How very cool.  Under that brass plate are batteries, like Dela's #16?  Silly question, but what type of batteries go in there?  I was always under the impression that part of the reason for the 5-pin design is that batteries didn't produce enough juice for long enough.
 
Anyway, great guitar, and thanks for bringing it to the club, and double thanks for offering it to the club.

Todd-
To the best of my knowledge this guitar was never used on any albums. If it was used in concert, it would have been in 1973.
Neil will not be signing the letter, I will.
 
We had a discussion about this instrument the other day and I learned that he never really liked this guitar and didn't play it.  that is why it was put away until now.
 
As you know, Alembic have a very clean, also HI-Fi sound and he found that didn't lend itself well to getting the gritty rock tone he wanted.

Jack-
Yes, a 9 volt battery lives underneath the brass plate.

As a general message on this, I've received quite a few offers and messages from folks that are interested in #15.
 
I'll be sending out e-mails today to let everyone know where we are at.  Then there is a chance for another offer to be placed (in case some folks can go higher).
The guitar will be sold on Monday.
 
In a semi-related story, I also have a number SWR Goliath II bass cabinets and EBS power amp racks to sell.  These all come in road cases on wheels and are owned by Billy Talbot from Crazy Horse.
This is a simple straight sell and I'll be placing an ad over the weekend with details and photos.  Let's not muddy the waters discuss these items here.
 
Thanks again for welcoming me/us to the Club.

Hi Will,
 Thanks for the reply.  As to the letter of provenance, I understand that it is Neil's guitar, but the letter is part of the value and if Neil won't be signing it, can you tell us what the nature of your relationship to Neil is in terms of your job or role and what the letter might say?  Thanks again, Todd

Todd, check Neil's recent album credits... especially the archives.
 
Personally, I could care less about the letter.... Neil's a saint for not butchering the thing.... It could have easily shown up now with P-90s and a Bigsby~ then what would we all be thinking?!??  
 
(Message edited by pace on December 11, 2009)

for what its worth.  
there is a  1973 video of the show from wembley csny on this website
 
http://www.tapecity.org/
 
i dont know if young is playing this alembic- BUT its a highly recommended show-
 
good quality considering the year

Can you post the picture of Neil Young playing this guitar?

I got an email that the guitar sold.  Anyone here pick it up?
 
Bill, tgo

Hey Bill,  I can tell you it wasn't me. I was only willing to make one offer past the opening number.I just as much assumed that you'd be the one who grabbed it....  
 
check your e-mail, I saw something today that was very intriguing, and need your help placing it...

If it didn't end up with a member I hope they become one...and give us a tone report.
   After sitting in a case 35+ years it'd be nice to know there's a fresh set of strings and hear from a giddy guitarist with a new (old) Alembic.

The last email I got said the current price was $7500.  I was surprised anyone bid that much (and I don't know that I believe anyone really did).  IMHO that high a price would only be justified by the Neil Young connection.  While I have long liked Young's music, I wasn't willing to spend a few extra thousand dollars for the Young factor - especially without any provenance from Neil.  I hope whoever got it plays it and enjoys it.  I would have liked to grab it, mostly for the Wolf DNA evident in the upper horns.
 
Bill, tgo

Hi Bill, why the parenthetical? I was up there and didn't win it. Todd

Todd:
 
I guess I figured what I paid for #10 was a reasonable ballpark value, especially in light of the fact that early Series I guitars usually go for $2400-$3000 and prices for guitars across the board seem to have been dropping in recent months.  I certainly can understand an increased value based on the Neil Young connection, but I assumed anyone willing to pay a few thousand extra for the Young mojo would require a letter signed by Young, not someone else saying it was Neil's.  Anyway, if you were willing to go that high, I'm sorry you didn't get it.  It would have been nice to keep it in the club.
 
Bill, tgo