| Author | Message | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 529 Registered: 9-2002 |
So I was going to order a custom series II this year..but I think I have found one that is VERY similar to what I was going to order, at a fraction of the cost. The question I have is this. Is owning a series I and a series II just redundant? the series II is a medium scale which I think would be more suited for me...the series I is a long scale which I struggle with from time to time... Whats a Series I ('97, AAAAA quilted mape top), in great condition going for these days anyway?? (Message edited by glocke on January 15, 2009) (Message edited by glocke on January 15, 2009) | ||
| white_cloud
Senior Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 589 Registered: 11-2007 |
Very similar at a fraction of the cost??? Sounds like an obvious choice to me. I switched to medium scale a couple of years ago and now have three - I resisted making the change for some time ( being a traditionalist) but wouldnt go back to long scale now. Low string tension, increased playability and virtually no compromise on sound at all that I can notice! Oh, forgot to say ..keep the Series 1 if you can too. John. (Message edited by white cloud on January 15, 2009) | ||
| mike1762
Advanced Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 232 Registered: 1-2008 |
Unless you need to sell the SI to fund the SII, I wouldn't sell the SI. Has anybody ever NOT regretted selling one of their Alembics??? | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 530 Registered: 9-2002 |
Well, it would go along way towards funding it...ive actually got a couple of purchases going on, but until both items are in my hands Im not saying much... | ||
| 2400wattman
Senior Member Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 660 Registered: 11-2005 |
I had to sell my S1 to get my S2. I did have them together for a short period and it was cool as hell but reality is a butt kicker and this is what I planned to do anyway. Redundant to own both models? I don't think so especially if you can afford it. I would love to have that S1 back but I'm glad I went the route I did(which was to try out both basses together and get a feel for those CVQ controls on the S2 package) and without much/any regret. If the med. scale fits you better than go for it. I'm 6'2" and first position is kind of a pain for me too, although I play my bass at the 9:00 and 3:00 position and should angle the neck up some to alleviate this.also consider that if the bass was'nt made sometime in the '90's it'll probably need the elctronics upgrade which can be pretty expensive depending on the severity of the problem, double that if you've got the S1 and S2. Good luck on your purchase. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2137 Registered: 3-2004 |
Hey Greg- You know that every Alembic is slightly different. If you haven't already owned and played a bass, you don't know if it will work for you. I wouldn't sell the Series I until you have had the Series II for at least six months. At that point, you'll know which bass speaks to you better if one even does. You may find you use both, or that one never leaves the case. Even if you're still thinking about ordering a new II, I am a big fan of buying used for research. If you buy the bass you're looking at, it will either confirm or alter your perception on what you'd want out of a custom. You might find that medium scale doesn't work, or that it is perfect. You might find that you wish the string spacing were a little wider or a little tighter and be able to specify that to perfection. You might find that the upgrades in the Series II don't do anything for you over the Series I that you already own. After your "research" period is done with the used bass, you can probably sell it for most of what you paid if you don't love it. Even if you eat $300-500 on the deal, it's good insurance against a possible $5000 mistake on a custom order. $5000 being an estimate of what you might lose if you have to resell a custom Series II that doesn't work for you. As far as value of your Series I goes, you should be able to make an immediate sale at $3500, a reasonably quick sale at $4000, and patience might get you as much as $5000 depending upon the appearance and features of the instrument. If there's someone out there thinking about ordering a new bass like the one you're selling, then it will be very appetizing at half the cost of a new one. It's an odd market right now and the bottom could drop with this economy at any time. | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 531 Registered: 9-2002 |
This bass is also located in the UK. Does anyone know if I will have to pay import duties or any other fees on this? Also, if any UK/European members can chime in as to the price used of Series II basses overseas Id appreciate it. FYI, the bass in question is this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-Series-II-Bass-Guitar-with-f-s-RED-leds_W0QQitemZ220339981372QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item220339981372&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177 I had actually contacted Basscentral about placing an order for this same bass (minus front LEDs, and std. point) about a month ago... | ||
| harald_rost
Intermediate Member Username: harald_rost Post Number: 165 Registered: 6-2002 |
Used Series II are very rare in Europe. Some years ago I had my eye on a very nice one with omega cut and front led's: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/1459.html?1037581699 I think the price was about 7.000 Euro. Actually the German distributor has a used Series 1 for 4.500 Euro: http://www.station-music.de/ --> Bass --> Alembic So this might give you a roughly idea of the prices here. | ||
| karl
Intermediate Member Username: karl Post Number: 145 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hi Glocke, I just thought you should probably know that there has been some discussion of that bass on the Level 42 web digest - one of the members there claims to have once owned that bass and says it's a bit of a dog. This is the link to the discussion - http://www.level42webdigest.com/forum/showthread.php?p=179696#post179696 You might want to at least have a quick chat with the chap who claimed to own it to see if you can ascertain whether his comments have any truth. Yours, Karl (ps, I'm 'kidcharlemagne' in that discussion . . .) | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 532 Registered: 9-2002 |
