| Author | Message | ||
| lincland
Junior Username: lincland Post Number: 12 Registered: 9-2014 |
This is a rare 1990 Stanley Clarke Deluxe with a finish they called 'FLASH PINK". This bass has to be seen to be believed. Mint condition. This is the info that Alembic gave me about this bass. top: Quilted Maple body: Maple back: Quilted Maple accent: Purpleheart laminates neck: 5-piece Maple and Purpleheart scale: 30.75" short fingerboard: Ebony inlays: Pearloid (plastic) ovals pickups: AXY4 controls: volume, pan, filter x2, Q-switch x2, mono output finish: Clear Flash Pink originally made for: Dan's Music, TX birthday: August 10, 1990 The original and second owners were both in Texas. The color "Flash Pink" is really really bright! It's a total 1990's neon extravaganza. The color is in the finish only. If you sanded it down to the sealer you could refinish in clear or any other color. The wood is not stained. I have not decided on the price yet. It's difficult to determine the market value with this unusual finish. Owner is in Dallas if any interested buyers are interested on seeing it. I'll be posting pix on separate postings below. | ||
| lincland
Junior Username: lincland Post Number: 13 Registered: 9-2014 |
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| alembician
New Username: alembician Post Number: 7 Registered: 10-2015 |
WOW. | ||
| lincland
Junior Username: lincland Post Number: 14 Registered: 9-2014 |
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| lincland
Junior Username: lincland Post Number: 15 Registered: 9-2014 |
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| 5a_quilt_top
Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 81 Registered: 6-2012 |
Wooahhh... That almost looks like the product of some clever Photoshop wizardry. | ||
| lincland
Junior Username: lincland Post Number: 16 Registered: 9-2014 |
I"m not that good with photoshop. I have lots more pics, and I can post more. I'm looking through them to really see if any represent the color accurately. If you think about how much really good quilted maple can catch the light, and glow...then think of that in neon pink. | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 872 Registered: 9-2009 |
I think I'd have a difficult time playing that bass because very dark glasses would be required even in a dimly lit room. | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 82 Registered: 6-2012 |
Call me a bit twisted, but I like it. I like the way the figure of the wood shows through the tint and I can visualize what you mean when you say it glows like neon. I also like the "old school" large top-hat control knobs. I gotta tell you though, if you would've described it without providing any pix, I would've had an entirely different impression. Unfortunately, I already have a quilted SCSD (my first Alembic), otherwise I'd be all over it.  | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 939 Registered: 6-2014 |
Yessir, truth in advertising here... that bass is PINK. And while it ain't my thing, someone out there (and quite possibly here) will totally dig it. Good luck with your sale! +1 like for the old-style witch hats. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 2402 Registered: 2-2005 |
David, You aren't the only one. I kind of like it too. Keith | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4881 Registered: 5-2009 |
Just think smoked Salmon !  | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1716 Registered: 11-2004 |
I'm into it. If I had the cash, I wouldn't hesitate. | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 428 Registered: 11-2009 |
I have the cash, I LOVE maple core Alembics - BUT - This bass brings to mind one word for me - Hal . . . | ||
| sonofa_lembic
Intermediate Member Username: sonofa_lembic Post Number: 135 Registered: 5-2014 |
Mint Condition? That back plate looks like it did the beast with two backs with some cowboy's massive belt buckle. Hard to believe the finish did not get a bit of collateral damage. Regardless, mint should apply to the brass parts as well. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1895 Registered: 5-2006 |
I think that's oxidation under the finish of the backplate, my mint '79 bass also came that way. I removed the backplate(s) finish and after polishing it looks like new :-) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 6418 Registered: 7-2004 |
The Pepto Bismol bass! Bill, tgo | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4883 Registered: 5-2009 |
I would rather eat Lox then Pepto Bismol . Moving forward on a tasty approach and angle . Therefore I make a motion that in future documentation that this instrument shall be referred to as ___" The Lox " All those in favor say " I "LOL ... ... ... ... All those apposed say " nay " -------- Wolf ( who Loves Lox / or Norwegian smoked Salmon ) | ||
| lincland
Junior Username: lincland Post Number: 17 Registered: 9-2014 |
