Author Topic: Some Early non-Alembic Alembics (Read 146 times)

sjhoffma · « **on:** April 28, 2009, 10:31:35 PM »

I was just doing some browsing, and came across a few early Lieber guitar/bass pics back from his days with Doug Irwin. I also thought I would post up some pics of the Becvar guitar on display in the Met museum of art. For not being of the Alembic name, these guys certainly have a very familiar look.

(Message edited by davehouck on April 29, 2009)

sjhoffma · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2009, 10:33:30 PM »

sjhoffma · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2009, 11:37:04 PM »

The first guitar pictured was the very first guitar Doug Irwin intended for Jerry Garcia, called Rosewood. The inlay on the back is what inspired him to order his Tiger guitar. The familiar shaped body that would evolve into the Tiger and Rosebud guitars we all know and love, was originally made in both symmetrical and asymmetrical forms. The last instrument pictured is an ornate Becvar guitar, which is part of the Metropolitan Museum of arts instrument collection.

sjhoffma · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2009, 11:42:34 PM »

The Becvar guitar looks like it has series I electronics, taking on not just the Alembic feel, but the sound as well. Lieber, (as well as Irwin), seems to leave the electronics relatively simple, and borrows more of its physical construction from the Alembic model rather than sound. Either way, I would be thrilled to own either make

sjhoffma · « **Reply #4 on:** April 29, 2009, 12:16:56 AM »

Heres a pic of the above bass, after it was completed. It was given to peter sears. Looks like the body shape closely resembles the Wolf template, but with an uniquely shaped omega cut at the bottom.

(Message edited by davehouck on April 29, 2009)

57basstra · « **Reply #5 on:** April 29, 2009, 12:38:28 AM »

Very interesting Sam, thanks.

terryc · « **Reply #6 on:** April 29, 2009, 02:23:05 AM »

Nice examples of detailed craftsmanship

keavin · « **Reply #7 on:** April 29, 2009, 04:55:54 AM »

if im not mistaking those guys once worked @ alembic.

sjhoffma · « **Reply #8 on:** April 29, 2009, 07:24:02 AM »

They did once work at Alembic, I just like how they decided to keep some of the common specs going on their own custom work

jalevinemd · « **Reply #9 on:** April 29, 2009, 08:20:30 AM »

I called Tom Lieber recently about doing a Tiger replica (which isn't going to happen). He's a super nice guy to speak with. He's got tons of great stories about Jerry's guitars, etc...

adriaan · « **Reply #10 on:** April 29, 2009, 08:43:20 AM »

So that's where Kawai got the idea for the eagle on the peghead ...