Author Topic: My first one... (Read 413 times)

strangerones · « **on:** September 05, 2005, 03:56:49 PM »

Hello all. I've lurked around here for a while now. A few weeks ago my wife bought this Skylark from 1stbass off the For Sale area as a wedding gift for me. The past two Saturdays I've had the opportunity to really run it through the races at a couple gigs, and all in all I've been very pleased. The responsiveness and ease with which the instrument plays is better than I hoped for. Tonally, the range is amazing, though the approach to it is taking some getting used to. A simple turn of the tone controls or change in pickup selection produces changes you wouldn't get in a normal mainstream instrument, thus I'm still learning what works best for various applications.

This instrument has also given me the opportunity to really work out in my head what I want when I'm ready to have one built. Now I just know I left that 10k sitting around here somewhere...

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2005, 04:31:40 PM »

Congrats James!!

tom_z · « **Reply #2 on:** September 05, 2005, 04:39:36 PM »

Great looking Skylark, James. Congratulations on your wedding and guitar! You're right about Alembic guitars not behaving like mainstream guitars. You really don't just crank up the knobs to max - you will find sweet spots and combinations that sound just amazing. As you may already know, you can adjust the gain of each pickup inside the control cavity, adding even more versitility.

Enjoy,
Tom

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** September 05, 2005, 07:07:58 PM »

James:

Welcome to the club and congratulations on the recent nuptials! When I first opened your thread I did a double take. My balcony has the same type and color of wood fencing around it and we also have the tube lights strung around in the same manner. At first glance I thought Holy S**T, my wife bought me a Skylark!!!! Of course it didn't make any sense that she would when we are soon expecting my new custom Further and I don't think she could pull it off without my suspecting something. Then I took a breath, read your post and came back to reality. You have a wonderful guitar, enjoy it thoroughly.

Bill, the guitar one

(Message edited by lbpesq on September 05, 2005)

hollis · « **Reply #4 on:** September 09, 2005, 01:54:01 PM »

Hi James,

They keep getting better.....

I've said it many times before, and I'll say it again... I LOVE MY SKYLARK!

Have you done any adjustments with the trim pots inside?

It really is amazing how many ways there are to dial it in.

One word of warning. Alembics are addictive.

I started with a Skylark.... now it's 4 Alembics and counting....

Happily, it's the only addiction I've ever been excited to suffer....

Enjoy

strangerones · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2005, 07:22:37 PM »

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Bill, LOL that's actually the deck we played our last gig on.

Hollis,

Havn't gotten to the trim pots yet. I've been pondering it, but I think I want to scour the Club for info on it before I start opening up my new baby. What would you suggest?

I can definately see the addictive aspect of it...though it seems to be one that those around me don't understand. Luckily I have a tolerant better half.

The only issue I've had with it is the first time I put new strings on it the action shot way up and it required a truss rod adjustment. Luckily help was just a phone call away, thanks to Alembic's great customer service.

moralee · « **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2005, 08:48:02 PM »

I'm new here, too, and joined because Google didn't provide the answers I seek.

I'm in Europe and though they're sold here, this is a big place and I haven't been able to see one for myself. I want to get a Skylark for a 16 year old jazz prot?g? who lives in California and have no idea as to which model, etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** September 12, 2005, 04:59:59 AM »

Hi Moralee, and welcome. Hopefully some of the guitar players in the group will see your post and answer your questions. If you've got time to wait, you may want to custom order a new Skylark; and if you decide to go that route, perhaps the best advice may be obtained from the people at the Alembic shop. Some of the Skylarks owned by club members can be seen ; and of course the Alembic site Skylark page is .

lbpesq · « **Reply #8 on:** September 12, 2005, 12:08:54 PM »

Moralee:

There is only one model Skylark. Of course at Alembic you can customize just about anything. For the most part the customized Skylarks I've seen usually have different wood on the top, either cocobolo or walnut. Also, some have had their Skylark stained in a translucent color or sunburst. The first consideration in choosing an Alembic guitar in IMHO (other than $) is between a set neck and a neck-thru. Generally, the neck-thru will provide more sustain, though that may not be an issue for a jazz player. You can talk to Susan or Valentino and they will be happy to answer any qustions and give you ideas about the difference in tone from various woods. The bottom line is that ANY Alembic guitar will be extremely versatile. You can dial in just about any tone you are looking for. Unlike almost all other builders, Alembic makes its own pick ups and electronics. Their approach is very unique while almost everyone else uses pre-manufactred electronics based on either a Gibson (2 humbuckers) or Fender (single coil) model. Whatver you get, I've no doubt your young friend will be very appreciatie and, again IMHO, VERY lucky to have an Alembic at such a young age. (In other words, I'm jealous!)

Bill, the guitar one

moralee · « **Reply #9 on:** September 12, 2005, 08:05:23 PM »

davehouck and Ibpesq:

Thanks for the welcome. These guitars are beautiful and though I want one for a relative in California who asked me about them, I now want one myself. I've been playing an ancient Ovation for over 25 years and am tired of it.

If he wasn't so talented, I wouldn't dream of getting him an Alembic.

I checked the local guitar shop and they didn't have them, so I may have to go to a bigger city and see if I can find Alembic there.

I may wind up having him buy one in the states, but there goes my surprise.

Thanks again, you're a helpful lot.

keith_h · « **Reply #10 on:** September 13, 2005, 05:00:34 AM »

Moralee,
You might want to consider ordering one from a dealer the States anyway. I believe the prices from a dealer here will be lower (no European VAT taxes, shipping,etc). You could work out delivery and shipping dates with the dealer.

Keith

moralee · « **Reply #11 on:** September 14, 2005, 02:46:27 AM »

Keith,

Yikes, I didn't think about VAT and all. It's higher here than anywhere in the EU, I believe. I know it's 21% on some goods, but I believe it's higher on luxury items.

If I wind up getting one for myself, I'll definitely go to Spain. I'm sure they have them there and the savings would pay for the trip and then some.

He's near Los Angeles so I'm going to have him take a look. It would be ridiculous for me to buy one he hasn't checked out and have made to his specifications.

I get jazzed about something and all logic flees my head

Thanks again for making me think!

jahnahisti · « **Reply #12 on:** September 16, 2005, 04:15:40 PM »

Sweet Skylark strangerones. Love the headstock!

(Message edited by jahnahisti on September 17, 2005)

richbass939 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 17, 2005, 03:26:08 PM »

James,
Congrats on the Skylark and wedding. What a beautiful top it has. It sounds like you're certainly enjoying it.
Rich

1stbass · « **Reply #14 on:** September 23, 2005, 03:27:16 AM »

Hi James,

I'am glade to see that guitar getting a good workout. It's great that a club brother gave it a good home.
All the best.

Doug