Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: lbpesq on January 12, 2005, 11:36:54 PM

Title: There really is an Alembic in this post - somewhere.
Post by: lbpesq on January 12, 2005, 11:36:54 PM
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:  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/15820.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/15821.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/15831.jpg)
  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.  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/15822.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/15823.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/15824.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/15825.jpg)
  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:  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/15826.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/15827.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/15828.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/15829.jpg)
  Finally, here is my band's new drummer.    
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/15830.jpg)
  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
Title: There really is an Alembic in this post - somewhere.
Post by: adriaan on January 12, 2005, 11:49:33 PM
Now go and put that Spectrum properly in it's case!
Title: There really is an Alembic in this post - somewhere.
Post by: lbpesq on January 12, 2005, 11:55:30 PM
Adriaan:
 
Close, but no cigar.  the ectrum part is correct, but not the Sp part.
 
Next.
 
Bill, tgo
Title: There really is an Alembic in this post - somewhere.
Post by: adriaan on January 12, 2005, 11:57:21 PM
Oops, yes - so what does el ectrum mean in Spanish? Just kidding.
Title: There really is an Alembic in this post - somewhere.
Post by: poor_nigel on January 13, 2005, 02:17:59 AM
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 . . .
Title: There really is an Alembic in this post - somewhere.
Post by: hollis on January 13, 2005, 11:19:13 AM
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...
Title: There really is an Alembic in this post - somewhere.
Post by: bracheen on January 13, 2005, 12:53:01 PM
Bill is that the new Christmas kit?
Title: There really is an Alembic in this post - somewhere.
Post by: lbpesq on January 13, 2005, 11:08:56 PM
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
Title: There really is an Alembic in this post - somewhere.
Post by: the_mule on January 14, 2005, 06:22:29 AM
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!
Title: There really is an Alembic in this post - somewhere.
Post by: David Houck on January 14, 2005, 06:45:36 AM
Wilfred; senior members pay dues.
Title: There really is an Alembic in this post - somewhere.
Post by: the_mule on January 14, 2005, 06:58:26 AM
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
Title: There really is an Alembic in this post - somewhere.
Post by: the_mule on January 14, 2005, 07:03:56 AM
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 (http://www.spaltbasses.com/forsale.html)
 
Wilfred