#10 on Craiglist

[dela217]

Bill,
 
That locking thingee that you are talking about is supposed to be the stereo/mono switch.  Also, those trim pots sticking up adjust the gain for the P5-1 preamps inside.  There is also probably 2 hum cancellers inside the instrument, one for each channel.
 
Great score!  My favorite Alembic electronics by the way.  They are passive, but definately interactive with each other.  I am still finding sounds on my 72 based on levels, tone settings and where my plucking hand is.  To me those instruments worked best in stereo through an F2B
 
Michael

[hieronymous]

Sounds like a really interesting piece of history there in your living room! CONGRATS!

[the_mule]

Cool! Congrats with a great purchase, Bill. Very interesting to see some of these instruments that were the spark that set the flame many aeons ago. Please post as many pictures as you wish, as soon as your hands have stopped trembling from the excitement!
 
Wilfred

[lbpesq]

Michael:
 
Thanks for the info on the stereo/mono switch.  I suspected that might be its purpose.  I'm a little confused, though, about your comment that these were passive.  Mine has a battery compartment for two 9 volts, like a Series I, and a 5-pin jack.  Doesn't this translate to active rather than passive?
 
Bill, tgo

[cozmik_cowboy]

I'm on the fence regarding restoration. I guess I've seen too many episodes of Antiques Roadshow
 
I used to watch it, too - then I saw their musical instrument expert date a Les Paul as a '53 because '52s had unbound fingerboards & '54s had humbuckers, and say the value was increased by the presence of the original package of LP & Princeton amp.  So don't base it them  .  My vote would be repair & clean, but don't restore; what the antique bike guys call rustoration.  And allow me to register my extreme envy - congrats.
Of course, you know we're all waiting for the family portrait.
 
Peter

[bsee]

I would have been shocked if this hadn't ended up with you, Bill. Congrats, and good luck!
 
Personally, I'd care for it without doing a restoration for that special mojo, unless leaving it as is would lead to deterioration. The electronics would be the hard part. How does one preserve the originals yet make it playable? I can't believe it would be easy to find period components to replace what's in there. The expense of replacing the whole lot to preserve the originals would be steep and might change the vibe as well.
 
I'm sure you'll consult with the family and make the best decisions, though. Again, best of luck with that special guitar!
 
-bob

[glocke]

congrats Bill...
 
I say at least go for an electronics restoration and getting the electronics working the way they should.

[lbpesq]

Getting the electronics in better order is a MUST ... I wanna play this thing!  Anyway, here's the "before" pics.  At some point, after a visit to Santa Rosa, "after" pics will be posted.  Bill, tgo  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  (Message edited by davehouck on September 19, 2009)

[keith_h]

That's a real one of a kind. Congrats on acquiring such a unique instrument. I look forward to seeing the restoration pic's.  
 
Keith

[lbpesq]

One more that I left out: the control panel.

[dela217]

Bill,
 
What I meant by passive is that there are no filters.  The 5-pin is to power the twin onboard preamps and to split the signal for stereo.  The controls work as they would on a passive instrument, just tone only.
 
Michael

[cozmik_cowboy]

Oh, man, that is just so incredibly hip!  But what's the design on what I assume is the battery cover?  And how's it applied? Sticker?  Enamel? Can we get a close-up of that?  
 
Peter

[David Houck]

Great pics!  And very interesting guitar!  I'm looking forward to hearing what Mica, Susan, and Ron have to say.

[chrisalembic]

so electronics update it will be... and will you let the mothership fix that big hole in the body too?? ;-) but seriously, what a great guitar that is!!

[cozmik_cowboy]

does anyone know of the first 10 Alembics, how many were basses and how many were guitars?  
 
Well, between Val's post in this thread and the evidence you just presented us with, it seems that 1 & 8 were basses & 2, 3, 6, & 10 were guitars.  Anyone know about 4, 5, 7, and/or 9?  Michael?  Mica?  
 
Peter  
 
ps - And by the way, what number became Wolf?