Custom Alembic Series 1 1978 Natural. Owned & Played by "Bob" Burch of ELTON JOHN Band. Collectible. RARE.

ALEMBIC

“Series One”

June 15, 1978

Owned & Played by “Robert W. Birch”

From my personal collection of exquisite vintage guitars, basses, and amplifiers.

ROBERT W. “BOB” BIRCH.

Robert W. Birch is better known as “Bob Birch”-bass player extraordinaire who sadly died in 2012. He was 56. Bob started playing electric bass guitar when he was in the 7th grade in Detroit, Michigan where “James Jamerson” was making Motown the “sound of his bass”. There Bob practiced, played, and became respected as a “professional musician”. In 1981, after graduation from college, Bob headed to Los Angeles where he became a member of several bands but more so became a “go to session bassist”.

I believe, based on the information from the seller of this bass (I bought it in 2001 from another session player in LA who had owned it since 1986/7?) that Bob Burch most likely bought it soon after arriving in LA in 1981 from Rothchild Music Inc. based in San Francisco. The sale of this serial number instrument to Rothchild (an Alembic distributor) has been verified by Alembic as being made in 1978.

Rothchild Music Inc. was a distributor of musical instruments and sound equipment in San Francisco which was owned and operated by PAUL ROTHCHILD (the “5th Door”) and his brother. Paul was the “guy” in the world of “west coast music” and started the company to help independent equipment builders (Alembic, Furman, Taylor, Bartolini, others), who he personally admired, get their products in the hands of players.

This incredible bass guitar passed through the hands of Paul Rothchild’s company on its way to Bob Birch via a dealer in LA. No one seems to know who that dealer was.

Once in Bob’s hands, again, per its later owner, it was used on lots of session work and in several of his bands. Then, as always happens when you are a session player, it was sold by Bob to another session player to make rent, buy a car, or maybe to buy another guitar.  No answer can be given because there is no one around to be asked the question.

The most visible and resident evidence I have of Bob’s ownership of this guitar is the recollection of its former owner and the nameplate which reads “Robert W. Birch” who is “Robert Wayne ‘Bob’ Birch”. The plate is authentic and appears original to the guitar (check out the slot screws).

Sadly, Bob Birch died in 2012 by his choice. Bob was in constant pain after being hit by a truck in Montreal, Canada in 1995. Suffering from both legs broken and major spinal injuries, Bob was told that he would “never walk again”. But of course he did, but the pain from the injuries never left him-until 2012.

At that time, Bob was a permanent member of Elton John’s touring state band. Bob came to Elton’s band in the summer of 1992 at the beginning of “The One Tour” which was Elton’s first public outing after his recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and bulimia and was in support of his newest album, “The One”.

THE BASS.

It is an Alembic bass-what else is there to tell? Simply reading and saying that name creates magic in your mind. These are not only handmade guitars, they are “heart made” instruments by the Wickersham family. And this guitar is not only imbued with the “Wickersham Alembic magic” it is also filled with the “soul of Bob Birch”. Hard to touch that.

DETAILS.

This is one of most beautiful Alembic pieces I have seen. Look at the photos to sense its beauty of wood and metal sculpted by Ron into a piece of art.

It is in “EXCELLENT OPERATING” condition and “VERY GOOD COSMETIC” condition. The assignment of this description of “Very Good” condition is predicated upon the existence of “finish checking” on the entirety of the surface of this instrument-which is, of course, entirely natural and appropriate for its age. It is warmly reliced by the years of its life and the hands of Bob Burch who has played it (with others).

Not included is the original power supply and power cord. Those were long ago lost in the studio where they really were not needed. It does come with its OHSC.

Please ask any additional questions you may have.

Thank you.

MY TRY IT OUT POLICY.

Understanding the normal hesitation of buying a guitar without first playing it, I want to make sure these guitars make you happy. To accomplish that, I want you to try them for 72 hours (three days). Play them, hold them, walk around with them on your back, sleep with then-whatever it takes for you to make sure these are the ones for you. During that time, you can return them for a full refund of your payment price (but of course they need to be treated well while you have them, as I expect you will) less shipping cost and you must pay the cost to ship it back to us.

If one arrives damaged, please let me know immediately by email. Be sure to hold onto all packing material and the box. I will contact the shipper for an inspection. Remember that this can take up to a couple of weeks but I will rush it along.

Minor problems. If there is a problem with one of the guitars when it arrives, e.g., loose wires etc. then I will work with you to get it repaired by someone in your area.

OTHER POLICIES.

A. Payment Policy: PAYMENT DUE WITHIN 24 HOURS OF PURCHASE.

B. Shipping Policy: I will ship to the continental USA ONLY.

C. Return Policy:

1. Returnable within 3 days of delivery. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging and no signs of use. Buyer pays all return shipping costs.

2. Returns of undamaged and unmodified instruments may allowed, with permission of Seller, for a period of up to 14 days following delivering but will be subject to a 20% restocking fee. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging and no signs of use. Buyer assumes responsibility for all return shipping costs.

D. Refunds: Buyer receives a full refund in their original payment method less any shipping charges and restocking fees if appropriate.

E. The guarantee:

1. The guitar is in the cosmetic condition as described in this ad. Used guitars will all have signs of use to include dings, dents, scratches, smudges, etc.

2, The guitar is in fully operational condition.

3. Buyer has 72 hrs. to inspect the guitar or have it inspected. Any defects, damage, misrepresentations or other problems must be reported within that time period in writing to the Seller.

4. In the case of damage during shipment, Buyer shall immediately inform seller of such damage and will maintain all original packing materials and box for inspection by the transportation company.

5. If other problems are discovered, Seller will either arrange for repair etc. at a location near the Buyer or request that the Buyer return the guitar to the Seller. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging and no signs of use. Buyer assumes responsibility for all return shipping costs.

Seller will correct indicated problems and ship the guitar back to the Buyer within 7-10 days of receiving it.

6. Refund Procedure.

a. In the event that the guitar cannot be repaired or replaced with a similar item from Seller’s inventory, the Seller will provide a full refund in their original payment method less any shipping charges and restocking fees if appropriate.

b. During this 72-hour evaluation period, the Buyer may return the guitar for any reason by notifying Seller and receiving a Return Authorization number. Guitar must be in the same condition as received by the Buyer. Buyer pays cost of shipping guitar back to Seller.

c. Returns may be allowed, with permission of Seller and issuance of RA#, after the 72 hour evaluation period for up to 14 days total but a standard 20% Restocking Fee will be charged for the return. Guitar must be in the same condition as received by the Buyer. Buyer pays cost of shipping guitar back to Seller.

NOTE:I want each Buyer of a guitar from my collection to be pleased and happy with his/her purchase so let me know immediately of any problems with your purchase so that we can work it out. Thanks.

Thank you for looking at this incredible VINTAGE guitar from my collection.