| Author | Message | ||
| jlpicard
Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 60 Registered: 7-2002 |
All I'm going to say is that I worship Alembic but $13k for a series II? I am stunned and totally depressed | ||
| alembic76407
Intermediate Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 119 Registered: 5-2002 |
On the up side of the price increase, it should help drive up the prices on the Alembic's that we already own, then we can afford new one's, and in this world, you have to pay for the best, and that would be ALEMBIC!!!!!!!!! | ||
| paul_boulet
Junior Username: paul_boulet Post Number: 17 Registered: 8-2002 |
Dear alembic76407: You should get a price decrease just for that resounding endorsement. IMHO. -Paul (Leo) | ||
| alembic76407
Intermediate Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 120 Registered: 5-2002 |
hey Paul, It was all I could do to keep from crying sometimes it feels so useless to complain...... wait a minute, thats a song, nevermind.... David T 76407 | ||
| rami
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 176 Registered: 6-2002 |
I think that song is called "Love Hurts". | ||
| alembic76407
Intermediate Member Username: alembic76407 Post Number: 121 Registered: 5-2002 |
Maybe the fine folks at Alembic will add a "roll back the prices" to pre April 15 as a monthly special someday | ||
| dutch358
New Username: dutch358 Post Number: 5 Registered: 4-2003 |
It is a shame but -what a value still! Used basses will hold value better as alembic76407 said. I think there are still some Deals on works in progress. How long has it been since Alembic raised prices this much? | ||
| dannobasso
Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 54 Registered: 7-2002 |
Ah...Lords and Ladies, tis a preponderous reason for my most rescent request from the fair folk of Santa Rosa. Thou see-est the wisdom in the whimsy! For Mica dost said unto me "thinkest fast about thy latest musings on yon low tambered lute, fore the ides of March shall be visited upon thee in April after the 15th if thou dost delay in setting the thing, in which thou catchith the striking of the string, in motion with the greasing of the palm!" And so with the words of the fairest Mica still shimmering in the air, I did the DEED most unfowl! (Me not being a chicken) It was a sage decision to be true... fore the led's of crimson red were free for the asking. I dare not wait upon the morrow, to be visited by magnamoniuos sorrow of regret most disconserting, and the wish to be deceased... and not strike before the 20% increase! For now when fretting and strutting upon the darkest stage and not seeing my neck through the midst of haze, I will throw the switch and cast my lot and shout "On thou crimson bloody spots! The playing's the thing in which to catch the sustaining of the string! (appologies to those who hated Bill S in school and didn't order 2 weeks ago.) | ||
| dean_m
Intermediate Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 113 Registered: 7-2002 |
Man, I've seen publishing contracts that I've had an easier time understanding. HA!!!! If I had to guess, I'd say it's about ordering a bass w/ LEDs!?!? LOL I guess Bill S was discussed on those days I skipped class to hang out in the music room. | ||
| dannobasso
Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 55 Registered: 7-2002 |
Chew got it! (Bill S = William Shakesphere) | ||
| jfoster
New Username: jfoster Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2003 |
I don't own one yet but I can,t see a slight price increase getting in my way | ||
| palembic
Advanced Member Username: palembic Post Number: 400 Registered: 9-2002 |
Love hurts??! Even the love for this guitars. Paul PS: about that beautiful text ... well ...printing time again! | ||
| basstard
Junior Username: basstard Post Number: 30 Registered: 3-2003 |
I checked out the updated Custom Quote... What happened to the "blackened hardware" option? Is it gone??? | ||
| rami
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 177 Registered: 6-2002 |
A price increase only makes those we have that much more precious... The irony in my case, is that I was drawn to my first Alembic (Fretless Excel 4) by it's price. My dealer had it on special. The rest as they say...is history. The quality spoke for itself though, and I would have bought it even at the new price. Truly the best I ever played! Rami | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 879 Registered: 6-2000 |
I'm not satisfied with the supplier for the blackened brass hardware, and I've got samples out with some candidates for a new vendor. It can be challenging to find a great supplier for the small quantities we make (like the hardware for one instrument). We are not offering the option right now since what is available is not up to our quality standards. You can be sure I'll make an announcement to the Club as soon as I've found another partner to work with on the blackened brass. | ||
| bob
Junior Username: bob Post Number: 42 Registered: 11-2002 |
New supplier for blackened brass... somehow, it's really painful to read about that in a thread discussing price increases - it was outrageous enough already. But it would be a pretty long time before I'd be ready to part with my raw brass (once I actually get it) for an upgrade, so I guess I won't sweat it for now. | ||
