| Author | Message | ||
| longhorncat
Senior Member Username: longhorncat Post Number: 460 Registered: 8-2005 |
This Koa beauty just showed up today. Purchased site unseen, I was excited when I the beautiful top-wood was revealed. Then sick to my stomach when I saw the EMG's. The Alembic electronics are completely gone. The seller will take it back, but I'm out a couple hundred for shipping. Anybody got a guess on the market value for this bass as is?  (Message edited by longhorncat on August 15, 2012) (Message edited by longhorncat on August 15, 2012) | ||
| longhorncat
Senior Member Username: longhorncat Post Number: 461 Registered: 8-2005 |
More Koa goodness on the back. That's making tape on the brass covers.  | ||
| longhorncat
Senior Member Username: longhorncat Post Number: 462 Registered: 8-2005 |
last two   | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 809 Registered: 5-2007 |
Love that Koa. Worth restoring to Alembic specs | ||
| longhorncat
Senior Member Username: longhorncat Post Number: 463 Registered: 8-2005 |
How much are new Series pickups and preamp? I don't think I've ever seen a used set for sale. | ||
| hammer
Advanced Member Username: hammer Post Number: 218 Registered: 9-2009 |
I agree, it looks like a beautiful instrument. The Koa has, at least in these pictures, developed an amazing patina. Is the finish in as good condition as the pics suggest? How could anyone of sound mind have pulled the electronics from what appears to be a gorgeous series bass. Anyone have ideas How much would it cost to restore? | ||
| pasewark
Intermediate Member Username: pasewark Post Number: 166 Registered: 4-2003 |
Sacrilege! Blasphemer! | ||
| longhorncat
Senior Member Username: longhorncat Post Number: 464 Registered: 8-2005 |
Looks like it went back to the Mothership for an electronics upgrade at one point. Notice the Return Authorization # at the top:  (Message edited by longhorncat on August 15, 2012) | ||
| tmoney61092
Senior Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 808 Registered: 9-2008 |
Do all the switches work or are they just there? What are the controls? ~Taylor | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3102 Registered: 6-2002 |
Shame about the electronics, it's a beauty with a broken heart. Jazzyvee | ||
| longhorncat
Senior Member Username: longhorncat Post Number: 465 Registered: 8-2005 |
Who knows Barts? All four tone/volume controls work. Two are stacked. One Q switch works three ways. If someone is really interested, I could sit down and map everything out. The bass sounds good, just not as good as it should.  | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1386 Registered: 5-2006 |
Keep it... it looks awesome!  What's with the headsock, almost looks like its been burned? And looks like there's an Ebony nut? In the quote generator the series I electronics is an upgrade of $6000 for the Europa model. You should contact Alembic to be sure, but it won't be cheap... You could also (first) go for an activator setup, though I'm not sure if AXY pickups will fit without making the pickup cavities deeper. If I remember correctly, Series pickups are much thinner than the AXY pickups. (transducers, sorry Mica) :-) | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1246 Registered: 5-2002 |
I'd be tempted to keep it. As much as I love series electronics and pickups, I think a lot of the Alembic tone we love is in the bass itself. I would ask for a partial refund and then be patient about searching for some series pickups and electronics. They do show up every now and then. Also, see what Mica can do for you. They might be able to work something out. It's a really beautiful bass and the wood is stunning. | ||
| longhorncat
Senior Member Username: longhorncat Post Number: 466 Registered: 8-2005 |
That brings us back to "What is it worth" as is? I paid way too much to just keep it. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1387 Registered: 5-2006 |
Somewhere between $2000-$2500 I guess? | ||
| nnek
Member Username: nnek Post Number: 75 Registered: 8-2009 |
WOW that's nice looking KOA! Someone has a set of series 1 pickups for sale in the forum....(look under bird tailpiece) how much would it cost for the rest of the setup? That's one sweet looking bass that should be restored... | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2592 Registered: 5-2009 |
Nice Alembic wood work ! Beautiful ! This is what I would tell the seller; "The Bass that you sold me was represented as a complete Alembic Series I bass, however it is not complete without it's correct pick ups and electronics, therefore you owe me the monetary compensation needed to make it complete." I am not a lawyer but my statement seems fair to me . Are there any legal precedents to ask for such a settlement. Would my argument hold up under litigation ? | ||
| longhorncat
Senior Member Username: longhorncat Post Number: 467 Registered: 8-2005 |
Asking for a partial refund is hard to do. It can be seen as a renegotiation and can anger a seller. This is from personal experience. At this point, a return and full refund was offered. I'm not sure I want to risk that. If I kept the bass, it would take $2500+ to restore it to stock condition and a used Series One can be had for under $4000. The numbers just don't add up on my end. (Message edited by longhorncat on August 15, 2012) | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2633 Registered: 3-2004 |
