| Author | Message | ||
| artswork99
Junior Username: artswork99 Post Number: 25 Registered: 7-2007 |
Hi everyone, I joined the forum in July after looking at it for several months. Currently I am a Hyak owner and hopefully will soon become an Alembic owner as well. I am trying to venture into my "first Alembic". What a thought... most of you probably remember that moment well. I have the pleasure of living in the Asheville, NC area and met Dave shortly after arriving last year... and then the added pleasure of meeting all of his basses and seeing his band play several times! What a treat! Today I have been browsing and posting in several areas. It is nice to see such communication with a renowned "one of a kind" company such as Alembic within the Factory to Customer area. Lots of other great discussions going on as well and I am thankful to become a part of this group. Best regards to all, Art | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5428 Registered: 5-2002 |
Art; the FTC (Factory to Customer) area is pretty cool. Sometimes you just want to order one of everything. | ||
| artswork99
Junior Username: artswork99 Post Number: 32 Registered: 7-2007 |
I'll bet! It is quite nice to get a window into the creation of an Alembic. | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 678 Registered: 9-2005 |
Welcome aboard Art! This is a great resource full of knowledgable people; whether you're looking for a used Alembic (much less expensive) or a new custom (much more expensive) you can find people here than can help you. If you happen to know exactly what you want, you can either place an order (for a new Alembic) or peruse the "Swap Shop and Wish List" section. On the other hand, if you aren't sure exactly what you want, and/or you have questions/want advice/feedback, the "Dreaming For Now" section is a good place to share your ideas/objectives and to get feedback from those who know. I see you've perused the "Factory to Customer" section; that, "Showcase", and the "Custom Archives (on the main page -just in case you somehow overlooked this) are also really cool places to see some of the various unique customs Alembic has made for us! Check out my 8-String Europa... Custom of the Month June 1999: http://www.alembic.com/info/8string.html | ||
| artswork99
Junior Username: artswork99 Post Number: 33 Registered: 7-2007 |
Thanks for the information Mark! Nice bass! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 679 Registered: 9-2005 |
My pleasure, Art! Oh yeah, one other piece of critical information -if you're thinking about ordering a new custom- is to look at the SPECIAL OF THE MONTH (look on the main/1st page). It changes every month (usually NOT on the 1st of the month). It offers varying options for free or at discounted rates. Savvy Alembic buyers know it's a crucial part of ordering stratedgy. You can look at previous specials for several months and years back. Sometimes they offer free Coco Bolo and/or other exotic wood as a free or discounted upgrade; sometimes they offer free LEDs; last months special offered 50% off (almost) any 2 options (including big stuff like Series electronics and Ebony neck laminates); this months special offers 15% of the price of an instrument applied to (almost any) custom options. If you DO order a new Alembic, you simply must take this into account, and take advantage of it. Take care, and welcome again! | ||
| artswork99
Junior Username: artswork99 Post Number: 35 Registered: 7-2007 |
Great info Mark, I, at this point, want to take on my first Alembic bass. It will probably be something used... you may have seen I am trying to trade a Hyak guitar. If I can't trade it I will probably sell it to help fund this first Alembic. I definitely know the ramifications behind the number in the statement "first Alembic" as I would love to someday have the Alembic crew build one for me. Thanks. Best, Art BTW, I browsed the Custom Basses area today... ahhh, the workmanship! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 684 Registered: 9-2005 |
Oh, yes, "just one more thing, sir" -as Lt. Columbo would say. I seem to recall hearing or reading that Chuck Levins' WASHINGTON MUSIC CENTER (in Wheaton, Maryland -you can find their number on the main page under "ALEMBIC DEALERS" MAY have a few NEW Alembics available that are SEVERAL YEARS OLD (and thus have great prices). I spoke to Todd Elliot, the saleman from whom I did my 8-String Europa purchase through -he's a great guy- before ordering my 6-String Custom-in-progress, and at that time they DID have some older 4 and 5 strings there. Now this information may (at the least) be out of date; and I don't know what you're looking for, or what your budget is. But it MAY (or may not) be worth looking into; it's possible you might be able to get a really killer deal on a brand new Alembic. Every once and a while, that happens here... someone scores a brand new one that's been just lying in a back room for several years, and ends up getting it for about the same price (or just a little more) as a new one. This is the result of several recent price increases in the past several years. Dealers currently have to abide by a maximum 25% discount off "list/retail price"; but some of the instruments that have been sitting around for a while can be sold at "that years price." And some have "special features" (when you can find them) that took advantage of the "Special of the Month." Okay, I'll leave you alone now! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 685 Registered: 9-2005 |
P.S. Their website shows little to no Alembics. If you want info, call 'em, and ask Todd personally what they have in stock. Specify your interested/could only consider old new stock that's for sale at old prices. You can use the "Custom Quote Generator" to see what new/current prices are. Good luck getting you first Alembic, whatever it is, whenever you get it! | ||
| artswork99
Junior Username: artswork99 Post Number: 36 Registered: 7-2007 |
Mark, Your help is really appreciated! I will give Todd a call today and see if there is any NOS available. Thanks for all the pointers and good wishes. | ||
| chuck
Intermediate Member Username: chuck Post Number: 188 Registered: 3-2005 |
