| Author | Message | ||
| brianm
Junior Username: brianm Post Number: 15 Registered: 8-2005 |
I was just wondering if any one has any thoughts on why it's extremely rare to see a used Series II bass up for sale? I've been window shopping for quite a while (on line) and I've seen quite a few used Series I basses for sale, I even purchased a used Series I (I love it). Are there more Series I basses in existence than Series II, or is it just timing? | ||
| the_8_string_king
Junior Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 38 Registered: 9-2005 |
Well, of course they cost a lot more, so less people can afford them, and therefore less are made. Also, one is less likely to part with one for reasons of upgrading to something better, as there isn't anything better -at least, not electronically nor qualitywise. The only reason for wanting to part with a series II would be some other reason, like wanting/needing ebony laminates, or having a lighter instument and/or one with different balance characterists, woods, or some other thing. Furthermore, I suspect that if one were to investigate, one would find that most series II owners have owned other basses, including other Alembics, and have, by the time they've commissioned their series II, a REALLY good idea of what they want. Common sense/logic might suggest that as a group series II owners are perhaps at least a little bit more likely (given my assumptions of previous ownership/experience of/with other basses) to know exactly what they want and are therefore correspondingly less likely to part with what is probably/hopefully the ultimate/perfect instrument for them. More likely, they might order another that represents a different paradigm of some sort. | ||
| j_gary
Intermediate Member Username: j_gary Post Number: 140 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hi Mark, you make an interesting point. I haven't thought about it until your post. Since I found a wonderful Series II, I spend very little time bass shopping. If I do find something interesting, I am much less likely to reach for it as I know I will rarely pick it up. For years I've been going through basses like they were hats.( ? Sorry, that's all I could think of.) One would sound great for awhile, then I'd try another and fall in love again. Often buying again a bass I'd just got rid of. That has come to a screeching halt. I've aquired a number of basses over the years and enjoy the many differences they have to offer. I also visit a number of music stores regularly. Not for a moment since I got her home, has any other instrument caused me to think, hmmm..what's this? Although they are expensive, there is a difference. The sound and feel of an Alembic is unlike any other bass out there. I know right away when I pick up another bass that I won't be introducing her to the parents. Because of that, this Alembic just might save me some money. It may be a cure for G.A.S. Now if Alembic would only make amps. | ||
| gbarchus
Intermediate Member Username: gbarchus Post Number: 141 Registered: 6-2002 |
I've been keeping my eye out for a 5 string Europa and don't see them on the market either. | ||
| mpisanek
Member Username: mpisanek Post Number: 96 Registered: 1-2005 |
I've just recently bought a 6 string Europa. It took me a year and six months to find it, and it will take a lifetime for me to get rid of it! They are amazing basses, and I couldn't imagine parting with mine for anything else. If I had to make the choice of getting rid of the Europa to get either a S1 or S2, I would keep the Europa! | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 554 Registered: 12-2002 |
Series Basses are harder to sell mainly because of their value in the after market,and secondly alot of bassists dont want to, or simply cant afford to pay $5'000 or more for a used high-end bass,...& with more and more high-end basses flooding the market now days,sporting bartolini electronics, with custom wood options etc,,along with a slight "alembic look & sound" but for less bucks causes alot of players to pass on those series instruments.I bought old #12 for $2'000 @ guitar center 25 yrs ago,BUT it sat on the wall for almost a whloe year before i decided to purchace it,$2'000 back then was alot of money. | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 415 Registered: 10-2002 |
$2000 is still alot of money these days;-) graeme | ||
| jlpicard
Advanced Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 244 Registered: 7-2002 |
I find that I become spoiled with the quality of sound, sight and feel of my Alembics and I so I keep a number of non Alembics around ( mainly for sentimental reasons ) which always "realigns" my sense of reality and makes me realize all over again how fortunate I am to own such wonderful instruments! It usually goes something like this; pick up the Fender( or substitute any bass of choice )....BLECHK!, pick up the Alembic AAAAHHHHH!!! | ||
| jlpicard
Advanced Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 245 Registered: 7-2002 |
J Gary, Although Alembic doesn't make an amp per se, my understanding (or misunderstanding ) of Alembic history would suggest that you could start with an F2-B or FX-1,add an SF-2 for color, get any high quality transparent sounding power amp ( a Crown or maybe even an old Macintosh if your a real purist) and some Bag End cabinets, you'd pretty much have it! If memory serves, Alembic has/had a long standing relationship with Bag End. I believe Ron W. even had something to do with the development of their ELF speaker system. Also (now this is really taxing my memory ) I believe the present head of Bag End, Jim Wishmeyer was a rep for Alembic at one time. He's a really nice guy by the way. Once back in the 80's when I could only worship Alembics from afar, I knew Jim when I worked for Wagstaff Music in SLC, Utah. Knowing my love for Alembics, He got Ron W. to autograph an Alembic catalogue at a NAMM show for me. I still have it with my collection of Alembic memorabilia. | ||
