Author Topic: Pic: 1975 rosewood-top Les Paul Custom (Read 849 times)

billy_v · « **on:** November 16, 2003, 02:52:53 PM »

Thought you might enjoy seeing Gibson's limited-run take on the rosewood-top solidbody! This guitar's said to have been made in '75, one of only 60 said to have been built. I'd never heard of Gibson ever having built such a thing. Pretty cool!

zappahead · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2003, 11:14:40 AM »

Yea if you look around a bit you can occasionally find a LP with an exotic top. Theres the Korina ones (never seen a Korina Alembic, they probably have made one though), some Koa ones too and now they have that smartwood series that has an exotic looking top that I havent seen in person. Thats a nice looking LP though. Would love to see it in person.

bigredbass · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2003, 07:36:41 AM »

In the early 70s, Gibson made a version called The Les Paul with wooden pickup rings, knobs, tuner buttons, etc. I'm sure pictures of this one are on the web somewhere. It was a very interesting take on this perennial.

I find it interesting that after so many reissues, special editions, commemoratives, etc., that this particular style has never been repeated.

J o e y

bigredbass · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2003, 07:40:02 AM »

In the early 70s, Gibson made a version called The Les Paul with wooden pickup rings, knobs, tuner buttons, etc. I'm sure pictures of this one are on the web somewhere. It was a very interesting take on this perennial.

I find it interesting that after so many reissues, special editions, commemoratives, etc., that this particular style has never been repeated.

Having worked there for 2 years, I have NO respect for Gibson, and I find it laughable that new LP Customs list for as much as most ALEMBICs.
You've got to hand it to 'em. Not to mention they bought and killed Steinberger, Tobias, and Trace Elliott, among others.

J o e y

J o e y

zappahead · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2003, 11:35:53 AM »

Yea, Alembics prices seem high till you get a gander at the insulting prices for Gibson and Fenders custom shop guitars.

rami · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2003, 01:04:47 PM »

Hi Joey,

Let's not forget about Epiphone - a one time small jazz guitar company that was known for their quality American handcrafted creations. Now existing in name only as Gibson's cheapo Korean subsidiary.

Whatever Gibson and Fender touch turns to trash.

A real shame.

Rami

valvil · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2003, 03:01:18 PM »

or it just dies...I was really bummed when Gibson bought Opcode and killed it in a MONTH! Made lots of my midi stuff obsolete almost overnight & had to learn a new sequencer, not to mention the expense involved...I always thought that if all they wanted out of it was a tax write-off (apparently that's what they did, bought the company, killed it and got a write-off), they could have bought a company that had nothing to do with the music business and that would not be missed by anyone; as it was, Gibson lost many many brownie points from me when they did that...

Valentino

rami · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2003, 04:43:57 PM »

Ever wonder why old Gibsons and Fenders are worth so much? It has little to do with quality (my 60's Jazz basses sound like crap by today's standards). They were young companies started by visionaries and innovators. Les Paul's Talking Guitar and Leo Fender's Precision Bass.

Today they're just faceless corporations who eat up and spit out smaller companies who start making it. Mass production and poor quality geared towards profit. The pride and craftsmanship are lost.

The next time someone complains about the cost of an Alembic, show them a Gibson or a Fender and they'll appreciate real value for the buck.

alembic76407 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2003, 05:25:39 AM »

I still say in this world you get what you pay for, and if you spend alot for a Gibson or a Fender, they saw you coming!!!!. the other night I was talking to a bass player about basses and he told me that he had the best bass in the world, my ears perked up, then he said he played a Fender jazz, not wanting to burst his bubble, I was happy for him, he has the bass of his dreams and thats what will keep him growing as a bass player, {besides the only players that don't want an Alembic are the one's that have never played an Alembic}
and as for pride and craftsmanship goes. it's still alive and well in Santa Rosa.

David T

(Message edited by alembic76407 on November 22, 2003)

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2003, 08:43:56 AM »

David, although I agree with your statement that you get what you pay for, your additional statement that the only players that don't want an Alembic are the one's that have never played an Alembic, while an understandable sentiment, is probably not accurate. The three Alembics that I have bought used came from people who preferred other instruments; they played Alembics and decided that Alembic wasn't for them. Personally, I love the sound of my Alembics; but I can understand that others may prefer the sound of a Fender Jazz or some other bass. We each follow our own path; mine seems to run through Santa Rosa .

rogertvr · « **Reply #10 on:** November 22, 2003, 09:26:49 AM »

I wanted an Alembic long before I played one!

Rog

bigredbass · « **Reply #11 on:** November 22, 2003, 10:55:05 AM »

I forgot to say one very important thing:

I know many people who worked/still work at Gibson, and overall they are good people trapped in a very bad situation. THEY are certainly not party to the questionable business practices of the ownership. Do a websearch of the OpCode fiasco and you'll see a vendetta of dime-novel venality.

Hartley Peavey always said that so many of his competitors had changed hands so many times that the brand names were highly diminished over time.
Like a lot of his 100 proof observations, this is one more I lived to prove right.

J o e y

David Houck · « **Reply #12 on:** November 22, 2003, 11:49:34 AM »

Joey; thanks for the suggestion of a web search on OpCode. I read the article at
http://stephengoldin.com/gibson/technohick01.html
and found the story quite entertaining.

rami · « **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2003, 05:53:52 PM »

You know guys, I've got a few Jazz Basses that I really love. I can't imagine even comparing them to any of my Alembics, but what I love about them is their familiarity. The way they feel and the times they bring me back to. Seeing Jaco jumping up and down with that old beat up thing that looked like it was found in a dumpster.
Our attatchment to old Basses is more about emotion and familiarity rather than sound or quality.
My alembics capture that slim sleek Jazz Bass feel with the beauty and artistry of a handcrafted masterpiece. They just give it all: sound, feel and high end Rolls Royce quality.

Worth every penny.

Rami

dean_m · « **Reply #14 on:** November 24, 2003, 10:14:36 AM »

I'm not sure if you guys know this yet but Fender now owns SWR Amplification. I'm curious to see how that goes in the next year or so.
While I'm not a big fan of SWR, I hate to see ANY company get swallowed up by large coporations.
I think one of the only companies to benefit from such a situation is Ampeg being bought by St. Louis Music. SLM really resurrected the name.

Peace,
Dino