Author Topic: That Christmas Picture Present (Read 303 times)

mica · « **on:** December 21, 2003, 11:18:57 PM »

Well sadly, Valentino didn't run across and JE pics on Friday - but there's tons more stuff to go through, so please rest assured that as soon as we find 'em, I'll post 'em. In the meantime, we selected a few of the other goodies we ran across to keep you busy until then:

Johnny Winter's custom fire-breathing dragon serial nuber 75-689. This scan is from an old printed flyer from the Warehouse Sound Company (which printed it as a lefty - I reversed it here). It's bubinga, mahognay, maple, and ebony with custom inlays. Check out the firey tailpiece and clear pickups.

This Zebrawoood 4-string Series I picture did not have a serial number attached to it. Looks to be a 1974 or 1975 to me. Single truss rod with no cover is obvious, notice any other interesting features?

This also did not have a serial number on the picture, but it's got to be less than number 20 or so. Dela is gonna love this one (or maybe he even owned it at one time).

Series I guitar custom made for Carlos Santana. Few instruments had elbow carving before this one. Ebony fingerboard with beautiful custom inlays. Great peghead shape, I love it! Hope you liked this little peek in the archives. As more interesting photos are identified, I'll post them.

zappahead · « **Reply #1 on:** December 22, 2003, 05:33:56 AM »

Cool pics! The dragon is a trip and I always wondered what Santanas Alembics looked like. His Series I looks a little stubby, very cool though. Thanks for posting these, always cool to see some of the projects you guys have had over the years.

hifibassman · « **Reply #2 on:** December 22, 2003, 05:38:12 AM »

Hello Mica,

very impressive pictures indeed. On the third picture from the top- i have never seen an Alembic that looked like this before. Can you describe how these basses sounded in general compared to the current ones today? Was there something special about the triangular shaped pickup coils?

thanks-

senmen · « **Reply #3 on:** December 22, 2003, 06:59:00 AM »

Mica,
thank you so much for posting these great pics.
I think you have a real big bunch of treasures over there in your archives, so I am hopeful that also some pics of Johns Spyders and Flying V turn out.

Many thanks again
Oliver (Spyderman)

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** December 22, 2003, 07:05:51 AM »

Thanks Mica; a great collection of pics you have presented to us!

1 - The dragon is amazing! The more I look at it, the more detail I see. For instance, the carving for the dragon's tail below the tailpiece is really nice. This one should provide inspiration for some custom orders.

2 - Interesting features. Michael and others know a lot more about these older basses than I; the only thing I really noticed was the pickup selector switch.

dela217 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 22, 2003, 07:46:18 AM »

Mica - You know what I like!!

dela217 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 26, 2003, 07:10:35 PM »

I knew that zebrawood bass looked familiar! That bass was used in the L.D Heater brochure from 1975 or so.

(Message edited by dela217 on December 26, 2003)