| rami
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 179 Registered: 6-2002 |
I recently saw a 1960 Fender Jazz Bass at Rumble Seat Music selling for $14,500!!!!! Now which would you rather have, an old beat up 43 year old Fender, or pay $1500 LESS and have a perfect new Alembic Series II? And trust me when I say this....THE ALEMBIC SOUNDS BETTER!!! My point is that something is only worth what you're willing to pay for it. An instrument's value is more than the sum of it's parts. Someone actually bought that Fender. Leo Fender made his basses to be cheap and repairable/replaceable (hence the bolt-on neck). Alembics are made to be the best, the standard by which other high end manufacturers are measured. I'd rather have the Alembic. Rami | ||
| dannobasso
Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 60 Registered: 7-2002 |
As Rami stated, I'd rather have the Alembic as well. If some are alarmed at the prices, try looking at a Fodera. I would say much more for what you are getting, including electronics that are made by some other company. The other side of it is we all want to be paid adequately for our work. We wish to live better, and have a good quality of life. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe that the Wickershams et all live extravagently. Check out value for the dollar. I'm passionately partial, but I've chosen Alembics 9 times. If you are a drinker or smoker, try and figure how much you have forked over for those "pleasantrys". Anything beautiful and inspiring to show for it? How much has been spent on relationships that went nowhere? If you love what Alembic does enough, you'll find the means to make your dream a reality. If not, you'll get something else and wish it was the real thing. This may offend some, that is not my intention. I love this company, what they do and what they stand for. I look around my studio every day and I'm very happy with what I see. Beauty, craftsmanship, functionality and artistry. Cheap is cheap, garbage in, garbage out. Life is too short to deal with cheap garbage. At least some people here feel that way about their lives. | ||
| paul_boulet
Junior Username: paul_boulet Post Number: 18 Registered: 8-2002 |
Ok – Here’s my 2¢ I have been the customer and personal client of more than one custom luthier. On more than one occasion, I have spent a lot of time talking to different builders, discussing ideas and comparing their skills, materials and costs with the specific intent to ultimately choose one to make a bass for me. To say that one shop is just more expensive than another is an overgeneralization. Likewise, to say that any shop’s cost-to-quality ratio is innately exorbitant is also. I am a total Alembic fan and I always will be and I’m sure I will be purchasing them in the future, old ones as well as new. But, that decision has come from my tastes as a player merging well with Alembic as an instrument maker and accepting the cost to obtain what I like. When I became a player back in high school I wanted an Alembic more than anything. I played an Ibanez, J-bass copy instead (that must have struck a chord of sympathy with someone…can I hear the bass violins sighing?). I didn’t own my first Alembic until I was out of college. I still have yet to buy the Series II of my dreams but one day that will come too. I think most of us are total gear-heads at heart even though budget will always make us less so in practice. Price increases are just the inflational reality that smacks hard against our primal consumer urges. We certainly cannot hold any provider at fault for putting (or changing) a cost on their products and services. The market will ultimately decide if the increase will equate to profit, any and all moaning notwithstanding - Economics 101: The effects of capitalism on the aspiring musician; a study on the reciprocal effects of gear envy in relation to more songs about love hurting. I wonder if Billy S. ever got complaints about increasing the price of his performances? Maybe as long as he kept the free apples coming, all his customers could value the quality. -Paul (Leo) | ||
| paul_boulet
Junior Username: paul_boulet Post Number: 19 Registered: 8-2002 |
BTW: I don’t believe we’ve heard back from Mr. jlpicard. Well Jean-Luc, any comments in response? -Paul (Leo) | ||
| dean_m
Intermediate Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 122 Registered: 7-2002 |
Well folks, Nobody likes price increases but, I've been holding off for a while waiting to see what comments would come of this thread. Other than the response to danno's Billy S reference, this is my first comment on this. I can see and understand everyones view on this as well but here's my 2 cents. I have been and always will be an Alembic supporter and player!! Yes I do play other peoples basses but keep in mind, I do this for a living so just as a carpenter has a number of different tools for the same job, I've got to have different tools as well. Usually my first tool out of the box is my old Elan 5!! As Rami said, I've seen some pretty comparable J Basses going for about the same amount of money. Would I buy it? Probably not. Why? Because that JBass is that price for an entirely different reason than the Alembics are. And I would be buying it for all the wrong reasons in my case. Would