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Alembic Club » Swap Shop and Wish Lists » For Sale & Trade » Archive 2004 » Archive through October 27, 2004 » Possible Stolen Alembic on eBay « Previous Next »

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Archive through September 24, 2004poor_nigel25 9-24-04  6:37 pm
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pace
Member
Username: pace

Post Number: 51
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 7:52 pm:   Edit Post

>>>>Maybe the person with the second auction had walked into the pawn shop and been told "You walk in with 'x' dollars and it's yours"<<<<<

lol, Lothartu... its a long walk from Buffalo to Bellingham!

Playing Devils advocate~ The only excuse I can think of is the guy doesnt have access to a camera, and lifted the other photo because it looked similar to his. Instead of calling him out first, I would love to see what he produces for a serial #, wood card, electronics, etc etc.... Could make for some good laughs, dont ya think?!?!?
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 507
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 5:19 am:   Edit Post

Man, if that was my bass, I'd be raising the dead (Jerry? LOL!) with the noise that'd come out of my mouth! I hate EBAY and try to avoid it as much as I can. How many people are really getting "bargains" on there anyway?

BTW, Nigel: Considering my experience with my ex-wife and women in general, maybe a RealDoll isn't such a bad alternative, LOL! It would ccertainly allow me to use the HOV lane on the NJTP on the way to work, LOL! JUST KIDDING!
thebass
Intermediate Member
Username: thebass

Post Number: 156
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 7:17 am:   Edit Post

I contacted the guy from the second auction outside ebay just to find out if he would try to sell to Europe. He was responding only minutes after I send my email asking for photos, serial#, owners name etc. I received only the well known auction photos but no serial#. He told me that he is the owner (!) and the bass will come with case and papers. He was asking for $2500 buy-it-now and I should complete the deal notifiying ebay with my ebay email adress. I friendly refused the deal with a vage excuse.

(Message edited by thebass on September 25, 2004)
bsee
Advanced Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 293
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Saturday, September 25, 2004 - 6:48 pm:   Edit Post

Both auctions now ended. I guess the insurance company wasn't happy with the numbers, or some other deal was made. If anyone knows, I'd be interested. For example, if the insurance company has it now, I'd be interested in hearing what they want for it and how much it would cost to fret the instrument.

-Bob
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364

Post Number: 512
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 5:56 am:   Edit Post

Poor Nigel must have started some sh*t, LOL! Even the RealDoll auction is mysteriously gone. Did we experience some mystic mass karma and conscience or did Five-O step in and rain on everyone's parade? Inquiring minds wanna know!
lothartu
Junior
Username: lothartu

Post Number: 43
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 6:41 am:   Edit Post

"lol, Lothartu... its a long walk from Buffalo to Bellingham!"

Doh!, yep I missed that.
poor_nigel
Advanced Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 218
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Sunday, September 26, 2004 - 9:52 am:   Edit Post

Hey Kevin. These thieves' MO is to run an auction with 'contact me for Buy-It-Now prices' and then close it in two or three days, tops. Each new auction has a new seller that looks legitimate (They might be hacking into legitimate members' accounts) and new contact information. The RealDoll thief will be back in a few days, with the same old pictures of the same item. They are looking for new eBayers that are not wise to dealing on the Internet.

PayPal is becoming unsafe, also - well, as if it ever really was safe. Yesterday I had to run to the ATM and strip my account, as some Internet thief was making bogus charges to my PayPal account. Tomorrow I get to go to my bank and close my account and start a new one. Lucky for me, they were making charges on an account I keep minimized, so they got 'rejected' on their requests. PayPal will not let me close their accounts (I am closing them all!) until all business is concluded. I do not feel like giving thieves my money so PayPal will close the account, so further attempts to steal from me cannot happen.

