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jagerphan84
Junior
Username: jagerphan84

Post Number: 25
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 7:46 pm:   Edit Post

Take a look...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=3722631501&rd=1

Advertised as an Alembic replica...
Adjustable nut, bird tailpiece, Alembic script on headstock... Any thoughts?
dannobasso
Junior
Username: dannobasso

Post Number: 25
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 7:58 pm:   Edit Post

Looks like a Spoiler to me. I've got 5 in that body style with those electronics. Maybe the guy thinks that because it's not a series or lage body style that it's not the real deal?
Danno
jagerphan84
Junior
Username: jagerphan84

Post Number: 26
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 8:18 pm:   Edit Post

I would be inclined to agree with you, but I'm reluctant to contact the seller. If it appears to be genuine, and the 'replica' branding keeps the price down, maybe my distillate would like a sister...

Adam
jagerphan84
Junior
Username: jagerphan84

Post Number: 27
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 8:19 pm:   Edit Post



(Message edited by jagerphan84 on May 05, 2004)
bassman10096
Advanced Member
Username: bassman10096

Post Number: 337
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 9:05 pm:   Edit Post



(Message edited by bassman10096 on May 06, 2004)
bassman10096
Advanced Member
Username: bassman10096

Post Number: 338
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 9:12 pm:   Edit Post

At very least, it looks like a good counterfeit -right down to the bridge, tailpiece, the two "missing" screws on each PU and the logo. I agree with you guys - there is a possibility the seller might have an Alembic and not know it. On the other hand, if it is not the real deal, it is a good enough counterfeit to fool some unsuspecting buyer - even one who checked against pictures of actual Spoilers!!

I'm with you Adam - even at the risk that it was just a good fake, I might be interested if the price were right.

I think I'd still feel pretty low if I watched some unsuspecting shnook pay for a counterfeit. On the other hand, if the shnook bought an Alembic for a song - AND NEVER KNEW IT WAS REAL - that's the depths of irony! On the other (other) hand, if some smart shopper spotted the signs we have and picked up what looks like what might be a pretty good Spoiler - and the shopper wasn't me (or one of the rest of us), I might feel really stupid!! Then again, maybe the fairest thing would be to contact the seller...

What to do? What to do?


(Message edited by bassman10096 on May 05, 2004)
valvil
Moderator
Username: valvil

Post Number: 445
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 9:32 pm:   Edit Post

It does look original; could easily be an employee built instrument. Those are not official. Mica may know more.


Valentino
davehouck
Senior Member
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 507
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 9:38 pm:   Edit Post

Maybe you could ask the seller if there is a serial number at the end of the fretboard.
kungfusheriff
Member
Username: kungfusheriff

Post Number: 82
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 10:10 pm:   Edit Post

Hey, I know that bass!
Was e-mailing back and forth with the seller before I found my Series, and saw those same pics. Looked long and hard at them (notice the nut is on backward?) and it does appear to be the genuine article, owned by someone clueless to its' pedigree who bought it from Guitar Center, who are also known for cluelessness.
It looks dry as hell and kinda chewed up--a Clubber's future biker bar bass?--but his reserve will be in the neighborhood of $500, which is pretty cheap. It's either an '83 or '84, if memory serves. If I still have the e-mails I'll post whatever pertainent info I find.
While we're on the topic, has anybody checked CG's auction site, instrumentexchange.com, lately? There's about seven Alembics posted there, including an $800 maple Persuader and several Series basses, including a fiver from '76 which I would love to have (it was born the same year as myself) but would have to sell my car to afford.
flaxattack
Member
Username: flaxattack

Post Number: 55
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2004 - 7:07 am:   Edit Post

somebody wised him up- he's reposted
effclef
Intermediate Member
Username: effclef

Post Number: 157
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 10:05 am:   Edit Post

Kungfusheriff - thanks for pointing out that instrumentexchange site. I presume it's private people selling, not just what's available at some GCs?

Note the interesting Mark King there:

<http://www.instrumentexchange.com/bid-form.asp?list_id=205176&pid=41&catid=131&scatid=495&status=1>

It's a five string, burl maple omega. Looks from his picture that it is indeed stamped MK in the serial number. What's weird is that it has only three knobs and three switches, and has a humcanceller pickup in the center. Weird. Europa electronics and prepped for Series? I don't see an output jack either so it may be side mounted.

At $4500 it may or may not be a bargain, but I'd want to know the real scoop on the electronics package.

EffClef
davehouck
Senior Member
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 558
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 10:23 am:   Edit Post

EffClef; that's a beautiful bass. And I think you are probably right that it has Europa controls and is prepped for Series.
kungfusheriff
Member
Username: kungfusheriff

Post Number: 90
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Saturday, May 15, 2004 - 10:41 am:   Edit Post

My pleasure effclef, if somebody gets an Alembic out of it (grin).
Some sellers are private individuals, most is GC inventory.
A quick way to tell who's who is the number of complaints--the greater the number of aggrieved buyers, the more likely it is that the item is GC property.
If I was of a mind to buy something from GC that had appeared on IE, I'd wait for the auction to expire (they don't get much traffic, it seems), call up my local GC manager and make him an offer below the opening bid. Items are traded between stores pretty freely.
adriaan
Advanced Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 235
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 2:18 am:   Edit Post

It's a MK with a very small headstock. Have seen something similar somewhere on the net before, think it's 3/4 size. Upper horn looks enlarged - to improve balance?

(I meant 3/4 size body. Not sure, the earlier one may have been Point rather than Omega.)

(Message edited by adriaan on May 17, 2004)
811952
Intermediate Member
Username: 811952

Post Number: 178
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 9:08 am:   Edit Post

Nope. It's a full-size body and headstock. The neck is large but nice. The action is set way too low, so it buzzes everywhere. It's a nice instrument. The 1/4" output jack is on the side. It's extremely clean..

John
groovelines
Intermediate Member
Username: groovelines

Post Number: 168
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 10:29 am:   Edit Post

It looks similar to a MK I've seen on the Bass Northwest site. For a detailed description you'll find it in the Alembic section of their gallery. Sad to see it on IE...

(Message edited by groovelines on May 19, 2004)

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