This one came up on my Reverb feed today. Nice unique shape. Too bad it has been routed out for DiMarzios. I guess I can accept that anyone can do whatever they want with any instrument they own, but the seller is incredibly optimistic asking $20K considering the surgery that has been performed on this poor guitar.
Bill, tgo
https://reverb.com/item/97762228-alembic-custom-1994?utm_campaign=Feed-Email&utm_content=feed_listings&utm_medium=email&utm_source=braze&utm_term=Feed+Email
I saw that when it popped up. I think (based upon what the seller claims), it was made with the same Dual Sound Dimarzio setup that was in Tiger, so the route may be original to the guitar.
Seems like its aggressively priced
:-\
The listing says it includes the original Alembic pickups. I don't believe Alembic has ever offered the option of installing non-Alembic electronics in their instruments.
Bill, tgo
I think I remember this one from several years ago, if it is the same guitar it had three Alembic HG pickups in it, it was a nice looking guitar.
I guess if someone is looking for the later period Jerry sound this configuration might point you in that direction. If you want that nice '74 sound I'd recommended a Series I guitar 😊
I can't see enough detail to tell conclusively, but it doesn't look like any routing was done. I would assume those DiMarzio pickups to fit where the Alembic HG's did, and could be put back. I have those same Alembic pickups in one of my guitars and they're definitely very different from any other humbucker out there. (I don't even think they sound or act like humbuckers... just kind of their own thing) So I can see the why, even if I don't agree.
It's a shame about the mods, but a really pretty guitar. I think Reverb has turned into a place for people to dream/window-shop. Nobody is paying $20k for that guitar. You can buy a NEW Crest guitar for less, and not have to put all the guts back innit.
I wonder if the electronics changed at all from stock, though? The only change the seller mentions is the pickups - and thankfully they had the sense to actually keep the originals (can't believe how often people don't!).
I agree the routing may likely be stock, so I was holding out hope that by simply putting the original pickups back in, it would be super-easy to make it 100% original again.
Granted the controls don't match current Alembic models, but they might have gone with simpler 2-knob controls on purpose due to the three pickups.
I totally agree the asking price. ??? Maybe the seller is banking a LOT of value on that Frank Gambale signature.
The HG pickups are a direct retrofit size-wise for any humbucker, so no surgery needed to change out. These pickups were originally made to swap out a standard humbucker in a non-Alembic guitar.
Would be good to confirm if seller has the original electronics if one wanted to restore. Since he mentioned that financial issues are forcing him to sell, he's going to try and maximize, which any of us would do in the same situation. You gotta ask! It's a gorgeous guitar that will hopefully be able to find a good home and bring some financial relief to the current owner.
It's always tough to see an original owner sell a Custom. I get it though. Hard decisions get a little bit easier when faced with reality, but still no fun making them. :(
At least we know this one can be put back to spec if someone chooses, no harm done.
That's good news. If that's the case, I really like the idea of being able to swap the pickups between the original Alembics and conventional humbuckers without changing anything else. Having the middle pickup is great. The scaled-down version of the classic Series shape is really cool too, and I love a coco bolo top.
So overall, I'll hand it to the seller - personally I think this custom has some excellent picks.
Hope he can get it to a good home, at a mutually-beneficial price.