John McVie’s Basses, Including Alembic from “Rumors”, Going to Auction

More bass history is up for grabs as part of a new sale via Julien’s Auctions called “Fleetwood Mac: Property From The Lives And Careers Of Christine McVie, John McVie, And Mick Fleetwood.”

“An auction celebrating three members of the iconic band Fleetwood Mac, that includes the personal items of John McVie, Christine McVie, and Mick Fleetwood,” the auction description reads. “This collection represents over fifty years of stage-played instruments, wardrobe, touring gear, memorabilia, jewelry, furniture, and more.”

While a full list of the items has not been released, the highlights from John McVie’s collection are eyebrow-raising to say the least. It includes a plethora of his vintage basses, with the 1976 Alembic bass he used to record Rumors at the top of the list. It has a “continuously fretted” stainless steel fingerboard. McVie used the bass on “The Chain,” which has one of the most iconic bass breakdowns in rock history.

You can see him playing it live in this 1979 clip:

The collection has another 1976 Prototype Alembic Series 1 with a graphite neck (one of the first of its kind), a 1962 Fender VI gifted to him by Peter Green, a 1960 Fender Precision played at Royal Albert Hall, a 1953 Gibson EB1, a 1965 Hofner Club Electric bass, a 1970 Fender fretless Precision (the first year they offered it), an Ernie Ball Earthwood Acoustic Bass, and a 1980s Kramer Ferrington Electroacoustic bass.

Julien’s Auctions estimates the Rumors Alembic at $40,000 to $60,000 with the 1960 Fender P and Earthwood Bass each at $20,000 to $40,000.

The auction, which will give a portion of its proceeds to MusiCares, will be taking place in Beverly Hills on December 3rd to the 5th as well as streaming online. Visit Julien’s Auctions for more details.

John McVie Collection Highlights via Julien’s Auctions:

• A 1976 Rumours Photo-Matched Custom Alembic “Continuously Fretted” Stainless Steel Fingerboard Electric Bass Guitar.
• A 1976 Prototype Alembic Series 1 Graphite Neck Through Electric Bass Guitar.
• A Peter Green Gifted 1962 Fender VI Six-String Electric Bass Guitar.
• A Royal Albert Hall Stage-Plated 1960 Fender Precision Electric Bass Guitar.
• A Stevie Nicks Gifted Surfboard.
• A 1953 First-Year Gibson EB1 Violin Body Electric Bass Guitar.
• A 1965 Hofner Club Electric Bass Guitar acquired by John McVie during the Peter Green era of Fleetwood Mac.
• A Rare 1970 First-Year Fretless Fender Precision Electric Bass Guitar.
• A “Songbird” Stage-Played Photo-Matched Ernie Ball Earthwood Acoustic Bass Guitar.
• A Black “Little Lies” Music Video Played Video-Matched 1980s Kramer Ferrington Electroacoustic Bass Guitar.