Art. It was me that saw the Alembic's at Washington Music.Two Rouges and a essence. this was in late June. The sales person told me they were old stock at the old price. Chuck | ||
| artswork99
Junior Username: artswork99 Post Number: 39 Registered: 7-2007 |
Thanks Chuck, I called them this morning and talked with guitar dept (Todd wasn't in so I spoke to Paul - nice cat). They have a 4 and 5 string Rogue as NOS. Brown bass as new. Pricing is good but haven't quite made up the mind to take the plunge on new. Art | ||
| chuck
Intermediate Member Username: chuck Post Number: 189 Registered: 3-2005 |
Art. These folks will deal with you so don't accept the first price.They have a lot of room to haggel .Talk with Todd,he can give you the best deal The Brown Bass sounds good,what are the details? price? ect. Chuck | ||
| artswork99
Junior Username: artswork99 Post Number: 40 Registered: 7-2007 |
Appreciate the additional info... will talk to Todd. Didn't get details on the brown bass... it just came in and he said it's pricey. (Message edited by artswork99 on August 17, 2007) | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 836 Registered: 2-2005 |
The price list shows a basic Brown Bass with an MSRP of $8500. Under the current rules the largest discount would be 25% of the MSRP. So yes a Brown Bass could be quite pricey depending upon your cash flow. Keith (Message edited by keith_h on August 17, 2007) | ||
| artswork99
Junior Username: artswork99 Post Number: 43 Registered: 7-2007 |
Wow, all these NC folks coming out to assist as well. And can't forget Mark out in Vegas! Thanks! Yea, that's a bit much for me right now... I will have to work into one of those remembering this is my first one... | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 686 Registered: 9-2005 |
A Rogue is a great bass, Art. The standard package has Europa/Rogue electronics (Volume, Blend & Filter knobs, 3-position bass & treble boost/flat/cut switchs, and a 2-position on/off Q switch), either long or extra-long scale (34 or 35 inches), and a extra long horn that makes balancing and reaching easier. They also come with both the tummy & elbow contours -which make it more comfortable & easy to play- and plastic backplates -which are less expensive and snazzy, but also lighter. The standard neck is all Maple (with Walnut accent lams) although sometimes they're ordered with Purpleheart neck laminate upgrades. Currently, a 5-string with no options goes for $6,900 "list" -$5,175 after max. dealer discount. On the thread Chuck started (here's the link: http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/41597.html?1183144615 ) there was speculation these Rogues could be near todays used prices. If so, this might be one of the best deals you could possibly find. But of course it begs the question whether it's the right bass for you. Do you want a 4 or 5 string (or more)? Do you have a scale preference? Is long or extra long okay/desired? Or do you prefer a shorty or medium scale? Or can you go either way? What kind of options/upgrades if any, do the Rogues have? LEDs, topwood upgrade and/or Purpleheart neck laminate upgrades are the most common upgrades. If these basses have any of these, there's a good chance they were ordered with these as part of a monthly special, in which case they arguably should not entail extra cost, or not full extra cost -depending on the special. I think there was a "free Rosewood upgrade" on Rogues only a few years ago... that would be a good one to get, if they had it. Paul's a good guy -I've dealt with him and Todd more than once- but I agree it's best to go thru Todd... and be prepared to haggle. (Assuming you'd buy or consider buying). You've made it clear you may not be able/willing at this point. But if you were able to get a great deal...? (You'd want to) do your homework. Have the list and adjusted prices in front of you. Have the quote generator in front of you when you call. Ask if there are any options/extras on the bass/basses. Here are links for the past 3 price increases. You can check the dates, and do some math to figure out the approximate price in a given year. Also, I think the 25% cap is fairly recent; I got my first two Alembics for about 60% of list. Depending on how old it is, you may be able to get more than 25% off (from that years price) without any rules being broken. http://alembic.com/club/messages/403/33959.html?1165333035 (most recent increase -for 2007) http://alembic.com/club/messages/403/22065.html?1131045813 (2006 increase) http://alembic.com/club/messages/403/13729.html?1099079523 (2005 increase) http://alembic.com/club/messages/403/4208.html?1049493113 (2003 increase) As you can see, there have been several price increases in recent years, so depending on how old these new stock Rogues are, you could conceivably get a REALLY killer deal on a BRAND NEW Alembic. Of course, whether one of these is the bass for you, here and now, and whether you're prepared to swing it and deal with the financial aspect of it here and now... well, obviously only you can say. Best wishes, Art. (Message edited by the 8 string king on August 17, 2007) | ||
| artswork99
Junior Username: artswork99 Post Number: 44 Registered: 7-2007 |
What a knowledge base you are Mark! Do you have some time that I may phone you? If so please email me or post your number. Would love to chat. Thanks! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 687 Registered: 9-2005 |
Art, I just sent you my home phone # to your email per request. I'll be home for the next 2 or 3 hours at least. | ||
| artswork99
Junior Username: artswork99 Post Number: 46 Registered: 7-2007 |
Nice talking with you Mark! | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 688 Registered: 9-2005 |
My pleasure, sir. I enjoyed the intelligent conversation as well. | ||
| kimberly
Member Username: kimberly Post Number: 99 Registered: 1-2007 |
Hey Everyone.  Art - Welcome to the club and this most wonderful resource of collected wisdom and experience. Best wishes towards your first Alembic, whatever it may be. Dave, Chuck, Keith, Mark - It's guys like you that with your helpfulness, support and knowledge you give to others, never cease to put a smile on my face and a warm fuzzy in my heart for being such... 'Alembicians'. I'm absolutely proud to be a member of this group. Best Regards to All. Kimberly |