I am pretty much known for putting my money where my mouth is, and in this case, removing it. I have decided no more Internet dealings when it comes to the money end. All transactions will be done over the phone, and from an account that has just the amount of money in it to cover the transaction(s). Just like with the 20 junk e-mails I have to weed from my box ever day, I now have added inconvenience for buying stuff off the Internet. Here in the Wasteland, with so little offered locally, the Internet is almost a necessity. I am not complaining here (sounds like it to me!), just trying to convey to others to cover themselves before they get burned and not to let convenience cost you too dearly. I don't know about other nationalities, but we Americans do love convenience!
elzie
Advanced Member
Username: elzie

Post Number: 319
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Monday, September 27, 2004 - 1:59 pm:   Edit Post

That is EXACTLY why I've refused to get my Pay-Pal account verified. No way in heck am I going to link my checking account to Pay-Pal.......

Paul TGO
poor_nigel
Advanced Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 283
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Monday, October 11, 2004 - 11:32 am:   Edit Post

Well, it looks like this bass is back on eBay, and will be sold this time around. I guess it has been cleared with the police and the insurance company, and it has no reserve set on it. Cool beans for some lucky person.
kungfusheriff
Intermediate Member
Username: kungfusheriff

Post Number: 170
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 9:11 am:   Edit Post

Please, somebody, keep me off of eBay for the next six days. No, really.
It would work on too many levels--my name, Shawn, is an Irish corruption of John, the original owner's name. My lil' koa S2 doesn't aggravate my bad back nearly enough to satisfy my German masochism, so that 13-pound bass looks inviting.
And the typical S2 electronics are supplemented by bass and treble controls, an idea I brought up to Alembic in 1997 and was told (by someone no longer employed there) that it was impossible.
Not to mention it would stay in the Club, safe and sound...it's only right that Understated Elegance live at my house.
Who am I kidding--it's sell for at least five grand (laughing).
geddy
New
Username: geddy

Post Number: 10
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 10:27 am:   Edit Post

I asked him for the serial number and some other details, he said he's selling it for the insurance company and the serial is 98 11831

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=3754417109&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

So is it safe to bid on this now?
bsee
Advanced Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 337
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 10:33 am:   Edit Post

Yep, it's safe. Well, at least the bass is no longer considered stolen, so it is as safe as any other eBay auction.
apdavis
New
Username: apdavis

Post Number: 6
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 1:11 pm:   Edit Post

I asked about the type of instrument case and pawnamber said he would post it on the auction. I would have to guess that John is using the rest of the S2 ensemble (cable, rack P/S) with the replacement bass.
geddy
Junior
Username: geddy

Post Number: 14
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 2:16 pm:   Edit Post

Jeebus, already up $1K since this morning. I guess my fantasies about something cosmic happening and me getting this for $1800 are broken.
bsee
Advanced Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 340
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 2:17 pm:   Edit Post

I don't remember mention of the cable, but I believe the original report of the theft stated that the rack with the PS and a couple other things was stolen with the bass.

I might be wrong on that. You should be able to contact the original owner through his posts here if you're interested in what he may have lying around.
kungfusheriff
Intermediate Member
Username: kungfusheriff

Post Number: 171
Registered: 8-2003
Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 - 9:13 am:   Edit Post

"Jeebus, already up $1K since this morning. I guess my fantasies about something cosmic happening and me getting this for $1800 are broken."
Same thing I was thinking, but how many times can you score big in one year?
The rack was also stolen, but I haven't heard anything about it surfacing.
apdavis
New
Username: apdavis

Post Number: 7
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 - 10:05 am:   Edit Post

No word yet from pawnamber on the case. I'm sure the price will float beyond my pain theshold shortly, but I can always hope.
bsee
Advanced Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 342
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 - 10:38 am:   Edit Post

I suspect this will end up on the wrong side of $5K. I never heard what it would cost to fret this thing, but I suspect it wouldn't be too much more than a re-fret, and those are in the $500 vicinity. Even if it cost $1000, it still opens up interest to everyone, not just the fretless players out there.

