Interesting Alembic copy guitar

[gtrguy]

Here's an odd one!


https://reverb.com/item/29257242-1980-jhs-alembic-style-sg1000-neck-thru-pro-setup-new-strings-new-gigbag

[lbpesq]

I have one of these, it’s actually a Fresher FX-509, made in Japan, probably late 70’s.  These weren’t exported to the US, but were to the U.K. Very interesting guitar that seems well-made.  For example the brass battery cover on the rear (two 9v) uses inserts like Alembic instead of the usual wood screws.  The controls are a master volume, treble, mid, and bass.  It also has a preamp.  The rotary switch on the upper horn has three levels of boost.  The one on the lower horn is a six position vari-tone type switch.

Bill, tgo

[keith_h]

Bill, Seems like you have one of everything. With all of your various and unique guitars have you ever thought of opening a museum of guitar history?

[gtrguy]

Dang, now your description makes me want it... What kind of pickups does it have?

I am also looking at a Westone Thunder II bass, with 18v active electronics, 3 single coils, and the tone boost or cut knob, plus 2 other knobs, plus 3 small selector switches (like the Thunder III).
Does anyone know anything about that one? It is influenced by Alembic. Weighs a ton.

[gtrguy]

Sorta like this one, but with more switches.

[lbpesq]

The pickups appear to be multi-pole humbuckers.   Not like any others I can recall seeing.  The ones on the guitar in the current listing do appear to be originals, at least they look just like mine    Here's a link to a Vintage Guitar Magazine article about Fresher Guitars.  The FX-509 is described in depth about 2/3s of the way down.

https://www.vintageguitar.com/1756/fresher-guitars/

I would consider entertaining offers for the guitar, but it would have to be a bit more than the currently listed one in view of the fact that mine has the original electronics in working condition.

As for a museum, I've thought about doing an on-line museum as I've had a lot of guitars come and go.  Just need to find the time....

Bill, tgo

[hieronymous]

The only Freshers I've seen were Strat copies - I figured the Fresher name was a visual take on the Fender logo, especially the Fresher Straighter - Makoto Kawabata of Acid Mothers Temple played them. This is the first I've seen of the Alembic-style ones!

[lbpesq]

Some of the Fresher Straighters were neck-thru Strats.  There is one of these on reverb currently that looks really sweet, though the asking price may be a bit optimistic. 

https://reverb.com/item/15679158-incredibly-rare-fresher-straighter-neck-thru-stratocaster

There's also a Fresher bolt-on Straighter on reverb with a built-in drum machine! (how weird can you get?)

https://reverb.com/item/25578429-rare-vintage-70s-fresher-straighter-protean-series-fs-686-boite-a-rythmes-etui-made-in-japan

Bill, tgo

[gearhed289]

Wow, I like that neck-thru Strat!

[lbpesq]

Conn also made a couple of sweet neck-thru Strats.  The CSE-1 had a one-piece neck, while the CSE-2 had a multi-lam neck.  They don't come up for sale very often, but when they do they are usually quite inexpensive (a Conn guitar?).  Great deals for the money.  I have a CSE-2 that I'll be loading with Alembic pickups one of these days.  Another nice neck-thru Strat was made by Suntech.  Very rare.

Bill, tgo

[mb94952]

Fresher makes great stuff.  I'm not a guitar player, but the price seems very reasonable. Oh, I just saw it's SOLD. Doesn't surprise me.