(u) 75 018

[dekazman]

This guitar was left to me by a friend. He got it in the late 70's at a Pawnshop in San Francisco. I was just hoping you could give me some background on the instrument.

 
 
 
(Message edited by davehouck on August 08, 2008)

[artswork99]

Welcome to the club David! Beautiful guitar, do you have any other pictures?  According to a quote (included below) from this thread the guitar sits among serial numbers with lots of Alembic history.  I'd be interested in seeing the specifications that may be on file.  Please be patient while waiting for this information from Alembic.  Mica, whom tries to fulfill all of these requests, has been out of the office and returns tomorrow August 6.
   
What I can tell you from the serial number is that Alembic manufactured this guitar in 1975 and #18 would be their 18th instrument produced.    
 
Quote: according to the original work order board from those times (which we still have) #2 was made for Bob Weir, #3 was made for Jerry Garcia & so were #13 & #25. Garcia was also owner of #6 for a while then he damaged it and traded it in for a new one. Phil Lesh had #8, Mickey Hart #19. Stanley had #14 , Neil Young had #15 & John McVie had #27. Of course #1 was Casady's and so was #17.  
 
Play it Healthy!
Art
 
(Message edited by artswork99 on August 05, 2008)

[dela217]

That guitar's serial number is 75-o18.  That is an alpha O in the serial number and not a zero.  I've seen pics of this guitar before somewhere and remember hearing that the pick guard made for that guitar was made by Bruce BecVar.  
 
From what I understand the O was in the serial numbers in some instruments made from 74 through 76.  I have tried to figure out the puzzle of the O but with no luck.  I personally have owned 74-o13, 75-o49, and 76-o62.  It may have meant it was a specific export or something.  I questioned someone at Alembic about it (I don't remember who it was, but perhaps John Prock) and they could not find out anything about the O.
 
The guitar was made in 1975 but it was not the 18th made.  In 1975 they had already made well over 200 instruments.
 
(Message edited by dela217 on August 05, 2008)

[dekazman]

I'm happy to post more pix. Dela217 - I'm pretty sure you saw the pix on a Yahoo Alembic site a few years ago. I have since been unable to find that site - I think it went away. But I did post a request for info there and posted the pictures. I contacted Rick Turner and he thought that was a BecVar pickgaurd, too . . . so I guess it probably is. Thanks for any info you can send my way. Best Regards. Kazman

 

 

 

 

 

  (Message edited by davehouck on August 08, 2008)

[artswork99]

Very nice pictures of the guitar.  Thanks Kazman!  
 
Interesting Michael, I look foward to seeing what Mica is able to report.

[cozmik_cowboy]

Beautiful guitar, David; please accept my condolances on the loss of your friend, my congratulations on acquiring such a sweet instrument, my extreme envy on the latter, and my welcome to the board.
I wondered about the '75/18 thing, but don't know nearly enough to comment on it - thanks, Michael.  With all you know about vintage Alembics, you really should write a book, dude!  I know I'd buy it.
 
Peter

[barryr1]

WOW!!

[terryc]

dekazman..you have a unique piece of Alembic history there and a lovely guitar.
Hope it holds many happy memories.

[David Houck]

Wow!  Very nice!!

[admin]

I've looked, and I don't see any files for O18. I do keep track of unfound files, and if I ever locate yours, I'll notify you. So please keep you email address in your profile current so I'll know where to contact you.