I spend that money on an Alembic? Probably, because I know what went into building that Alembic and those are the reasons that ARE important to me. It's the same reason I drive a 93 Nissan pickup that's worth about $3,000 but insist on riding Harley that's about 5 times the price. It's what's important to ME. And, it's not about status or anything other than the fact that I prefer to ride a Harley because I see and feel the difference in the quality and workmanship. Can I explain that to a Honda rider? No, and I wouldn't try to influence my beliefs on someone that gets the same amount of joy and pleasure out of their Honda. Ever try to justify the price of your Alembic to someone other than an Alembic player. Good Luck!!! I'll be the first to let them try my Alembic out and let them see the difference though. There's an old saying among Harley riders, "If I had to explain, you wouldn't understand" Does this devalue anyone who rides or plays something else? No!!! It's what's important to the individual. Ever talk to a symphony player, some string basses can run into the five and six figure range. These people mortgage their houses to afford their instruments. Why? because that's whats important to them. So if it's important for you to own one of the best electric basses on the market, no price increase will hinder your decision. Like danno said, I'm sure the Wickershams aren't just raising prices because they feel like it either. There is a cost to building these basses and just like everything in life, these costs go up. Alembic has absorbed these costs to the point where now they have to past some of them on to the consumer. We really should applaud them for holding out as long as they could before having to do the inevitable. | ||
| malthumb
Member Username: malthumb Post Number: 90 Registered: 5-2002 |
Dean, I like your comparison to Harley and your thoughts around letting someone play your bass to see what it's all about. Let the bass speak for itself. I went to a guitar show in Detroit and took my 5 string Mark King / Series II. In the past when I've told people how much it cost, they usually suggest I try on a little white jacket with extra long sleeves that tie in the back. At this show I let a few folks play it. Those who asked me what it cost didn't flinch. One or two took the time to rationalize how they would get up the cash to order one. I wound up politely leaving the area I was at, because my bass was drawing more attention than the Jerzy Drozd basses on display. Peace, James | ||
| bigredbass
Intermediate Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 109 Registered: 9-2002 |
I will try to parapharase a slogan I heard. I don't remember the product in question, but it certainly applies: "No one was ever sorry they bought the best." Haute couture is always more than ready to wear. A Ferarri is more than a Vette. Leicas are more expensive than Minoltas. The original is more than the print. 13 grand is a lot of money. A Series 2 is a lot of bass, the ultimate. The question I have is why the hell does an American Deluxe Jazz or StingRay 5 or a Peavey Cirrus cost as much as an Excel? NOW who's expensive? J o e y | ||
| rami
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 180 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey Dino, I've dabbled in my share of vintage Fender Jazz Basses - No I'm not the pigeon who bought that '60. Most of mine I aquired over the years (I never paid more that $1500 for one - and even then it seemed too expensive). But I agree, that you buy a vintage Fender Jazz for entirely different reasons than buying Alembics. Leo Fender would roll over in his grave if he found out what his original basses sell for today! Rami | ||
| dannobasso
Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 61 Registered: 7-2002 |
Sometimes I forget that many players are not gear heads. Perhaps they sleep without visions of hippie sandwiches with led's in their heads? I agree that convincing the unbeliever is not a friutful use of time. Every time people ask me about cost, I am branded insane. So to Paul, Joey , Dean, James and Rami and the others that get it, (you know the big "IT") we are preaching to the choir. I believe we wish the choir was bigger though. Man! the bass section would be huge! A few baritones and piccolos thrown in to balence the low end. And don't forget the Tributes! We love them too. Perhaps Leo would rise up from the grave to cash in on his legacy? | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 131 Registered: 7-2002 |
