Author Topic: Looking for a Skylark (Read 265 times)

munkey · « **on:** February 08, 2006, 09:51:47 AM »

Hello! I'm on the lookout for an used Skylark....
interested to see and hear what's out there.

munkey · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2006, 09:53:11 AM »

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area

email: jay.dickinson@sbcglobal.net

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2006, 10:10:23 AM »

Jason:

Welcome to the club! I also live in the Bay Area (Montclair/Oakland), though at the moment I'm in NY. If you haven't played a Skylark before, my advice is head up 101 to the Hearn Ave. exit in Santa Rosa and go visit the factory. You'll get a chance to play a Skylark, as well as a few other instruments. The folks at Alembic are VERY friendly and helpful. Just give them a call and they can let you know what's hanging in the front room at the moment, give you directions, etc. I'd offer to let you play mine, but I don't have a Skylark. I have an '83 Electrum, a '76 Series 1 on the way from L.A., and a custom Further being built. If you decide on the Skylark, keep an eye on this site. Used ones come up every once in a while, and more often than on eBay.

Bill, the guitar one

munkey · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2006, 10:12:11 PM »

Thanks for response Bill! I have had the good fortune to play one briefly, awhile back. I was blown away. I've been a Les Paul guy up till now, but decided it's time to take the leap. Doesn't hurt that I'm a big Dead fan I suppose. I'll be watching for an used one.

Oh, and I will most definately go up north to see what they have. Might just blow off a day at work next week even....

honkylips · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2006, 12:47:48 PM »

Not sure if you are familiar with Vintage Guitar magazine, but a dealer called Lizard On a Leash Music has run an ad for a used Skylark for the past several months. The ad reads as follows:
Alembic Skylark, Sunburst. Active electronics. Jerry sound! Used - HSC. $2500.00. phone number is (310)306-3437, email at kbrown@mandkconsultant.com.
I've been tempted to call on this several times as it appears from their ad they are willing to deal some. However, I'm not the biggest fan of sunburst and $2500 seems about $500 too high. If you are interested, you might want to give them a call. By the way, I had the pleasure of playing a Skylark for the first time about 4 months ago at a dealer in Northeast Ohio. It sounded and played better than any guitar I've ever had in my hands. Good luck!!

munkey · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2006, 02:32:04 PM »

Thanks!

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2006, 02:58:13 PM »

I would agree with honky lips, 2500 is a bit steep. Maybe they will bargain. I also agree that sunbusrts is not my particular favorite. I sold one at ~2000 that was in mint shape not long ago, so you may wish to hold out.

Orion's may be a bit more common, and should not be discounted for their comparatively simple electronics. They are sweet little guitars.

honkylips · « **Reply #7 on:** April 10, 2006, 02:32:12 PM »

The new Vintage Guitar Mag showed up in my mail Saturday. Lizard on a Leash Music has dropped the price of their Skylark to an even $2k. See contact info in my previous post. Thought I would pass that along as there seems to be tons of interest in used Skylarks lately (combined with a bunch of non-motivated eBay Skylark sellers).