| Author | Message | ||
| slawie
Senior Member Username: slawie Post Number: 857 Registered: 8-2002 |
Looking at the ebay ad it just does not feel right. The bass has what looks like Alembic activators but to use the name Alembic as a model name is deceiving. It also states "The photograph are sample" It is from an ebay shop in Japan with loads of stuff that looks suspicious - "caveat emptor" The pictures look so-so but it is definitely not what is going to be delivered to your door. No-one here would go within 100 miles of that thing but I feel for the poor schmuck who is going to buy it and be deflated by the sniggering and guffawing when they get it valued. Is there anything that can be done? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Free-shipping-Moon-JJ-Limited-ALEMBIC-CG-E-Bass-Guitar-/151997829227?hash=item2363c6d06b:g:GpQAAOSwA4dWLZLz | ||
| enzo
Senior Member Username: enzo Post Number: 562 Registered: 4-2009 |
The brand name is Moon and it's stated. Maybe they could have been more specific saying it has Alembic electronic. The fact that it says this is a sample is obviously not good. Maybe they have different variations woods but I would not even bother taking the chance to deal with them. | ||
| tubeperson
Senior Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 533 Registered: 5-2005 |
All we see is Alembic jazz style pickups. I am not sure the Alembic electronics are made available for sale on non Alembic basses. I do not believe they are. Mica, Moderators? | ||
| dtothec
Intermediate Member Username: dtothec Post Number: 115 Registered: 3-2015 |
I saw one of these back in November. Apparently those are very good basses Larry Graham plays them. Please see the attached thread. http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/221641.html?1447297711 | ||
| lidon2001
Senior Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 567 Registered: 4-2005 |
Great bass. I see no problem. Do you think they stole the pickups? Why would Mica have a problem with a manufacturer buying Activators and using them? Alembic is a pickup manufacturer, among other products like basses, guitars, and preamps. That's like saying Seymour Duncan would have a problem if a manufacturer used his pickups. | ||
| stephenr
Intermediate Member Username: stephenr Post Number: 200 Registered: 9-2014 |
Relatively sure that the only pickups and electronics that Alembic will not sell to a third party are the ones for the Series instruments. They will only sell those as replacements for existing Series instruments. If you look on the website you can see exactly which pickups they sell. I have Activators in my Stratocaster and custom bass pickups with an activator chassis in my Quantum bass. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8824 Registered: 6-2000 |
We have sold pickups to Moon in the past; Tune, Aria, and others as well. Without seeing under the hood, we won't know if all the original electronics are there, but the pickups look pretty standard to me. Also, for a time in the 1980s we supplied high impedance pickups to some makers in Japan, but I can't recall exactly who that was just now - getting old! | ||
| lidon2001
Senior Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 568 Registered: 4-2005 |
Here's an Aria SB from the early 80's with stock Alembic pickups. Alembic has been selling their Activator pickups to manufacturers from their inception. Series electronics are a different issue. I'm pretty sure they keep that proprietary.  | ||
| slawie
Senior Member Username: slawie Post Number: 858 Registered: 8-2002 |
I stand corrected. Excuse while I go off and tuck into a generous serve of humble pie. slawie | ||
| enzo
Senior Member Username: enzo Post Number: 563 Registered: 4-2009 |
LOL | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 1643 Registered: 1-2005 |
slawie, I think you're off the hook - the "The photograph are sample" line is definitely a red flag! Moon is definitely currently manufacturing instruments, here's their website: http://www.moon-guitar.co.jp/index.html The eBay seller seems legit as well, but I actually share your misgivings. Alembic-equipped Moons don't appear to be a standard item, so if the one in the pictures isn't the one you are getting, then what are you getting? Maybe it's a new-old-stock off of a run? There seem to have been Alembic-equipped-Moons before. Hmm... | ||
| lidon2001
Senior Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 569 Registered: 4-2005 |
I apologize for my sarcasm. I'm working on that. The only thing that comes to my mind when I see that bass is: Yum! T | ||
| jcdlc72
Senior Member Username: jcdlc72 Post Number: 482 Registered: 11-2009 |
Larry Graham plays Moon Basses on his instructional video, where there is only him and a Japanese drummer, which plays some sort of Behemoth Yamaha drumset to play along with Graham. Well, everything on that video is kinda bombastic, but hey! It's Larry Graham! I enjoyed it the same!! A lot! | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 2565 Registered: 9-2002 |
MOONs are one of those exceptional Fender clones that seem only to be sold in the Far East. I've often wondered now that so many builders are making Fender clones in this country (Sadowsky, Mike Lull, and on and on), why these and Atelier Z's or Bacchus or any of the other Japanese axes aren't sold here . . . it must be the exchange rates. If I were ever to get a serious clone, Bacchus would be at the top of the list. Moons are my-t-fine as well, but a little traditional for me. That slanted neck pickup was pretty common in Japan in the 80's. I agree the ad / vendor seems flaky. Fortunately, the huge Ikebe Gakki store is an ALEMBIC dealer, and you can link to them in 'Dealer' page. They even have an attempted 'Engrish' page, complete with yen / USD convertor. A fascinating cruise through their website, and I'm sure Mica could recommend someone to contact there if you want to spend your money on the other side of the International Date Line . . . . Joey | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 2566 Registered: 9-2002 |
Did I say Bacchus? http://bacchusdo.com/product/tf5nao.htm Joey | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4949 Registered: 6-2002 |
I wonder if the Moon basses Larry Graham uses have alembic pickups in. |
