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Alembic Club » Swap Shop and Wish Lists » Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere » Archive 2006 » Archive through March 12, 2006 » Archive: 2005 » Archive through July 04, 2005 » An Epic which was de-horned by poachers! « Previous Next »

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effclef
Advanced Member
Username: effclef

Post Number: 331
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 5:06 am:   Edit Post

Surely this can't be a stock upper horn!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=7323294669&rd=1

EffClef
eastcoastepic
Intermediate Member
Username: eastcoastepic

Post Number: 131
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 12:48 pm:   Edit Post

Must be the new "Telecaster Epic" everyone has been talking about. :-)
But seriously, looks like the factory customized it; nothing looks butchered & the finish looks normal in the area. I wonder if it has balance problems with that short horn.....
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 1725
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 2:34 pm:   Edit Post

The Rosewood top is nice.
exploiterplayer
Member
Username: exploiterplayer

Post Number: 59
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 3:05 pm:   Edit Post

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that was a deformed upper horn.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 2433
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 3:39 pm:   Edit Post

Poachers! I'm glad I wasn't drinking coffee when I read that, it would surely be dotted all over my screen.

I checked the file on this little guy, and it started out life as a totally normal Epic sent to Guitar Center in Texas. It's not Rosewood, but rather Vermilion, and the neck is a standard Maple Walnut mix.

There is no record of the bass getting modified here, though the seller seems very careful to not quite show the detail of the upper horn in the many pictures listed. I think I can just make out a finish or patch seam in the closeup of the neck pocket (image 4).

Balance probably isn't as good as an unmodified Epic, but this one still almost stretches to the 17th fret, but a stock Epic makes it a little past the 14th fret. At least it's a 4-string.

I wonder what happened to this little guy.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 1727
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 4:34 pm:   Edit Post

Well, if the top isn't Rosewood, then the listing is misleading to say the least. I kinda figured the neck veneers weren't Rosewood. I would think that if the seller knows about the body repair, then it could also be considered misleading not to mention it. But then it is possible that the seller is unaware of any of this. And probable that the bidders are unaware.
keith_h
Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 62
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 5:23 pm:   Edit Post

Good eye Mica. After you mention it I also see the a seam. Looks like a repair or some other modification to me.

Keith
phys49
New
Username: phys49

Post Number: 6
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Monday, May 16, 2005 - 7:37 pm:   Edit Post

I emailed the seller asking about the modification. Here's the reply:

You asked:
"Do you know when or how the body was modified? thanks, Perry"

To my knowlege, the body has not been modified, and there is no indication any modifications were ever made.
Perhaps he thinks this is a custom body shape?
serialnumber12
Advanced Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 221
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 4:03 am:   Edit Post

this puppy resembles "Gumby"
exploiterplayer
Member
Username: exploiterplayer

Post Number: 61
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 8:19 am:   Edit Post

The only time I have ever seen a modification of this sort was one that involved a strap button screw that had busted out of the horn sideways.
stoney
Advanced Member
Username: stoney

Post Number: 397
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 5:58 am:   Edit Post

I kind of like the shape of it. It's smooth and subtle. My 2cents for the day....
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 1743
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 6:11 am:   Edit Post

Stoney, the modified shape does work well with the top wood.
effclef
Advanced Member
Username: effclef

Post Number: 337
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 6:29 am:   Edit Post

I'm guessing it was a straplock catastrophe also.

EffClef

PS Mica, this reminds me of the Rickenbacker Hall of Shame pics, especially the "479 1/2" here:

http://www.the-music-connection.com/rhos.htm
bassman10096
Senior Member
Username: bassman10096

Post Number: 722
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 10:42 am:   Edit Post

I'll vote for the shape, too. New model? An "Unbalanced E"?
effclef
Advanced Member
Username: effclef

Post Number: 338
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 10:45 am:   Edit Post

Actually it does have sort of a Telecaster vibe!

I agree with Mica, he has not shown that area too well in the photos, but you can tell from the back shot that the rounding of that area does not match the lower horn as far as care in sanding and shaping.

Nothing against the seller - he may indeed be ignorant of the fine points of Alembic shapes.

ALL of eBay is "buyer beware" more or less.

EffClef
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 1744
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 11:33 am:   Edit Post

I sent the seller an email a little while ago.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 1753
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, May 19, 2005 - 5:46 am:   Edit Post

The listing has been updated.
effclef
Advanced Member
Username: effclef

Post Number: 342
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 5:15 am:   Edit Post

FYI: Ended at $710, reserve not met.

EffClef

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