Author Topic: Now if I just had money....... (Read 1150 times)

cozmik_cowboy · « **on:** May 24, 2015, 08:13:52 PM »

On page 67 of the July issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine is a nice little article titled Alembic Unplugs: California-based electric bass and guitar powerhouse has sights set on acoustic-guitar market, with a pic of a lovely prototype of what looks to be about a 0000 (mebbe 000; hard to tell without a reference point) sized guitar - with a crown headstock bearing a very familiar logo and, of course, a point at the south end! Says next step is a run of eight; you cannot imagine how much my fingers are itching right now!!!!!
So, Mica - details!!! Size? Woods? ETA? How badly can I not afford one?

Peter (who is willing to bet $5 Federal that Bill gets one of the

elwoodblue · « **Reply #1 on:** May 24, 2015, 09:18:10 PM »

ahhh..ooooh...wow,

My mind is racing imagining what the crew at Alembic could create. A series 000 ?

slawie · « **Reply #2 on:** May 24, 2015, 09:37:17 PM »

A Grateful Dreadnought?

slawie

hammer · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2015, 02:40:34 PM »

Several years ago (2012) when my son and I visited the mothership to see the Further he was having built I noticed an acoustic body sitting around the shop...nothing more than a body sans neck. I asked Mica about it at the time and she mentioned that something acoustic might be in the initial stages of development but that the project was nowhere near completion. I sincerely hope that this means that it has come to fruition.

FC Bass · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2015, 02:49:06 PM »

I think I've seen one pic, tried to find it but failed... (maybe on Facebook?)

My Dad is in the market for a higher end acoustic, but I'm afraid this will be a bit over budget (he's looking at Taylor now)
He's extremely enthusiastic about Alembics though, if it's a little over budget I think I can persuade him :-)

edwin · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2015, 08:18:06 PM »

I wonder if this also means that Starfire style hollow body basses might also be an option....

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #6 on:** May 25, 2015, 08:35:08 PM »

Sorry, Flip; I read it in the print version - I tried to link to the online mag, but my subscription lets me download, not read online, and they might get touchy if I scanned the page & posted. We will have to wait for Mica to share.

Peter

lbpesq · « **Reply #7 on:** May 25, 2015, 09:16:02 PM »

I've played the prototype. Sweet axe.

Bill, tgo

terryc · « **Reply #8 on:** May 26, 2015, 01:22:52 AM »

If I had the money I would cease working!

edwin · « **Reply #9 on:** May 26, 2015, 01:55:33 AM »

If I had the money, I'd get to work!

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2015, 04:19:27 AM »

So, what else can you tell us, Bill? I'm dying of intriguement!

Peter

keith_h · « **Reply #11 on:** May 26, 2015, 05:29:12 AM »

I've talked to Mica multiple times and Alembic looking into the building of an acoustic guitar came up more than once. It would be nice to see some pictures of what they finally came up with.

Keith

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #12 on:** May 26, 2015, 10:13:30 AM »

I too would love to see what Alembic's take on an acoustic instrument would be...

Conversely, C.F. Martin & Co. (notable early American guitar-maker and arguably the Alembic of their time in the mid-1800's) produced a line of solidbody electric basses and guitars in the late 1970's. It must have been a very short-lived project... I've never seen one other than in pictures, but they looked pretty sweet.

(Message edited by edwardofhuncote on May 26, 2015)

gtrguy · « **Reply #13 on:** May 26, 2015, 11:11:28 AM »

I have played a couple Martin elec bass guitars. They were kind of an interesting idea that did not live up to what they should have been. Sorta like the first run of PRS amps and bass guitars.

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2015, 11:41:14 AM »

I've also played the prototype and have seen three others under construction. Aside from being just that, the prototype is everything you'd expect from an Alembic instrument.

It is visually striking and the tone is clear and very even - the bass is not boomy, highs are crisp (but not harsh) and the mids are full without being muddy. It is very responsive to pick attack and is an excellent finger-style guitar.

I'm guessing that it would also sound very good amplified.

To that end (but with no intent to heap any more tasks onto Ron & team) I could speculate that if a proprietary pick-up system and related electronics could be developed and discretely added to it, the results would be game-changing.