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Alembic Vintage Guitarsby Carolyn Nierman
Alembic’s creators Ron and Susan Wickersham didn’t set out to build guitars. Created in 1969, Alembic began life as a consulting firm that worked closely with popular artists. The Alembic goal was to improve the sound quality of both live concerts and the concerts’ recordings. However, after upgrading a great deal of the audio and recording equipment used at these events, it became apparent to the Wickershams that the electronics in the bands’ instruments needed some improvement, as well. After spending some time making adjustments and customizations to the instruments produced by other companies, Alembic finally created their very own line of instruments in 1972. The first of these instruments to be completed was a bass made for Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane. The first to have its distinctive shape, this bass cost more than four thousand dollars, a price tag that was unheard of at that time. This infamous instrument was created from Zebrawood and purpleheart wood, had a decorative inlay along its fingerboard, and featured movable pickups. It was a real work of art. The list of artists who have performed with an Alembic vintage guitar since then seems to go on forever. The list includes 1970’s music icons Stanley Clarke, Phil Lesh, and Jerry Garcia; funk musicians Jermaine Jackson, Louis Johnson, and Brown Mark; and Metallica band members Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted. This host of well-known musicians who prefer Alembic guitars have no doubt helped the Alembic vintage guitar take center stage among guitar collectors. Interestingly, Alembic’s popularity among musicians was earned, not given. Alembic has adopted a rare policy regarding guitar endorsements. With very few exceptions, Alembic does not give instruments to musicians, regardless of how successful the musician might be. Each of the popular artists who choose to play an Alembic guitar had to purchase it the same way guitar aficionados today purchase their Alembic vintage guitar. Alembic instruments are still in production; however, finding a vintage Alembic guitar may turn out to be a little tougher than purchasing a new one. Places to search for a piece of Alembic history include local music shops that carry used instruments, the classified ads of local newspapers, and various web sites. Although the quest for the right Alembic guitar may seem to be daunting, any guitar collector will say that their find is well worth the effort. ------------------------------------------------ |
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