| Author | Message | ||
| marcm
Intermediate Member Username: marcm Post Number: 111 Registered: 12-2003 |
Longtime Club members might remember my bass, a 2007 Custom of the Month ( http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_monty.html ). Susan and Mica and the Alembic team helped me to realize my dream bass, which they dubbed “Monty”:  There is an extensive build thread, “Marc’s “Simple” Bass”, in the Factory to Customer section of the Club ( http://alembic.com/club/messages/631/6455.html?1234137132 ). The project extended over more than three years, due first to a shortage of Gabon ebony, and then due to my going through a lengthy divorce, which began while the build was in progress. After Monty was completed, the terms of the divorce forced me to sell my business and surrender most of the money generated from the sale, which was a huge financial blow. A couple of years later I lost my home in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. I was able to get an engineering job at the IBM semiconductor facility in Essex Junction, Vermont, but last year, just as I was getting back on my feet, I was laid off -- “resource-actioned”, as they call it in IBMSpeak -- along with 12% of the workforce of almost 4000. There have been more layoffs since then, dumping more people with similar technical credentials into the relatively tiny Vermont job market. I wasn’t able to find a suitable job in Vermont (where I’d like to stay if I can) during the term of my unemployment insurance. The circumstances of the IBM layoffs made me (and essentially everyone else who was laid off) eligible for a federal program called TRADE, which aims to improve employability through reeducation or continuing education. I’m back in school, at least through the Spring term and possibly through next summer, and hoping to return to my original field of mineral spectroscopy, which is being used increasingly in mineral exploration. Meanwhile my financial situation has become pretty dire. I need to sell whatever assets I can to generate money to help tide me over until I can get back into the workforce. A good job is probably a year off, and probably not in Vermont. Sadly, I have no choice but to try to sell Monty. I really don't have any idea of how to price her for sale (I know it may sound weird to call Monty “her”, but ‘guitar’ and ‘bass’ are feminine nouns in languages that have gendered nouns, e.g., French, so I’m going with that as a model). I know what I paid in 2007, and Susan Wickersham has prepared an estimate of the cost to build her now, which is much more: [attachment removed] Owning an Alembic bass was a dream and aspiration of my entire adult life. It was an incredible joy to be able to realize that dream, and it has been wonderful to be able to play Monty and enjoy her for these years. I wouldn't sell her if I didn’t need the money to survive. I'm posting here because my hope is to find an owner who understands what an Alembic bass is, and would appreciate Monty and get joy from owning and playing her. (Message edited by adriaan on November 05, 2014) | ||
| stout71
Advanced Member Username: stout71 Post Number: 227 Registered: 7-2011 |
It pains me deeply to see this happen to a fellow bassist - hell, anyone for that matter. In my experience, the day is darkest before the dawn, though (I know - cheesy saying.) I cannot imagine if I was put in such a position. I've been forced to sell basses in the past, and some were incredibly regretful decisions. But a custom job of this nature is something altogether different. Were it me, I'd have to decide what would be worse - selling my pretty or regretting it later. Man, I wish you the best and hope your luck turns around. | ||
| marcm
Intermediate Member Username: marcm Post Number: 113 Registered: 12-2003 |
Thanks Jerry. I know I'll regret it later, but I can't see how I can get to 'later' without selling her now. At least I've had the privilege of playing her for a while. I waited many years for it, and it was so much more and better than I expected. That, as they say, is life. | ||
| stout71
Advanced Member Username: stout71 Post Number: 228 Registered: 7-2011 |
If I didn't just drop a boatload of down payment on my next custom build, I would consider buying it for like $6-$7K and sell it back to you for the same once you were on your feet. Maybe one of our club members would consider the gesture... | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 1322 Registered: 6-2006 |
Marc, sorry for your current misfortune. I sincerely wish the best for your future. I read the write up on your bass . . . omg. The pictures of it are amazing, I hope that a scenario like Jerry described unfolds for you. | ||
| bsee
Senior Member Username: bsee Post Number: 2726 Registered: 3-2004 |
That is one sexy bass! Very sorry to hear that you have to sell it against your preference. Hopefully, anyone who steps up to buy Monty will provide you the opportunity to buy her back when your situation improves. -bob | ||
| zomnius
Junior Username: zomnius Post Number: 28 Registered: 9-2013 |
Hello Marcm, Besides the incredible beautifull Alembic bass, the story is very sad but also inspiring. I can read through it all that you are building a solid feature, with couragious choice to change your career. Very impressive I must say! I wish you the best of luck! Z. | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 371 Registered: 11-2009 |
I got a non-deliverable mail address message when I e-mailed you at the one on your profile. Send me a current e-mail address and I will send you a copy of the e-mail sent. Note that I am in agreement with Jerry's idea, and maybe we could work something out in that direction. | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 1091 Registered: 4-2004 |
So sorry for your situation, Marc. Hopefully someone will step up and take temporary custody. Your creation is truly one of a kind, and I wish it back to you in the near future!... | ||
| mkazaria
Member Username: mkazaria Post Number: 64 Registered: 10-2002 |
I also received a non-deliverable mail address message when I e-mailed you at the one on your profile. I even filled out the spam form. If you can send me an email I am intereted too. Thanks and I hope everthing turns around soon! | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1650 Registered: 11-2004 |
Marc, I hope this works out in a way where someone here on the forum can serve as an interm owner of this bass for you. It is probably my favorite Alembic custom of all time. Everything about it is just plain cool and I had a picture of it as the desktop on my laptop for the better part of a year. Hoping that Thomas' post above is the opener to a situation that would let you get this bass back in the future when things stabilize for you. Best of luck with everything... | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 92 Registered: 6-2014 |
I just hate to hear about this happening to anybody... happened to me about 15 years ago, but with a treasured Martin guitar instead of a bass. If I ever see that guitar again, I'm going to buy it back. Hope it works out ya' Marc. | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 1241 Registered: 3-2004 |
I'm very sorry to hear about your situation, and I can only hope that it improves. I find it interesting that you are pursuing spectroscopy. I was mentored by a truly brilliant chemist, Dr. Edward Pickett for many years. He worked extensively in flame and atomic emission spectroscopy using the methods to determine micronutrients. Unfortunately he died a few years ago of Alzheimers. Shortly before he passed he was asked by his nursing staff if they could get him anything. His reply - "presence of mind." http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ac50159a003 | ||
| oddmetersam
Advanced Member Username: oddmetersam Post Number: 370 Registered: 7-2008 |
Marc It should be obvious by now that you have an immeasurable amount of sympathy, goodwill and positive vibes from all of us who have read your story and can relate to some -- if not all -- of the particulars of your plight. Except for the divorce part, major elements are eerily similar to mine, though the bass in question was my beloved '72 Jazz Bass I received brand new as my high school graduation present from my now-deceased parents. Your bass is a priceless talisman. May the universe continue to smile on her. And you. Good luck! - Sam | ||
| pieanoman
New Username: pieanoman Post Number: 1 Registered: 5-2014 |
Lack of action here hopefully means you've found a way to keep her. If not, please contact me, or leave an email address at which we (i.e. all who are trying to do so) can reach you. Thanks! | ||
| poor_nigel
Advanced Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 375 Registered: 11-2009 |
An interesting note for those planning a trip to the Alembic factory in the near future - Mica is going to Display Marc's bass on their wall for all to ogle and drool over. Marc's dream will stay Marc's dream, good times and bad times, as it should be. So if you want to see a real Gabon ebony bass in person, plan a little winter excursion soon. Just one more perk for taking the tour there. | ||
| lidon2001
Senior Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 537 Registered: 4-2005 |
Very cool; as it should be. T |