Beautiful piece of wood and work, but I agree that it isn't worth a penny over $2500 if it would cost another $2500 to make it right. Not sure where you bought this from or the circumstances, but the seller should eat a large part of the shipping costs if the bass was misrepresented in any way. -bob | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1911 Registered: 9-2002 |
IF you bought it with the understanding that it had the OEM electronics and the seller represented it as such, angering said seller would not keep me up nights. ON THE OTHER HAND . . . . sight unseen? On EBay? Really? For me, IF this axe was exactly what I wanted save for some finish touch-up and an S1 electronics package, that would still be way, way less than duplicating this at today's prices, if that refurbished axe is really what you wanted to begin with. In that case, you'd be money ahead. You could probably put in AXY's or FatBoys my vote) and a tone circuit, and if I remember, I've seen Mica talk about a setup where you can complete a full Series installation at a later date: It looks like the hum-canceller is still there, so that may be an option. I'm a complete slob for flame koa, so I may be a wee bit gobsmacked by these photos ! J o e y | ||
| tmoney61092
Senior Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 810 Registered: 9-2008 |
I'll give you a $100 since it doesn't have the original electronics ;) but that is seriously the most gorgeous bass I think I've ever seen. If you think you didn't overpay too much then I'd definitely keep it. but I'm sure if you decide to keep it and then want to sell it later that there'll be some memebers here who will gladly take it off your hands! ~Taylor | ||
| yogalembic
Intermediate Member Username: yogalembic Post Number: 135 Registered: 5-2012 |
Not sure how you paid for it. If you used a Charge Card, go to your bank and file a formal Charge Dispute. I've done this a number of times and have been fully compensated every time. Fraud is fraud. Banks hate it and, in my case, they've vigorously gone after the violater. | ||
| longhorncat
Senior Member Username: longhorncat Post Number: 468 Registered: 8-2005 |
"Not sure how you paid for it. If you used a Charge Card, go to your bank and file a formal Charge Dispute. " Why would I do that? You saw they offered me a full refund. Anyway, I paid cash. | ||
| bigbadbill
Senior Member Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 535 Registered: 10-2003 |
That koa is just utterly, utterly stunning. It would depend on how much I'd paid, but I'd be tempted to just keep it. | ||
| longhorncat
Senior Member Username: longhorncat Post Number: 469 Registered: 8-2005 |
Grinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!  | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1787 Registered: 2-2005 |
So tell us the rest of the story. Keith | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1526 Registered: 11-2004 |
Sweeeeeeet!! As Keith requested- Storytime!! I absolutely love that Koa. This is my all-time favorite small standard SI. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 2601 Registered: 5-2009 |
LOOK ! no more EMG's . Alembic Pickups installed and brass is shiny ! Alembic style hat knobs( AKA Raytheon Knobs ) Fully restored now ? | ||
| jon_jackson
Intermediate Member Username: jon_jackson Post Number: 149 Registered: 12-2008 |
Much better! | ||
| flpete1uw
Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 93 Registered: 11-2011 |
Out Standing!!! You chose correctly Sir!! | ||
| jzstephan
Intermediate Member Username: jzstephan Post Number: 117 Registered: 1-2012 |
How did that happen so fast? Amazing! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10876 Registered: 5-2002 |
Now that looks much better! | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3123 Registered: 6-2002 |
Maybe the seller still had the original alembics parts. Jazzyvee | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1279 Registered: 10-2006 |
Pic 1 reaction: Awwwwwww, ma - bummer! Pic 2 reaction: Pant lust drool Nicely done! Peter | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1267 Registered: 5-2002 |
I think we've been pranked somehow. Beauteous! | ||
| longhorncat
Senior Member Username: longhorncat Post Number: 472 Registered: 8-2005 |
No prank. The seller funded my acquisition of the pickups and controls. The PF6 amp was still in place. It's still not quite altogether, but will be soon. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10879 Registered: 5-2002 |
Cool! Congrats! | ||
| gtrguy
Senior Member Username: gtrguy Post Number: 491 Registered: 9-2004 |
That's great and good for them!! Nice looking bass!! | ||
| hammer
Advanced Member Username: hammer Post Number: 226 Registered: 9-2009 |
It's nice to hear that there are still honest people in the world who will make good on things. That bass is the most beautiful Koa I have ever seen. If you don't mind sharing for those of us who are always looking to add to our Alembic collections, where did you find this beauty? Was it really ebay as someone suggested or a local CL. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1790 Registered: 2-2005 |
Happy to hear things worked out for you. It's nice to see it back with factory parts. Keithj | ||
| wookie
Intermediate Member Username: wookie Post Number: 124 Registered: 8-2010 |
I'm personally not a fan of the body style but I love Koa! And that peice is more than enough to make me want this bass! I think you did the right thing too, by keeping it. It's amazingly beautiful. Congrats : ) | ||
| wayne
Advanced Member Username: wayne Post Number: 206 Registered: 5-2002 |
This lovely little bass now has a loving home in North Texas where the final rehab will be carefully monitored. ;-) C-Ya...........wayne |