Obviously Alembics are about as expensive as electric instruments get, but what you get is truly unique. You can still get a fantastic Alembic bass for about 2000$ or less ( with discounts) from a dealer. Of course that would not be one of their high end models; on the other hand, if you consider that when buying basses like a MTD or a Modulus or Pedulla, you still end up paying upwards of 2000$, Alembics aren't really that expensive by comparison; with other brands you don't get a fraction of the options you get on a high end Alembic. Usually that means no leds, no neck-though, no multilaminated body w/ top & back, no plated hardware, adjustable nut, little or nothing in ways of inlays, very limited choice, if any, of top woods, no custom body shapes, no ebony fretboard and no service comparable to Alembic's. Series Electronics are really expensive, but it wasn't until I ordered my own series I that I understood exactly WHY they are so expensive; it isn't just because they are about the most versatile electronics around or just because they require more routing and time to install or because the components are terribly expensive. A lot of the cost must be due to the amount of time Ron has to spend calibrating the electronics in each of the basses. In my case Ron had to struggle for over 2 weeks to get the electronics to get them to the point where they were satisfactory. Mica and Susan both warned me that it could take a day or it could take weeks; it took weeks , unfortunately ( Ron told me my bass was one of the more challenging he's ever had to do) but the result was, of course, fantastic and I'm happy as I could be about it. As we all know, Ron's an electronic genius, and it stands to reason that his time would be a heck of a lot more valuable than the average electronics technician that installs circuits in other companies; I am sure that installing your typical high end Bartolini electronics in a bass is a relatively simple business by comparison. So, when I think about what my electronics really cost Alembic, I have to factor in the amount of time that one of the founders of Alembic had to personally put in to make my bass sing; when I consider that, the price of series electronics does not sound high at all. Even if my bass had been easy to calibrate, Ron still would have had to work on it for a day or so, and that, to me, is still worth 4 figures; 2 days of my lawyer's time would cost me more than series electronics, and he wouldn't be nearly as much fun. Valentino | ||
| rami
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 182 Registered: 6-2002 |
I just don't tell people what I paid for my Basses. Most people just wouldn't understand a Bass costing as much as a car. Whenever someone asks me "How much?", I just tell them that it was as expensive as it looks. Masterpieces like that are worth what someone who can appreciate them is willing to pay for them. We shouldn't have to justify it to anyone (unless you're married...). Rami | ||
| dean_m
Intermediate Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 124 Registered: 7-2002 |
HA!!! Yeah but even then, my wife knows enough about basses to tell which ones are expensive and which ones aren't. She's really never said no to any of my gear purchases. She'll question them!!! But never says no!!! Especially when I show her your collection Rami, then she feels pretty blessed. LOL!!!! Peace, Dino | ||
| rami
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 183 Registered: 6-2002 |
The key is to find someone who apprecates them as much as you do! I never met a woman yet who did. From my early Jazz Basses to my Alembics, from High School to the present. They all thought I was nuts. Rami | ||
| paul_boulet
Junior Username: paul_boulet Post Number: 20 Registered: 8-2002 |
Rami: I believe you may have a money making opportunity here – if you could put out a quick portfolio with some nice colorful graphs of your: gear over time over cost, etc. - adding in some nice pictures of your instruments and a prospectus on spending in the future. I can think of a number of us husbands who would pay have augmentative ammunition like that! I can just see myself saying, “Honey look, I’m not spending too much. Look what I got in the mail from this guy.” She would just be overwhelmed with thankfulness that I’m not “that bad.” -Paul (Leo) | ||
| rami
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 184 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hmmm..... Paul, I'll have to get back to you on that one! Although I can't see myself parting with any of my basses anytime soon. | ||
| paul_boulet
Junior Username: paul_boulet Post Number: 21 Registered: 8-2002 |
Rami my friend: I don’t want to buy any of your basses- just the documented evidence of your collection habits! -Paul (Leo) | ||
| dela217
Intermediate Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 130 Registered: 6-2002 |
I am very lucky. My wife actually encourages my bass collecting. She makes it easy to have as many basses as I do. She gets as excited about it as any of us! She even picks them up from time to time and plays them. She appreciates the instruments, but cares nothing about the litterature I get. I collect the old litterature that goes with my old basses too. She don't mind the litterature, she just don't get it. I like the older stuff, you know, that magic place in time. I guess because she is younger than I am and did not yearn for all this stuff as I did when I was younger. She calls my litterature habit; one handed reading. (Message edited by dela217 on May 09, 2003) | ||
| rami
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 185 Registered: 6-2002 |
Yeah.....I have this nasty habit of collecting things..... And some of them are basses!!! I'll get counselling..... | ||
| zappahead
Junior Username: zappahead Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2002 |
