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John McVie's continuously fretted "The Chain" Alembic up for auction...
- Thread starter Wyrdlow
- Start date
Did he only play it on The Chain, Silver Springs and Gold Dust Woman? Heard these songs many times but never noticed it was fretless since he doesn't do any specific fretless things. That's a lot of money!! Only for collectors or museums.
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Wouldn't be surprised if he played it on a lot of songs but since Christies is not a music specialty shop they're going to focus on the few numbers that the deep-pocketed collectors will have heard of.
Pretty nice. Once this guitar rumbled like a rumble in the jungle. Today it rings like a cash register
Going to be a bunch of interesting stuff for sale during that same auction. Jim Irsay had a large collection and the family is selling most of it.
Majority of Jim Irsay memorabilia collection going up for auction
The Irsay family will auction off the majority of the memorabilia collection owned by Jim Irsay -- a compilation of items for which the late Colts owner once said he was offered more than $1 billion.
I know I've seen him play that on a fretted, does NOT sound fretless at all, and definitely played with a pick.
And Christies is out of their mind on their pricing.
Now if you also got a bit of John's talent then we might have something.
And Christies is out of their mind on their pricing.
Now if you also got a bit of John's talent then we might have something.
Same feeling here. I know part of the collection was on display at IU during 2024/2025. It would be nice to see that continue (only in more than just Indiana).
I can also understand selling it. Family is probably less connected to it than Jim was. I am sure the collection costs a decent amount to store and maintain. Pure speculation, but I generally think values on these instruments may be peaking in the near future. Seems strange to say that last one, but eventually the number of people with deep pockets that care about vintage rock memorabilia will decline. It may have already declined a little with Jim Irsay's passing. He bought most of these at auctions.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder… I go blind from nearly every Alembic I've ever seen pictures of. Not all. There some much more interesting shapes and looks. But this?
And that price? Whew.
And that price? Whew.
I saw a fretted alembic of his go for 20k pre covid. They claimed it was the bass he recorded "The Chain" with…
The Chain doesn't sound fretless so I don't know what to believe now!
The Chain doesn't sound fretless so I don't know what to believe now!
Auction is how it gets to a museum. Somebody wealthy buys it and then sends it to a museum on extended loan or gives it to a museum as a donation for a generous tax writeoff. Museums don't buy things directly as often as you might think they do, they don't have that kind of money.
There's no guarantee it'll end up in a museum this way, but there's no other way it can get to a museum.
Thats for sure, museums dont have the budget or power to fight billionaires. I really hope it ends up in a museum or somethin.
I took the post you quote as the current wealthy owner (the Irsay family) should put it in a museum. Would be nice if the collection stayed together and went on exhibit instead of just pieces here and there. I am only aware of it ever being on exhibit at IU, so it is not like the collection has a significant history of exhibition (unless there is one I am not aware of; I am not an expert, but living near Indy means the news would talk about the collection every so often particularly when there were additions or it was on exhibit).
They did used to have an Instagram account that I followed. Posted photos/videos of different pieces and their history. Was going to link it, but I am not able to find it. Maybe they already closed the account.
EdwardofHuncote
I Still Dream of Jeannie
- Aug 21, 2013
- 6,671
- 2
- 16,489
- Disclosures
- I privately own and operate a local musical instument repair shop.
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EdwardofHuncote
I Still Dream of Jeannie
- Aug 21, 2013
- 6,671
- 2
- 16,489
- Disclosures
- I privately own and operate a local musical instument repair shop.
The 'continuously fretted' Alembic was used on Rumours, Tusk, Mirage, etc. John stopped touring with the Alembics, but never stopped playing them. At one point, he had at least four. He still owns his first one, #73-27. It's all over the Fleetwood Mac records from the White Album, forward.
I'd personally hate to see the Chain bass locked behind glass. It was made to be played. I would much rather see it be owned and put on a lend program to bands so it could continue to be heard. Much like the Phil Lesh Alembic "Mission Control" bass is. It's a bass. If it breaks, they can fix it.
I'd personally hate to see the Chain bass locked behind glass. It was made to be played. I would much rather see it be owned and put on a lend program to bands so it could continue to be heard. Much like the Phil Lesh Alembic "Mission Control" bass is. It's a bass. If it breaks, they can fix it.
this fretless alembic: 
this fretless alembic price:
this fretless alembic price:
EdwardofHuncote
I Still Dream of Jeannie
- Aug 21, 2013
- 6,671
- 2
- 16,489
- Disclosures
- I privately own and operate a local musical instument repair shop.
This is "Keep Me There", one of Christine's scratch tracks that the rhythm and outro became "The Chain". Skip to the very end for a good listen. (about 4:10)
You can also hear how the bass part developed throughout the song, keying off Chris' part.
