Author Topic: John McVie alembic's, where can I find info? (Read 269 times)

fretted4 · « **on:** August 13, 2004, 11:09:18 PM »

Hello again everybody, Im currently planning on custom building the first john mcvie signature bass ( I am one of his biggest fans) but I cant find any good pictures and information on the one's he did play, can anybody help or lead me in the right direction? Thanks to all!!

the_mule · « **Reply #1 on:** August 14, 2004, 12:21:16 AM »

http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/2522.html?1041601320

Unfortunately that's all I can seem to find for you. But it really sounds like a very interesting project, keep us posted! On what FM albums did McVie use an Alembic anyway?

Wilfred

the_mule · « **Reply #2 on:** August 14, 2004, 12:24:42 AM »

Oops, I just noticed who asked that same question that old topic. Sorry about that!

Wilfred

dela217 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 14, 2004, 02:26:12 AM »

I like John too! Sorry, I don't know too much about his Alembics. I know he had a few. Only 2 of his Alembics come to mind right now. One was a fretless series 2 with an omega body style. I would guess that this one was from around 1975 or 1976 or so. The other one that comes to mind is a 1973 Alembic. It was a large body with a point, but the body style was a bit different. The 2 cutaways were kinda large, sort of like Alembic #1. It had the tan pickups, brass battery cover on the front of the bass, and PF5 electronics and a master volume. If I remember correctly, I think it had a maple top. It also had a largeish inlay in the 1st fret position. I remember it being a very pretty bass.

blazer · « **Reply #4 on:** August 14, 2004, 05:11:37 AM »

Rick Turner gave me these guitar versions of the Alembic basses that John is STILL using. They were beautifully made but I didn't like the enormous array of pots and switches they had.
Lindsey Buckingham in the november 2003 guitarplayer interview.

I guess that good old John remained faithfull to his Alembics

kmh364 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 14, 2004, 06:58:32 AM »

Sounds like a job for SuperMica!!! LOL! J/K. Sorry, I couldn't resist. I'm interested so I looked on the Net myself, but I couldn't find doody about John's Alembics. If Mica or Susan can't give you info, you may be SOL. You might try to contact Rick Turner as well for his $0.02.

fretted4 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2004, 05:27:11 PM »

I believe McVie used his alembics from their 1975 self-titled album all the way up to the 1987 tango in the night album. All I could really find was that he had 3 alembics total, the previously mentioned series 2 with omega cut and stainless steel fingerboard and the early series 1 , and a small body zebra wood series 1 w/graphite neck (John was the first to employ graphite technology from alembic). Mica, would u have any info on these basses? thanks again everybody for ur input!!! Play on!!!!!!

fretted4 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 27, 2004, 12:07:08 PM »

Mica? would u have any info on his basses? thanks

poor_nigel · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2004, 12:39:03 PM »

Minor info - I used to have a laser disc of Fleetwood Mac with John playing an Alembic in the songs (I believe it was Rumours). It was a typical looking Series I point body. That was a long time ago, so . . .

Anyway, looking for videos could be helpful. I saw a show on cable with Fleetwood Mac on it not too long ago, and John was playing a Tobias then. Shame on us both for that sin. Maybe the library or your video store can yeild some results. Uh oh, I just remembered that I think I have a bass book at work with one of his basses in it. If this is so, I will digitize the pic(s) and post em for ya.

Also, try this URL and put fleetwood in the search box:

http://www.dvdpricesearch.com/

You will get 11 hits on their DVDs. Three look to be stories of the band, with one being about Peter Green - Love that guy!
Note: I love this site. It lists the lowest prices for a given DVD at different store sites and has saved me mucho denaro over the years.