Good luck to all who have an interest! It's a very pretty instrument that should go to a good home.
poor_nigel
Advanced Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 288
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 - 11:07 am:   Edit Post

I was quoted $400 to defret and maple line a bass a while ago - after the price hike, I do believe. I thought the price was reasonable. Since it seems about the same work to reverse the process, I believe Bob is certainly in the ball park at $500. Shipping, however, will add a couple of hundred, as who is going to ground ship this bass anywhere??? Also, if the winner sends this in for a fretting, they may as well have the crown tip and point end buffed out, so it looks minty again. Might as well order a case and DS-R5 & cable, too, have the bass shipped directly to Alembic. Gee, then they can pretend they are having a custom built, as they wait for it to be completed and finally come home. Nice fantasy. I wish I was not so broke!
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1993
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 - 11:31 am:   Edit Post

Actually, this is not a small job. To fret this bass will require a new fingerboard (there's LEDs in there). A new fingerboard, neck refinish, fretting, mop ovals and LEDs and setup will run $1620. Plus, I think you'll have to be really nice to Mike and Bob to convince them to chop up a perfectly good bass.
bsee
Advanced Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 343
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 - 11:46 am:   Edit Post

Hmmm, well, it was going to be more than I wanted to spend on someone else's dream bass anyway, but that's good information in case anyone else was thinking about this. I suppose the LEDs are currently positioned at the fret positions rather than between them. Is that why it would need a new board, or is there some other reason?
poor_nigel
Advanced Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 289
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 - 3:38 pm:   Edit Post

Yow! Well, so much for short-sighted thinking on my part. This new information should make the auction a little more interesting.
bsee
Advanced Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 356
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 1:10 pm:   Edit Post

Well, $4700 and change. Seems like someone will get a nice bass at a fair price. I hope the new owner loves this instrument when it gets there!
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 2016
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 3:45 pm:   Edit Post

I heard from the new owner of this bass today - he's having it shipped here for a little TLC before he picks it up. I think he's also getting the original case from the original owner.
hollis
Senior Member
Username: hollis

Post Number: 433
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 5:02 pm:   Edit Post

Don't you just love happy endings....or beginnings... I guess I'm pretty fond of happy middles for that matter....
the_mule
Advanced Member
Username: the_mule

Post Number: 289
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 6:20 am:   Edit Post

Hopefully the new owner will become a Club member, I hope to see pictures of Understated Elegance pop up around here every now and then. Very impressive instrument, and I just love happy endings...

Wilfred
apdavis
New
Username: apdavis

Post Number: 8
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 8:29 am:   Edit Post

I'm still working out the shipping and payment details with the seller, I'm hoping a continued positive attitude on my part will be infectious with the party on the Bellingham end. My Spoiler and Excel are just as eager to get played in the mean time. And a BIG Thanks to Mica, Frank and Valentino!
davehouck
Senior Member
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 941
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 8:35 am:   Edit Post

Congratulations!
the_mule
Advanced Member
Username: the_mule

Post Number: 290
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 8:44 am:   Edit Post

Well Adam, because of the huge amount of posts I didn't realise (I'm really not that smart) that you're the new owner and therefore already a Club member. Congratulations, and I sure hope you'll be able to play her soon...(the remark about the pics still stands!)

Wilfred
dadabass2001
Advanced Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 278
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 10:45 am:   Edit Post

Congratulations Adam,
You're a lucky man indeed. Yes, please pictures.
Mike
(a fan of walnut)
hollis
Senior Member
Username: hollis

Post Number: 437
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 10:47 am:   Edit Post

Very cool Adam. What an amazing instrument.
apdavis
New
Username: apdavis

Post Number: 9
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 2:25 pm:   Edit Post

As it turns out my other basses are as well. I was thinking my next bass would be Redwood or Cocobolo, but I'm not complaining!
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096

Post Number: 675
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 2:45 pm:   Edit Post

Welcome Adam and congratulations on your bass. I've looked at it longingly among the custom archives many a time. Pictures would be great as soon as you have it home...

Bill, the bass one
apdavis
New
Username: apdavis

Post Number: 10
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 3:57 pm:   Edit Post

Funny note:
While I was listed as the high bidder before the sale, I received an ebay derived email message promising me that I could purchase, a unit meeting the exact standards of the one I had the current bid on. (I paraphrase) 'If only I would contact (said seller) off ebay they would be happy to arrange it.' I was confused and amused at the same time. Knowing some of the history of the instrument, and it being nearly one of a kind, took most of the air out of the off ebay sellers argument.

Oh to correct the last post,
As it turns out my other basses are (walnut tops) as well.
Adam

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