Author Topic: Did Santana ever play Alembics? (Read 485 times)

zappahead · « **on:** May 02, 2003, 12:28:09 PM »

Trying to settle an argument here. I swear I read someplace, probably on this site, that Carlos did use Alembic guitars at one point.

To me it sounds very feasable considering the Dead and his relationship and Alembics relationship with the Dead as well.

Interestingly, the subject came up after seeing this very fraudulent looking ebay auction.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2527954153&category=33039

dutch358 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 02, 2003, 01:18:20 PM »

PRS Guitars look very similar to some Alembic models. Maybe that is where the rumor started.Carlos also sits in /jams with about anyone who is any good. I would not be surrprised if during the Jazz period people in the band used Alembic. What does Mica think?

dela217 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 02, 2003, 01:19:35 PM »

Yep. I think Alembic made more than one guitar for him too. I have heard of one that he has that has butterfly wings inlaid in the guitar. Never seen it though. I purchased an early Alembic bass a few years back. The person I got the bass from was telling me of all sorts of Alembic gear stored in the old Santana warehouse. Rack gear, pa stuff, etc..

That person who wrote up that ebay auction could have been a little less vague in the description. I would have loved a link to a pic at least.

dutch358 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 02, 2003, 01:26:35 PM »

That auction seller must be Carlos' long lost Bulgarian cousin, Vlad Santanala. I don't think I would risk $275,000 Turkish Lira ($1.02) on it being legit.

zappahead · « **Reply #4 on:** May 02, 2003, 01:51:09 PM »

I found this while scavenging through this site today:

You have heard Alembic guitars on recordings from Donovan, Santana, Jerry Garcia, Steve Miller, along with many others

Was in the Orion guitar section. I wonder what recordings he used it on?

He also played with Stanly Clarke at one time didnt he? I think between Clarke and the Dead, theres a pretty strong possibility that he has owned Alembics and maybe even worked with them like the Dead did at one time. I know Garcia and Santana were friends and admirers of one another so I can see Jerry showing Santana his guitars and like most of us after seeing one, you want one.

billy_v · « **Reply #5 on:** May 02, 2003, 02:00:38 PM »

Donovan?? ;>)

bigredbass · « **Reply #6 on:** May 02, 2003, 09:55:59 PM »

billyV:

Yeah, Donovan . . . straight from the Summer of Love via the UK. 'Sunshine Superman', 'GooGooBarabajagal', and (with Jeff Beck (!) on lead) 'Atlantis'.

My gosh, I feel so old . . .

J o e y

alembic76407 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 03, 2003, 05:38:04 AM »

I saw Donovan in the late 70s he was opening for Yes and he(Donovan) played a Series 1 Electric 12 string all night, and did put on a great show. (I think)at least what I can remember of it, but I'm sure I was there I still have the ticket stub.

beatlejuice · « **Reply #8 on:** May 03, 2003, 01:49:48 PM »

Joey,

Don't forget about Hurdy Gurdy Man with John Paul Jones on bass.

Bill

thebass · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2003, 07:50:11 AM »

Obviously the guitar was not sold and has been reposted to ebay. In case somebody has missed the auction and wants to save $175.000 here you go:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2530366300&category=2384

mica · « **Reply #10 on:** May 12, 2003, 08:20:33 AM »

We made several guitars for Santana, including the butterfly winged one dela referred to. We made a replica of one with lots of inlays for a store in Japan (who also bought a replica of Jonsey's Tree of Life bass). Sadly, we weren't very good at taking pictures in the early seventies, so I'll join Michael's lament about the lack of photos in the listing. It's going to be a hard sell without photos, I think.

I saw Donovan at a small club in Cotati when I was in high school. It was a great show, and he played my favorite song of his with a nearly half hour introduction about how the song came about, it was wonderful. He still has that 12-string, but I'm not sure if he still has the 6-strings we made him.