| Author | Message | ||
| Scott Syltebo (bonesrad)
Junior Username: bonesrad Post Number: 15 Registered: 5-2002 |
Here's my new (used) baby. Truly a fantastic bass.  Bones | ||
| the_8_string_king
Senior Member Username: the_8_string_king Post Number: 653 Registered: 9-2005 |
Wow, nice, I never caught this one before. The Ziricote looks awesome! Don't see too many of those... one of the rarest/most exotic Alembics. | ||
| bassjigga
Advanced Member Username: bassjigga Post Number: 257 Registered: 8-2005 |
Agreed! That Ziricote is killer! What does it sound like? I know it's pretty dense and hard. Similar to coco bolo sonically? | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1616 Registered: 6-2002 |
If memory serves me right, the soundtrack behind this Futures Channel feature on Alembic was played on a ziricote Alembic. | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Junior Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 12 Registered: 5-2007 |
Wonderful bass! Love the wood. | ||
| mcdonger
Junior Username: mcdonger Post Number: 30 Registered: 4-2007 |
Is this the same bass that's currently for sale at the Guitar Center location in Colorado? They are asking $8750. Sure looks like it to me. | ||
| mcdonger
Junior Username: mcdonger Post Number: 46 Registered: 4-2007 |
I just bought this bass. I will be selling some of my other Alembics shortly. Stay tuned. | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 716 Registered: 11-2004 |
Beautiful! You've been on a buying spree lately- make sure you post some updated photos. | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 671 Registered: 8-2003 |
Dammit! I've been trying to get my hands on that bass for five years! Play her in good health, sir, and I hope she serves you well. | ||
| mcdonger
Junior Username: mcdonger Post Number: 47 Registered: 4-2007 |
Did you know the previous owner? He must have traded it in or sold it to Guitar Center in the Denver area. Can I interest you in a Stanley Clarke Deluxe V? | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 672 Registered: 8-2003 |
Yes, I knew the previous owner...he had one hell of an Alembic collection. Judging by what he told me, I hope you have a strong back, because this bass is supposed to be a major heavyweight. I might be interested in your SC five; my e-mail is in my profile. When does your new baby arrive? | ||
| mcdonger
Junior Username: mcdonger Post Number: 50 Registered: 4-2007 |
I bought the bass sight unseen and had it shipped to my local Guitar Center. It arrived at GC today. After carefully looking at it I found three things that I did not like. It has a cover on the back of the body where the LED parts would go but there are no LED's! It had a power supply and cord but no LED's at all. I wonder who changed that out? There were two cracks in the ziricote on the back of the body and there was the former owners name etched in the back battery plate. I paid a ton for this bass and those things added up to make me ask for a refund. My money was promptly refunded. Oh well. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 5281 Registered: 6-2000 |
FYI - there's no parts on the back of a Series I or II for LED parts (batteries) since they are powered exclusively by the 5-pin and power supply. The square shaped plate on the back of this bass is to hold the preamp card alone. This bass did not originally have LEDs installed. Glad you were able to get a refund since it wasn't exactly what you wanted. | ||
| mcdonger
Member Username: mcdonger Post Number: 51 Registered: 4-2007 |
Thanks for the clarification. When I asked for a hands on description over the phone, I was told it had LED's. I thought all Series II's had LED's, now I know different. Thank you. | ||
| bonesrad
Member Username: bonesrad Post Number: 51 Registered: 5-2002 |
McDonger, Sorry the bass didn't work out for you. While it sounded great, in the end, the bass didn't work perfectly me for either (I purchased it used too). Best of luck in finding that perfect Alembic. Bones | ||
| artswork99
Advanced Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 338 Registered: 7-2007 |
Hmmmm, another Guitar Center story... Glad that it worked out. (Message edited by artswork99 on April 22, 2008) | ||
| lmiwa
New Username: lmiwa Post Number: 7 Registered: 2-2008 |
Bones, Just out of curiosity, what was the issue you had with it? Do you remember what scale length it was? I'm working on collecting the funds needed to purchase a used Series I/II-5 and am trying to collect input from all possible sources to get as close to what I'm looking for as possible. Very little chance of me getting one locally, so I'll probably have to purchase remotely. Pretty scarry for something in this price range! All input appreciated! Thanks, Loch | ||
| lmiwa
New Username: lmiwa Post Number: 8 Registered: 2-2008 |
mcdonger, If you don't mind my asking, what was GC charging for it? Do you know which store was selling it and is it still available? Thanks, Loch | ||
| bonesrad
Member Username: bonesrad Post Number: 52 Registered: 5-2002 |
Loch, My main issue with the bass was that given it's body style, it was for me an uncomfortable reach to 1st position. Additionally, it had a bit of neck dive to it. Scale is 34". I consigned the bass through Bass NW back in 2002. I think mcdonger will be a good resource for you as to it's present condition. Best Wishes, Bones | ||
| mcdonger
Member Username: mcdonger Post Number: 56 Registered: 4-2007 |
The bass was cool, not worth $7500 in my opinion. The scale was 34". No LED's really turned me off the bass. I sold my Mark King IV, Stanley Clarke V and my Yamaha Broad Bass to buy this. I hate to admit this this but I'm thinking of buying a Fodera. | ||
| malthumb
Senior Member Username: malthumb Post Number: 428 Registered: 5-2002 |
I believe this bass is now at the Guitar Center in Southfield, Michigan (spittin' distance from Detroit) They have it in a glass case with a vintage Fender. Price tag is $8,750. The brass plate covering the battery has an inscription that I can see in the reflection but can't quite make out. Tell you what, whether it is this exact bass or not, it is absolutely S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G!!! I had to exercise extreme amounts of self control. Peace, James | ||
| mcdonger
Member Username: mcdonger Post Number: 58 Registered: 4-2007 |
Yes, it's in Southfield, MI. There is a persons name on the back cover. As stated earlier, the bass is cool just not for me. Offer them $7,500 and I'm sure they'll accept it. | ||
