Alembic Element Acoustic Guitar | Cocobolo

Here's the very first new Alembic Element acoustc guitar to go out to a shop! 

The Alembic name is associated with some of the most legendary tones on earth and this Small Jumbo acoustic guitar definitely lives up to the reputation. You barely have to touch it for it to sound great and sustain forever! This is a guitar to hold and love!

The Element rings like a bell with a robust sound and has sustain that lasts for days! We personally selected the gorgeous set of Cocobolo for the back and sides of this beautifully appointed instrument.    

Inside, its label is totally hand made by Mica at Alembic. The cloud, ALEMBIC ELEMENT, and border are drawn with a dip pen that has a fine tip. The calligraphy is also done with a dip pen with a wide nib. The red alchemical symbol for "the spirit of wood" is done with a tiny 00000 paintbrush in red cadmium red hue (no cadmium) acrylic paint. The rest is a waterproof acrylic-based archival ink in midnight blue.

The Element is similar in size to a Gibson small jumbo, but with Martin forward X bracing. The design has many innovations that address age old structural issues with acoustic guitars. The bracing is taller, yet narrower which allows for better support for the top, but less interference with resonance. Special attention is given to the bracing near the soundhole. Since many guitars tend to collapse or fold inward in this area as they age, the back of the X braces are heavier and the top has an increased radius to keep this area of the top from deforming. The top has a 25 foot radius as opposed to the standard Martin 50 foot radius. This not only keeps the top from bellying at the bridge by creating opposite force against the string pull, but it allows the fingerboard to join the body at the 14th fret with no kink or 14th fret hump. This design also allows for ultra low string action. The neck angle in relation to the bridge saddle are also maximized by allowing for a taller saddle which increases the break angle of the strings. By increasing the string break angle behind the saddle and down to the bridge pins, it creates more pressure on the saddle which has a huge effect on the guitar’s tone and volume. It also has a very noticable effect on the clarity of the low notes and their sustain. The other advantage is the guitar will likely not need a neck reset in your lifetime, or possibly multiple lifetimes. The combination of the arched top and the tall saddle pretty much assure this. The back of the Element has a radius of 16 feet, and is once again designed for strength, but also to focus the sound reflection back toward the sound hole.

There are a myriad of little details like the use of Purpleheart and Maple laminated back strip and side bracing that decrease the chances of cracks to the back and sides. The Mahogany neck with the Maple and Purpleheart laminates are stable and resonant, and also allow for a strong anchor point for the innovative bolt on neck system that incorporates a solid brass shaft into the tenon for outstanding strength with only a single bolt.  A Calton case is included.

Specs include:
Cocobolo back and sides
Sitka Spruce top
Alembic point mini jumbo body
1 3/4"
25.5" scale
20 frets
EVO frets
Birds Eye Maple bound fingerboard
Tulip end of fingerboard
Alembic abalone ovals
Mini Alembic Crown Peghead
Ebony/Maple/ Purpleheart truss rod cover
Ebony front of peghead
Cocobolo back of peghead
Mahogany , Purpleheart & Maple neck
Neck: shallow "C" curve
Cocobolo binding with maple pinstripe
Abalone rosette
Abalone top purfling
Alembic Bird Ebony bridge
Ebony bridge pins with abalone
Tusq saddle
Tusq nut
Cocobolo maple pinstripe Heel cap
Maple/ Purpleheart/ Maple veneer pack back seam
Alembic Gotoh tuning keys
Polyester on neck with satin finish
Lacquer finish on body
weight: 6.8 lbs
Calton Case