Author Topic: My 1972 Alembic (Read 428 times)

crobbins · « **Reply #15 on:** November 24, 2009, 04:24:31 PM »

Welcome to the club. I own this Alembic guitar as well.

http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/1819.html?1172366081

handsonsound · « **Reply #16 on:** November 24, 2009, 05:16:29 PM »

Good eye, Pace. Yes, those are indeed Neil Young stage props in the background of my photo.

dela217 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 24, 2009, 05:45:32 PM »

I own 72-16, the next one in line from yours! It's nice to see another one with that electronics package. I am sure that they were being constructed at the same time. Do you have the hammered brass plate on the back of yours? I wonder if mine is the first one with the batteries between the pickups?

handsonsound · « **Reply #18 on:** November 24, 2009, 05:51:00 PM »

I already knew that the guitar was made for Neil, but you folks have helped fill in the blanks as far as where it fits in with the history of Alembic (1st year, 15th made...one of a number of guitars that this list was looking for).

Neil doesn't know how it came to him. Given as a gift?
Made to order? Alembic gave it to him? This is unknown.

What I do know is that the guitar has seldom been played since the early 1970's and it has been carefully stored since that time.

Perhaps if there is someone who was with Alembic back in the 70's, they might remember the guitar and it's origins.

dela217 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 24, 2009, 05:55:05 PM »

I would LOVE to know who mine was made for. I've heard that it was once owned by the bassist for Willie Nelson. But, I don't know if he was the original owner or not.

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 24, 2009, 08:06:06 PM »

Blue Oyster Cult's godzilla was recorded with #12.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #21 on:** November 25, 2009, 12:20:12 AM »

I really like that alembic logo on the bottom of your bass Keavin. I don't recall seeing that on any other alembics. Its a really nice touch and I guess nowadays it could be mounted into the body and have a smooth to the touch feel.

Jazzyvee.

pace · « **Reply #22 on:** November 25, 2009, 03:18:51 AM »

Will,
As far as the lineage of Alembic body shapes goes, I'm guessing that what we refer to as the Wolf/Furthur shape AND the standard point (Mark King) shape were derived from #15. Does anyone here know of an earlier standard point?!? I had always guessed that Neil's Alembic was a small-standard shape (like Dela's #16 above), so for me this is quite a surprise!

-Mike

dela217 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 25, 2009, 03:27:47 AM »

72-01 was a point body.

pace · « **Reply #24 on:** November 25, 2009, 07:09:35 AM »

Yeah Mike, but weren't the horns were equal like Keavins #12, and McVie's first one?

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #25 on:** November 25, 2009, 07:30:29 AM »

So, Keavin, was Joe Bouchard the original owner?
Yes, 72-01 had symetrical upper bouts, but the Evolution of Body Shapes page starts First there was the Standard Point., so I guess 01 & 12 count.

Peter

(Message edited by cozmik_cowboy on November 25, 2009)

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 25, 2009, 10:51:03 AM »

yep Joe Bouchard was the original owner he used #12 as his studio bass & used his other alembic for gigs.

pace · « **Reply #27 on:** November 25, 2009, 01:37:08 PM »

I always think of 72-01, 72-12, McVie's, and 78-999 being their own unique shape~ whatever you want to call it.

I'm not trying to split hairs, but just trying to figure out where the offset treble horn w/ either a point or omega came into play. With all the scroll and peanut guitars in the low digits, so far #15 is the earliest example I've seen.

dluxe · « **Reply #28 on:** November 25, 2009, 02:32:48 PM »

That is cool to know Bouchard recorded Godzilla with that bass. I've always loved that tasty little solo he does on it. Their Some Enchanted Evening record has a photo of him with what looks like a Series 1 with Omega.

pauldo · « **Reply #29 on:** November 25, 2009, 03:18:35 PM »

I did not know that! (Godzilla recorded with #12)
COOL!