Hi all. This is the prototype I chatted about here a few years ago.
Here's the Reverb.com listing:
https://reverb.com/item/1689430-alembic-unique-peanut-prototype-6-string-guitar-1972-mint
 
I'd love to sell this to someone who appreciates the history.
Thanks again to everyone who filled me in on it when I first posted about it.
 
Cordially,
Doug vanderHoof
Chicago
773-394-0029, text is best for a first contact.

WOW, that's all I can say. Maybe Susan or Ron can chip in for some history on this.

Looks a great deal like the body that became the Rick Turner Model 1.  Was he working at Alembic at that time?

Hi Doug,
 Glad you found your way back here.
All my best,always

Here's the showcase thread referenced:
link

Yes, Rick Turner was with Alembic back then.  As for the peanut shape, my understanding is that it was Garcia who was the impetus for a small bodied guitar.  The experiment culminated in the design that became Wolf, which, IIRC, was Alembic #25.  I wonder if this originally had active electronics?  
 
Bill, tgo

I woke up suddenly in the middle of last night, with a splitting headache. Went to medicine cabinet for a Goody's Headache Powder, and fridge for a chaser. Grabbed my phone for a distraction, and there was this classic on Reverb. Didn't sleep another wink all night. =)
 
Such a cool piece of Alembic history... next best thing to a time machine. Hope this one stays in the family so-to-speak. I too, am curious what the other void was/is (as described in the Reverb ad) for. I suppose at that stage, everything was an experiment. The inlaid marquetry on the back is a nice touch too. Never seen that before, at least not on an Alembic.

Three years ago, over on the Grateful Dead Music Forum, Rick Turner announced that he was going to start working on a reissue Peanut Guitar. Haven't heard anything about it since.

How fantastic that nearly 45 years later there are so many similarities in production...logo, headstock, tuners, neck, inlays, bridge, top hats, etc.  Makes me so proud to be an owner.

The pictures are great, what an interesting piece of history. Thanks for sharing and hopefully it will find a new home soon!

Thanks Doug!!! 

 

Back shot

Congrats!! it's nice to see new pics too .


Is that an Irwin(with a sliding pickup??) next to #5?
I'd love to hear a bit about that one (please ).

Thanks!


That is an Irwin with floating/sliding pickups(currently replacing one).  Irwin #13 "Golden Rod".