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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive through January 07, 2011 » Archive: 2009 » Archive through March 07, 2009 » Alembic Elan? « Previous Next »

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tmoney61092
Junior
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 40
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 5:01 pm:   Edit Post

i ran across this auction while surfing ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-Elon-4-String-Bass_W0QQitemZ140296233996QQihZ004QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

does anyone else think this is a little...odd?
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 2144
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 5:25 pm:   Edit Post

Been around before. Everyone believes the tip of the headstock was busted and this was the non-factory repair.
tmoney61092
Junior
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 41
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 5:29 pm:   Edit Post

wow, that was probly not a good move, should have just sent it back to get them to repair it. thanks for the info

~Taylor
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 2145
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 5:42 pm:   Edit Post

The repair can still be done at any time. Alembic can pop off the headstock and glue in a new paddle and such. It's apparently not major surgery. If you do a search here, you may find a post about it including a basic cost guesstimate.
kungfusheriff
Senior Member
Username: kungfusheriff

Post Number: 787
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 6:18 pm:   Edit Post

Might make a good gig bass. You wouldn't have to worry about scratching the finish...
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1323
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 10:56 pm:   Edit Post

There was an alembic like this up for sale in the UK last year although it had a standard headstock :-).

I was fortunate enough to play it and it sounded and played like a dream. I didn't buy it but another member of the forum did and by all accounts he was very happy.

I have to say the headstock on the link you have here looks fugly.
But if you can get the bass at a good below market price it may be worth taking Bee's advice and getting Alembic to fix it up.

Jazzyvee
tmoney61092
Junior
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 42
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 3:38 am:   Edit Post

yea, i'm thinking about doing that, seeing that i don't yet own an Alembic, the person selling this prboly has the reserve pretty high, despite the headstock damage

~Taylor
adriaan
Senior Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 2072
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 3:48 am:   Edit Post

If you do buy it, make sure they send you the missing logo too ...
tmoney61092
Junior
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 43
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 3:52 am:   Edit Post

good call, didn't think about that, i'll only buy it if the reserve isn't set to high, since half the headstock is gone

~Taylor
3rd_ray
Intermediate Member
Username: 3rd_ray

Post Number: 180
Registered: 2-2008
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 5:56 am:   Edit Post

Looks like they put in a strat style jack too. That might not be as easy to fix.

Mike
blackelan
Junior
Username: blackelan

Post Number: 23
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 8:59 am:   Edit Post

I would hold off on buying this. There will be better deals out there. Does anyone remember the 5 string Elan in a purple see through finish? I beleive the seller wanted around 2100 for it.
tmoney61092
Junior
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 44
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 1:43 pm:   Edit Post

i'm not to worried about the strat style input jack, as long as it works and sounds like an Alemic should, i'll be happy. regarding the holding off on the purchase, i probly won't be able to buy it anyways, seeing that i own 4 basses and already owe my parents money, but maybe an early birthday present
blackelan
Junior
Username: blackelan

Post Number: 24
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 4:13 pm:   Edit Post

I just found a beautiful Elan 5 string with Anvil case for 1800 dollars. It is all stock with signature electronics. I can help you find a better deal on a 4 string Alembic if you dont want a 5 dont rush to buy something just because you want it now. I had to wait a long time to order my Elan to make sure it was exactley how I wanted it.

Here is the link.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/msg/998612228.html

(Message edited by BlackElan on January 21, 2009)
mike1762
Advanced Member
Username: mike1762

Post Number: 236
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 6:13 pm:   Edit Post

I like that Olympic Elon. LOL
tmoney61092
Junior
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 45
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 3:33 am:   Edit Post

ooohhhhhh, nice 5 string, i just don't know what my spending limit is, especially in this economy, and i have to pay my dad back every penny for him buying me music gear, you sure have all the updates on Elans, what other deals can you find?

