Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Showcase => Series I Basses and Guitars => Topic started by: flavofive on March 07, 2023, 03:32:15 PM

Title: 1980 Series I Long-Scale Guitar (Omega body) 80-1532
Post by: flavofive on March 07, 2023, 03:32:15 PM

I'm extremely pleased to say that I am the new owner of this guitar!
Photos from the Reverb listing:

(https://i.ibb.co/Ks4TfSL/ae5wayoyn62e0y13gpqi-Cropped-small.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/F5nK2kX/jeafa7f9f004iyhjc9is-small.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/vxMsPqv/drxtm7njshukwdq6gthn-small.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/LpSKYXT/n4xkp6lcxatjlc34xyeb-small.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/Xx27b0V/u391iutok5rh7dbs6i0a-small.jpg)

From the original build sheet, still in the case:
- Series I
- Top:  Walnut
- Back:  Walnut
- Core:  Mahogany
- Neck:  Maple and Purpleheart
- Fingerboard:  Ebony
- Veneers:  Walnut
- Tuners:  Schaller
- Inlays:  Mother of Pearl
- Scale Length:  Build sheet says 30-3/4" like a short-scale bass, but this seems to be an obvious typo.  The scale length is definitely 25-1/2".
- Alembic Electronics:  PF-6
- Completion Date:  2/14/80 (V-Day  :) )

I've been searching for an omega body long-scale (25.5") Series guitar for over 20 years.  When I was 17, I got my first bootleg concert video of Parliament/Funkadelic in 1978 on VHS (remember those?) and the moment I saw Mike Hampton's omega Alembic guitar, I completely fell in love with it, before I even knew of Alembic as a company.  But when I seriously started looking for one in my 20s, I soon realized that I had set my sights on a VERY rare, very specific custom guitar - naturally  ::) . (*)

In that 20 years, I've only seen 1 other one come up for sale.  So this was a real heartstopper when finally I saw this one in excellent condition - thanks again to fivestringdan here in the Club for pointing out the listing.  SO glad I was finally able to snag one!

(*) It would be interesting to know how many guitars in this style Alembic has ever made - I have searched this forum, online ads, etc., for years in my "hunt", and I am only aware of 13, plus an unofficial "shop night" one.  The majority seem to be from 1976-77.

Title: Re: 1980 Series I Long-Scale Guitar (Omega body) 80-1532
Post by: KR on March 07, 2023, 03:39:27 PM

Very nice. Early omega instruments are very hard to find.

Title: Re: 1980 Series I Long-Scale Guitar (Omega body) 80-1532
Post by: lbpesq on March 07, 2023, 04:27:55 PM

That sure is a pretty one!  Play it in good health.

Bill, tgo

Title: Re: 1980 Series I Long-Scale Guitar (Omega body) 80-1532
Post by: pauldo on March 07, 2023, 04:54:09 PM

Very pretty.

Title: Re: 1980 Series I Long-Scale Guitar (Omega body) 80-1532
Post by: edwardofhuncote on March 07, 2023, 04:59:40 PM

Congratulations & Compliments!

Title: Re: 1980 Series I Long-Scale Guitar (Omega body) 80-1532
Post by: rv_bass on March 07, 2023, 05:40:19 PM

That’s a real nice guitar, congratulations on your find and not giving up on it, play it loud and often!  :)

Title: Re: 1980 Series I Long-Scale Guitar (Omega body) 80-1532
Post by: flavofive on March 08, 2023, 08:54:31 AM

Many thanks everyone for the kind words!!  Cheers