Fernandes FAG-170 around 1980

Fernandes FAG170 compared with Alembic Distillate

Fernandes FAG-170 / AG-170 — “Ferbic”

This Fernandes FAG-170 (or AG-170) is a copy of the Alembic SSG (Short Scale Guitar), affectionately nicknamed the “Ferbic.” Like the original Alembic models, it’s an exceptionally rare instrument—one that is seldom seen today.

Beginning with the 1982 catalog, Fernandes dropped the initial “F” from its B.C. Rich and Alembic copy models. However, since there is no definitive information available to determine exact production years, I have chosen, for consistency on this site, to refer to these guitars using the earlier model names with the “F” prefix.

The model appeared in Fernandes catalogs from 1980 through 1986.
In 1980–1981, it was listed as the FAG-170, priced at 201,000 yen—though the reason for the extra 1,000 yen is unclear.
From 1982 to 1986, it was renamed AG-170, and the price was reduced to 170,000 yen.

This particular guitar is a dead stock piece that had been stored for decades in a music shop in Kitakyushu.
It’s likely that no Ferbic in existence today is in better condition than this one. Even the fragile headstock logo, which typically fades easily, remains completely intact.

The craftsmanship of this guitar is nothing short of astonishing.
It’s remarkable that such a beautifully made instrument—with its meticulous build quality, finely machined solid brass hardware, and especially its superb bridge design—could be produced for around 200,000 yen.

Weight: 3.90 kg (including strings)
(Updated August 21, 2016)


		I decided to compare it with the 1981 Alembic Distillate I own. Ideally, I would have liked to compare it to an original Alembic SSG, but vintage SSGs are nearly impossible to find. Since the Distillate shares essentially the same construction, it should serve the purpose well. When I placed the two side by side, the Distillate appeared noticeably more amber-brown, perhaps due to the difference between a well-played instrument and a dead-stock piece. The Distillate also shows fine weather checki
The grain pattern on the Fernandes headstock veneer is slightly more sparse than on the Alembic, but the overall look and atmosphere are beautifully replicated. Given the overall craftsmanship, the only real letdown is the cheap-looking Fernandes head logo. The Alembic is fitted with Schaller tuners, but the brand of tuners used on the Fernandes remains unclear.	If you look only at the back of the headstock, it’s virtually impossible to tell the two apart.	The Fernandes fingerboard is rosewood, while the Alembic’s is ebony. The Fernandes uses pearloid cell inlays, whereas Alembic uses genuine mother-of-pearl— a subtle but telling distinction.
The brass bridge is astonishingly well replicated— a “how far will they go?” level of imitation. The only clear difference is that the intonation adjustment screws on the Fernandes are Phillips-head, whereas the Alembic’s are slotted flat-head screws.	On the Alembic, the intonation adjustment bolts are indeed flat-head screws.	Even the headstock tip has been faithfully copied down to the last detail. On the Fernandes, the serial number is stamped on the headstock end, while on the Alembic, it’s engraved at the highest fret of the fingerboard.

HIKI

DAORE

Fernandes FAG170 compared with Alembic Distillate

Fernandes FAG-170 / AG-170 — “Ferbic”

If you look only at the back of the headstock, it’s virtually impossible to tell the two apart.

The Fernandes fingerboard is rosewood, while the Alembic’s is ebony. The Fernandes uses pearloid cell inlays, whereas Alembic uses genuine mother-of-pearl— a subtle but telling distinction.

The brass bridge is astonishingly well replicated— a “how far will they go?” level of imitation. The only clear difference is that the intonation adjustment screws on the Fernandes are Phillips-head, whereas the Alembic’s are slotted flat-head screws.

On the Alembic, the intonation adjustment bolts are indeed flat-head screws.

Even the headstock tip has been faithfully copied down to the last detail. On the Fernandes, the serial number is stamped on the headstock end, while on the Alembic, it’s engraved at the highest fret of the fingerboard.