The wear is on the backplate only. As I recall from my previous Alembic that I bought new and owned for a long time, the brass has some kind of a finish that gets rubbed off, and then oxidation can occur. So no, the plate is not mint. However, certainly not belt buckle of rivet scratches. This close up of the area shows it's only on the plate, not surrounding wood. Of course there is wear here and there, and anyone who is seriously interested, I can send more pix, and take specific ones on request. If you look at the pick of the back, you'll notice there was a drop D added to the E tuner as well. For 1990, if it's not mint, it's at least minty, and it looks minty, too. | ||
| lincland
Junior Username: lincland Post Number: 18 Registered: 9-2014 |
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| 5a_quilt_top
Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 83 Registered: 6-2012 |
Wolf - An enthusiastic "+1" for the Lox from the desert southwest - ! I LOOOOVE Lox (and salmon in general) and just realized that my subconscious was probably working OT on this one - which might partially explain my attraction to the bass. | ||
| rockerdebassman
Member Username: rockerdebassman Post Number: 62 Registered: 8-2015 |
Hmmm... punk band with a bass player who wore a belt buckle? (Message edited by rockerdebassman on April 14, 2016) | ||
| wookie
Advanced Member Username: wookie Post Number: 244 Registered: 8-2010 |
I'm broke but What's the price? This color rules! Maybe trade? If you don't have to get rid of this bass don't do it! This is amazing! Who among us has a pink Alembic?! Who? No one! | ||
| ed_zeppelin
Advanced Member Username: ed_zeppelin Post Number: 329 Registered: 2-2010 |
I keep looking at that bass a couple of times a day, and from the moment I saw it I said; "I hope the right person buys it, and doesn't change a thing." It reminds me of Elvis, growing up dirt poor in Tupelo begging his mama to make him a pink shirt to wear to school. True story, look it up. And it worked. Some people can pull it off. That bass would be perfect for them. I'll say one thing for that bass: it's louder unplugged. | ||
| ed_zeppelin
Advanced Member Username: ed_zeppelin Post Number: 330 Registered: 2-2010 |
I must say that the last picture of the control cover plate knocked me out. It's one of my favorite Alembic pictures I've ever seen, because of what it represents; hours and hours of playing time. Hundreds, it looks like. Man, that's the most honest wear there is. And in all other aspects, that baby's immaculate. No scratches to speak of. It's kinda like the opposite of patina. Just musing, I guess. Every instrument maker who ever lived would agree that the best thing you can do with musical instruments is to play them. That is one well-fed and well-loved bass, and I would like to congratulate the owner on achieving excellence in both. | ||
| paujones
Junior Username: paujones Post Number: 14 Registered: 7-2012 |
Lincland, did you ever decide on a price? | ||
| lincland
Junior Username: lincland Post Number: 20 Registered: 9-2014 |
It's listed on reverb.com for $10,550. Selling it is not my call. I don't technically own it. I've used it on a few gigs, and kind of been the caretaker for a while. The owner is bit of a payer, but more of a collector and fell in love with it. It pains him, but he has decided to sell. I'll post some more pics for those who are enjoying the "Alembic porn". | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1718 Registered: 11-2004 |
Yikes. You can get Series II basses in amazing shape for half of what you're listing it at on reverb. Not saying you shouldn't ask it, and ultimately the bass is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. That being said, the $10K asking price is well, well above market value. Good luck with the sale, though. I'm a huge fan of Alembic instruments done in color and this bass is no exception. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1897 Registered: 5-2006 |
Yeah, that's a mighty hefty price... It's close to what new one will cost you (or even more after discounts like monthly special etc) Realistic price would be around $2500-$3000 I guess. | ||
| jalevinemd
Senior Member Username: jalevinemd Post Number: 1096 Registered: 12-2003 |
The prices for some of these used Alembics on ebay and Reverb are insane. | ||
| pas
Advanced Member Username: pas Post Number: 325 Registered: 3-2003 |
The pink finish certainly makes it unique. However, one could purchase a brand new Stanley Deluxe with led's for less than $10,500. There are currently 4 new Stanley Deluxe basses at Bass Central listed for less than that. | ||
| alembician
New Username: alembician Post Number: 8 Registered: 10-2015 |
