This one came to me in poor condition.
The electronics were all cut up, the plus side is
it appears most everything is there. The pickups
will need replacing , these have cracked epoxy and open circuits. The humcanceller works ;)
Another plus is that since the guitar wasn't in good condition,it didn't leave when I had to sell off some babies in the past.
I plan on doing what's needed to be a proper Series instrument again. I'm not sure if I can afford a refin right now, but I bet with the help of the mothership and folks here I can get the electronics back to stock.
I still need to remove the bridge and tailpiece
for polishing. IIRC the hole for the canon jack(under the strat plate) is in good condition.
The filter switch holes were enlarged...and not very well . Nothing that can't be fixed.
So...here she is.
Is this where caps for the mellowfilters hide?
At some point it was glued deep in the control cavity.
Anyone know a Larry Welborn from the Nashville area?...probably played country...maybe western
DarkStar is consoling her...
Things should get better from here on for #1100.
I hope maybe by the end of the summer I'll be in stereo Alembicland once again.
elwood
I LIKE IT! That should be a very cool vintage fixer-upper.
It looks like the future for 78-1100 will be very positive and with a team member like DarkStar the journey will lead to success !
Just bumping Bro. Elwood's thread up, and restoring the long-lost picture. (I've had this one squirreled away for years...)
#78-1100.jpg
Looking forward to seeing this one back in action. 😉
Beautiful wood 😊
It looks like it had the two buffer switches (I forgot the name for those switches). Will you include those in your restoration as well?
I asked Kris about that offline the other day because it had slipped my mind that C&W here had mellow switches.
He's re-installing switches for them, but going forward the first one is a boost/flat/cut for Talent, and the other simply dimes all the controls to 11.
I keeding, I keeding! 🤣
Ok....in my world (blues brothers) C & W stands for Country & Western? Both kinds of music! ;) ;D
Quote from: garyhead on August 22, 2026, 12:46:34 PMOk....in my world (blues brothers) C & W stands for Country & Western? Both kinds of music! ;) ;D
Rawhide !! 8)
Quote from: edwardofhuncote on August 21, 2026, 03:46:05 AMJust bumping Bro. Elwood's thread up, and restoring the long-lost picture. (I've had this one squirreled away for years...)
Looking forward to seeing this one back in action. 😉
oooff...she looked rough.
I have since massaged those voids back into an acceptable looking top and put a few coats of gloss where it was needed.
I'll post some contemporary pics of the front soon.
I've put in a request for new witch hat knobs and other adornments to complete the restoration.
Also just ordered some TI power brights, my favorite strings.
I used 78-1100 as inspiration for a homebrew guitar I made last year, I'm looking forward to sharing pics of that one too.
Cheers!!
Thought I'd upload a more recent pic that shows a bit more shine.
It'll keep getting better as I get new knobs, selector switch cover, screws, strings, etc.
She still needs some buffing, though much further to the goal than that last picture.
;)
new pic.jpg
Yay!!
My Parts package arrived from Alembic.
Thank you Mica, Ron, and Mary.
#1100 is looking better than it has in a loooong time.
I'll try and finish the electronics tomorrow.
Here is a pic with the new knobs, selector plate, proper screws for the pickups, etc.
More pics soon.
Cheers!! 8)
1.jpg
I found the personalized brass plate that was added to the headstock.
Anyone heard of Larry Welborn?
Not sure if he was into Western musics, but he was surely a fan of Country :D
(edit: I found a Larry Welborn who played bass with Buddy Holly, wonder if it's the same Larry)
brass plate.jpg
Question for y'all: Should I reaffix the plate or carefully store it with other parts that are no longer in use?
5.jpg
I think a new nut will be my next improvement, the spacing between the E and A strings are not quite right.
I'd Polish it up and put it on! It would draw less attention to the headstock with the mysterious lonely screws.
Quote from: elwoodblue on September 17, 2026, 05:24:32 PMI found the personalized brass plate that was added to the headstock.
Anyone heard of Larry Welborn?
Not sure if he was into Western musics, but he was surely a fan of Country :D
(edit: I found a Larry Welborn who played bass with Buddy Holly, wonder if it's the same Larry)
brass plate.jpg
Question for y'all: Should I reaffix the plate or carefully store it with other parts that are no longer in use?
5.jpg
I think a new nut will be my next improvement, the spacing between the E and A strings are not quite right.
I wouldn't be surprised if it were the same guy. To tell the truth, it sounds familiar but I can't quite place it.
I'm pretty sure that truss-rod cover is spaced for Gibson screw holes. I would either put it back on, or put it in the case and order another engraved nameplate just like it with your choice on it.
I'll dig around in here and see, I may have a chunk of brass suitable for a guitar nut. I've never tried to fill a brass nut slot with CA and brass filings but it's worth a shot. Make a fine powder of brass and carefully cure it into the glue, then file it off and recut the slot.
It's looking great!
Quote from: garyhead on September 17, 2026, 06:19:48 PMI'd Polish it up and put it on! It would draw less attention to the headstock with the mysterious lonely screws.
That is what I'm thinking too.
Thanks Gary
Quote from: edwardofhuncote on September 18, 2026, 03:47:33 AMI'm pretty sure that truss-rod cover is spaced for Gibson screw holes. I would either put it back on, or put it in the case and order another engraved nameplate just like it with your choice on it.
I'll dig around in here and see, I may have a chunk of brass suitable for a guitar nut. I've never tried to fill a brass nut slot with CA and brass filings but it's worth a shot. Make a fine powder of brass and carefully cure it into the glue, then file it off and recut the slot.
It's looking great!
Thanks Greg.
No hurry, I'll let you know when I'm ready to work more on it.
Another thought is to add inserts to allow an Alembic made adjustable nut.
When I get home from work I might have energy and gumption to test the guitar.
I bet there will be new songs created with inspiration from this graceful instrument 8)
Looks great! 😊 👍
It seems likely that it's the same guy; first Google finds no other Larry Welborn, second both before and after playing bass in the Crickets he was a guitarist, and finally for a number of years he owned and/or regularly played at a joint called "That Country Place".
Very cool!
I'd remount it - but Greg's suggestion of getting one made to replace it is not without merit.
Peter