Author |
Message |
kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff
Post Number: 868 Registered: 8-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 6:44 am: | |
Hello, all My trusty Chevy pickup seems to be making new and frightening noises every day, and considering that I live 25 miles from work and haven't been playing either of my Small Standard basses, it seems pretty clear what I have to do. Before anybody asks, Eiji says he will take the graphite bass off my hands, so consider it sold. If it becomes available I will let you know. The Big 6 isn't going anywhere. I am the second owner of this bass, and acquired it in a trade about three years ago. The original owner replaced the tuning pegs with gold Schallers and a Hipshot Drop-D but made no other modifications. Unfortunately, he played the bass hard for eight years and then put it away, so even after all the labor I put into the bass it has some problems which I will discuss below. On the plus side, the bass has the thinnest neck I've ever felt on an Alembic (measurements pending), but the neck is still very stable through the swings in weather we get here in the Northeast. The koa is dramatically flamed, with the figure spread evenly across the top and back. The sound is, to my ears, classic Alembic with a heaping helping of warm low-end that I associate with koa. The finish and fingerboard are in great shape, especially considering the bass is 27 years old. I hear no hum, buzz or extraneous noise and I live in an old Victorian with ancient wiring. My '95 tends to buzz when I play it at home through the same amp and power supply. The nut is solid brass (non-adjustable) and the bass weighs about 10 pounds. The five lowest frets are heavily worn and will probably need to be replaced. Because the bass sat untouched in its' case for about 15 years, the tone pots are corroded and according to Mica will cost $80 each to replace. The three volume knobs and both CVQs function flawlessly as do the pickup selector, LEDs (red) and the internal electronics. The bass will ship in a sturdy but non-original plywood case with the original DS5 and cable, both of which work perfectly and are in excellent cosmetic condition. I am asking $4,000 which I believe is fair considering the premium Small Standards carry over other Alembics, and also taking into account the problems this bass has and what it will cost to correct them. The price is somewhat negotiable. I will cover insurance and shipping in the continental US, but would prefer to make this a domestic sale. International shipping will be at buyer's expense. I have a pictures ready to e-mail and would be happy to take more shots of whatever a serious buyer would like to see. For now, look here for a sneak peek. This bass is pictured on the right. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/kungfusheriff/100_0352.jpg If there are any questions, please ask. Thank you for reading my ad. (Message edited by kungfusheriff on September 16, 2009) |
sonicus
Advanced Member Username: sonicus
Post Number: 356 Registered: 5-2009
| Posted on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 7:23 am: | |
A nice offer. |
eos35mm
Junior Username: eos35mm
Post Number: 49 Registered: 2-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 10:51 am: | |
Hi Kungfusheriff, I am interested in making you an offer. I sent you an email. Rgds, Roger |
kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff
Post Number: 869 Registered: 8-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 11:41 am: | |
Roger, E-mail returned. |
eos35mm
Junior Username: eos35mm
Post Number: 50 Registered: 2-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 12:47 pm: | |
Ok, reading it. |
otis
Member Username: otis
Post Number: 67 Registered: 10-2008
| Posted on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 - 4:06 pm: | |
Hey, Shawn, I know it's off the subject, but could you post a couple pictures of your Series II 6? We don't see many of those beasts, and it would be great to see a few pictures! Thanks! Frank |
kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff
Post Number: 888 Registered: 8-2003
| Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 6:24 am: | |
Hello, all. This bass is still available. I have pics ready to e-mail. I've been told that a full re-fret at Alembic would cost $350, and including the above-described cost of replacing the tone pots plus the bench charge, it would cost ~$550 to put this bass back into prime condition. I'm willing to deduct half of the repair costs from my original asking price; let's call it $3750 shipped insured in the US. Any interest? I don't mind keeping it, but it NEVER gets played, and that's a shame. |
garth4664
Junior Username: garth4664
Post Number: 45 Registered: 10-2008
| Posted on Tuesday, November 03, 2009 - 6:13 am: | |