| jazzyvee
Advanced Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 275 Registered: 6-2002 |
It took me about a year to find an Alembic Europa 5 and I guess they are more rare here in the UK than the states. I originally wanted a 6 string Elan ( cost reasons and range ) but I never found a suitable one at the right price. One of the ones I went to check out was damaged at the back of the neck laminates and I have seen it on ebay a number of times since. Then I saw this Europa 5 being advertised on the Alembic forum here and although I'm one string down from my original wish, I'm really happy with it. It compliments my SC well. The Europa does have a sound that is more fitting where you want to mimic the sound of other with "other" non alembic basses whilst the SC DLX is pure Alembic and nothing else. Keep looking gbarchus the Europa is a fantastic instrument. The quick tone switches are great too. http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/3658.html?1127562453 It's this one actually :-) | ||
| j_gary
Intermediate Member Username: j_gary Post Number: 146 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hi Michael, thanks for the tip. I've heard only good things about Bag End. I did not know that very interesting history. Right now I'm running a Trace 600X into two 410's and two 115's, using the amps crossover. I'm in a trio which often requires the above set up to defend myself. Love the rig but she is getting old. Could a Bag End set up offer an equivalent amount of power and tone? I'm thinking they offer more of a "genteel" sound. Please pardon the short hijack, thanks, Gary | ||
| dfung60
Intermediate Member Username: dfung60 Post Number: 110 Registered: 5-2002 |
I believe that Ron designed the ELF Integrator electronic unit. It's a very sophisticated EQ unit that includes highly tweakable EQ tuned for the extreme low end and some sort of dynamic limiter with a lot of settable parameters. It was designed to work in conjunction with some special cabinets and drivers. The cabs were designed to cover the extreme low end but require the Integrator EQ system to yield flat response. | ||
| mpisanek
Intermediate Member Username: mpisanek Post Number: 101 Registered: 1-2005 |
I have been speaking to the fine folks at Bag End as well. I called them on the phone, and Jim answered the phone himself. When I was speaking with him, I didn't even know who he was. He was amazingly knowledgeable about his product, and answered all of my questions without hesitation. Unfortunately, I was unable to get the Bag End stuff over here in Europe at any kind of sane price! | ||
| dfung60
Intermediate Member Username: dfung60 Post Number: 111 Registered: 5-2002 |
mpisanek - if you're in Europe, maybe you can get better prices on Glockenklang (German) stuff than we can get here. My normal gear is a tube head (Mesa-Boogie Bass 400 or a 1970's Ampeg SVT but even I don't want to move that brick around) and ancient Guild/Hartke 410 cabinet. I had a very brief loaner of a Glockenklang Bass Art head and cabinet and it was really quite incredible. The head immensely powerful and very clean but still had a very rich tone (to my ear, SWR sounds sort of "scooped" with thinner mids and something like an old Trace-Elliot is all mids). The cabinet was pretty amazing too - it had a 15" and a kevlar dome tweeter probably around 4" or so (I hate horn tweeters). Great tone at any volume and fabulous construction. The units I had here were eval units for a potential US distributor. The problem was that the US prices were truly frightening (even to an Alembic owner). I believe that cabinet would have to sell for $2400 and the head even higher. Youch. They are expensive but not like this in Europe. I think Glockenklang may have a US distributor now and perhaps prices aren't quite so bad if they can get some volume going. And if you happen to see an EBS Fafnir head sitting around in a shop wherever you are, I would be MOST INTERESTED in knowing about it. I don't think they make this head anymore, but I was never able to find one in the US while I was infatuated with it. | ||
| mpisanek
Intermediate Member Username: mpisanek Post Number: 102 Registered: 1-2005 |
I'll keep my eyes open for a head for you. You do see them on occasion here. EBS is very common, and not much more expensive than anything else that is decent. If we find one, we might be able to work around the import/export stuff to. | ||
| terryc
Junior Username: terryc Post Number: 28 Registered: 11-2004 |
Okay..wonder if anyone is reading this thread now but here goes. jlpicard is right..my Signature Mark King is the best I have ever played(albeit a little heavy) I bought mine in New York when I was over there for the paltry sum of $1800(I am from the UK). It is THE only bass and does everything i want it to, they cost a fortune here in the UK and I was approached by a stranger in a pub who offered me double the price for it as he had seen me gig it..I only had it for a month. When people come up to me and ask what is that bass - yes some do not know!!! I tell them that forget your fenders, rickenbackers gibsons, this is the only bass manufacturer you should be looking at if you are serious about playing and in real terms they are not that expensive. If you buy one and live for 30 or 40 years playing it then it cost cents per day and it can be passed on to your family. Just like pets..an Alembic is for life and not just for Christmas(LOL) |
