Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Showcase => Electrum Guitars => Topic started by: fishmanpa on January 31, 2013, 04:18:49 AM

Title: 1986 ser#86E4159
Post by: fishmanpa on January 31, 2013, 04:18:49 AM

I didn't recall the model name but it has to be an Electrum  ser#86E4159. I'm the original owner. Purchase at Zapf's in Philly in 86-87.
 

Title: 1986 ser#86E4159
Post by: fishmanpa on January 31, 2013, 04:19:57 AM

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/149105.jpg)

Title: 1986 ser#86E4159
Post by: fishmanpa on January 31, 2013, 04:21:21 AM

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/149108.jpg)

Title: 1986 ser#86E4159
Post by: fishmanpa on January 31, 2013, 04:22:30 AM

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/149111.jpg)

Title: 1986 ser#86E4159
Post by: tmoney61092 on January 31, 2013, 06:51:21 AM

That's actually one of the California Specials. Very gorgeous guitar! Don't see these very often
 
~Taylor

Title: 1986 ser#86E4159
Post by: fishmanpa on January 31, 2013, 07:49:10 AM

Really?... cool! I'm waiting to hear what Mica has to say on it. I've not seen another like it.

Title: 1986 ser#86E4159
Post by: JuancarlinBass on January 31, 2013, 08:19:08 AM

It's one of the guitars I dream about, a California Special.  
 
Does it make a California Special Dreaming? :P

Title: 1986 ser#86E4159
Post by: fishmanpa on January 31, 2013, 08:21:00 AM

It's interesting as it doesn't have the CS in the serial#... I'd love to know what she's valued at these days.

Title: 1986 ser#86E4159
Post by: tmoney61092 on January 31, 2013, 08:33:04 AM

well let me rephrase that, it has all the makings of California Special, same body and headstock shape, Kahler tremolo, but the electronics are that of an Electrum with 3 pickups, the only difference being the Electrums have the 5-way pickup selector, as seen here http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/15011.html?1155134366 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=9004), and the California Specials have 3 on/off switches instead, seen here http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/56053.html?1224687699 (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/56053.html?1224687699 target=_top). So it could be designated as an Electrum based off the electronics in it.  
 
~Taylor

Title: 1986 ser#86E4159
Post by: lbpesq on January 31, 2013, 08:50:04 AM

The body seems to me to be a little different than a California Special.  The horns are a little longer and curve in a bit more than on the Cali.  Also, the lower bout seems a little narrower.  Electrums came in both two and three pick-up configurations.  My guess is that this is a custom bodied Electrum.  I'm sure Mica will soon chime in with the definitive answer.  Cool guitar - enjoy!
 
Bill, the guitar one

Title: 1986 ser#86E4159
Post by: fishmanpa on January 31, 2013, 10:03:17 AM

Thanks Bill,
 
I've not seen another one like this anywhere. With the E in the serial# I think you're onto something.  
 
Many years ago, I called Alembic to get an idea of value for an insurance rider. I believe it was Mica who I spoke with. I told her the serial number and she paused and then said Ohhh, you have that one!

Title: 1986 ser#86E4159
Post by: adriaan on January 31, 2013, 02:46:44 PM

If it were a bass, the body shape would be called a Vector. California Specials would appear to have skinnier horns. Nice one, whichever way you want to name it.