| Author | Message | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 937 Registered: 3-2004 |
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7337290241&category=4713&rd=1 I haven't contacted the seller. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 526 Registered: 7-2004 |
I sent the seller an email telling him it is not an Alembic, but rather a cheap Fender copy with a decal and referred him to the Alembic site. We'll see what happens. Bill, tgo | ||
| 57basstra
Junior Username: 57basstra Post Number: 20 Registered: 4-2005 |
I had logged on after visiting ebay to advise of the above and was glad to see it had already been spotted. I don't consider myself an expert, or even an advanced novice, on the various Alembic models; however, this is the worst fake I've seen. (It has a bolt on neck!) Wonder what makes 'em think its an Elan? | ||
| dwmark
Junior Username: dwmark Post Number: 39 Registered: 1-2005 |
Gee. Didn't know I could get a pickguard for my Elan. HEY, WHY ISN'T THIS ON THE OPTION LIST??? | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 527 Registered: 7-2004 |
The decal says "Alembic Elan". Who needs a build record! LOL Bill, tgo | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2055 Registered: 5-2002 |
I've just sent an email as well. For those of you who have some concern about sending emails, Ebay has added an option to hide your email address when you send a message to a seller. (Of course, if like me you turn around and post a statement in a public forum that you sent an email, it kinda defeats the purpose <g>.) These particular frauds, Fender copies with an "Alembic Elan" decal on the headstock, have shown up before. As I recall, they appear to have originated in Texas as several have shown up in pawn shops there. | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 512 Registered: 7-2003 |
The seller thinks this is a $200 bass. I think so, too, of course. Why bother the seller. It is not being portrayed as a real Alembic, like these usually are on eBay. I suppose a note on his action maybe a good thing, but what seller would? Actually, I thought of buying it as a joke item. I still might. | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 513 Registered: 7-2003 |
Follow-up: Well, I e-mailed him, too. I told him if he posted that it was a fake Alembic, he would probably get more bids on it, which I believe he would. At this point in time, one bid would be infinitely more than the current total stands at. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 938 Registered: 3-2004 |
I believe that Alembic would probably prefer to have their name removed from the headstock. Just because this seller is rational doesn't mean the next owner won't try to scam someone. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2061 Registered: 5-2002 |
Nigel; "Why bother the seller. It is not being portrayed as a real Alembic." Well the listing title and text state that it is an "ALEMBIC ELAN 4 STRING ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR". To a person unfamiliar with Alembics, there is nothing in the listing that suggests that it is not an Alembic. If I recall correctly, Mica has posted in the past that she does email such sellers and does ask them to remove the decals. So I'm guessing that Mica sees reason to "bother" the seller. There is every possibility that someone who has heard the name Alembic but knows nothing about them may pay more for this bass than they would for an unknown Fender copy just because of the name Alembic. When they receive the bass, they will then get an inaccurate impression of "Alembics" as being nothing special. I think that similar discussions have been held in this forum in the past. Some people hold the opinion that in cases similar to the current one, it is the buyer's responsibility to do their homework and determine that the bass is a fraud. However, not everyone agrees with that position; and it is understandable that not everyone will hold the same opinion. So while I can certainly understand why you may not wish to "bother" the seller about his listing, I also certainly understand why others may indeed wish to do just that. In may email to the seller, I suggested that he may want to remove the decal and relist the bass as a Fender copy; and if your assertion that "the seller thinks this is a $200 bass" is accurate, then my suggestion to the seller would seem not to be unreasonable. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2062 Registered: 5-2002 |
My above post was made before I realized that Nigel had posted his follow up; and thus much of it no longer seems pertinent. | ||
| j_gary
Member Username: j_gary Post Number: 51 Registered: 6-2005 |
Howdy Boys, I've got a better idea. Lets bid up this relabled Alembic and pay with one dollar bills relabled as $100 dollar bills. OOPS!, did I say that out loud? How long do you have to go to prision for counterfeiting? I would submit that a sound thrashing is in order. I sent a "WHAT THE F ine how do you do" email. At least this dope spelled Alembic correctly. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 528 Registered: 7-2004 |
J.Gary: I like your idea, but how about we use monopoly money with "U.S. Legal Tender" written on it in crayon? Seems appropriate. More seriously, if this seller is honorable and just doesn't know about Alembics, he will respond to the various e-mails he has received and will modify the listing accordingly. If not, let the monopoly $ flow! Bill, tgo | ||
| 57basstra
Junior Username: 57basstra Post Number: 23 Registered: 4-2005 |
I bid a couple of pops on a Matsumoku made Memphis bass on ebay recently that was billed as made in the style of the 'Amelbic' basses. (Message edited by 57basstra on July 18, 2005) | ||
| 57basstra
Junior Username: 57basstra Post Number: 24 Registered: 4-2005 |
edit above and put in Matsumoku. typos will get ya | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2590 Registered: 6-2000 |
The listing is clearly for an Alembic Elan bass. Any readers of this forum won't fall for it, but others will. I've spoken to and exchanged emails with the unfortunates that wind up with these fakes. It's not the most fun part of my job. I do contact sellers of these fakes. They are usually victims of fraud and willing to share details about how they got the bass or guitar so I might be able to track down the person producing these and stop them. Usually, the seller is glad to comply with my request to remove the name from the peghead and relist it as a "No-Name" instrument. I have emailed the seller of this bass. It's probably best to post any fakes you see on the Club so that potential buyers might find these conversations as well. I prefer to contact the seller directly and not go through ebay's system, since I'm not trying to punish the seller, but rather educate and correct the situation. -- David - just so you know, you can edit your post by clicking on the little pencil and paper icon in the upper right corner. Amelbic? That's rare! | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 742 Registered: 7-2003 |
That's funny. I have a bass that says Amelbic on the headstock. It's a pretty decal with a logo and all. I only paid $200 for such a legendary bass. How did I ever get so lucky?? | ||
| 57basstra
Junior Username: 57basstra Post Number: 28 Registered: 4-2005 |
Thanks Mica. I have another post to edit. I have a 70s model Sunn. Not Sun. (At least I didn't type Son)! | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 744 Registered: 7-2003 |
Mica: This piece of garbage is still listed. The seller doesn't seem to have seen the light. Bill | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2597 Registered: 6-2000 |
"The seller ended this listing early because the item was lost or broken" I think it ended about 10 minutes after you posted your message, Bill. | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 745 Registered: 7-2003 |
"Lost or broken". What a shame for such a nice piece. Thanks, Mica |
