Alembic price list: HOLY $#%*!!!!!

Chatdawg · #1 02-24-2013, 09:04 PM

Just visited the Alembic site online out of curiosity. Took one look at the bass price list and immediately wished I hadn't. I knew they were expensive, but GOOD LORD.

FourtyOneHz · #2 02-24-2013, 09:06 PM

When you want 'the best' you have to be prepared to pay for it.

Baird6869 · #3 02-24-2013, 09:08 PM

Their list prices are not even close to reality.

Alembics sell new for 30-40% off list.

Still very expensive though.

stepswork4me · #4 02-24-2013, 09:10 PM

Ritter is on par.

PWRL · #5 02-24-2013, 09:13 PM

I agree they're expensive, but on the other hand, I build and restore stained glass windows, and I can tell you from my own experience in custom labor that what they're asking is not unreasonable. The Activator pickup I had in my fretless alone was far and away the best pickup I have ever heard. In the end I did have to trade it to get an instrument that better suited my needs, but I would never doubt the quality of their product.

Chatdawg · #6 02-24-2013, 09:15 PM

Don't get me wrong. I understand the craftsmanship that goes into these instruments. And I realise they have to make a profit. But 19 GRAND for a Series I 5 string?

Baird6869 · #7 02-24-2013, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chatdawg

Don't get me wrong. I understand the craftsmanship that goes into these instruments. And I realise they have to make a profit. But 19 GRAND for a Series I 5 string?

Fodera and Ritter can get up that high as well.

I agree, that is A LOT of $$$ for a guitar.

**mjac28** · #8 02-24-2013, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FourtyOneHz

When you want 'the best' you have to be prepared to pay for it.

That's what she said!!!

**mjac28** · #9 02-24-2013, 09:35 PM

The high prices help keep the low life's like me away.

Chatdawg · #10 02-24-2013, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjac28

The high prices help keep the low life's like me away.

Actually, I used to know a guy who owned several, and never had a gig in his life.

henry2513 · #11 02-24-2013, 10:03 PM

Haha, you can buy a new car or a bass.

Mastermold · #12 02-24-2013, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baird6869

Fodera and Ritter can get up that high as well.

I agree, that is A LOT of $$$ for a guitar.

I remember Jeff Berlin posting that paying more than $500 on a bass guitar is wasting your money. Which I suppose is true from the perspective that a bass guitar a tool and not artwork. But the high end stuff is still pretty.

emf818 · #13 02-24-2013, 10:10 PM

You're better off trying to get big and get an endorsement deal with them LOL.

Vince Klortho · #14 02-24-2013, 10:14 PM

They do not endorse anyone. Not even Stanley Clarke or Mark King and they both have signature models.

mellowinman · #15 02-24-2013, 10:18 PM

I saw a few under ten thousand.

SherwoodGreen · #16 02-24-2013, 10:37 PM

To the OP:
You mean you weren't aware of the price(s) of an Alembic?

Along with Fodera, "big bucks" is synonymous with these brands!

Both builders (and Ritter, Pavel, etc.) make some extremely GAS-Inducing basses, and both have been around for awhile too.
There's a demand, so much so that their stock inventory sells quickly and players wait a good while to get their choice of specs built!

Now don't get me wrong! When I see a 5-figure + price-tag on a bass, I certainly have reservations about paying that kind of $$, for me 3K is about my limit.
...And I know to many, that would be exorbitant as well.

Can't say I'd mind playing an Alembic bass at all though!

Chatdawg · #17 02-24-2013, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SherwoodGreen

To the OP:
You mean you weren't aware of the price(s) of an Alembic?

Along with Fodera, "big bucks" is synonymous with these brands!

Both builders (and Ritter, Pavel, etc.) make some extremely GAS-Inducing basses, and both have been around for awhile too.
There's a demand, so much so that their stock inventory sells quickly and players wait a good while to get their choice of specs built!

Now don't get me wrong! When I see a 5-figure + price-tag on a bass, I certainly have reservations about paying that kind of $$, for me 3K is about my limit.
...And I know to many, that would be exorbitant as well.

Can't say I'd mind playing an Alembic bass at all though!

I have ALWAYS known they're expensive, but as you yourself said, five figures is a lot for bass.

SR Addict · #18 02-24-2013, 10:49 PM

I got one up to about $27,000 on the quote form. Quite fun if you ask me. It was like building the old Dell laptops on their customizing form years and years ago. Just see how expensive you can get it for the hell of it. ;D

Funny, the side LED option costs the same amount that I paid for my whole guitar.

sturmvogel · #19 02-24-2013, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chatdawg

Just visited the Alembic site online out of curiosity. Took one look at the bass price list and immediately wished I hadn't. I knew they were expensive, but GOOD LORD.

Yeah, you could buy a new car for the price.

Konquest · #20 02-24-2013, 11:04 PM

A pretty nice new car at that...
Alembics and some of the really wild Ritters seem more like collectibles than working pro instruments. An analogy would be like a rich guy who has a Lamborghini that he only drives on sunny summer afternoons and keeps it as the centerpiece of his garage the rest of the year...