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Alembic Club » Swap Shop and Wish Lists » Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere » Archive through November 26, 2013 » Reasonably priced Series I « Previous Next »

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hammer
Advanced Member
Username: hammer

Post Number: 391
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 - 10:11 am:   Edit Post

Looks to be a relatively nice Series I that's reasonably priced altough I wouldn't go as far as to agree with the seller that it's in 'great' condition. I wonder what the current "pending" offer under consideration is. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330986268000&item=330986268000&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466
paexplorer
New
Username: paexplorer

Post Number: 6
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 - 5:30 am:   Edit Post

Hi Hammer. That's my bass. "great condition" is sort of in the eye of the beholder. The bass is rock solid, only issue is some crazing and a few missing screws. Some people really dig that look, others don't. But in terms if overall condition, it's great imo. If anyone has questions, please post or text me @ two one five four three one nine five seven seven.
hammer
Advanced Member
Username: hammer

Post Number: 392
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 - 7:22 am:   Edit Post

This should sell. Your asking price is VERY reasonable compared to what I've seen for Series basses that are in no better or worse condition. You might want to consider adding the scale. Is it medium or long scale? I didn't see that in your ebay posting.
paexplorer
New
Username: paexplorer

Post Number: 9
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2013 - 8:10 am:   Edit Post

Good point... It's a short scale - 31". I'm willing to work something out for a forum member as well.
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 1580
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2013 - 12:07 pm:   Edit Post

Alembic is all about custom and I know they've made 31" basses before, but typically they tend to be short scale (30") or medium scale (32").

Is it truly a 31" scale bass?
paexplorer
Junior
Username: paexplorer

Post Number: 13
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Thursday, August 15, 2013 - 12:28 pm:   Edit Post

Well, based on the method I was always lead to believe was the "true" way to measure, it's a 31" scale. Measurement from where the fret board meets the nut to the center of the 12th fret is 15.5" X 2 = 31. If the method you adhere to is to the 12th fret and not the center of the 12th fret, then it would be a 30" scale.
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 3048
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, August 16, 2013 - 6:48 am:   Edit Post

Regular short scale would be 30.75". Half the difference, I guess. ;)
hammer
Advanced Member
Username: hammer

Post Number: 394
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Friday, August 16, 2013 - 11:09 am:   Edit Post

Too bad I already purchased two Alembics this year. Its been my experience that older short scale series basses like yours rarely come up for scale and when they do they alwsys have SC bodies. If I could sell my Distillate I'd be all over this one. Anyone for a reasonably priced 86 walnut distillate?
paexplorer
Junior
Username: paexplorer

Post Number: 16
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 7:43 am:   Edit Post

Now more reasonably priced due to competition.
hammer
Advanced Member
Username: hammer

Post Number: 398
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 9:06 pm:   Edit Post

Take a close look at the Zebrawood Series I that is your closest competition. I could very well be wrong, but the photos look to me like it has more than a bit of finish checking in the headstock/neck area. Seller, however, was honest was honest in providing the photo.
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3003
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 9:35 pm:   Edit Post

In reference to that Zebrawood Bass , my immediate thought upon first glance was , " why did they put the master volume there ?"
I much prefer the traditional Alembic Standard Point Series II location . That Zebra Bass does have a nice top BUT now has been violated from a poor master volume mod location .
My 2 cents worth !
hammer
Advanced Member
Username: hammer

Post Number: 400
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Monday, August 19, 2013 - 9:55 pm:   Edit Post

Point well taken
paexplorer
Junior
Username: paexplorer

Post Number: 17
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 6:03 am:   Edit Post

No power supply either. I'm kind of mad because the seller asked me questions about my bass and now I know it was just to gage where he should price his. Oh well. I knocked $100 off because I want the upper hand in the situation where someone is considering both. I think mine is nicer by a mile (personal preference regarding the wood selection) and all orginal too. Hopefully someone else agrees and pulls the trigger.
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3004
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 8:21 am:   Edit Post

An aspect apart from aesthetics is scale length. Both Bass's offer the Series I Alembic Standard Point theme but are totally different as per description scale length wise. From those facts it could be debatable how much competition there really is depending upon the buyers criteria and needs. I am very familiar with the variations.
paexplorer
Junior
Username: paexplorer

Post Number: 19
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 9:05 am:   Edit Post

I agree. It's not apples to apples. Again, just trying to get a buyer in that price range to lean towards mine, that's all. Of course a buyer in the market for a 34" scale is not going to be interested regardless of the price, but someone out there may be on the fance, who knows.
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3005
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 - 9:20 am:   Edit Post

Eric, your bass is quite nice. In my opinion , a desirable aspect of yours is that from what we can see , there are no signs of modification of the original Alembic attributes . I wish you luck on the sale.
paexplorer
Junior
Username: paexplorer