yikes. thanks for the heads up...hard to believe an Alembic can be a dog...this certainly has my radar up about paying that much money for something so far away sight unseen. I did contact the former owner, im interested to hear his response... I may have to go ahead with my custom order after all... | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1984 Registered: 2-2006 |
That was a very interesting thread Karl. I would be more concerned about the neck issues Gregory than the "bad tone" issue he was having. From what I read he was playing the bass with both filters cranked wide open allowing ALL freqs. to pass. If I do this on either of my S-2's I get a very hollow mid heavy sound. The bottom end is there its just that it's buried beneath the mids which are naturaly stonger anyway. I set my filters with neck filter almost wide open & CVQ at 3/4 boost the bridge pup almost full closed and and the CVQ about 1/4 boost. I can then blend the volumes to get a good fat bottom and crisp clean top. That being said, I would be concerned about dropping that kind of cabbage with out playing it first, for about a week ;). OO | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 2065 Registered: 6-2002 |
And the solution for the backbow problem appears to be to detune your strings, take a very thick book (at least 3 inches), stick it under the strings then tune up. At least that's what one of our French friends did. He posted a picture of his SC set up like that just the other week - anyone know where to find that post? | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 514 Registered: 1-2005 |
That would be the too strong truss rods thread | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 2068 Registered: 6-2002 |
Harry, that would indeed be it. Thank you for coming to the rescue! | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 515 Registered: 1-2005 |
The picture with the phone book is a powerful image! | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 533 Registered: 9-2002 |
Well, I sent pm's to both people that claim to be former owners of that bass, but have not yet recieved a response. Also brought this to the attention of the current owner to see what he has to say. I agree with olie that the "bad tone" problem is more a result of the player, but I am concerned about the neck issue. If there truly is an issue, thats probably enough for me to back out of the deal....its a shame because that is a nice looking bass. As a side note, I spent some time on that level42 website, there is some interesting reading on there...there seems to be more than a few people there who are "anti-alembic"....claiming that they think alembics are too thin sounding and dont cut through mixes very well....pretty weird. My series I and my SCSD are far from thin sounding, and cut through a mix better than any bass Ive ever owned.. | ||
| pclifton2004
Junior Username: pclifton2004 Post Number: 46 Registered: 4-2004 |
Two points - Firstly, most people on the Level 42 digest are ardent Jaydee fans because they love the early Level 42 sound. If you are after that one sound only a Jaydee can get it - it's a very distinctive tone. However, from Mark King's POV it wasn't actually the tone he wanted - and indeed he only ever used his Jaydee combined with a pretty heavy chorus effect, never 'dry'. The sound he was after was a combination of his heroes - Clarke and Pastorius, mostly Clarke. He sstarted with Jaydee because out shopping for equipment with his newly-signed advance money, he spotted one in a music store in London, it looked like his dreambass Alembic, but was within his price range. The Jaydee he bought had actually been made for Stanley Clarke but Clarke had thought it a gift and rejected it when it came with an invoice from the luthier. It is no surprise then, that having reached a certain success level he dumped Jaydee for Alembic. Mark also used both filters wide open on his series II, with neck pickup on 3/4 volume and bridge on full. That for me isn't the optimum setting for cutting through the band mix, but it is the Mark King sound (and let's face it, he was prominent in the mix as the band's 'star' so could get away with it!) so I can see why the previous owner of this bass was trying to match it. My second point is a simple price one - this bass is seriously overpriced, particularly in current market conditions. The last time I bought a Series II privately it cost me £3K (2003), and even one with good as pretty as this and front and side leds should, in my opinion, be maxing out at £4.5-5K ($7.5K). This is why the bass did not sell - not because it is a dog (any neck problem can be addressed, and I have rarely seen a more beautiful bass) but because the market didn't agree with the price. | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 534 Registered: 9-2002 |
Oh, I worked a deal out that was not the ebay price...it wasnt great, but was still alot less than a new one.... Im pretty ignorant when it comes to addressing neck issues. If the issue is as bad as is discussed in the level 42 thread, is there a way that the mothership can address it? | ||
| pclifton2004
Junior Username: pclifton2004 Post Number: 47 Registered: 4-2004 |
Yes - a heat bend. So you bought the bass? I am jealous! It is beautiful - well done and don't be put off by the people complaining about tone - you will get to grips with the controls and find just what you are looking for. | ||
| pclifton2004
Junior Username: pclifton2004 Post Number: 48 Registered: 4-2004 |
lol sorry you already have a series I so you will be more than capable of finding the sound - maybe they weren't? a lot of bass players used to bass and treble controls find filters hard to adapt to. | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 535 Registered: 9-2002 |
