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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive: 2008 » Archive through November 01, 2008 » Considering a Trade « Previous Next »

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rockbassist
Intermediate Member
Username: rockbassist

Post Number: 152
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2008 - 8:04 pm:   Edit Post

I have a 1997 Epic 5 String that I have had for several years and absolutely love. The problem is that I rarely if ever use the low B. (I also have a 5 string Fender Jazz) I am considering trading it for a 4 string and obviously want to stay with Alembic. However, I recently received a tempting offer. A Fender Precision with 1983 body and a 2007 neck, a Musicman Bongo Bass (which lists for $2,000 and sells for around $1,400) and $550 cash. I'm wondering if I should make the trade and then sell the Musicman. Since the Fender is not original, I could always modify it with a P/J setup and use the cash from the Musicman sale to buy a 4 string or another 5 string Epic or Excel. What would you do? Does anyone here have a 4 string Epic or Excel that they would trade for a 5 string? Or should I just keep the Epic 5 string?


Thank you
white_cloud
Senior Member
Username: white_cloud

Post Number: 461
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 1:31 am:   Edit Post

Try your hardest to get a trade here at the club on another Alembic!

Neither trade offered to you appeals to me at all to be honest. I really dont like the fender neck/body combo and I hate Musicman Bongo's...just my opinion!

Get a four string Epic!

John.
white_cloud
Senior Member
Username: white_cloud

Post Number: 463
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 1:47 am:   Edit Post

Get a trade here at the club for another Alembic!

I really dont like the sound of the Fender neck/body combo - 83/07 sounds like a strange mix - and am not a fan of Musicman Bongo's either...sounds like someone is hoping to get the better of you out of the trade really. Just my opinion but get a four string Epic!

Oh, the evil of the double post...aaaaaagh:-(

John.

(Message edited by white cloud on September 04, 2008)
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 1885
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 4:34 am:   Edit Post

John Myung was using a 6 string Bongo on last years Dream Theater tour and to my ears it was the most lacklustre bass I'd ever heard.

Graeme
2400wattman
Senior Member
Username: 2400wattman

Post Number: 585
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 8:18 am:   Edit Post

Bongo's seem to be going for around $1200.00 on EBay and it's always a pain to try and sell something. why do you think your friend is willing to give you two basses and some cash?
Hold out for the right trade and while doing so you'll still have your Epic.
There is a 4 string Epic at Bass North West www.bassnw.com
funkyjazzjunky
Intermediate Member
Username: funkyjazzjunky

Post Number: 168
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 8:55 am:   Edit Post

I read many posts from members sorry that they sold their Alembic or traded for something that they did not truly want.
longhorncat
Advanced Member
Username: longhorncat

Post Number: 265
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 10:13 pm:   Edit Post

Bongo's can go for as low as $600 on eBay.
I just sold a mint black one for $800.
An all original '83 P is worth $1000, but half that for one with a replacement neck.
Add the $500 cash and that gives you a trade value of $1800 for your Epic 5.
That's better than you could do on eBay right now (unless you have some really fancy top wood).
Four string Epics can be had now for under $1000.
If you are willing to put in the time to sell the Bongo, you'll come out much better than a straight trade for a 4-string Epic.
basstard
Advanced Member
Username: basstard

Post Number: 204
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Friday, September 05, 2008 - 1:29 am:   Edit Post

Actually, there is a lot of common sense in what Bill (longhorncat) has said. You might want to go for the trade, sell the hideous Bongo, keep the P-Bass as a backup and you'll still have the cash to get an Epic 4. If you're lucky you could even find a Spoiler in that price range (provided you like the 32" scale and tighter string spacing).
rockbassist
Intermediate Member
Username: rockbassist

Post Number: 153
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2008 - 2:12 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I was thinking that I could use the PBass as a back up and sell the Bongo bass and use the money to get another Alembic. I might hold on to the 5 string for a while. I'm not sure that I want to go through the hassle of selling the Bongo.
basstard
Advanced Member
Username: basstard

Post Number: 207
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2008 - 2:47 pm:   Edit Post

Selling the Bongo shouldn't be much of a problem - they seem to be quite popular nowadays (beats me why though - not only do they look like hi-tech toilet seats, they also sound like a bathroom appliance... I can't understand how in the world such abomination could be created by a company that was made famous by very good StingRay basses). You should be able to find a buyer quite quickly if the price is acceptable.
2400wattman
Senior Member
Username: 2400wattman

Post Number: 587
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2008 - 4:35 pm:   Edit Post

From what I understand the Bongo design was in partnership with..........BMW! They should stick to cars, hell they'd have better luck designing a truck!
basstard
Advanced Member
Username: basstard

Post Number: 210
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2008 - 11:59 pm:   Edit Post

Adam - but look at the (soon to be replaced) current 7-series... Are you really that surprised?

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