Author Topic: What model is this? (Read 811 times)

jorge_s · « **on:** February 26, 2006, 07:57:09 PM »

I can sort of make out an E in the serial number in the back of the headstock. Anniversary electronics?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-One-of-a-Kind-Hand-Crafted-Mahogany-and-Maple_W0QQitemZ7393976316QQcategoryZ2384QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

bsee · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2006, 08:06:21 PM »

E would be Electrum. I would have bought it outright a year ago, but now I am hoping to get it for less than the Buy Now price, but my $1000 bid didn't even hit reserve. I would go $1250, but I don't want to kill the Buy Now price if someone here really wants it. If you really want it, I suspect it is worth at least the buy now price and you should jump at it before it meets reserve. I believe this could easily go $1750 or more if left to the open market.

-bob

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2006, 06:22:55 AM »

It is indeed an Electrum, though with some upgrades. The maple lam isn't standard - most of these have the Mahogany body and a top wood only (mine's BEM). It also looks like there might be an electronics upgrade. I've seen these with several different set ups. There are three of these in the Showcase section - each different electronically. IIRC the last one of these on eBay, several months ago, went for over $2000! As for this one, I'd be a little concerned that none of the pictures gives a good clear view of the top. I'd definitely ask for more pics, but if you are in the market for an Electrum, the BIN price is quite good. By the way, contrary to the listing, a new Electrum today is more like $5,500, not the $3,500 claimed in the ad. Good luck Bob.

Bill, tgo

bsee · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2006, 07:54:19 AM »

Thanks, Bill. I am guessing that the electronics are vol/filter for each pickup and a selector switch, but it could be something different.

50/50 that I just buy it before the day is out. Serial number looks like 96E990#, can't tell if the last number is a 6, 8 or 0.

I asked about a pic of the top, a pic of the guitar in the open case to check fit since it looks non-original, and about shipping insurance. $65 seems a bit steep for uninsured ground, but maybe he's having it third-party boxed.

-bob

bsee · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2006, 02:03:40 PM »

He said he'd send pics and I told him I would buy it if there weren't any problems. A couple hours later it's sold. I guess I should have just jumped on it and trusted to PayPal and my credit card company if it wasn't as advertised.

mica · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2006, 04:06:46 PM »

We made a group of three of these Electrums for Mason Street Music in CT. The store is no more, but the guitars live on. I think the electronics are 2 vol 2 filter and a pickup selector swtich.

The owner had a couple of really nice Alembic guitars, and asked us to make these special Electrums. But notice, it's a set neck! Original Electrums were neck through. As I recall, there was a gorgeous Blue Moonburst one and an all black one (can't remember if it was opaque or transparent) with MS at the 12th fret.

bsee · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2006, 04:11:50 PM »

This one was called vermillion, not sure if it was. The top appeared to be a fairly dark brown and it looked like the finish had soaked in pretty well as the top had texture. I didn't see any really good photos, but it could have been an oiled finish to begin with. I suppose it matters little at this point since it is on the way to someone else. (Drat!!!)

lbpesq · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2006, 04:40:40 PM »

Bob:

I didn't originally notice that this was a set neck. IMHO you're better off waiting for a neck through.

Bill, tgo

bsee · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2006, 05:40:51 PM »

Trying to cheer me up, Bill? Value-wise, you are probably right that a neck through is worth more. However, I really like the Skylark's feel and tone so I think I would have been quite happy with the set neck version. I suspect the set-neck tone would be a little less bright with the mahogany figuring more in the tone and the maple less. My favorite guitar of all time was the prototype for the Les Paul Custom Lite. Everything about that guitar was wonderful. Unfortunately I had it for less than two years before it was stolen. As a serious musician, I am a bass player, so I don't need a tone that cuts through the band. I am more interested in that warm, mellow tone for solo playing. Heck, I have been thinking about getting one of those new FMT strats and calling it a day. I am just looking for versatile tone and an ebony board.

A couple hours ago I was really upset at myself (and whoever *stole* my guitar!), but I am at peace now. No big deal, another will come along and it will probably be exactly my style so that I don't have to think about it before pressing the button. Que sera...

I wonder who grabbed the guitar? Maybe we'll hear about it soon.

-bob

lbpesq · « **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2006, 06:05:59 PM »

Bob:

My preference for neck-thrus isn't about value, it's all about sustain. And, of course, I love the look of, as my wife calls them, racing stripes. But the sustain is key. I love Santana and I find that my neck-thrus tend to sustain significantly more than bolt-ons or set necks.

And there is always brother Paul, tbo's mantra: there will be another one, there will be another one,there will be another one, there will be another one, there will be another one, there will be another one,there will be another one, there will be another one ....

Bill, tgo

bigoldv8 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2006, 07:06:09 PM »

Hi fellas, I'm the culprit, a newbie.

Sorry Bob, I didn't know somebody else had their heart set on this particular guitar. Tell you what, I should have it by the end of the week. If I don't fall in love with it, I will sell it to you for the same price I paid, If you still want it then. I have never had an Alembic before, just have heard the praises. I jumped mainly because I thought it might be my only chance to find one at a price like that!! To be honest I have no business spending the money but guitars have been tickling my crazy bone lately. I didn't know this was a set neck model until I found this forum. My other electrics are through neck, so I may share Bill's opinion once I try it out. Anyway... hopefully no hard feelings...
-Michael

bsee · « **Reply #11 on:** February 27, 2006, 08:10:47 PM »

Hey there Michael, welcome to the family! No hard feelings at all. If the guitar is in good shape, you'll love it. I expect it to sound like a tighter/cleaner Les Paul with much better note definition. I certainly didn't have my heart set on it, though the thought of buying it grew on me. If you jumped at it on Sunday, I would have been thanking you for taking away the temptation. Oh, and I was only joking when I used the word stole above. I suppose I should have applied a smiley face if that wasn't obvious.

Bill, I understand where you're coming from, I feel the same way about basses. Since I don't play my guitars as seriously, I need only have the right feel not the world's best tone or sustain.

bigoldv8 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 27, 2006, 08:18:39 PM »

Thanks for the welcome, and believe me, I've been there before. Sometimes I'm relieved when someone keeps me from spending money, other times I'm ticked off that I didn't do get the item. Well I'm excited to try it out. I have a Rickenbacker 650A and a 78 Ibanez 2680 (Weir), should be an interesting comparison. I was looking to buy another vintage Ibanez too but had to put in a new garage door and water heater this week so that ate up half my budget. I will be sure to let you guys know how it turns out. The seller was right on it and has some good feedback for other guitars he's sold so I feel good about it. We'll see!

bsee · « **Reply #13 on:** February 27, 2006, 09:08:05 PM »

My biggest concerns were the case and ground shipping. That is not the original case and the seller told me that the guitar fit loosely unless some extra padding was added. I wanted to make sure he would buy insurance if I paid for it, and by the time I got an answer it was too late.

bob · « **Reply #14 on:** February 27, 2006, 09:35:47 PM »

(Sheesh, Bob, you didn't have to send him into a panic about shipping, after he made such a refreshingly warm and genuine entrance... but then again, I recall having some fun with aaarrrghboy on the same subject, a year or two back.)

Hi Michael, thanks for joining us. I checked your profile for age (not listed), thinking that with such a mature attitude you must be up there with many of us :-)

For what it's worth (approximately nothing), I have a new garage door on order, and had to replace my furnace last month - but I don't play those skinny string things anymore, so don't get me confused with the other Bob.

Hope things work out well, one way or another, all around.
-Bob