Author Topic: Ineresting guitar at ebay (Read 260 times)

jorge_s · « **on:** June 02, 2004, 08:58:59 PM »

Check out this guitar.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=3728190480&rd=1
One piece maple neck? Bookmatched to center. Too bad about the original p/u.

bsee · « **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2004, 09:09:47 PM »

It looks lik a three piece neck, actually. You can see it in the pic of the back of the headstock.

Very sad about the pickups, I agree.

northlight · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2004, 10:18:57 PM »

I just enlarged the picture with the back of the headstock to see the serial number: 96E9892
According to the Alembic serial number guide, this would mean that we're looking at a 1996 Electrum... However, Electrum was only made in 1978-1985...

This is indeed an interesting piece... I wonder if it is an original Alembic...

valvil · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2004, 12:10:18 AM »

Definitely an Electrum. It was probably a custom order. The fact that an instrument may no longer be in regular production does not mean that we won't build it anymore if someone requests it.
I'm pretty sure it's a real one; I'll check that serial number tomorrow. I can't see the knobs very well...those may have been replaced as well, but I can't be certain.
Since the pickups have been swapped, I wonder what it looks like inside the cavity, if anything else has been changed. If anyone is tempted, I'd suggest asking for pictures of it.

Valentino

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2004, 05:46:44 AM »

Val, that was my thought too; with the knobs not looking right and the pickups having been replaced, I have to wonder about the electronics. It looks like the Duncans just slipped in without modification to the body, but a prospective buyer may want to make sure. I'm not well versed in guitar electronics packages; what would the controls be on an Alembic with four knobs and a toggle switch? With the Duncans, I found ironic the seller's statement there are no issues or problems with this item. It's a beautiful guitar. If someone decides to follow up, it will be interesting to see what needs to be restored.

keavin · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2004, 06:18:46 AM »

I wonder why would anyone would swapout those beautiful sounding alembic pickups?,but indeed a very beautiful instrument nevertheless!.

valvil · « **Reply #6 on:** June 04, 2004, 11:57:01 AM »

I checked the file and it's definitely one of our children. A set neck Electrum, the controls were 2 volumes, 2 filters and a 3 way toggle switch. The tuners have been changed, they were Alembic/Gotoh tuners originally.

Valentino