Pics of Steve Miller Playing Alembics Anyone??

[mjake]

Hi All-
 
I just purchased an Alembic Spectrum that was one of Steve Miller's personal guitars. It's a 1993, probably a walnut top, though I won't know for sure until I get the data sheet on it from Mica. I thought it would be extremely cool if anyone had or knew of any pics taken of Steve Miller playing alembics, possibly my spectrum.
 
Thanks all  
 
Mark
 
PS - Once I get the guitar back from my local luthier, I'll post a pic of it.

[bkbass]

Steve has several Alembic models. I was taking the Martin Guitar factory tour when I passed an office vestibule with Steve proudly holding up his Martin xyz with the Great? Great great? Grandson of CFMartin. The picture was taken in Steves studio and on the stands next to him were two baritone Orions. Actually inspired me to order two Orion six string basses. There's gotta be some pix of him. Please share if and when. Some people change socks often,Steve changes guitars...

[David Houck]

Nice to know that Martin has pics of Alembics on its walls!

[lbpesq]

Steve also has (had?) a green California Special that has been on consignment at Guitar Showcase in San Jose.  When he played at the Oakland Fox a little while ago as part of the Norton Buffalo Memorial, I got to tour backstage in the afternoon before the show.  The high point was a tour of Steve's guitars with his guitar tech.  He travels with several huge guitar closets - at least 3 or 4 of them, each with 10 or 12 guitars.  He has some very cool ones, indeed.
 
Bill, tgo

[mjake]

Ibpesq - I actually had both the Spectrum and the green California Special on hold for the last month, but alas could only afford to buy one, and the spectrum to me seemed to be a much better investment, and better playing guitar than the California Special (which, BTW, was also very nice). My friend who doesn't even play guitar showed some interest in it, but couldn't get his wife on board . the Green California Special still resides at Guitar Showcase for the time being.

[mjake]

OK, just got my Alembic back from the luthier, who put a clear coat of finish over the Steve Miller autograph. I have also been doing some digging online, and found a YouTube video of Steve, circa '93/'94, performing Wide River. He's playing an Alembic, and it's a Spectrum... but is it this one?? The video is kind of grainy, hard to make out the details of the guitar.... tell me what you think. I've attached pics of my Alembic, and a few screenshots of Steve Miller... let me know what ya think, as I may have found it!  

 

 

 

 

 

[elwoodblue]

Nice detective work Mark,
 Hard to tell for sure without some clear close-ups but it looks like you found a vid with the Spectrum in his hands.
 If you ever come across a pic  of Steve in '68 with a Sunn 2000S in the background, please let me  know.
 
cheers,
Kris

[sonicus]

First ; @ Mjake ____Nice , Congratulations .I am very pleased to see that Mr. Miller had the sense of aesthetics to do a nice autograph  on the back of the headstock rather then a scribble across the top of the body.
 
 Second;  @ Elwoodblue  , I used to play through a Sunn 2000S and a 200S  in the early 80's.  They are now gone but were reliable when I played through them .
 
(Message edited by sonicus on April 09, 2010)

[crobbins]

I don't think it's the same guitar. Looks like different neck laminates to me..

[adriaan]

Agreed, IIRC the veneers between the maple laminates were introduced after 1994.

[mjake]

Thanks Everyone. I do agree that I don't see that middle stripe of different wood in the neck laminate, but thought it might just be that the picture is unclear and a bit washed out with the stage lights.
 
Adriaan - what is 'IIRC'? I am told that the guitar I have was made in 1993, but won't know for sure until Mica gives me the lineage.
 
So I guess the general feeling is that this is a different guitar than the one he is playing in those pics.  
 
Does anyone have or can they find any other pics of Steve Miller playing Alembic Spectrums? I do have the provenance locked down by a signed document by his manager, however just think it would be really cool if I could find a pic of him playing this very guitar.
 
Thanks gang!
 
Mark

[elwoodblue]

Mark,
 IIRC is If I Remember Correctly

[mjake]

DIFS...... That's Don't I Feel Stupid
 

[adriaan]

For the build year, just check the two initial digits on the serial number, on the brass truss rod cover.
 
DWBI ... Don't worry 'bout it

[lbpesq]

WYWTKWTASFJDAGS
 
(When you want to know what the acronym stands for, just do a google search)
 
Bill, tgo