Author Topic: Here's an oddity (Read 483 times)

hydrargyrum · « **on:** April 05, 2005, 09:03:46 AM »

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7313214096&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Don't see these very often.

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2005, 10:08:28 AM »

At first I thought Wow! $2K for an Alembic guitar with a graphite neck?? then I saw that it's a Modulus/Alembic. It has EMG's, and I'm almost positive it does NOT have Alembic electronics. If I remember correctly, the Alembic part of this name is little more than a licensing agreement.

Still looks like a great guitar, but not the 'rare custom Alembic' that it is porported to be in the auction description. And I'm pretty positive that it was NOT 'custom built by the luthiers at Alembic Guitar,' but rather by Modulus.

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #2 on:** April 05, 2005, 11:27:40 AM »

Interesting. I heard somewhere that Alembic used bartolini's for a brief period in the early days. Is there any truth to that?

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** April 05, 2005, 01:34:56 PM »

The seller bought it on e-bay 2 weeks ago for $790.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7310529948&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Bill, tgo

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 05, 2005, 01:47:15 PM »

Nice catch, Bill! That looks like grounds for one of my super-friendly emails to see if maybe he'll consider revising the new listing. Any bets on whether or not he'll drop the price? Methinks not!

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2005, 02:48:51 PM »

Wow, you can't blame the guy for trying, can you. Nice one Bill.

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** April 05, 2005, 04:07:21 PM »

Actually I found it researching the market value. I am in discussions with the guy about a trade. I have two Bond Electraglides and am considering trading one for the Modulus/Alembic - one weirdo axe for another.

Bill, tgo

lbpesq · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2005, 07:54:07 AM »

It's funny (or ironic) that while another thread on this site is discussing the value (or lack thereof) of used Alembic instruments, this guy buys a Modulus on e-bay for $790, and then, 2 weeks later, lists it as Modulus Alembic and sells it for $1999!

Bill, tgo

zappahead · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2005, 07:59:56 AM »

The guitars do seem to hold their value quite a bit better than the basses. Supply v demand Id say. You can always find numerous used alembic basses for sale on ebay or bass sites. You can rarely find used alembic guitars on ebay or anyplace else for that matter.

The black knife modulus guitars have pretty solid resale values, the guy originally buying it for 799 was an absolute steal. I think hes a jerk off for turning around and selling it for as much as he did, but its his right to be one I suppose.

staemius · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2005, 09:58:06 AM »

Wow - that's a really interesting guitar. Say Bill, can you say a little about the play and sound of your Electraglide - the 'frets' are stepped right? Very cool guitar.

lbpesq · « **Reply #10 on:** April 07, 2005, 10:34:49 AM »

Yes, the Bond is very cool. The most unusual and unique guitar I have ever had in my hands. About 1400 manufactured in Scotland in '84 & '85. Made of carbon fiber, or graphite, or plastic (? - I've seen a claim for each) the axe is essentially two pieces - the main body and neck, and a back plate that screws off to get inside to the electronics.

The neck is the most unusual aspect. There are no frets. Instead there are steps which are kind of like roofing shingles. The action is incredible - this is the easiest guitar to play that I have ever held. It takes some getting used to (I'm still in the process) and feels almost like playing fretless. One problem is that there are no side markers. Absent those and without fret ends to eyeball, you have to be VERY attentive when playing standing up. If I wind up incorporating the Bond as a regular player, I will have to add side markers (hotdotz? white out?)

It has a power supply box (about the size of original Alembic Series power supplies) that connects to the guitar with a stereo 1/4 phono plug. The guitar has three single coils - strat like, but there is where the similarity ends. Pickups are selected by push button, with the neck and bridge pickups having another push button to change polarity. Three rocker/push button switches control volume, bass, and treble. There is an LED readout facing the player that shows which pickups are selected (by green dots - red for reverse polarity) and the volume and tone levels numerically 0-9. So the readout with max volume and middle position on bass & treble would read 955.

I've only had the Bond to the studio once, but it sounded pretty good. (Of course I brought the $99 Johnson 3/4 size strat I got my 10 year old for christmas to the studio, hooked it up through my Boogie and the SF-2, and it sounded pretty good too!).

I may be placing one up for sale in the coming months (I have two). If I do, I'll post to this board first. I know it's not an Alembic, but it ain't no Fender or Gibson either. Folks around here seem to appreciate the unusual and technologically innovative.

Bill, tgo

grateful · « **Reply #11 on:** April 07, 2005, 01:25:55 PM »

Wow Bill,

That brings back memories: I tried one of those weird guitars in '85 in a guitar shop in Ealing. I would never have remembered the name but those guitars are unmistakeable.

Mark, ago

pace · « **Reply #12 on:** April 08, 2005, 04:38:34 AM »

definitely not worth 2K.... I have a blackknife where the original tuners were replaced with Sperzels (like this one)~ but whoever did this job is a hack~ look closely.

Did Alembic really build this body? Mica & Susan have never seemed too keen on building bolt-on bodies due to warranty issues and such.... Also if you do find a GR700, it's only usable sound is harmonica.... If you're looking for a cheap graphite guitar, look out for the one's that modulus licenced for Ibanez~ they're usually half the price of a blackknife...