| Author | Message | ||
| pbarsom
New Username: pbarsom Post Number: 1 Registered: 9-2013 |
I am putting my 2001 Custom bass up for sale. It is a cocobolo, flame maple and purpleheart masterpiece as can be seen here: http://www.alembic.com/info/FC_duo.html The bass has a set of 4 custom cocobolo knobs that match the bass, completing this stunning instrument. I will include the originals, as well. The bass is naturally resonant and big-sounding, especially for a short-scale instrument. The active electronics are powerful tone shapers, each pickup having a low-pass filter with a 6dB resonance switch. Depending on the strings, it morph through an unbelievable range of tones built from its fundamentally good resonance. It will only improve with age. It is in like-new condition, only used for recording and I have all the original paperwork as well as several extra sets of strings for it. It has straploks installed and I'll send a strap with the fasteners attached, assuming that the buyer will use their preferred strap for playing. The case is unaccountably missing one of the metal "feet" on the back. The price is $8000. Please feel free inquire about any more details. | ||
| bluplirst
Intermediate Member Username: bluplirst Post Number: 151 Registered: 12-2004 |
Nice bass! (in before the "market value" squad) | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 1180 Registered: 3-2004 |
It is a beautiful bass. Someday I'd like to own a guitar with the same shape. | ||
| pbarsom
New Username: pbarsom Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2013 |
It's a lovely instrument, for sure. The pictures on the Alembic site don't quite do it justice. The wood looks "deeper" than the pics. This is the first short scale bass that Alembic made with this body design. | ||
| wookie
Intermediate Member Username: wookie Post Number: 176 Registered: 8-2010 |
@bluplirst ha ha! they're coming lol! beautiful bass too btw. | ||
| pbarsom
New Username: pbarsom Post Number: 3 Registered: 9-2013 |
Yes, I'm sure they are coming. Just like the people who want 15% off the price of a car because it's not the exact color they want. Lowballers please don't waste your time posting. You either want this bass or you don't. There's not another one like it. If you want to make a reasonable offer, ok. | ||
| stout71
Intermediate Member Username: stout71 Post Number: 170 Registered: 7-2011 |
To be fair to all the Alembic owners here, there is no Alembic like any other Alembic. They're all unique. | ||
| pbarsom
New Username: pbarsom Post Number: 4 Registered: 9-2013 |
Absolutely. No slight intended. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 5550 Registered: 7-2004 |
I confess to being a little put off by the above references to "low ballers" and the "market value squad". While I wouldn't ask for 15% off a car because it's not the color I want, I would certainly ask for and expect a substantial discount off the new price if it had been previously owned, no matter how well the original owner cared for the car. And if the particular model was regularly selling within a particular price range, I wouldn't pay someone a 100% premium because they took exceptional care of the vehicle or had recently had a mechanic service the car. This scenario is far closer to the discussion that recently took place on another thread which I suspect inspired the above comments. My experience when it comes to sales of instruments on this site is that members tend to price their instruments fairly reasonably and realistically - often giving a "hometown discount" to forum members as opposed to eBay sales. It is also my experience that people who buy custom builds are often unfortunately surprised at the great depreciation to which custom instruments are invariably subject. Nevertheless it is a beautiful bass and I offer no opinion other than good luck with the sale and I hope someone gives it a good home where it will get to produce wonderful music for a very long time. Bill, tgo | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 1181 Registered: 3-2004 |
Bill makes some good points. (Message edited by hydrargyrum on October 03, 2013) | ||
| pbarsom
New Username: pbarsom Post Number: 5 Registered: 9-2013 |
Thanks for the comments, Bill. I'm not the original owner and know a little about the used market for these and I understand that the asking price is somewhat above the baseline. The "used" model is misapplied to musical instruments, though. With time most are in "better than new" condition, from a musical perspective, unless abused or altered in an unsound way. This bass isn't old enough to qualify for that (give it 30 more years at least) but it's in better playing condition than when it was new having had the surprisingly shoddy fret installation (tangs extending slightly from the fingerboard) corrected and the frets resurfaced and polished. It's also now got these sweet knobs ;-) | ||
| pbarsom
New Username: pbarsom Post Number: 6 Registered: 9-2013 |
It should also be pointed out that while almost all Alembics are unique in some way, they are not chosen by Alembic as a featured custom instrument like this one, that displays an unusual level of designers art. This was Alembics opinion of this instrument. | ||
| enzo
Advanced Member Username: enzo Post Number: 337 Registered: 4-2009 |
Bill couldn't explain it better. I've been in your situation with a custom Alembic less than a year old, that calling it mint would have been degrading it. Used custom boutique basses market is difficult to understand and sometimes makes no sense. I don't intend discourage you, just telling my 2¢. Either way that is a freaking gorgeous bass and who ever gets it will be more than pleased. | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 1508 Registered: 6-2002 |
Is it possible that you experienced "fretsprout" with your new bass ( an expected thing as the wood can still shrink a bit in the first year or so) , as opposed to them being improperly installed ? elwood | ||
| pbarsom
New Username: pbarsom Post Number: 7 Registered: 9-2013 |
Probable, as the fingerboard is also cocobolo which, I'm told, is slightly more prone to this than, say, ebony. | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 1313 Registered: 7-2003 |
I've always admired that bass. The side pic of the figured maple core absolutely makes me salivate. The maple is so vivid that it brings to mind a term like, "Ultimate, unsurpassed, radiant 'Alembrick'". Best luck to you and the lucky new owner. | ||
| yggdrasil
Intermediate Member Username: yggdrasil Post Number: 188 Registered: 5-2002 |
Speaking as the previous owner of this bass, I can say that it is stunning visually & sonically. (I even have a pic of Jack Casady playing it at a workshop :-) Phil is as straight a shooter as they come - & this bass is so unique that it is hard to place an "objective" value on it. | ||
| pbarsom
New Username: pbarsom Post Number: 8 Registered: 9-2013 |
I've never heard a short scale bass with the tonal authority of this one. | ||
| jzstephan
Intermediate Member Username: jzstephan Post Number: 194 Registered: 1-2012 |
Please Mr. yggdrasil, post your pic of Jack playing this lovely bass. | ||
| lidon2001
Senior Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 520 Registered: 4-2005 |
Sorry for the derail, but how about a current pic of its pink ivory companion just for fun? Good luck with your sale. (Message edited by lidon2001 on October 15, 2013) | ||
| yggdrasil
Intermediate Member Username: yggdrasil Post Number: 189 Registered: 5-2002 |
>Please Mr. yggdrasil, post your pic of Jack playing this lovely bass. Sorry - but Jack is a very private fellow & I'd never do that without his explicit permission.(as much as I'd love to!- the unspoken code of Fur Peace Ranch) (Message edited by yggdrasil on October 15, 2013) | ||
| jzstephan
Intermediate Member Username: jzstephan Post Number: 195 Registered: 1-2012 |
Yes, you're right. What happens at Fur Peace Ranch, stays at Fur Peace Ranch. | ||
| pbarsom
New Username: pbarsom Post Number: 9 Registered: 9-2013 |
I am, of course, willing to consider a reasonable offer for this bass. | ||
| pbarsom
New Username: pbarsom Post Number: 10 Registered: 9-2013 |
New asking price of $6500. It will go up on eBay within a couple of days. (Message edited by pbarsom on January 04, 2014) |