just came to an agreement as to price...I havent actually sent the funds yet...the comments in this thread made me think twice, and to be honest Im not sure if I would want to spend that much on a bass that would require me to send in to alembic to get worked on...I still have time to think about it. as for the comments about the sound, I just ran my series I one with the filters all the open and both q switchs flipped to the maximum boost...not a pleasing sound at all... | ||
| pclifton2004
Junior Username: pclifton2004 Post Number: 49 Registered: 4-2004 |
Well, think carefully - as a work of art it is indisputable, but without trying first it's still a lot of money to spend - particularly after you add in the import duty, etc. Personally if I had the money I would go for it, but then I am in London and could try the bass before buying so it's different for me. I am pretty sure the neck can be heat pressed back into shape - there have been a lot of threads recently about this, and I have no doubt the tone is as sweet on this series II as any other. But of course, it's always a gamble! | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 638 Registered: 8-2005 |
Strange?? If I run mu Series 1 (1976) flat out like that, I get an amazing sound. | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 536 Registered: 9-2002 |
Import duty....Will I need to pay that on a product that was made in the U.S. ? I couldnt talk you into going to check this bass out could I Paul? "Strange?? If I run mu Series 1 (1976) flat out like that, I get an amazing sound." I guess its all about taste..I seldom turn my bridge or neck filter more than a qaurter of the way open. | ||
| pclifton2004
Junior Username: pclifton2004 Post Number: 50 Registered: 4-2004 |
Import duty is about 35% of value of bass and yes you will have to pay it - no way round it! You could underinsure the value of the bass for shipping and hence pay less duty on that value, but if the bass gets damaged you will kick yourself. I was actually going to offer to check it for you, but I will be in New York and Bermuda for next 7 days on business - if you are happy to wait til 26th I will definitely go look for you (always happy to play a pretty alembic), give my OPINION on the neck, and report if series II electronics are working correctly, whether there is a a strange unexpected bad tone, etc. I also love the wide open filters sound, but only on brand new strings, and only because I am a Mark King acoloyte lol - I think it sounds lovely for bedroom twiddling, but doesn't really fit most gigging situations. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1204 Registered: 2-2005 |
You do not have to pay import duty on an American made instrument being returned to the United States. Keith | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 639 Registered: 8-2005 |
Have to agree here Everything is all about the user's personal taste. I just love the way a low F sounds with some hard hitting though My favourite sound is with the pups set at about 1/3 way up.........a sort of holloe tone that is very "bell" like Ask Bracheen.he heard it through the phone once, and said it soundes just like church bells on a Sunday morning! | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 640 Registered: 8-2005 |
sorry for the spelling mistakes............it's this keyboard..........cant spell for tofffaayy | ||
| llobsterbass
Junior Username: llobsterbass Post Number: 44 Registered: 5-2004 |
"more than a few people there who are "anti-alembic"....claiming that they think alembics are too thin sounding and dont cut through mixes very well....pretty weird." wow, unbelievable. without even knowing the circumstances, I blame the sound guy. My little Orion sits in a mix (studio or live) better than any bass I've ever played. And the whole reason I lusted after Alembics for all those years was because the fundamental tone is so thick and warm. | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 554 Registered: 9-2002 |
Just an update for anyone interested...this bass arrived yesterday..Have to admit it is a very stunning instrument to look at. When it arrived the action was set up VERY low and had a set of super light gauge strings on it, I actually prefer a fairly high action, so I spent most of last night setting it up to my liking with some TI Jazz flats on it. The truss rods were completely loose, I guess to compensate for the back bow that one former owner claims the bass has, I cant really detect any significant backbow with this bass and I havent touched the truss rods as of yet.... Sonically, everything seems to be working fine, although I was not prepared for the dramatic (to me) difference between this bass (medium scale, coco-bolo top, three PH pinstripes in the neck) and my long scale series I with a maple top and two PH pinstripes. My series I has more of a bright, dainty, piano like sound to it, while this series II seems to have a darker, more powerful sound..I had always thought that any tonal difference between one series instrument and another would be minor, this clearly is not the case.... Anyway, its a great instrument... | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2166 Registered: 3-2004 |
The difference you're seeing is all about the wood. Personally, I love that meaty tone! It sounds like keeping both may be in your future if the money works for you. With that great a tonal difference, you may wish to have both options. -bob | ||
| slawie
Member Username: slawie Post Number: 52 Registered: 8-2002 |
Never sell! I have learned the hard way by using my old basses for trade-ins. If I would have kept my stuff I would still have; '66 Hofner beatle bass '73 Gibson SG bass '85 Steinberger Not to mention a pre revolution Blessing solid (not ply)3/4 upright bass. My recommendation is to keep it. slawie | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7509 Registered: 5-2002 |
Beautiful bass!! Congrats!!! | ||
| colbassman
New Username: colbassman Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2005 |
Hi guy's,as you all know im a triple omega man with zeppelin 4 symbol's on the front of my stunning bass. Im looking for the pictures of John Paul Jones custom Alembic basses,especially the Omega model's + series 1 basses ? !!!!!! please help |
