Author Topic: I am getting ready to plunge into the world of owning an Alembic guitar. (Read 528 times)

fingers · « **on:** August 29, 2013, 12:09:44 PM »

Hello. I don't own an Alembic yet, so I am in the preparatory stage of thinning my current collection of guitars and amps and looking quizzically about. A lot of folks have told me that used is not the way to go, and there are certainly very few used Alembics to choose from. I played the Orion in Guitar Showcase in San Jose, (formerly owned by Steve Miller) and I liked it, but I don't think an Orion is going to float my boat. Anyway.....hi y'all. Perhaps a Tribulark?

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2013, 01:07:38 PM »

I'm about to commission a custom build for a Stage Further.

The Further model has 2 versions: a simpler Stage version (shown in pic) with a 5-way blade selector switch and a more versatile Studio version with more precise tone and volume control options (documented elsewhere on this site).

You should check out this model to see if it would be a better fit for you.

Like you, I've never owned an Alembic guitar, but I have 3 Alembic basses. I expect that the guitar will exhibit the same clarity of tone and sustain that I enjoy with the basses. Plus, the quality of the craftsmanship is a given.

IMO, you can't go wrong with an Alembic product - the challenge will be deciding which one is perfect for you.

Maybe that's why I have more than one...

hammer · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2013, 02:05:58 PM »

I'm a bassist myself (so take everything I write with a grain of salt) but I purchased a Further Stage model with some minor custom modifications about 2-years ago for my son as a graduation gift when he finished college. After considering what he does (all live stuff) the stage version made a lot more sense than the studio because it's a lot easier to control. Personally, I think that if I played the studio version live I'd either need to keep my hands off the controls all night and go with one sound or take about 5-minutes between songs to make adjustments.

The guitar itself is a thing of beauty and with an Alembic you know you're getting the highest quality. The biggest adjustments my son had to make was becoming used to the extremely low action (he does a lot of finger picking using metal finger picks for some of the electric blues stuff his band plays) and figuring out how to dial in the tones he wanted to use. IMHO if your approach is to start with a clean sound and then use pedals to dirty it up, the Further and Tribute are unbeatable.

You are certainly correct in assuming that used is the way to go with instruments of this nature. buy new and like a car what you have purchased depreciates in value as you leave the showroom. Buy used and if you take care of the instrument at some point you'll probably get close to what you paid for it.

HOWEVER...I looked for quite a while (like a year and some) trying to find a reasonably priced used Alembic guitar, but nothing (at any price) ever came on the market. I finally bit the bullet and called the good people in Santa Rosa to have them build a new one (of course in the next 3-months there were several Further and Tributes on ebay, craigslist etc). That experience certainly made it clear to me that Alembic is producing a lot more basses than guitars (or the guitarists are the smart ones, fall in love with what they have purchased, and it never comes up on the market again).

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2013, 12:25:55 AM »

Steve:

First of all, welcome to the club! It's always nice to have another six- stringer aboard. I can't imagine why anyone would steer you away from used Alembics? I have purchased several used Alembics, as well as commissioning a custom Further. Currently, I have a Tribute I would sell. I'm just up the road a little from you in Alameda. You're welcome to come on up and check out a few different Alembic guitars, if you'd like. Of course you could always keep driving past me for another hour and visit Alembic in Santa Rosa.

Bill, the guitar one

P.S. If you're thinning the herd, I'm always interested in trades.

(Message edited by Lbpesq on August 30, 2013)

fingers · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2013, 08:31:13 PM »

Well, I couldn't be happier with my used Alembic. I worked out a trade/purchase deal with someone who definitely steered me in the right direction. I now am the proud owner of an early Tribute, and am spending inordinate amounts of time playing it. As soon as I get together some pictures to do it justice, I will share them here in this forum. Thanks to my Alembic mentor! I won't out any specifics, as I didn't get permission to do so. My neighbor is beginning to understand what The music never stopped signifies.

pauldo · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2013, 04:36:41 AM »

Nice! :-D
Welcome to the camp.
Pictures are always enjoyed here.

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2013, 08:14:17 AM »

Steve, (Fingers), is now the proud owner of Tribute #8. Between my Custom Further, my Alembicized Fernandes Masterhand, and several other guitars, the Tribute wasn't getting much playing time, so I passed it along to someone who will give it the attention it deserves. Steve is an excellent player, well versed in the Grateful Dead - we jammed a bit when he came over for a fun guitar show and tell. And I am now the new owner of a gorgeous Les Paul Artisan.

Welcome to the club, Steve.

Bill, tgo

pace · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2013, 05:17:57 PM »

Too Cool! Congrats Steve!

Bill (TGO) currently possesses a nice Orion Baritone which was previously owned by hydragyrum and me.... Just goes to show that once you get the Alembic bug, there's always guys who'll buy your old one so you can kickstart funding for your next custom build, or vintage ebay/CL crush... play 'er in good health!!!