Yes, it is lovely.

Peter

Last clue; other than the obvious similarities to Alembic shapes used for the body pattern, take note of the Alembic script logo at the top/left of the web page here...

...and then study the lettering inlaid on the Joker guitar headstock. (attaching a better pic) See it? I think this was another very conscious stylistic choice.

Unrelated to that, but clearly incorporated into the overall design is how they routed through the first two layers of the headstock to create the illusion of an omega at the tip without actually being one. These are not just seat-of-the-pants afterthoughts of a shadetree l👀thier.

Well-made points, Greg.

"Joker", eh?
Maybe some Prankster influence, as well?  "Let's keep 'em guessing!"

Peter

Yep, that headstock "faux omega" (fauxmega?) is interesting.  When I first saw it, I remember wondering if it once held an inlay or logo or some sort, especially given those white-ish dots inside the omega.  Those might be a red herring, but my first thought was that they may be the remnants of glue that once held something in that circle, but it fell out, or maybe was even intentionally removed.

For example, if you compare it to a Hyak headstock, it starts looking quite similar:








But of course, it may just be exactly what it is now - a decorative omega made by routing out only the top layers.  I like it as-is, but with the "JOKER" letters encircling it, it just seems to suggest that something decorative "should" go there.

Now listed for $6k.


I'm payin' off bankers and doctors. Or I'd be playin' cards.

Certainly is an interesting guitar, wonder what all of those switches do?

Quote from: rv_bass on March 22, 2026, 12:19:07 PM
Certainly is an interesting guitar, wonder what all of those switches do?

My guesses are;

The knobs; the offset one is for master volume, and the six in an array, one pot each for volume and tone for each pickup.

The switches; the three in a row are on/off switches for each pickup. The two between the master volume and bridge are coil-taps for the bridge and neck humbuckers, the one in the center of the six pots is... a kill switch. Or possibly solo's the middle single-coil?

Only the Joker and John Cole knows. 

'Crazy Man's Widow' has updated the description for the mysterious Joker guitar... apparently she has discovered and confimed its lineage. There's also a description confirming the electronics. The most interesting thing, she alludes to the existence of an acoustic companion guitar.

For anyone still interested in this years-long saga, here's the link-

https://reverb.com/item/94794080

Well, I bought and paid for the Joker yesterday in the hopes of getting to the bottom of what it really was. They added tracking within an hour of receiving payment.

Two minutes ago, the seller cancelled the sale, claiming it was already sold. I suppose it's fitting, considering all the nonsense that's attended the instrument since it surfaced.

Well... that sounds about right. 🙄 

It'll turn up again in... probably 2-3 years. 

Really disappointing.

That guitar popping up in March was what reignited my interest in Alembics. I sold something out of my collection that I wouldn't have otherwise gotten rid of to fund the purchase, so it's doubly upsetting.

I was assuming that she sold to someone else this morning, but you're probably right that it'll pop up in a few years.

Seriously, this whole thing, just... what a strange deal from start to finish.

Thanks for trying to solve the mystery, would have been great to hear what you found out from investigating the guitar more thoroughly!

I had hoped to share everything here, get proper photos, bring it up to Mica, and really put some energy into it.

It's a pity that people who have it are intent upon rubbing as much bad karma on it as they possibly can.

To my GREAT surprise, I got to see and hear the Joker tonight. Walked in to see Mason's Children here in Asheville and the lead guitar player has it. He loves it and it sounds great. Like many here, I had my eyes on this one for a long time - I wish I'd pulled the trigger now (and thought about it all night, lol) - just wasn't in the 'cards' for me. Glad it's in good hands - if you don't know, Mason's Children are a great rising young Dead band that focuses on 60's Dead.

Amazing. That fool-thing has lived rent-free in my head for the best part of ten years, and ended up a couple hundred miles away from me anyway. 

Since we're done here, I'm reminded there was another Omega-cut guitar with Alembic mystique attached to it that turned up in western North Carolina a few years ago. 

https://club.alembicguitars.com/for-sale-trade/mystery-alembic-for-sale/msg141225/#msg141225

https://club.alembicguitars.com/series-i-basses-and-guitars/mystery-series-i-omega/