Author Topic: 1978 Alembic Guitar Project (Read 695 times)

synthanalog · « **on:** May 08, 2010, 01:28:14 PM »

Hello All, I recently bought a 1978 Alembic Guitar at a yard sale. Absolutely gorgeous guitar! The serial Number is 78 1215A. It's missing basically all of the hardware except the body/ neck and tuners. I think it's a series I or II. If you can tell more about it from the pictures, please let me know. I'm currently trying to decide if I should restore it or sell it. Thanks a lot! -Josh

[moderator's edit: aligned pictures vertical] (Message edited by artswork99 on May 08, 2010)

artswork99 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2010, 01:54:00 PM »

Hi Joshua and welcome to the forum. Nice find at a yard sale. Beautiful top! Looks like you will have some work to get this Series guitar back to playable but it will be worth it for sure. I did a search on the serial number and didn't see any prior requests. May I suggest that you place a request for any information that may be on file. Enjoy the forum full of all things Alembic and a great community of users! Art

(Message edited by artswork99 on May 08, 2010)

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2010, 01:59:40 PM »

Joshua:

Welcome to the club. A yard sale???!!! Wow! This one certainly looks like it's been through the wars! I'm not sure if Alembic was making a Series II back in '78. Nevertheless, it appears there are 8 holes which would be consistent with either a Series II (vol, filter & CVQ for each of two pickups + pickup selector + master vol) or a Series I with either an LED control, an aftermarket master vol., or a pickup selector moved from the horn to the control cluster to explain the extra hole for a Series I. It looks like the only thing remaining of the original electronics is the hum canceler. If you decide to restore it, I STRONGLY recommend that you use Alembic electronics. It won't be cheap, but dropping Dimarzios or any other standard type pickup and electronics into it would be akin to stumbling upon a Ferrari Dino in someone's barn, and then dropping a Chevy engine into it. If you're interested in selling, I'd certainly be interested in buying.

Bill, the guitar one.

sonicus · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2010, 03:03:31 PM »

Congratulations on the swell find and welcome .

I would agree that all Alembic replacement parts should be used. perhaps a complete refurb by Alembic including re- finish and fret & finger board work if needed.

Sonic Regards _________

mike1762 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2010, 04:50:13 PM »

A YARD SALE!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

synthanalog · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2010, 11:07:17 AM »

Thanks for all the info and interest!

Regarding fixing it up with real Alembic hardware, I entirely agree. In fact, when I bought it, it had a washburn wonder bar tremolo system installed and cheap passive pick ups. It looked so junky that I almost passed the guitar up! Needless to say, I'm delighted I didn't. I can not express how relieved I was when I removed the bridge and found that the wood underneath was still intact.

In terms of restoring the guitar, I think I'll leave the project up to someone who can better appreciate it. I'll post the guitar on the for sale section of the Alembic Fan page with more pictures and details. I'm hoping to sell it for around $1000. Please feel free to let me know if this is way to high or way too low. Thanks!

synthanalog · « **Reply #6 on:** May 09, 2010, 12:00:31 PM »

Here's the link to the sale:

http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/79763.html?1273431480

sjhoffma · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2010, 12:45:12 AM »

I would have came in my jeans if I saw that at a yard sale!!! Jesus christ I envy you!

jseitang · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2010, 01:42:19 PM »

hey josh,
is this guitar still up for grabs?

otis · « **Reply #9 on:** May 21, 2010, 06:05:56 PM »

Jimy,

The guitar is currently in my possession. I received it, today. It is a Series II with side LEDs (5 piece body, not sure of all the woods yet, but it looks like walnut, mahogany, maple, and purpleheart... there's 2 lams in the body that are rather dark, but I only glanced at it after taking it out of the box) and needs tons of work- going to be a long road, but I'm a patient man. It took me 15+ years to find my S2 Six String Bass, so I'm in no rush. I'll be starting a new thread about it, probably next week sometime...

Peace;)

Frank

sonicus · « **Reply #10 on:** May 21, 2010, 06:30:31 PM »

Congratulations on your new project!

I am sure that restoring it will be a fun endeavour .
Sonic Regards ______

otis · « **Reply #11 on:** May 21, 2010, 08:54:14 PM »

Wolf! Thanks for the kind words.

Yes, it will be fun. Not sure which direction I'm going to go (it started life as a guitar, but it might end up a piccolo bass... heh, heh, heh) It measures 1 & 5/8, give or take a millimeter or 2, and looks like a 26 scale, so it would be an Ultra Short Scale as a bass, but I'm liking the idea, the more I think about it...

We'll see what the kind folks at Alembic have to say- I spoke to Mica, yesterday, and she brainstormed some and said she was going to run it by her Mom, so we'll see what they come up with.

I'm not sure how Mary will take the guitar to bass (piccolo bass) transformation idea, but we'll see...

Peace;)

Frank

sonicus · « **Reply #12 on:** May 21, 2010, 09:11:40 PM »

Frank ,
when I first saw it I entertained the piccolo bass concept as well !
I am looking forward to watch for updates on what is decided and progress of the work and any major changes .

Sonic Regards ____

otis · « **Reply #13 on:** May 21, 2010, 10:18:03 PM »

Wolf,

You know what they say- Great minds think alike. I'm going to take a few pics, this weekend and post them, of the perspective between the guitar and my S2 Six String Bass. That should be pretty funny. It looks like Papa Bear and Baby Bear, for sure, LMAO.

Talk To You Soon;)

Frank

lbpesq · « **Reply #14 on:** May 22, 2010, 07:57:28 AM »

Frank:

The big body translates to a long scale guitar. This means it was built to a 25 1/2 scale, like a Fender. The smaller body guitars, like this one are 24 3/4 scale, like a Gibson. Having recently restored a very neglected Epic 5 fretless (though not nearly as rough as this one), I can tell you that it is a fun and worthwhile endeavor to bring her back. Of course, as a guitar player, I'd vote for original, but I'm sure she'd make a great piccolo bass too. I almost jumped on this one, but I already have my hands full with projects. Whichever way you go, enjoy and play in good health.

Bill, tgo