| Author | Message | ||
| crgaston
Junior Username: crgaston Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2005 |
http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-Bass-Guitar-Beautiful-Zebra-wood-satin-finish_W0QQitemZ7372324359QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2693 Registered: 5-2002 |
Nice top, matching headstock, no reserve! | ||
| brainiac
New Username: brainiac Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2005 |
Somebody (please) give me the up and downside to this bass (the Essence model in general). I might be able to afford this one. TIA | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1419 Registered: 9-2003 |
As long as it's electrically and structurally OK, and you don't overpay too much, it's an Alembic! It's a nice neck-thru piece with a nice top and side LED's. The only "disadvantage" is that it doesn't have a filter w/"Q" switch, which could be added by Alembic later. If you like it, and the price is right for you, I'd say go for it...we have lots of Essence devotee's here...Dannobasso has a few custom one's that are awesome! Cheers, Kevin | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2708 Registered: 5-2002 |
This particular bass looks to be in excellent condition and I love the look of the top wood. Personally, I find the Essence body shape quite attractive; they are also relatively small and light weight. I also like the look of a "clean" neck, i.e. no inlays, the downside to which is if you have vision problems like I do, it can be hard to see the side markers. However, this bass has side LED's, so that shouldn't be an issue. This is a neck-through Alembic with the basic Alembic filter electronics. The standard neck for the Essence is the "comfort" taper as opposed to the "classic" taper. The Europa has the comfort taper and the Signature has the classic taper. The comfort is narrower at the nut and wider at the bridge. The controls are volume, pan, filter. This is a simple straigtforward setup, and many Essence owners are happy with it. Alembic sells a Q switch kit with instructions that you can order and install yourself (or have your local luthier install if your queezy about drilling a hole in a $4,400 instrument or your unsure of your soldering skills). Adding the Q switch will give you more tonal options. Obviously the Essence electronics don't have the options of the more complex setups like Europa and Signature electronics. Also, the Essence has only one preamp, thus there is only one trim pot inside the control cavity for adjusting output gain. (Having two trim pots allows you to adjust the outputs of the two pickups relative to each other; but for most folks this is not a big issue). The neck is Maple (with Walnut pinstripes), the basic Alembic neck-through. It doesn't have Purpleheart or Ebony lams if that's important to you. I own an all Maple Essence 4 string with Maple top, body and neck. Unfortunately, it's been away for the past 21 months and I can't remember exactly what it sounds like (although it's supposed to be coming back real soon!). I do remember that I loved it, but that I wanted a more flexible control layout (which is part of the reason it's been away for a while). Since you previously owned a Series bass you should know that Series electonics are a bit different than the other Alembic electronics packages; so it's not going to sound like a Series bass. But it is going to sound like an Alembic. | ||
| brainiac
New Username: brainiac Post Number: 6 Registered: 8-2005 |
Ah, foget it. The price went up to almost $1000 last night. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2709 Registered: 5-2002 |
This bass is worth a good bit more than a $1,000. I think $1,300 would certainly be reasonable, maybe more with the LED's. If you're really patient, you might be able to get an Essence for less than $1,000; but that doesn't happen often, and I can't recall it happening in a long while. If you're looking for an Alembic for less than $1,000, then you're looking at an Epic or Excel or maybe an Orion. There are more Epics available than Excels or Orions, so that would be your most likely find for a bass that's in good condition. Here is an Epic that recently sold for less than $1,000. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1421 Registered: 9-2003 |
Exactly! You can get a stripped Epic routinely for $1k, but the others? Reid Raymond's custom Orion went for $1500, which was a steal. This Essence is still under a kilobuck and would be a good buy...it's certainly fancier than your std. Epic! | ||
| brainiac
New Username: brainiac Post Number: 7 Registered: 8-2005 |
What do you guys think this bass will ultimately go for? | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1432 Registered: 9-2003 |
Hard to say...depends on how bad somebody wants it. Remember, regardless of book value, something is worth what someone is willing to pay. That's why EBAY auctions aren't often a great buy. All it takes are two bidders to dicker on bids, and the price goes thru the roof. There are, of course, exceptions...Reid's Orion for example. Like the lottery, however, one must be in it to win it. Ask yourself "How bad do I want this bass?" and adjust your bidding accordingly. Good luck. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2713 Registered: 5-2002 |
It sometimes seems that the Ebay market fluctuates almost week to week. Sometimes stuff goes at a bargain, sometimes at a premium. A good example is F-2B's, which have been all over the place recently. Essences also seem to be fluctuating recently. It just depends on how many people are watching Ebay right now that would be in the market for a bass like this one. And for some folks, the LED's will add value; and for some that Zebrawood top. But my guess, if the market is slack someone might get it for $1,200, if the market is average then $1,300, and if it's hot then $1,400. But that's just my guess; and I've often been surprised on Ebay. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1434 Registered: 9-2003 |
Personally, when you consider what $1k or so buys you in a mass-market Garbage Center special, a hand-made used Alembic is a no-brainer! No two Alembics are exactly alike, excepting that they all have the same level of craftmanship and quality. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2847 Registered: 6-2000 |
It looks like this bass has the original Epic polyurethane finish (note you can really see the grain in the photo). That's not a bad thing, but it does mean the finish isn't as durable as the polyester. Just another part that makes this bass unique! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2718 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Mica! | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1472 Registered: 9-2003 |
It's at $1325 with about 4hrs. to go. It'll sell, and for a pretty high price, all things considered. | ||
| brainiac
New Username: brainiac Post Number: 9 Registered: 8-2005 |
That damned thing went for $1900! | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1476 Registered: 9-2003 |
Amazing...As Dave said, you just can't predict what the market will bring. Personally, that's way overpriced...just my $0.02. |
