Help me identify this vintage Alembic six string?

[Wuvu2]

That's me in the early 90 on my Alembic six-string. It's in storage with relatives and I'm trying to figure out what it is (and worth). It's either a 73 or a 76  with a serial # under 20.  I can't find any images on line that are similar. I bought it in the mid 80's with some of the electronics missing and restored with Jerry's effects loop. Sounds amazing.

Any help identifying it's model, and a hint as to how I'd learn its ballpark value would be much appreciated.
 

[edwardofhuncote]

If the serial number is under #20 that would almost have to be an early '73. The contours of the body (particularly, upper horn) suggest closer to '76 build.


I'd love to see more.

[lbpesq]

What you have there is an Alembic Series I LSG (Long Scale Guitar) with an Omega cut.  If the serial number is under 20, it is either a ‘72 or an early ‘73.  As for value, Alembics do seem to have increased in value during the pandemic.   You can check out sales on eBay and Reverb.com.   Make sure to look at the sold prices as opposed to the asking prices, there can be a significant difference.   Ballpark, I imagine you could get somewhere in the $5000-$8000 range.

Bill, tgo

[Wuvu2]

Thanks for the reply!

What I remember was the format 760013 with maybe another zero or two. It could have been 730016.

Thanks very much for the response. I'll check those places for sales.

eb

[rv_bass]

I agree with Greg, the upper horn suggests more ‘76 than ‘72.   Do you have the full serial number?  Could it be something like 76-AE20 or 76-AO20?  If so, that would be a ‘76 serial number. Regardless, the full serial number would help.

As Bill mentioned, it (stared its life as a) Series I guitar.  But, if you have altered the electronics and it no longer has Alembic Series electronics in it, then it would likely no longer be considered a Series I guitar, but rather an Alembic body with aftermarket electronics.

Beautiful looking guitar! 

[rv_bass]

Thanks for the reply!

What I remember was the format 760013 with maybe another zero or two. It could have been 730016.

Thanks very much for the response. I'll check those places for sales.

eb

Ah,  maybe 76-AO13?    That would be 1976.  Those year- letter-13 serial numbers are mysterious and confusing in terms of the build sequence, but the year is definitive.  For instance I have  75-AO13, built in 1975, and there is 74-AO13 out there too.  Older exports have year-AE or AC-number.

Can be confusing, but the year will be correct.

[StephenR]

To get an idea of the value you really need the correct serial number and details/pictures of the electronics especially a shot of the electronics cavity with the back plate off so it can be determined what is actually installed in there. Naturally the condition of the body, frets and neck are going to be a factor, too, as well as if you still have the original power supply and cable. Not sure you can make much progress on this until you have the instrument back in your possession.

[Wuvu2]

Ah,  maybe 76-AO13?    That would be 1976.  Those year- letter-13 serial numbers are mysterious and confusing in terms of the build sequence, but the year is definitive.  For instance I have  75-AO13, built in 1975, and there is 74-AO13 out there too.  Older exports have year-AE or AC-number.

Can be confusing, but the year will be correct.

Sounding more familiar :-)  So if was  76-A016 would that indicate a different style or just a different guitar?

Thanks again - I've been overseas for 20 years and back in a few months. I've got a 68 Telly I'll need to figure out too.

[rv_bass]

76-AO16 would indicate that the instrument was made in 1976.  It does not refer to the the model. 

And what Stephen mentioned is all important with regards to value too.

When you get it back consider starting a thread for it under the Showcase section with description and pictures, we would love to see it and learn more about it! 

[edwardofhuncote]

The various letter prefixes are a bit of an enigma to us Alembic geeks. AE, AO, A0, AC, do they mean Export, Custom, Omega, Order, Oopsie, or Ought, We have no idea. But the first numbers indicate years. And that body pattern much more resembles the evolution of a couple years past 1973. 1976 would be very plausible with a letter prefix.


Thanks for sharing with us. 

[flavofive]

Hi Wuvu2,
Just wanted to throw this out there - if you're considering selling it at any point on this forum, I might be really interested in making an offer!  (Pending details on the electronics and condition.)  Or if you're looking to post it on eBay or Reverb, maybe just an advance heads-up? 

Many thanks!
Mike

[Wuvu2]

Yes sure - open to offers. If there is a private message function please message me and I'll give you my email address.

The electronics were mostly stripped out when I bought it - still playable somehow, and I had a guitar super geek build out whatever was missing. A weird guy but super detailed ;-)

The power supply was also custom built. Physically it should be as clean as the photo. Very few scratches, there were no cracks in the varnish the last time I saw it and the wood is really lovely.

Somewhere in my stash I have one of Garcia's early whawha peddles and a couple of other effects I rescued out of Mikey's barn in Novato before that lease ran out. I'll toss that box of stuff in if I can find it.

Thanks to everyone for the help. Any interest in purchasing it is welcome.

[flavofive]

Hi - sorry for the mass message, but just fyi to wuvu2 that I received your email (many thanks!), but when I tried to reply, it bounced. I think the Alembic Club sends emails via a no-replies account.
Would you mind sending me another email with your email address written out? I'll be happy to do the same, in case mine is also hidden.

Wish PMs were an option here, sorry for the trouble!

[David Houck]

... Wish PMs were an option here ...

The messaging system has just now been turned on.  Please read the announcement note here.

[flavofive]

Awesome, thank you David!