Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: alembician on January 07, 2010, 10:54:26 PM

Title: What year did the bird tailpiece begin?
Post by: alembician on January 07, 2010, 10:54:26 PM

When did Alembic transition from the rectangular tailpiece to the bird shape? It seems like it was sometime in '74. But I think I've seen pics of '73s that also had the bird TP. Can anyone help?
Thanks

Title: What year did the bird tailpiece begin?
Post by: lbpesq on January 08, 2010, 12:16:44 AM

Welcome to the club, Bob.  The wonderful Summary that member Flip put together shows 73-33 as being the first pictured with the bird tailpiece.  You can find the Summary  here (http://painandgrief.com/aaa/fcbasssite/alembic/10.htm).  
 
Bill, the guitar one

Title: What year did the bird tailpiece begin?
Post by: adriaan on January 08, 2010, 12:26:13 AM

The bird on #73-33 looks like it's a new piece: there's no wooden shim. Similar issue with #74-78: looks like there was a larger tailpiece on it before.
 
As it stands now, #74-84 would be the earliest one on the list. Or #74-A013, depending on the exact birthday.
 
(Message edited by adriaan on January 08, 2010)

Title: What year did the bird tailpiece begin?
Post by: lbpesq on January 08, 2010, 12:46:20 AM

Adriaan:
 
Sharp eye, my friend!  I do believe you are correct.  It's sure fun to cruise through the pics of all those old Alembics in search of the bird.  As Bogey described the bird in the Maltese Falcon,  It's the stuff that dreams are made of!
 
Bill, tgo

Title: What year did the bird tailpiece begin?
Post by: adriaan on January 08, 2010, 01:00:30 AM

Bill, you need to go to sleep to get the full Bogey experience. Mind you, I'm just starting my working day here in Europe.

Title: What year did the bird tailpiece begin?
Post by: alembician on January 08, 2010, 03:34:54 AM

Thanks for all the helpful info you good people!!

Title: What year did the bird tailpiece begin?
Post by: dwmark on January 10, 2010, 07:18:29 PM

I may be missing something, but my 74-56 has a bird, with what looks like a wood shim.
 
BTW, thanks for getting me to take it out of the case.  I don't play much 4, but it is the most magical bass I've ever picked up (my new 5 is the second, and will probably be an equal when it's older).
 
But enough about me.  Let's get the Mothership to weigh in on this.
 
dw