Honestly, if the prices are that high to you then you should buy a used Alembic. There are always decent deals and Ive seen some deals that had me (a guitar player) thinking about switching instruments. Even without getting in the back and forth about the price increase, Ive always told people who were floored by Alembics prices that if you want the instrument but the new prices scare you then by all means, look used. You can always find a bass dealer somewhere with an Alembic or two and if you are comfortable with Ebay, you can always find 5 or 10 used basses on it as well. Ive also noted that the people at Alembic appear to treat the people who buy used Alembics as well as the people who buy the new ones. I dont think you can really bash anyone for charging a high price for the high quality of an Alembic. Its a give and take thing, but that to me has been my experience with all things in life. Some people wont understand paying 60 bucks a pound for a gooses liver, but some people pay it and feel its an even deal. Ive been waiting for the right used Alembic guitar to come along and admittedly, its been a long wait, but thats what Ive chosen to do instead of worrying about the prices on the new ones. Ill probably get a custom one for myself one day, but Id bet my initial Alembic will be bought used and Ill be a pig in a poke just like if Id bought one new. | ||
| dean_m
Intermediate Member Username: dean_m Post Number: 125 Registered: 7-2002 |
I think we could all use some counseling. Ah forget it, save the money for your next Alembic!!!! I think Paul is on to something though Rami. We could use you as a "reference point". Just to show our spouses that "see honey, we're not a sick as this guy!!" LOL!!! And, we'd be willing to pay you for it!!!! HA!!! Hey all, have a great weekend!!!! Peace, Dino (bptfo) | ||
| zappahead
Junior Username: zappahead Post Number: 18 Registered: 10-2002 |
Heh, Rami is kind of the posterboy for Alembics anonymous isnt he? I wish it were me man, that is one hell of a fun habit you have. | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 415 Registered: 9-2002 |
Yeah ...we present Rami as the the living Alembic addiction, so we can say "I'm not bad as that". LOL But (well...euh) Brother Rami is also collection high end watches, or hunting knives, or designer fountain-pens, ot toothpicks, or Märklin trains, or Lego blocks, or Dinky-Toys, or Porches, or WW2 fighter planes,... Brother ...you live in a warehouse??? Paul the bad one | ||
| rami
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 186 Registered: 6-2002 |
Actually, part of the reason I ended up with so many Alembics is because my local dealer was liquidating them. Most of the Excels, Essences and that really cool Birdseye Maple Rogue you see me with, I acquired at almost half price. And those were the old prices! I was just at the right place at the right time when I found them. -If you ever want to sell that doubleneck Paul (Leo)........ Rami | ||
| yahyabb
New Username: yahyabb Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2002 |
How do you describe the electronics of a Series II Bass? How do you describe the tone of another manufacturers 50th xx Bass, complete with a string mute under the string cover? Mud vs. a piano with frets. A modern day Steinway. Rereading Alembic's brochure .... maybe one day you can invent your own sound. Yes you can! The experience of selecting woods, meeting extremely talented crafts people, refining ideas and dreams, personalizing electronics, shaping a neck (scary, can't do it twice), shaping a body and then plugging it in is priceless. The ultimate ear candy. In an age of mass production and importation of the cheapest manufactured parts, it is extremely encouraging to witness Alembic's adherence to craftsmanship and the sonic attributes of the Series II Electronics. I wonder if I can ....? The next project is on the drawing board. Oh, on the issue of price; plug it in (stereo rig), filters open, Q at 12db, just touch the bass knobs, feel the floor vibrate, SMILE! | ||
| rami
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 187 Registered: 6-2002 |
I really LOVE your bass Yahya. It's got to be one of the nicest custom Alembics I've ever seen. Rami | ||
| yahyabb
New Username: yahyabb Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2002 |
I thank all of you for your very kind words. I feel truly blessed to play the "Big Bass". Many thanks to all who made this project possible. Yahya | ||
| paul_boulet
Junior Username: paul_boulet Post Number: 22 Registered: 8-2002 |
Rami: Back to the aspect of this thread concerning the pack-rat habits of some of us here at the club, I chanced upon this web site... http://www.collectguitars.com/Collection.html It seems that Alembic has a somewhat weak showing. I'm sure you have the cure for that eh? Anyway, I'd like to see you're whole collection in one place! Virtually or otherwise. -Paul (Leo) | ||
| rami
Intermediate Member Username: rami Post Number: 191 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thanks Paul, You know, my exhibitionist side would love to show off my entire collection, but I figure that on the Alembic website, I'd better limit myself only to my Alembic basses. I'll pick up another disposable camera and take pictures of the rest of my Alembics and post them all under a new thread - "Rami's Collection". For the rest of my basses, I'll take pictures and e-mail them to you. Best wishes, Rami (If you ever want to sell the doubleneck......) (Message edited by rami on May 22, 2003) |