I really dig this cotton-candy SC, but for almost twice-over what I paid for my exeptional 1986 Porsche 944? There's a slight amount more high-precision engineering, machining and production involved ;) However, I suppose to the right individual... I usually do add a little more to my Reverb listings (+100), ask what I truly want to get on Talkbass (+0) and ask less for my Alembics here (-100). Reverb does charge much less than eBay, and there is very good exposure there in comparison, but there is still extra cost involved. | ||
| 5a_quilt_top
Member Username: 5a_quilt_top Post Number: 87 Registered: 6-2012 |
Hey - don't knock that trend if you own one! IMO, it's about time that pre-owned Alembic prices start climbing a bit to reflect the quality of the instruments. FWIW: I've always thought it a bit odd that instruments that are this well-made and designed to sound and perform virtually flawlessly for years should lose a proportionally greater amount of their resale value than instruments of lesser quality. I'm not saying that the resale price should be the same as a new one, but it should be somewhere midway between that and where it traditionally has been. | ||
| alembician
New Username: alembician Post Number: 9 Registered: 10-2015 |
Technically, if this one sells at or near its asking price, then used Alembics by effect will have all risen in value! That would be excellent. Maybe my Europa that I have for sale will finally be worth what I'm asking then! ;) All said with good jest, of course. lincland - I do wish a happy sale. This must be a one-off instrument! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1898 Registered: 5-2006 |
Amen to that, prices for used Alembics (what they sell for) are ridiculously low, hence me owning 5 of them... | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4991 Registered: 6-2002 |
It's a crazy market for alembics at the moment there seems to be a lot of them being bought and sold in recent years so maybe at last all our hard work of promoting them is working and new owners are taking the leap. If the seller can get that price, it would be great and if the buyer is happy all is good. Even though It's pink i still thing the bass looks great...... well I do have a purple bass. :-) I certainly would not be in the queue for that price which in actual fact is more than I paid for any of my individual alembics in including my series I & II basses and guitar. | ||
| lincland
Junior Username: lincland Post Number: 21 Registered: 9-2014 |
It's a high asking price. I'm figuring that it would cost that new to special order this finish, or more. But would anyone? If you see it and gotta have it, then that another matter. My experience is selling anything is that the price is directly related to how fast you want to sell it. That will play in at some point. All good feedback on the price, thanks. I welcome all comments positive and negative. Alembician, I know it's a Porsche, but I would guess off the top of my head even an exceptional '86 944 wouldn't be worth more than $5000. I know that represents a lot of depreciation, but some things hold their value better than others. | ||
| rockerdebassman
Member Username: rockerdebassman Post Number: 63 Registered: 8-2015 |
"I really dig this cotton-candy SC, but for almost twice-over what I paid for my exceptional 1986 Porsche 944? " Yeah, but was it pink? | ||
| ed_zeppelin
Advanced Member Username: ed_zeppelin Post Number: 331 Registered: 2-2010 |
On my iPad, when a thread contains large pictures, it makes the text look I'm peering into the wrong end of binoculars. I'm not complaining, though. Different perspectives are always good. Can somebody please lay a bassline on this? (It's in Japanese, so you can just turn the sound off and let 'er rip.) http://youtu.be/-rRK7vlBG8A My favorite thing about this bass isn't the color (I spent a good deal of my childhood in *Texas, so I think of that color as "pank"), it's the way the incredible "pillows" of the quilted maple glow through the pank finish and makes it look like somebody tossed a handful of marbles into a pond, as reflected against the sky at sunset. Somebody used the word "unique" earlier. Yeah, we probably won't see anything like that again. The pank on that plank is puuuuuurdy. When it comes to price, I always liked Alan Watts' advice; "you walk into a store with money, and you leave with wealth." I bought my first guitar when I was 9 years old, for five dollars. It's a handmade "Hermanos Godvinas" classical guitar that a classmate sold me because he wanted to get out of taking guitar lessons. I still have it. It's the only classical guitar I've ever seen where the frets in first position are worn right down to the fingerboard (from learning the Lennon-McCartney/James Taylor canon). I wouldn't sell it, even for ten grand. I suspect if the right person buys that pank Alembic, they'll know exactly how it feels. I sure hope so, anyway. *where Cletus was born. | ||
| hankster
Senior Member Username: hankster Post Number: 445 Registered: 6-2004 |
Man! If only I played with Josie and the Pussycats! I'd love to have that bass - it is one crazy colour! |