Thanks,

~Taylor
blackelan
Junior
Username: blackelan

Post Number: 25
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 7:25 am:   Edit Post

I have not seen anymore Elans for sale but...
I think this is the a good deal on a Series I for 2200 plus the guy is local to me.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/msg/1002134003.html

The only other deals I see are for Epics and Essence Alembics and most of those are on Ebay. If I had disposable income I would buy that Elan 5 in Pheonix but try to talk him down to 1500 and agree somewhere in the middle. Never buy a bass that has been modded poorly or has had headstock repairs because you never know its real history.
tmoney61092
Junior
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 46
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 11:05 am:   Edit Post

thanks for the deal updates, i don't yet own an Alembic and i'm trying to get either an Elan or a Spoiler for a lower price, i'll have to see about that 5 string, it's very tempting

Thanks for the Info(Congrats on the Newsted Elan, I LOVE THAT BASS!!! and he's pretty much my number one influence)

~Taylor
blackelan
Junior
Username: blackelan

Post Number: 27
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 11:54 am:   Edit Post

If you are on a budget have you considered Aria SB basses from the early 80's? You can pick one up for around 700 dollars. I dont mean to spam your thread but I have a nice white 85 Elite II with case for 700.
tmoney61092
Junior
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 47
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 1:08 pm:   Edit Post

how are the Aria SB's in sound? how would you compare it to an Alembic(if thats even possible)? i don't mind the "spam", i'm just glad that there is someone trying to help, i think i've seen it, do you post it on ebay often?

thanks for the help

~Taylor
blackelan
Junior
Username: blackelan

Post Number: 28
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 1:48 pm:   Edit Post

I think FC_Spoiler can answer that question the best comparing the Alembic to Aria sound.
I found that they both were unique in there own way with some similarties sound wise, I currently dont own any Alembics so I am going off what I remember.
Yes I posted the SB on Ebay a few times and it sold two times and each time the buyer backed out at the last second.

(Message edited by BlackElan on January 22, 2009)
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 789
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 2:33 pm:   Edit Post

The Aria nails the sound on `Helpless`, also `Wild Boys from Duran Duran is a good example.
That’s about it for the Aria soundwise, not much (useful) variation there (mine has passive electronics and just one pickup)
If that’s the sound you’re after, you can’t go wrong They’re also very well build, only need to retune once a year.

I can’t get that exact sound from the Alembics, it stays to clear or gets too “boomy”
I like the overall sound of the Alembics better plus there’s lots more variation in there, but that comes with a price tag of course… (compared to Aria)
The last Black ‘n Gold I (the same I have) I saw on Evilbay sold for $600 (without case if I’m not mistaken)

On the semi beheaded Elan:
In a previous thread Mica said this one was likely a “tripoverthecabledaccident” victim.
Makes sense since the output has modifications to, they can tear out and take a piece of the a piece of the top when they’re confronted with brute force. One of the reasons why I’m using a wireless (to protect me and my bass) :-)

I can’t wait to see your Elan Jason, extremely nice to see that one resurrect!
(imho Jason N. should have stayed with the JPJ and have another Series II build)

And who grabbed that Series I? :-0
tmoney61092
Junior
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 48
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 2:38 pm:   Edit Post

thanks for the info fc spoiler, i'm really only looking for a very good sounding bass(80's ish) for less than $900, if anyone can find/has one that they want to get rid of, they know sounds good, please send me an e-mail

~Taylor
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 790
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 2:52 pm:   Edit Post

I think that´s a fair (market) price for the subject of this thread.
Used prices for Alembics are insane, you get much more than what you pay for (imho)
tmoney61092
Junior
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 49
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 4:46 pm:   Edit Post

yea, i will have to see about being able to buy a used Alembic(because God knows that i wont be able to buy a new one)

~Taylor
blackelan
Junior
Username: blackelan

Post Number: 29
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 4:47 pm:   Edit Post

If I was in your shoes Taylor, I would beg borrow and beg some more to get that Elan 5 in Pheonix.

The SB Elite has two passive pick ups so you get more tonal variety but I think comparing them to a Alembic is like Apples and Oranges.
tmoney61092
Member
Username: tmoney61092

Post Number: 52
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Friday, January 23, 2009 - 9:40 pm:   Edit Post

i will have to see what i can do, it is very tempting so i am thinking about asking about it tomorrow(if my dad wins the $ 10k that is) but thanks for all the help, it has been a real pleasure discussing with all of the members here, please, continue to post things on here/ send me e-mails if you have a used Alembic for sale

tmoney61092@aol.com

~Taylor

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