in between and on the sides, I think.)
 
drr
 
(Message edited by 57basstra on June 24, 2007)

Title: Activator by Alembic Electronic systems ???
Post by: David Houck on June 24, 2007, 06:55:43 AM

Olie; as David alluded to, there were a number of listings on Ebay, often posted by pawn shops, for Fender copies that had a decal on the headstock reading Alembic Elan.  These seemed to be originating in Texas, hence Mike's comment.  Mica was very aggressive in pursuing these fakes.  It's been a while since we've seen another listing of those Elans.
 
While it seems to me unlikely that this is genuine, there have been a couple of licensing deals in the past that we see evidence of from time to time in the used market.  It does seem possible that some company in Japan purchased a bunch of Activator electronics to put in their own basses and negotiated a licensing deal allowing them to use the name.  But since this is the first of these I've seen (or at least that I remember seeing), I think it unlikely.  Thus, I'm inclined to wait for Mica's input.

Title: Activator by Alembic Electronic systems ???
Post by: room037 on June 24, 2007, 07:49:52 AM

Hi dave,
 
I have never seen Fender type instruments under licensed in Japan.
Of course, many luthiers and makers used Activator system.
But there were not licensed except  these instruments (http://www8.plala.or.jp/alembic/a_japan02.jpg).
 
It seems like Pawnshop's Elan.
I don't ask where the seller get it. (If he got it in Texas...)
 
I am also waiting Mica's comment.
I will ask the seller, if Mica needs it.
 
Eiji

Title: Activator by Alembic Electronic systems ???
Post by: richbass939 on June 24, 2007, 12:15:39 PM

I wonder who would be drawn in by Alembic eletronics on a replacement neck anyway.  Maybe I'm missing something here, but I don't get it.
Rich

Title: Activator by Alembic Electronic systems ???
Post by: David Houck on June 24, 2007, 01:03:10 PM

Thanks Eiji!  Your knowledge of Alembic in Japan is much greater than mine, and I think you are probably right.
 
[edit: spelling]
 
(Message edited by davehouck on June 24, 2007)

Title: Activator by Alembic Electronic systems ???
Post by: mica on June 25, 2007, 04:14:46 PM

This is something I've never seen before. The typesetting is lifted from the Activator packaging we used in the 1980's. This is not a licensed product, and I'd be curious to learn who actually made it. Thanks for any details you can provide, Eiji.

Title: Activator by Alembic Electronic systems ???
Post by: room037 on June 26, 2007, 07:22:23 AM

Hi Mica,
 
I asked about it to the seller.
He got it as used guitar in Japan.
And he said the neck seems like  this (http://www.rokkomann.co.jp/FRISCO1.jpg).
Frisco brand was produced with Activator by Rokkomann that 80's distributor in Japan.
 
I don't know who applied Alembic logo on the head.
But I think, it was not produced as FAKE.
 
Thanks for your interests and replies.
 
Eiji