Hello Kungfusheriff, Email sent from your other hometown, the home of kung fu. Cheers, Garth |
binho
Junior Username: binho
Post Number: 11 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 3:38 am: | |
Hello Kungfusheriff, I sent a email to you.I have a big interest on your bass.Please,let me know which are the payments accepted . regards, FABIO |
binho
Junior Username: binho
Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 3:41 am: | |
can you send more pics to my email ? Thanks !!! FABIO |
boulderopal
Junior Username: boulderopal
Post Number: 20 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 9:59 am: | |
Refret ? no prob. hit me up w/ cost if it's available , luv the pic i saw! Chris chrisbenow@gmail.com |
pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves
Post Number: 480 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 10:16 pm: | |
Hi, is the SCII koa no graphit still available ? |
kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff
Post Number: 896 Registered: 8-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 7:24 am: | |
The graphite bass is headed to Japan, probably by the end of the week. Sigh. Chris, email sent. |
pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves
Post Number: 481 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 7:36 am: | |
I said NO graphit... what you have available ? |
room037
Advanced Member Username: room037
Post Number: 299 Registered: 9-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 7:38 am: | |
Hi, I am proudly new owner of the graphite bass. I can't wait only few days ! This Series 2 SSB is mirror image about the neck. How about the difference between graphite and wood ? Eiji |
kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff
Post Number: 897 Registered: 8-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 1:09 pm: | |
Looks like the all-wood bass might be moving to Geneva, by way of Santa Rosa. Eiji, the necks seem to be the same width and taper but yours is thicker front-to-back than the wood bass. Also, the neck on the graphite bass seems to extend outward more than does the neck on the wood bass, which seems to be slightly more compact overall. |
otis
Intermediate Member Username: otis
Post Number: 111 Registered: 10-2008
| Posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 3:10 pm: | |
So, Shawn, Am I to understand that you will soon have no Alembics in your possession? I'm glad you were able to sell all 3, even though I'm sure it pains you. Hopefully you'll be able to acquire another one in the future. Again, thanks for the Series II 6, it's AWESOME and I love it just as much as I thought I would. I've recorded a few tunes with my home recording software, so I may be posting a link to those, soon- it will be under the Showcase Section, Series II, Otisduo 6 String. I hope you're able to grab another one, someday soon! Peace;) Frank |
kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff
Post Number: 898 Registered: 8-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - 7:04 pm: | |
That's true, Frank -- three top-of-the-line Alembics to none. I've held onto these instruments through some pretty lean times and always felt like I was making the right move, just like sending them off to new homes and new adventures now that I barely play feels like the right move. The six was your bass, I just found it for you. Can't wait to hear the new collaborations. S |
otis
Intermediate Member Username: otis
Post Number: 112 Registered: 10-2008
| Posted on Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 6:18 pm: | |
Shawn, Good to hear from you. I understand about the not playing thing- I used to skateboard, and I slowly "grew" out of it, for lack of a better term. I gravitated towards music, and I haven't stopped, since. I expect to play until arthritis locks my fingers up to the point that I can no longer move them. Until that day comes, I'm planning on playing until they fall off. I have some MP3s of stuff I recorded, last Wednesday with the S2 6- it's rough, but I'll email some of the better ones to you. Btw- I appreciate you finding the 6 for me, it's been a looooong journey. If things hadn't happened the way they did, I'd still be looking- and probably until doomsday! Peace;) Frank |
kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff
Post Number: 901 Registered: 8-2003
| Posted on Thursday, November 19, 2009 - 7:22 pm: | |
Frank, Better yet, when the clips are ready for prime time post them on YouTube so everyone can hear them. It's not so much that I'm gravitating away from playing -- I cherish every stolen moment spent with a bass in my hands -- it's more that it would be a disservice to these instruments and the artists who made them to let them gather dust. |
kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff
Post Number: 902 Registered: 8-2003
| Posted on Friday, November 20, 2009 - 9:30 am: | |
