Michael Dolan Model X

[welovecats]

Hey all,

A few weeks ago I acquired a Model X built by onetime Alembic employee Michael Dolan, completed in 1978.
I believe he may have worked on these after hours while still at Alembic, but I’m not sure. The guitar bears many Alembic similarities and techniques. It is in some ways reminiscent of early unique Alembic shapes, and some aspects remind me quite a bit of Johnny Winter’s Alembic guitar.

When I received the guitar, both of the headstock horns were smashed in shipping. Incredibly, I was able
to find and contact Michael Dolan himself, who is still working and building fantastic guitars and basses to this day. I highly recommend him for any work guitar or bass related. He also builds custom instruments.

To my delight, Michael very kindly agreed to take on the repair of the horns, as well as installing straplocks for me (I was afraid to drill on it myself) replacing the Ibanez “flying fingers” pickup covers with some nos gold replacements (the original covers’ gold finish had worn off from years of cleaning) and rebuilding the inside of the case to make it safer for the horns.

I’ve received the repaired guitar safe and sound. It plays and sounds great, even though the fingerboard is narrower than I am used to. It is truly a work of art, and as would be expected from its spindly design, it is light as a feather.

Michael made only three Model X guitars, all in 1978, each with different wood combinations. The specs of mine are as follows:

*       Name: "Model X"
*       Year completed: 1978
*       Frets: 24
*       Scale length: 25 and three eighths
*       Neck: South American Rosewood, Walnut
*       Core: New Guinea Rosewood
*       Fingerboard: Cocobolo
*       Top: Walnut
*       Back: Walnut
*       Inlay: Abalone
*       Finish: Sherwin Williams Polane
*       Tuners: Gold finish, original to instrument
*       Nut: Brass
*       Bridge: Brass
*       Pickups: Ibanez super 80 Humbucking

Here’s a bunch of pics. I included a couple of the cocobolo fingerboard during oiling, and one of the Johnny Winter Alembic for comparison. Also a rare shot of one of the other Model X versions used on an album cover.

[David Houck]

I've seen pictures of that guitar, or one just like it, before; that body shape is very memorable.  I just don't know where.

[rv_bass]

Wow, that’s very cool, congratulations!  I posted a photo of yours or a similar one when somewhere in this forum it was on display at an arts reception a few years ago in the SF area.  I thought the headstock with horns reminded me of the cover of the Head Hunters album.

[rv_bass]

Here is the link…it’s a different one apparently made by Larry Robinson…

https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=22650.msg227802#msg227802

[Jonny]

Nice score. That is a very cool guitar!

[cozmik_cowboy]

Shades of 72-10!

Peter

[welovecats]

I wonder if mica could chime in at all on this Dolan Model X—ie, what was his time frame and relationship at Alembic like, etc, any thoughts on whether these were made after hours there for instance.

[lbpesq]

Dolan has been making hippie sandwich instruments for years.   Alembic does have a policy that employees can make one instrument a year on their off-hours.  These are often referred to as “Shopnight” instruments.   A Shopnight bass or guitar should never have an Alembic logo.

And yes, Peter, though 72-10 is far more primitive.

 Ill, tgo

[cntrabssn]

I don't know if you've seen this, but you might find it interesting:

-nate.

[welovecats]

Thanks so much Nate for this link. They also have a whole Dolan interview episode. The guitar “The Beard" aquired is really really nice, 1977 4th guitar Dolan made under his own name/logo. My 1978 model X is lucky number 13!

[mica]

Michael set up his own shop after leaving here. We sold him parts until he retired. It doesn't look like there's any Alembic parts on your guitar, Matthew.

The one pictured with the dragon carving was carved by Rick Turner. Michael worked in the shop with Rick so there was likely some influence.