| malthumb
Senior Member Username: malthumb Post Number: 432 Registered: 5-2002 |
Oh, I'm sure I could get it for even less than that. They like me there. But they would need to like me well enough to give me a place to stay and 3 warm meals a day. If I bring another boutique bass in the house I'm liable to meet with a little......um.....resistance. I'm just making folks aware that the bass is available in Southfield so that if anyone is in the market for a used SII 5 string (rare beast) they know where to find one & I can easily check it out for someone who's interested. Peace, James | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 687 Registered: 8-2003 |
Hey, James If you happen to have a camera in your hand the next time you drop into the store, would you mind sending a few pics along with your impressions to the address in my profile? | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 561 Registered: 7-2003 |
I am actually very interested in this bass. Is it missing the inlay on the 24thy fret of the board? I would like to see pictures of the two cracks in the back in the Zircote. Hmmm, isn't 97 pre-electronics upgrade to the new standards for getting rid of RF signals when played in the city? I thought the upgrades were begun in 98, but my mind is slipping a lot these days. Still, it is a beautiful bass, and maybe some deal could be worked out to bring it back into the flock. Large and heavy, great! The etched name on the battery place seems a definitely lowering of price item. $8,750? It has ebony lams, front lasers, gold hardware, and LEDs. OK. | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 732 Registered: 8-2003 |
Tom, I knew the previous owner pretty well and he never complained about RF interference, despite living in Seattle, where I hear there are a few cellular phones in use. ;) Not sure when the upgrade began...1999 sounds right. The bass became Guitar Center property just after last Christmas, and the manager of the store that took it in told me at the time that he had more than $6,000 in the bass. | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 562 Registered: 7-2003 |
I have never had a store own tell me untruths before, especially at a Guitar Center. If he put $6,000+ into this used instrument, I believe he would be fired for trying to run the store out of business. I would not offer him much over $6,000 for it. Too many deficits, and it is not exactly what I want, but close enough to make me ponder on it. I e-mailed the store about it, so the ball is in their court. | ||
| brian__lowend_bass_shop
New Username: brian__lowend_bass_shop Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2008 |
Wow, I came to poke around the Alembic form as I'm fairly excited about the Series II 5 string I just bought. I bought it for me, but figured if it didn't do anything for me I could sell it. Now I'm wondering if I should have even wasted my time as it looks to be the bass. It was actually in Hollywood GC though and I got it for a good price, but not cheap by any means.... and now I guess I'm wondering if even a good deal now.... anyone have anything positive to say about it LOL http://www.thelowend.net/gallery/images/1Intransitbasses/sii5/001.JPG http://www.thelowend.net/gallery/images/1Intransitbasses/sii5/006.JPG | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 588 Registered: 7-2003 |
Hey Brian, welcome to the club! I'll say something nice about the bass - It is a beautiful bass, no doubt in my mind. When I am pondering spending over five grand on anything, I look at it under a magnifying glass and really consider the faults, especially if I think the seller is asking too much. The pictures you posted are the best shots of it I have seen, and it really is a beauty! If you ever decide to sell it, let us know. I still won't pay much over $6,000 for it, but there are plenty of others here that will admire it and may pay more. | ||
| brian__lowend_bass_shop
New Username: brian__lowend_bass_shop Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2008 |
Thanks man for the welcome and reply. Yea, not being able to see it in person, those pictures did it. Sadly enough I paid Well over 6k for the bass. I thought I was still getting a good deal since it list for 18-20k and figured cost half that. I'm under dealer cost I figured, but I guess I'm not in as good of shape as I thought. | ||
| poor_nigel
Senior Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 589 Registered: 7-2003 |
Something is worth what someone is willing to pay. Estimating 'worth' on Alembics is complicated, to say the least. They are not collectable, like Fenders, and what the market will bare can be what a random handful of people are willing to bid on eBay that certain week, with little consistency in the short run. It is a beautiful bass, and if you get your dollars spent out of it in the enjoyment of playing it, then it is worth every penny you paid for it. Money comes and goes. I've lost more than a third of my retirement fund in the last few weeks and I'm supposed to retire soon - gee how plans can change quickly! What is a grand here or there, compared to the market dip these days?! Personally, I hope you keep the bass and become a long-time member. Whatever happens later on, you have to really be enjoying playing that fine bass right now! | ||
| brian__lowend_bass_shop
New Username: brian__lowend_bass_shop Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2008 |
Thanks for the feedback. I'm fairly familiar with Alembics values. I knew I was paying top dollar, but I felt being a 5 string series II it was worth the money. Anyway, I will be sure to come and post feedback on the bass when I get it in. | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 747 Registered: 8-2003 |
Welcome to the Club, Brian. Good to see you here, and I'm looking forward to reading what you think about this bass. | ||
| brian__lowend_bass_shop
New Username: brian__lowend_bass_shop Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2008 |
Thanks man! | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 370 Registered: 10-2006 |
What's the engraving on the battery cover say? The shine obscures it. Peter | ||
| lmiwa
Member Username: lmiwa Post Number: 78 Registered: 2-2008 |
Brian, You have a beautiful bass there! I had been looking at it, but just couldn't get the funds together. Hope you enjoy it for many years to come.  Loch |
