Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: sonofa_lembic on March 13, 2015, 08:17:12 AM

Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: sonofa_lembic on March 13, 2015, 08:17:12 AM: In all the years I have been associated with Alembic, I never remember seeing any headstocks with decal logos and unattractive cursive notation of the model on them. It is bad enough to see Stanley Clarke's scribble defacing a beautiful Alembic headstock, but this thing is just UUUUGGGGLLLLYYYY! Was this a Japan only headstock, or a very short lived experiment?

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/207435.jpg)

Just linin' up the pic

(Message edited by mica on March 13, 2015)
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: bassfingers on March 13, 2015, 08:25:58 AM: I feel sure Palembic(Paul The Bad One)would weigh in on this topic,God rest his soul.He wasn't a fan IIRC.
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: edwardofhuncote on March 13, 2015, 09:04:57 AM: I think that is a first-run Spoiler, circa 1982. IIRC, these were the only decal-ed Alembics ever, the decal was very soon abandoned in favor of a brass logo. FWIW, I like the detail within the decal logo, but must confess to favoring the brass over it... it just seems more... Alembic. I assume that was the consensus back then too, since they didn't last long.

*There was a rash of fake Alembics a while back with decals, but this one is legit.
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: mica on March 13, 2015, 09:20:06 AM: This is the real deal. Back when the Spoiler was first introduced and only available at Guitar Center (back when they had a handful of stores in Southern California) I'm pretty sure they retailed for $999. One of the ways to bring the price down was the decal, but it was met with about as much enthusiasm as you are expressing today, Trevor, so it was quickly remedied.
Bit of trivia: the word Spoiler on the decal is my mom's handwriting.
But if trivia II: you'll only find the decals on about 50 basses and they were all solid Koa.
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: sonicus on March 13, 2015, 09:43:09 AM: And here is one of them !

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/msg/4925270427.html (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/msg/4925270427.html)
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: sonicus on March 13, 2015, 09:57:57 AM: Mica , your Mom has nice handwriting !

(Message edited by sonicus on March 13, 2015)
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: hieronymous on March 13, 2015, 11:59:28 AM: As sonofa_lembic mentioned, the Stanley Clarke signature on early Signature basses was also a decal, though the logo wasn't a decal. There's one in this thread at basschat.co.uk (http://basschat.co.uk/topic/232154-alembic-stanley-clarke-signature-deluxe-sold/ target=_blank)

And I don't think a signature is necessarily a defacement, especially if it's on the back and the real thing:

(http://alembic.com/club/messages/393/207447.jpg)
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: hifiguy on March 13, 2015, 12:24:17 PM: I am with you, Edward. A decal on an Alembic just doesn't fit. Kinda like spinner rims on a Ferrari. The aesthetics, shall we say, clash.
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: sonofa_lembic on March 13, 2015, 12:41:50 PM: Mom's actual script? Did I say unattractive cursive writing? Uhhh I meant to say perfectly executed cursive writing. Sorry Mom. LOL.
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: FC Bass on March 13, 2015, 01:49:47 PM: There was one for sale in Holland some months ago, just missed it... :-(
Did get an amazing Orion 5 though :-)

Would love to get one of these.
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: edwardofhuncote on March 13, 2015, 02:17:49 PM: An original koa Spoiler (with a decal) sold on ebay week before last. It was a little rough but all there, and still fetched $1500, which according to Mica's recollection of $999 new price, means it has appreciated by 50% in 30-odd years. Woo-hoo!

Didn't know there were only fifty-some examples though. Cool 1980's Alembic trivia! =)
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on March 13, 2015, 07:51:03 PM: When I (oh, the shame of it) worked at GC in '83-'84 (one of two in Chicago - and one of maybe three outside CA) we had one of these on the floor. In fact, it was the first Alembic I ever laid my actual hands on (and it did, indeed, live up its billing & Spoil me for any lesser bass). List (GC didn't do tags then) was $1500.

Peter
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: edwin on March 16, 2015, 11:13:19 PM: I like signatures on headstocks, although I think I need to do something about the wear. It's the one thing that keeps me from considering getting the headstock replaced or rebuilt. Not that it needs it, although the plastic front is a bit shrunk.

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/207578.jpg)
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: lenminnj on March 18, 2015, 11:09:42 AM: I have one of these early koa Spoilers.

I'd like to have LEDs installed on the neck and the headstock decal replaced with the brass logo (the decal is peeling).

