Author Topic: Anyone have an Alembic 12-string guitar (not bass)? (Read 205 times)

mavnet · « **on:** February 04, 2014, 08:06:47 PM »

Once I recover from the 2 guitars Alembic's making for me now - a Darling and a series custom Baritone - (shipping any day now, according to the latest rumors), I'm thinking of getting a 12-string guitar made. Does anyone here have one? If so, what do you think? Tone, feel, etc? Thanks! Mark.

hammer · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2014, 07:02:49 AM »

Mark:

In what state did you win the lottery? (haha)

I've had a custom bass and a guitar made for me over the past 5-years and it's set me back enough to focus on the message contained within a local advertisement for exercise equipment when I buy Alembic that goes something like...why buy new when used with do?

jazzyvee · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2014, 08:34:59 AM »

One of our members here Bill, tgo may be able to enlighten you about 12 string alembics.
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/38530.html?1385164711

Jazzyvee

mavnet · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2014, 09:51:57 AM »

No lottery. Well, sort of. I had a 335 12-string that belonged to Robby Krieger (Doors guitarist) - you can hear it on the opening to Love Her Madly, that I'd gotten from Robby a zillion years ago when we did some work together on a few albums. Retrofret (vintage guitars in Brooklyn) was able to sell it for enough to finance 2 Alembics. That's kind of winning the used equipment lottery, I guess.

So my Alembic family will be 2 custom basses (fretted and fretless) from '77, a Bari guitar and a 6-string guitar from '13, and I'm considering a 12 for '14 just to round it out. Have to figure out which of my non-Alembics to sell to help finance it

lbpesq · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2014, 11:55:26 AM »

As Jazzyvee noted, I have the '77 Series I 12 string in the above-referenced thread. Love it. So, what do you want to know?

Bill, tgo

mavnet · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2014, 06:00:22 PM »

It's a beaut! I think the main thing I'm wondering is about the sound, if you're finding that it fits into those kinds of songs where if you had a Rick you'd use one, things like that or is it in a different class. It's Alembic, so I'm sure it's a very clean, clear, hi fidelity sound, vs a jangly pickup is doing some of the overdrive sound - how does that work for you?

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2014, 09:51:59 PM »

First of all, nothing sounds like a Ric. I had a 360/12 in fireglo. Added a real 12 saddle upgrade bridge from Ed Roman. Drop dead gorgeous guitar. But the neck was no wider than the six string. I could do chords, but not clean arpeggios. The Alembic plays as easy as any 12 string I've ever played. Being that it has Series electronics, the range of tones is impressive. I use it on a couple of songs with my band - The Youngbloods' Darkness Darkness; Julie Miller's Out In The Rain. Almost like a chorus effect, but much more organic.

Bill, tgo

mavnet · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2014, 03:42:35 PM »

I agree re: the neck - the 335-12 that I sold was like that, too tight to do much other than chords, at least for me (Krieger has skinny fingers, mine are happier on a bass). Good to hear that you love this thing. Now to start scheming and figure out what i won't miss if i sell it... Thanks!