Skylark and a Mesa or just a Further?

[kmh364]

Wow! Those prices are too rich for my blood. That stuff is making my amp choice look more like the el-cheapo bargain of the millenium. Looks like I'll be sticking to my trusty old '79 silverface Twin and '05 Straub Cantus for the forseeable future, LOL!

[jalevinemd]

Although I'd love one, here's the problem I have with buying an amp in that price range. I'm not a professional musician nor am I a tone connoisseur. I've no doubt that you could tell the difference between my Marshall and The Two-Rock amp out of the box. But, add a little distortion, some overdrive, a touch of chorus and start stepping on the wah and I can't see how the $5000 difference could be justified. I'm sure that there are plenty who would disagree with my rather pedestrian view, sorry. It's the same thing with my Alembics. No problem distinguishing them from the PRS, Les Paul, Strat, etc... it's amazing how the slightest filter adjustments dramatically alters the sound of the Little Bear. But once I've got those effects going, the lines quickly blur.  
 
I could make the same argument with the guitars, only with them it's more than just about tone...it's look, the feel, the weight...everything. I have never played a neck as comfortable as an Alembic. I don't have huge hands and there are licks that seem effortless on them than are very difficult on my other guitars.

[kmh364]

I'm with you. I'm not a pro, nor am I rich. I am a bit of a self-professed tone conoisseur and anal nitpicker (guilty). I also can't see spending that kind of dosh, even if there is a diference. As a long-time hi-fi nut, it's called the Law of Diminishing Return: to wit, it takes A LOT more money to get a little more improvement, after a certain level, that is.  
 
Personally, I took great pleasure in spending less than many boutique amps sell for, as well as mass-market gear, but I still got a one-off, hand-built, hardwired, real hardwood-cabbed custom amp that I spec'd. As I dealt directly with the designer/builder, Customer Service was also outstanding, certainly atypical in the real world. An Alembic of the amp world, so to speak. You can definitely hear the difference, and it didn't break the bank. Point here is that there are brand-new premium goods available out there for mass-market prices. Or, you can always take a used vintage amp, like my 70's Fender, and put it in a custom hardwood cab with premium speakers a la Boogie, and really get a gem for very little money, just like I did. I should have pix (and a mini-review) posted herewith for that beauty shortly.  
 
I also agree that there's nothing that can touch an Alembic, seemingly at any price. I'm sure I don't even have to mention the level of Customer Service Alembic offers in this forum, especially relative to other OEM's. My biggest problem RE: Alembics is being able to keep the price down without optioning the thing to high heaven...features, aesthetics, embellishments, etc. that nobody REALLY needs, but I WANT anyway, LOL! If I had to criticize Alembic for anything, it'd be that if there's such a thing as TOO many choices, Alembic is certainly guilty of that crime, LOL!

[jalevinemd]

Now I can't shake the idea of getting a new amp! Does anyone know a qualified GASorcist?

[foth]

Mike,
If you have a scale preference, the Skylark is 24.75 and the Further is 25.50.
BTW, I tried a Further in the Alembic showroom a few months ago and it was easily the finest guitar neck that I have ever laid my hands on.
Paul, foth

[kmh364]

Actually, you can get any Alembic guitar in just about any scale length you can dream of: ultra-short scale to baritone, if you like. Usually, the guitars are either in the Gibson-esque 24 & 3/4 or the Fender-esque 25 & 1/2. I've regualrly seen Skylarks in both scale lengths. It's all up to player preference.