OK, Pierre and I have a deal on this one. So long, and thanks for all the fish... |
pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves
Post Number: 485 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Friday, November 20, 2009 - 1:41 pm: | |
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otis
Intermediate Member Username: otis
Post Number: 113 Registered: 10-2008
| Posted on Friday, November 20, 2009 - 4:13 pm: | |
Shawn, I'll figure something out with the music. We'll be going into the studio, in early January to record our new CD, which our good friend from Charleston will be engineering. He's a fantastic studio engineer- everything I've heard of his has been nothing short of incredible. And now I have the perfect bass to record with, thanks to you! I understand what you mean about stolen moments, believe me- I have 6 kids myself and sometimes its hard to find the time for it all. Peace;) Frank |
poor_nigel
New Username: poor_nigel
Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2009
| Posted on Friday, November 20, 2009 - 6:06 pm: | |
Hey Shawn - Your selling off your Alembics and your thinking seems to be paralling my path a couple of years ago. Sold them off and started a new life thinking everything would be great. Then life really took a dump on me. Lost my job, divorce, half my retirement up in smoke. I felt really lost. Then a truly nice person sold me back one of my Alembics, and things slowly started getting better. Bought a new-to-me one and things got better still. I am just waiting on an address to complete a deal for a nice, little five-string being sold on another thread here, and I feel really good again. I highly suggest having some Alembics around, as they just make ya feel good, and I think in a couple of years, you may be back for some more. As the saying goes, you're never too old to have a happy childhood. I am even starting to feel socialable again - what next?! Thanks for the fish? That got a decent smile out of me. |
kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff
Post Number: 903 Registered: 8-2003
| Posted on Saturday, November 21, 2009 - 12:52 pm: | |
Hi, Thomas. Good Lord. Throw in a driving rainstorm and a red pickup truck, and you'd have the perfect country song. I'm very sorry to hear about that. However, I'm always glad to run into a fellow Hitchhiker's fan..."Pleased to meet you, Dentarthurdent." |
poor_nigel
New Username: poor_nigel
Post Number: 5 Registered: 11-2009
| Posted on Saturday, November 21, 2009 - 1:17 pm: | |
Two parts whiskey, one part tear drops. My horse stepped on my dog and kilt it ded! My woman stole my old pick-up truck. But she wore sooo ugly, I don't give a Sung in the key of G. Best thing about the past, is that it is over. Don't worry about me. Things are definitely looking up. Got my towel and I am ready to move forward. |
lembic76450
Intermediate Member Username: lembic76450
Post Number: 184 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Saturday, November 21, 2009 - 2:09 pm: | |
Please excuse the temporary hijack, but, Tom, by any chance did you reacquire that beautiful Walnut Series II with the stars and moons on the fretboard? Kenn (Message edited by lembic76450 on November 21, 2009) |
poor_nigel
New Username: poor_nigel
Post Number: 6 Registered: 11-2009
| Posted on Saturday, November 21, 2009 - 8:32 pm: | |
Hey Kenn. Yep, my most favorite bass is back home and getting ready to be tucked under my bed soon for the winter here in the wasteland. Around December 10th (It is the holidays soon, so the deal is progressing slowly on purpose), the not too fancy, not to plain bass will have a new sibling to keep it company. Though the orphaned Twin that is coming is truly an exceptional beauty, the walnut bass will still get picked up and played first, no doubt. It is just so comfortable to play and such a 'classic' Alembic bass in looks and sound. |
kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff
Post Number: 904 Registered: 8-2003
| Posted on Saturday, November 21, 2009 - 9:35 pm: | |
That's a pretty bass, one of my two or three favorite Alembics. The little graphite bass began its' journey to Tokyo this morning, and I definitely feel its' absence. |
lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 4163 Registered: 7-2004
| Posted on Saturday, November 21, 2009 - 11:00 pm: | |
42 Bill, tgo |
pauldo
Advanced Member Username: pauldo
Post Number: 349 Registered: 6-2006
| Posted on Sunday, November 22, 2009 - 7:50 am: | |
Thanks Bill - that answers everything!
|
kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff
Post Number: 906 Registered: 8-2003
| Posted on Monday, November 30, 2009 - 7:50 pm: | |
Bought and paid for. Hope she serves you well, Pierre. |
pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves
Post Number: 494 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Monday, December 07, 2009 - 8:54 am: | |
I hope too ! |