Could the factory do that for me? Any idea what it'd cost?
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: keith_h on March 18, 2015, 11:51:19 AM: Len, They have added LED's after the fact to other basses. The procedure as I recall requires replacement of the finger board so it is not a trivial process. As far as the logo, Alembic would have to have physical custody of the bass to do it. While most folks are honest there are some that aren't so they require this to prevent counterfeiting.

Keith
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: lenminnj on March 18, 2015, 12:03:23 PM: Here are some photos:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/207629.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/207630.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/207631.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/207632.jpg)
[edited for picture alignment] (Message edited by adriaan on March 23, 2015)
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: lenminnj on March 18, 2015, 01:17:57 PM: Thanks, Keith.

I've emailed the factory three or four times about changing the logo. While they've acknowledged receiving my request, they've never responded with a quotation nor even a follow-up question. That's been disappointing.

Maybe if I ask about adding the LEDs too they'll take it more seriously.
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: mica on March 18, 2015, 01:34:52 PM: Weird! I'm emailing you right now.

If you used my online form, I think that system needs to be fired and go back to regular ol' email!
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: keith_h on March 18, 2015, 01:36:31 PM: Len,
The best way to contact Alembic is to call them on the phone. I have always found them to be very helpful when called. I believe they are available for calls between 10 AM and 4 or 4:30 PM Pacific time. I have also found it can be hard to reach them around 12'ish to 2'ish due to folks being out for lunch.

Keith
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: lenminnj on March 18, 2015, 02:00:39 PM: By the way, Mica contacted me essentially immediately.

Thanks, Mica!
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: ploughman on March 22, 2015, 12:55:27 PM: Mica, We met about a decade ago (or more), and I mentioned the decal on my Spoiler, sr#82S2200, which I bought in 1982 at Guitar Center in SF. I have played and gig with her continuously since. I have other nice bases, but stick with the Spoiler because it is perfect in most every way and has its own voice. However, the decal always made me feel I had a "Cheap" version of an Alembic, even thought I still find few bases that can compare. I have done nothing to it in over 30 years. It does need a fret job as the first position is basically fretless now ;-) If there is some way to get an upgrade to a nicer logo, I certainly might, but being only 1 of 50 is kinda cool too. If I bring it up to Santa Rose, could you folks look at it?
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/207753.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/207754.jpg)
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: mica on March 23, 2015, 01:47:42 PM: Yeah we can take care of replacing the logo here. Email me and we can set up an appointment. You can choose from bronze or sterling silver. We only charge for the logo, no charge for installation.
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: tubeperson on March 23, 2015, 02:02:41 PM: Mica, if I come out there and pay for a logo, will you install it into my forehead at no additional charge?
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: zomnius on March 23, 2015, 02:10:06 PM: Oh man, don't !
Actually I think it is unique and part of history. I like it, just as the basstar side steps, becvar, alembicized guilds, or japanese things, or the beautiful fender like alembics for sale in london. They are a bit more unique (just like this one).. But those are my 2 cents. A new logo would certainly look good... but....
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: zomnius on March 23, 2015, 02:17:11 PM: it is like you have the only Fender with an original metal logo.
Kinda cool!
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: hieronymous on March 23, 2015, 07:27:34 PM: +1 on the decal - Alembic has done so many things over the years, to me the decal is cool. It's kind of like thinking that Spoilers are vastly inferior to Series instruments - nope, of course they are very different but Spoilers have their own thing going.

The logos have changed over the years too - the early ones have much less detail than the later ones, but have their own charm and history (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=3495). I think the decal looks like it could have appeared in Dragon Magazine in the '70s - appear in the sky in an episode of Wormy or something.
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: bigredbass on March 23, 2015, 09:42:53 PM: IF. . . it were me:

Change the keys to gold Schallers to go with the brass bits.

I'm sorry, but ALEMBICs ain't s'posed to have decals, my 'vintage trivia' DNA ain't that deep. Get a real brass logo installed . . . and IF she would be up for it, have Susan write 'Spoiler' in the approximate place in gold (then you'd improve on the decal) and have it finished over to keep it. That would be something to treasure.

But again, that's IF it were me . . . .

Joey
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: lbpesq on March 24, 2015, 09:54:49 AM: I'd keep it original. Here's another different logo from #10.

Bill, tgo
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/207792.jpg)
Title: When, Why, And How Did This Headstock Ever Happen?
Post by: Mike Monsalve on March 24, 2015, 12:13:07 PM: I have one of those Spoilers with the decal head stock, my first Alembic bass. A 1982 Spoiler, purchase at a Sunset Strip guitar store in Hollywood. I forget the name of that place.