| Author | Message | ||
| bass79
New Username: bass79 Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2004 |
Hi folks! There was recently listed an Alembic Elan 4 string at ebay.com. -ebony fretboard with oval inlays -pj pickups -neck trough -maple body with quilted top (red) It started at 1400 $. But nobody bought this one. I coudn`t find an Elan model at the Alembic homepage (pricelist). How much does it cost new? Why didn`t any body bid on that? Is it to expensive? I thought about buying it (as my first Alembic)... What is a good price? Thanks! Ken | ||
| kmh364
Intermediate Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 181 Registered: 9-2003 |
Oh seeker of knowledge, answers to all your deep and probing questions lie within the threads entitled "I'm Confused" and "I need info on a 1989 Alembic Elan" here under the "Alembic Basses and Guitars" topic, LOL!. Forgive me, but I watched a LOT of TV when I was growing up as a kid in the late 60's and early 70's. BTW, I just ck'ed EBAY and the auction ended Tuesday, 7/7/04, and did not sell (what a surprise!). This is the FOURTH auction in row for this item, and it failed to garner a single, solitary bid at the asking price. (Message edited by kmh364 on July 09, 2004) | ||
| ajdover
Intermediate Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 106 Registered: 11-2003 |
Ken, I've actually played an Elan (as have a lot of others in the club here), and I own a Europa and a Spyder 4. Previously, I owned a Spoiler-Exploiter. As far as the Elan goes, I personally put in the same category as an Epic or an Excel. They are the least expensive Alembics, and have fewer "features" (if you can call less features in an Alembic a bad thing!) than other, "higher content" Alembics. It does, however, have the superlative craftsmanship and attention to detail that Alembic is rightfully famous for. As I said, I played one once. It was on Ebay, but was being sold through a music store in the Washington D.C. area several months ago. I was living there at the time, so I figured I'd check it out. I was looking to get another Alembic, but more with a Jazz Bass feel and construction (I grew up playing a Jazz, and like the neck). The Elan is like that - thinner neck, Jazz like body, etc. Sound is fairly similar, but with more tonal variations due to the electronics in it. The reason I didn't bid on it was it was beat up a bit, and I felt what I thought they would want ($1100-$1300) was too much given the condition it was in and what it would take to clean it up. In the end, I purchased a Europa from superbass.net, via Steve Frank. I haven't been disappointed. It gives me that Jazz Bass feel with the quality and tonal possibilities that only an Alembic can. My particular Europa has a wineburst finish over 3A quilted maple. You can see it at superbass.net (it will be listed as sold, but that's my bass). If you don't find an Elan to your liking, you might want to keep an eye out for a used Europa, or, if your wallet can stand the stress, a new one. Regards, Alan | ||
| kmh364
Advanced Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 215 Registered: 9-2003 |
BTW, that bass, and the owner, disappeared from the face of the earth, er, at least from the face of EBAY, LOL! | ||
| endryq
Junior Username: endryq Post Number: 13 Registered: 3-2004 |
Ha! Guess who's back one more time... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=3737784486&rd=1 Maybe this time... | ||
| bsee
Intermediate Member Username: bsee Post Number: 147 Registered: 3-2004 |
At least the price went down by $50! I think it's time to stop picking on him. It's really a pretty good deal if the bass is in good shape. -Bob | ||
| kungfusheriff
Intermediate Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 120 Registered: 8-2003 |
Galaxy Music (http://galaxymusicusa.com) have had a nice-looking koa/maple Elan marked at $1595 forever; when I was shopping for an Alembic earlier this year they quoted me a "best" price somewhat below that. Start waving cash around, and see what they do. | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1416 Registered: 9-2002 |
It IS a beautiful bass BTW. | ||
| 88persuader
Member Username: 88persuader Post Number: 77 Registered: 5-2004 |
I have to say I own a persuader set up very close to this Elan. (minus the Q switch) You can see it in the Showcase section of the club. And it's a very nice high quality bass. I found it used at the Guitar Center. They wanted $1,600.00 for it and I got it for $1,200.00. (without a case) I thought i got a fair deal so i think if someone could get this Red Elan bass from E-Bay for between 12 and 14 they're getting a fair deal too. And I'm sure it's a VERY nice bass! The problem i think the seller has is he's not giving a low enough start price to allow people to get HOOKED and start bidding. He should give a low start price, set a reserve price so he doesn't take a bath and once a few people bid others may take it more seriously. I'm going to have my Persuader sent back to alembic and have a fretless neck put on it. If this Elan were an unlined fretless I'd bid for it myself! | ||
| kmh364
Advanced Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 233 Registered: 9-2003 |
Let's see if it sells. I'll bet it won't..not at that price. | ||
| fungke
New Username: fungke Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2004 |
Hi Guys, Just to let you all know that I brought that Red Elan off eBay today. I'm in the midst of getting in shipped to the UK. It's my first Alembic so I'm real excited about it. From the research I've done so far it's a pretty reasonable price and seems in good condition. I'll give you all an update once I receive it. Cheers! | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 1420 Registered: 9-2002 |
And one more lucky dude over here | ||
| hollis
Advanced Member Username: hollis Post Number: 270 Registered: 11-2003 |
Hi Andrew, I was very tempted to hit that buy it now yesterday! Congatulations and welcome to the club. | ||
| kmh364
Advanced Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 237 Registered: 9-2003 |
I'm shocked! Not one single bid from at least four(?) auctions, and it sells just like that. Well, I guess persistence pays off. That and the GBP is VERY strong against the weak USD. Oh well, my bad. Good luck with it, Andrew. Cheers, Mate and pass the humble pie, LOL! | ||
| fungke
New Username: fungke Post Number: 2 Registered: 7-2004 |
TBH... I'd been watching it on and off for about four weeks. I thought 'why the hell hasn't anyone brought this yet'. Then it disappeared. I thought some lucky guy or gal had got it. I've kinda got into the habit of checking eBay most days for an Alembic, just on the off chance. Then it popped up again yesterday, I wasn't gonna let it get away this time. I've been dreaming of owning an Alembic for over the last ten years since I first played a whole range of them at the London Bass Centre when they first became a dealer. I can't wait now...  | ||
| hollis
Advanced Member Username: hollis Post Number: 271 Registered: 11-2003 |
Very cool, I know that dream. The reality is way better! Enjoy |
