Author Topic: Greetings! New 6-string owner... (are there many of us here?) (Read 177 times)

thehophouse · « **on:** August 12, 2007, 04:14:04 PM »

Just bought an Alembic guitar... According to the certificate it is a CLG6 Custom... the body shape is akin to a Telecaster / it has a flame maple top in a custom rose red finish. I'm guessing that this isn't a stock Alembic shape ... so any info about this beauty and other similar guitars out there would be much appreciated.

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** August 12, 2007, 05:03:24 PM »

Hi Mike, welcome to the board!

To get info about your guitar, post the serial number to our section.

And yes, there are a lot of Alembic guitar owners in our group here. In fact the members here love pictures of Alembics, so if you like you can post pictures in our Showcase section. And if you want, post a pic in this thread as I imagine folks are going to want to see it.

grateful · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2007, 03:02:43 AM »

Hi Mike and welcome.

I assume Graham (the UK dealer) ordered that guitar and I would imagine he could tell you about it. As far as I know , it's the only Alembic Telecaster. I would guess from the pictures that it has Orion electronics (but I could be wrong!).

I trust you're enjoying the Alembic experience: since I've had my Further, other guitars seem woefully inadequate!

Mark

(Having just read your description of the controls in the S/N request section, it isn't Orion electronics)

(Message edited by grateful on August 13, 2007)

lidon2001 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2007, 07:37:25 AM »

Greetings Mike and welcome.

I think we can assume it is this one, found as the example of red finish on the custom finishes page:

thehophouse · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2007, 08:36:23 AM »

Yep... that's the guitar! It looks a tad more 'pink' in the flesh than the rich red here... but it is defintely the guitar I've just bought.

Regarding how it came to be on sale 'off the shelf' in a UK store, I don't know. Graham didn't say that he'd commissioned it himself. But that may well be the case.... He kinda gave me the impression he saw it when he visited Alembic and he brought it back to the UK to sell (at his shop). Hence my guess that whoever originally commissioned it wasn't 100% happy with it... pure speculation on my part of course. Although it is such a fabulous guitar, I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with it!

Obviously... any info regarding how it came to be made would be appreciated. Someone at Alembic must know... surely?

Even more so... info on the toggle switch and the 'wah wah' mode that the tone pot is sent into would be gratefully received. It certainly is an 'interesting' feature!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2007, 09:19:25 AM »

I'd certainly guess at the controls being a volume and filter with q-switch. No idea what the third knob would be unless its a pan pot or a second filter. But then there is a pick up selector so maybe the third knob is not a pan.

I am an alembic guitarist too I have an orion and an alembicised USA maple strat.

Good to see some other UK players on here. Hope you get on well with your new guitar.

Jazzyvee

(Message edited by jazzyvee on August 13, 2007)

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2007, 02:11:48 PM »

Mike:

Welcome to the club. It's always good to have another 6-stringer around these parts as the membership is decidedly bottom heavy, though a nicer bunch of cable pluckers you couldn't hope to find. As for the wah wah effect, you should only be experiencing it with the Q switch on. The Q is the toggle switch which should either be a two position or three position toggle. If two positions, it is off/on. If three, it is likely off/6db/9db, or something similar. It is used in conjunction with the low pass filter, Alembic's tone circuit. Fully open (completely clockwise) all the signal passes through. As you turn it counter-clockwise, the highs are progressively filtered out and only the frequency to which it is turned, and those frequencies below, are allowed to pass through. Engaging the Q switch boosts the signal at the cut-off frequency and results in the wah wah effect as you turn the filter up and down. As for the other two knobs, is it possible that each is a separate volume, one for each pickup?

I'm also curious about the construction - is this a neck thru or a set neck? Either way it is a very cool guitar. I had always thought an Alembic Strat would be cool and thought about commissioning one until I found this recently.

For a definitive answer about the controls, and to learn about your guitar's history, Dave pointed you in the right direction. Post the serial number and you'll get the info from Alembic. Meanwhile, enjoy your new baby!

Bill, the guitar one

thehophouse · « **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2007, 03:03:18 AM »

Re the 'Strat'... nice! I'm guessing... but probably only a 'Strat' in looks? If so, this echo's what my 'Tele' is like. It sounds (and plays) nothing like a Telecaster. I'll refrain from saying whether that is a good or bad thing... it is just different!

Re the neck, it is straight through. I'll take some photos and post them...

One question (from a 6-stringer to another)... do the guitars come fitted with Alembic strings? I can find no mention of guitar strings on the website... but they feel kinda different.

Mike

grateful · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2007, 03:14:02 AM »

Hi Mike,

Yup. the guitars come with Alembic strings.

Mark

thehophouse · « **Reply #9 on:** August 14, 2007, 07:57:30 AM »

OK... next question: what is 'special' about the strings? And where can you buy them?

Sorry --- I can't for the life of me find any info on the website (tons of stuff about bass strings but nothing about guitar strings).

Mike

tom_z · « **Reply #10 on:** August 14, 2007, 08:04:53 AM »

Hi Mike and welcome. I'm one of a handful of guitar players around here. I've had a Skylark for a few years and have a Further on order. As Mark pointed out, Alembics ship with Alembic strings, unless otherwise requested. For example, the Further I'm having built will be set up with Pyramid Pure Nickel 12-54, which I provided when I visited the shop. Alembic will slot the nut and saddles to accommodate the heavier gauge. I believe you can still purchase Alembic guitar strings by calling or emailing the shop to place an order.

Enjoy your custom. Can't wait to see your pics.

Peace
Tom

jazzyvee · « **Reply #11 on:** August 14, 2007, 11:02:52 AM »

I use the coated elixir 9's when touring as when i'm playing for a few hours under hot lights my fingers sweat and with standard strings, the coating comes off, they corrode and break. So I end up having to change them every gig which based on UK prices is not cheap.
With the coated ones I can get about 4 or 5 concerts out of them before they feel like they need changing.

My preference tho is D'addario XL 9's i like the feel and tone of them but they don't stay bright for too long. I too have not seen any alembic guitar strings. They may be worth a try depending on the cost.
Jazzyvee

lbpesq · « **Reply #12 on:** August 14, 2007, 04:34:47 PM »

I've used D'addarios (10-46) for years. A friend suggestd GHS Boomers, telling me they are much smoother to the touch. I found a set of GHS Nickel Rockers (I think they're called) I had in my box-o-junk and slapped them on. The difference in feel is obvious. The GHS srings are MUCH smoother, almost like a flatwound. So far I like them, but I'm not sure if I prefer them to the D'addarios. I still want to try the GHS Boomers. Anyone around here tried those?

Bill, tgo

dannobasso · « **Reply #13 on:** August 14, 2007, 10:30:26 PM »

As an out of control bass grubber, I had to get an Alembic geetar. Susan sold me the red Skylark w/led's from the showroom. It came with Alembic 10's. i since put on Sperzels and Gibson 11's. I'm changing the strings this weekend and trying out SIT 11's. The neck is unlike any of my other guitars (hamer, strat, esquire, lp classic, bcrich mockingbird, mmpetrucci, schecter) very thin and very fast. Love the brite settings on the switches, very useful.
Welcome, I would love to have a tele shape like yours. lucky sod! Enjoy it in good health.