Author Topic: Skylark (Read 319 times)

barryr1 · « **on:** February 25, 2009, 09:30:13 PM »

I am thinking to part with my Skylark. I am literally running out of room. This is the one posted on the site in the showroom (sold). I've only played it twice and another guitar came to me today. I always go to the series.
http://www.alembic.com/prod/skylark.html
http://www3.alembic.com/img/DET_L_tealburstL.jpg
http://alembic.stores.yahoo.net/ocskyl.html

If it has any imperfections I'm not aware of them. I can send current pics. All case candy included.

sjhoffma · « **Reply #1 on:** February 25, 2009, 11:37:30 PM »

Oh man! I would love that guitar! I was originally going to buy it from the store, but the day I called, they said that it had just been sold, apparently to you. I actually ended up buying a series 1 instead, for only a few hundred dollars more. Would you really say the series is that much superior? Mine is a 77, and its got some wear and use on it, and i agree that the electronics are much better, but the neck is very fat, and its hard to get used to, compared to the neck on my blackknife. Whats the neck feel like on the skylark?

barryr1 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2009, 07:30:07 AM »

I don't know that I'd say the series is that superior. Thats all in the eye of the beholder. They are both fine guitars. I have one of the first 20 series I and it is really special. I just love it so when I go to play an Alembic (almost have as many guitars as my age) I go for the series. It feels like me. The skylark is much more of a modern instrument and very cool with the led's. The color blows me away. It was an impulse buy for me. I wanted to see what the chambered body sounded like and we don't have the stores out here in the desert. Neck feels very much like a Les Paul to me. C round at the body and narrower at the head. Very fast I'd say.

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2009, 07:52:26 AM »

Sam:

I view my '76 Series I MSG and Woody, my custom Further, as two different, but related species. I love the electronics in the Series and the historical aura. I think of it as a great 50's or 60's British sports car. A wonderful machine with it's own soul, but a little clunky and eccentric.

My Further, on the other hand, is like a Lotus Elise, modern, slick, ergonomic. While the electronics aren't as flexible as the Series, it's still pretty darn good and certainly better than any of my other non-Alembic guitars.

Like the old British sports car, the Series is fun to take out for a spin now and then, but the Further works better as the daily driver.

By the way, when I got my Series, I not not thrilled by the neck which seemed more like a D shape than a C. I had Alembic reshape the neck (watching as wood is actually planed off the back of your neck is a sobering experience!). Now I love my Series even more.

Bill, tgo

2400wattman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2009, 08:55:00 AM »

So Bill, what kind of car do you drive and what kind of guitar would you reference it to be like?
Sorry Barry, I did'nt mean to hijack your thread. Beautiful guitar BTW!

2400wattman · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2009, 08:59:17 AM »

Barry, I just checked your profile and the Birdseye maple series is GORGEOUS! It's one of my favorite woods when there's that much figuring in it. Very unique and nothing quite like it. Congrats! (I get excited very easily over things like this as you can tell)

barryr1 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2009, 09:33:57 AM »

Thanks for the feedback guys. I bought an Abe Rivera yesterday ...talk about a fat neck. I have very large hands. The neck profile is like a classical...very broad. I'm not trying to get rich on the Skylark. But if anyone's interested, let me know. I'll likely take it to ebay this weekend. I like the car analogy.. (strat/68mgb), (skylark/07 E class), (73 seriesI/67 ferrari)

barry

lbpesq · « **Reply #7 on:** February 26, 2009, 09:46:04 AM »

Adam:

If you're really interested, we have a 2001 Toyota Highlander for the family, shopping, and schlepping amps, P.A., guitars, etc. When it's nice out and I'm alone, I like to drive my 2001 Miata Special Edition. BRG, tan leather, Nardi wooden steering wheel, shift knob and brake handle, dual exhaust, cold air intake, only 23,000 miles, and sporting the license plate: CPTRIPS. The Miata is like my PRS. I view the Miata as an homage to British cars of the 60's but more modern and reliable. Sort of the PRS take on the cruder Fenders of the 60's. My old 300ZX was closer to an Alembic, car-wise. I also have a '59 Mercedes 220S Cabriolet with the Hydrak transmission that needs some work.

Barry:

I've always coveted your old Series. If ever you were to consider selling it (and my advice is NEVER EVEN CONSIDER IT!), PLEASE let me know.

Bill, tgo

barryr1 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2009, 10:51:08 AM »

Hey Bill

I appreciate the comment. I can't forsee ever wanting to get rid of it but you'll be the first to know.

Best

br

sjhoffma · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2009, 01:04:10 PM »

Barry, I just sent you an email

2400wattman · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2009, 02:06:44 PM »

Barry: Abe Rivera eh. Stunning craftmanship and it's a shame he passed away, way too early. Judy Van Zant's son has two of them which I believe are for recording only. Don't think he brings them outof the house very often. Good for you on your acquisition of one.
Bill: I knew you had to have a foreign car other than a Japanese make. My father had a bubble top Mercedes sedan (don't know the model) until about 1975. He rebuilt the transmission twice and sold it after the second rebuild. The buyer asked why my dad was giving him the tools in the sale and quite simply he responded you're going to need'em!
BTW I drive a Honda Pilot and equate it to my jazz bass. It does what it does and gets the job done. No sports car for me, my Series 2 is all I can do for now.

barryr1 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 26, 2009, 02:29:23 PM »

The Rivera is a 90's and overall is in decent condition. It needs a little elbow grease but it will be a beaut when complete. It sounds great. The string spacing is wide so it will work great for electrical jazz chord stuff and things that might otherwise be played on a es175.

Thanks

barry

gkweston · « **Reply #12 on:** February 26, 2009, 03:18:53 PM »

Email me price please.

-Garrett

lbpesq · « **Reply #13 on:** February 26, 2009, 03:53:59 PM »

My former non-Japanese foreign cars and matching guitars:

Austin Healy Bug-eye Srite/ Fender Broadcaster

Open GT (German)/ Fernandes Masterhand (baby corvette/baby Alembic)

Opel Kadett/Danelectro

Fiat 850 Coupe/Emenee Tiger (a plastic toy guitar from the 60's. If you're not at least 50, you won't remember it) Fiat: Fix It Again, Tony)

Perhaps the most Alembic car I've owned was, however, Japanese. My '85 Mazda RX7 GSL-SE. A truly unique car - the only internal combustion car without pistons, not unlike Alembic's totally unique electronics.

Do I detect a new thread in its infancy?

Bill, tgo

sjhoffma · « **Reply #14 on:** February 27, 2009, 10:43:59 PM »

Im trying to throw together some fund for this skylark. Hopefully no one else is too eager to jump on this.