John McVie selling his Alembics

[jacko]

Just had a notification that 3 of Fleetwood Mac's members are auctioning off some things for charity in December...


Julien's - Catalog Details (juliensauctions.com)


Amongst the items are these from John McVie..
A 1976 Rumours Photo-Matched Custom Alembic “Continuously Fretted” Stainless Steel Fingerboard Electric Bass Guitar.
[/size]A 1976 Prototype Alembic Series 1 Graphite Neck Through Electric Bass Guitar.
A chance for someone to own a piece of history.

[/size]Graeme

[edwardofhuncote]

Aw man, I hate to see him sell that Continuously Fretted Custom, but at least maybe for a good cause. The graphite-necked prototype was for sale about 10 years ago when he was surplussing some gear, and I thought about it then. I ended up with one of his Gibson basses instead, and a great story.

[gearhed289]

Hey Greg, what kind of Gibson is it?

[edwardofhuncote]

Hey Greg, what kind of Gibson is it?

It's a weird one. 1987 "Thunder Series" Bass V. (5-string) They were kind of a 'studio' Thunderbird, all mahogany, set-neck, ebony fingerboard with offset inlays, pointy headstock, and a rather generic-shaped body. They only made these for two years, and in pretty low numbers... <1000 or so. So John had one, and back in 2013 I caught wind of rumours he was selling off some unused gear. I made the call to his office sitting on the Springbox right outside my office here, made the deal, and ended up with this one. I got a letter from John authenticating it a little later, and that was the best part - it was absolutely hilarious. I think he was genuinely happy a player had bought it, instead of memorabilia hunters. I still have it of course, in the case pocket, but the only evidence of any connection of this bass to him is where I took a picture of his signature and had the truss rod cover engraved. I've gigged that bass out dozens of times and never said a word.

I thought about Alembicizing it for a while, and thought better of it.... best to just let that bass be what it is.

Let me look for some pics...

[KR]

I've seen a photo of his Alembic fretless being held by someone else. Maybe the dealer for John when he was selling basses previously. Discussing John's basses with Greg, it seems these weren't offered for sale previously.

[gtrguy]

Was that a 'removable' fingerboard model on the series?

[mica]

No. We haven't made one like that, but there is a Spoiler floating around that has that "feature" and while I haven't seen it in person, my trusted sources tell me that Spoiler is not playable

[edwardofhuncote]

The graphite-necked prototype short-scale was for sale in 2012-13. I don't think it ever sold. At the time it was priced around $19k.

I have never heard of anyone buying the 'continuously fretted' Custom. If it happened, it happened very quietly, which is certainly possible. That bass was back at the Mothership a few years ago.

*I don't think the stainless steel fingerboard is meant to be removed, like those aftermarket ones (whose brand name escapes me) David.

**Mica confirmed that much on the fingerboard detail.

[BeenDown139]

I ended up with one of his Gibson basses instead, and a great story.

love to hear it if you don't mind sharing it 🥺

[rv_bass]

These would be cool…

Highlights from John McVie’s collection include…
A 1976 Rumours Photo-Matched Custom Alembic “Continuously Fretted” Stainless Steel Fingerboard Electric Bass Guitar.
A 1976 Prototype Alembic Series 1 Graphite Neck Through Electric Bass Guitar.

[gearhed289]

Hey Greg, what kind of Gibson is it?

It's a weird one. 1987 "Thunder Series" Bass V. (5-string) They were kind of a 'studio' Thunderbird, all mahogany, set-neck, ebony fingerboard with offset inlays, pointy headstock, and a rather generic-shaped body. They only made these for two years, and in pretty low numbers... <1000 or so. So John had one, and back in 2013 I caught wind of rumours he was selling off some unused gear. I made the call to his office sitting on the Springbox right outside my office here, made the deal, and ended up with this one. I got a letter from John authenticating it a little later, and that was the best part - it was absolutely hilarious. I think he was genuinely happy a player had bought it, instead of memorabilia hunters. I still have it of course, in the case pocket, but the only evidence of any connection of this bass to him is where I took a picture of his signature and had the truss rod cover engraved. I've gigged that bass out dozens of times and never said a word.

I thought about Alembicizing it for a while, and thought better of it.... best to just let that bass be what it is.

Let me look for some pics...

Oh cool, those are nice. Thunderbird in disguise. I''m a fan!