Post Number: 21
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - 12:43 pm:   Edit Post

No buyers. Re-listed with no reserve starting at $3,699.
malthumb
Senior Member
Username: malthumb

Post Number: 543
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, August 24, 2013 - 7:09 am:   Edit Post

If this is the zebra wood Serie I that paexplorer is "competing" with, the pickup selector is exactly where Alembic put them on early basses. This is not a mod.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALEMBIC-SERIES-1-BASS-/321187849604?pt=Guitar&hash=item4ac849a584

Not having the power supply sucks, because if it is wired stereo like most early Series basses, only one pickup will play when using batteries.
malthumb
Senior Member
Username: malthumb

Post Number: 544
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, August 24, 2013 - 7:17 am:   Edit Post

Paexplorer,

Now you are describing the Series I as a 32" scale. That's a big deal. There is a bigger than you'd think market for medium scale exotic basses. At least, if you believe a lot of the convo over on talkbass.

You do not mention in your ad whether or not you have power supply and cable. Since you point out that the zebra wood bass does not, I assume that to mean that you do. If so, my advice to you would be to state that in your ad and include it in the pictures.

Alembic buyers often step away from instruments that do not have cable and box. Some who have other Series instruments are often willing to take a chance on instruments without cable & box if they already have those things with their other instruments.

My 2 cents. Good luck with the sale.

Peace,

James
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 3006
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Saturday, August 24, 2013 - 9:33 am:   Edit Post

James , Regarding the Zebra Wood bass ; Yes the pickup selector is in the traditional old location however, the master volume is Not . That is a mod.
hammer
Senior Member
Username: hammer

Post Number: 401
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Saturday, August 24, 2013 - 2:34 pm:   Edit Post

I see your bass is now listed as a medium scale. I agree there will probably be a bit more interest especially if you have the cable and box.
paexplorer
New
Username: paexplorer

Post Number: 1
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2013 - 1:27 pm:   Edit Post

32" is from the nut to the middle of the bridge. It's still 15.5" to the middle the 12th fret. The power supply is not included at the price it's listed at now.
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 1558
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2013 - 5:48 pm:   Edit Post

I'm not sure what you mean by "middle of the 12th fret". Is that on the wood in between the 12th & 13th? Measure from the nut to the 12th fret - the actual piece of metal - & double it; that's your scale.

Peter
paexplorer
New
Username: paexplorer

Post Number: 3
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2013 - 6:13 pm:   Edit Post

Using that methodology, it would be a 30" scale. However, that's a common misconception. You measure from the nut to the center (wood) of the 12th fret and double it. Ask a luthier or check out the stewart macdonnald web site for a definition. Granted, that's the method used to lay out the scale length, the actual vibrating length of the strings can differ based on the bridge setup.
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1479
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2013 - 7:08 pm:   Edit Post

There's only one way to meassure scale length, Peter is right - Distance from the nut 'till the 12th fret x 2

hammer
Senior Member
Username: hammer

Post Number: 402
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2013 - 8:57 pm:   Edit Post

Are you sure your luthier didn't say measure from the nut to the middle of the crown of the 12th fret (I.e, the middle of the metal that forms the 12th fret itself not the wood which is technically not a fret).
P.S. I would suggest including the cable and box in your price even if you need to raise it or at least providing separating pricing for it as an option.
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 5519
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2013 - 9:59 pm:   Edit Post

Front of nut to center of 12th fret (the metal wire, not the wood in between) X 2. And that's what StewMac says. You have a 30" scale bass.

Bill, tgo
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 1559
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2013 - 10:30 pm:   Edit Post

Stew-Mac even has a nifty tool for positioning acoustic saddles (you could no doubt use it for an electric as well) that lets you set the length from the 12th fret itself to the nut, then reverse it to mark the bridge for the saddle slot - nut to metal X2.

Peter
paexplorer
New
Username: paexplorer

Post Number: 4
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Monday, August 26, 2013 - 8:14 am:   Edit Post

Ok, so I must have mis-interpreted what I read and was told. Thanks for the info. It's a 32" scale.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3586
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, August 26, 2013 - 1:21 pm:   Edit Post

Any excuse to show that lovely bass again FC_spoiler. :-)

Jazzyvee
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1480
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Monday, August 26, 2013 - 3:08 pm:   Edit Post

gtrguy
Senior Member
Username: gtrguy

Post Number: 625
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 - 4:00 pm:   Edit Post

Purple People Eater!
paexplorer
Junior
Username: paexplorer

Post Number: 11
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Friday, August 30, 2013 - 9:45 am:   Edit Post

Bump: Still for sale

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