Alembic price list: HOLY $#%*!!!!! - Page 2

SherwoodGreen · #21 02-24-2013, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chatdawg

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

That it is, and to be honest (and NOT wanting to open a can of worms) I have questions myself about how "Brand X" can charge so much for say, a fairly simple bolt-on bass.

In the case of Alembic, the electronics are very sophisticated, along with the hardware, woods, etc. so you might ascertain that as you spec a build... ** KA-CHING!*
And besides the first-quality elements of the instrument itself, Alembic has a one-of, illustrious name and legacy.
Gotta pay for that too!

Wish I could throw a (imaginary) few in my (imaginary) Lambo!

pbassnut · #22 02-24-2013, 11:49 PM

I bought a brand new Alembic Series I "Point" model 4 string for $1600 w/case, power supply and 5 pin stereo cable back in the early 80's (which was actually quite a bit of money for me at the time as I was just barely eeking out a living as a full time musician back then). It was a remarkable instrument to be sure from a sound and playability perspective, but was nothing short of an ergonomic nightmare. At close to 13 pounds, the giant body "wings" were made up of a heavy mahogany core with walnut veneers on the front and back which cut into my ribcage along with some fairly serious neck dive issues. However, I was young, dumb and full of you know what and could easily play six nights a week with that bad boy slung over my shoulder. One night with that beast now and I'd probably be in traction!

svlilioukalani · #23 02-24-2013, 11:52 PM

After you see what a new Alembic costs, you can see what a deal a used Alembic bass is. I got mine used.

With the number of hours, and the level of craftsmenship that goes into each one of these basses, the cost is not that unreasonable. They are a hippie family opperation, and their not getting rich off of it.

The musicians who gig with Alembic basses do not play on a basses that costs $20,000. These basses are showpieces and works of art. That sound ****ing amazing. Which is why, when the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York wanted a Bass Guitar. They chose Alembic.

Blue · #24 02-25-2013, 02:03 AM

I was never too keen on the hippy sandwich style of woodwork. Back in the day and for $900 they would sell just the Series II electronics installed in your instrument. That's what I did - but it sounded like mud - worse than an EB-0 - in the Guild Starfire, so I pulled the guts and installed them in a new plank type. It's now a really good bass that has been with me for over 30 years.

lolmont · #25 02-25-2013, 02:21 AM

The bass player for pinback uses one of these. Saw them play live not to long ago it's a very nice sound and they look good as well.
Snapped a picture of the bass after the show

one of their songs bass sounds good in it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59cQWw9ctOA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V0PfHo6jQI

Mr_Music90 · #26 02-25-2013, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FourtyOneHz

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

Yes indeed. But ''the best'' you are talking about is Fodera, then Carl Thompson and then Alembic

SDMFJay · #27 02-25-2013, 05:55 AM

I couldn't afford Alembic back in the 90's when I wanted one, and sure can't afford one nowadays... Still nice to look at from time to time though. On a side note, it always kills me when I see butchered Almebics that players tried to modify but ultimately went horribly wrong.

smcd · #28 02-25-2013, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Music90

Yes indeed. But ''the best'' you are talking about is Fodera, then Carl Thompson and then Alembic

Carl Thompson?

alembicguy · #29 02-25-2013, 06:24 AM

Craftsmanship isn't cheap. You can always go out and price the cost all the custom woods that go into a bass, that's shocking in its self. If you serious and something you always wanted then find a way.
As for the you can buy a car for that kind of money comment? Really?
Wouldn't the band be impressed when you show with a car and no bass. Makes no sense to compare the two.
A better scenario would " you could buy 50-75 crap basses for that kind of money"

96tbird · #30 02-25-2013, 07:00 AM

If you look at it in man hours to produce and a fair shop rate for skilled work as $100.00 an hour (based on average $75 dollar auto shop rates around here) you get 100 man-hours = 2.5 weeks; not outlandish. But then materials aren't factored yet. If that's msrp and new on the street is 30% less, wholesale less again margins are getting tight.

Now "Fenderize" the numbers for an Mia $2000 / $100 = 20 man hours. That's about right.

Not saying Hesse are the numbers but when you just do a generalized analysis you can see that it is not so shocking.

N.F.A. · #31 02-25-2013, 07:02 AM

They are worth the dosh to me. I bought mine used but would gladly shell out the dough for a new one, if I had the money.

Josh Pelican · #32 02-25-2013, 07:06 AM

I hope to buy a used one someday. I probably wouldn't buy a new one, but that goes with a lot of basses that are much cheaper.

spade2you · #33 02-25-2013, 07:07 AM

If I had a ton of money burning a hole in my pocket, I'd get one without a doubt.

mmbongo · #34 02-25-2013, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henry2513

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

This.

People buy $50,000 cars without even thinking about it.

Why not buy a practical $20,000 car and a new bass instead?

billostech · #35 02-25-2013, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svlilioukalani

After you see what a new Alembic costs, you can see what a deal a used Alembic bass is. I got mine used.

A great deal indeed. I managed to get 2 used Alembics and a used Ritter, all for under 5 figures. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/attach...0&d=1361730937

It took a little time and patience, but I have acquired my dream team. They each serve there own purpose, and all are played.

**zcwilkes** · #36 02-25-2013, 07:15 AM

I've always felt Alembics were on a different level. I had a 4-string essence I sold about 20 years ago that I regret to this day. Anyway if I paid that much for one I don't know If I could even gig with it. Most of my gigs are in bars so....Even if I had the money I couldn't justify getting one because I couldn't make myself play it.

smcd · #37 02-25-2013, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

This.

People buy $50,000 cars without even thinking about it.

Why not buy a practical $20,000 car and a new bass instead?

I imagine anyone buying a new Alembic can afford both a $20k bass and a $50k car.

Josh Pelican · #38 02-25-2013, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

This.

People buy $50,000 cars without even thinking about it.

Why not buy a practical $20,000 car and a new bass instead?

Or a $5,000-$10,000 car, a $5,000 bass (or two), and put the rest into savings!

Blue · #39 02-25-2013, 07:32 AM

[quote=zcwilkes;13936234]... if I paid that much for one I don't know If I could even gig with it.[quote]

Call me dumb, but I gig with mine all the time - well every one of the 5 gigs I do each year ... but I do keep an eye on it between sets & during load-in / out (more load out than any other time).

**BoomBoomOGTL** · #40 02-25-2013, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alembicguy

Craftsmanship isn't cheap. You can always go out and price the cost all the custom woods that go into a bass, that's shocking in its self. If you serious and something you always wanted then find a way.
As for the you can buy a car for that kind of money comment? Really?
Wouldn't the band be impressed when you show with a car and no bass. Makes no sense to compare the two.
A better scenario would " you could buy 50-75 crap basses for that kind of money"

The sceanrio rationale being that a car is typically the 2nd most expensive thing a consumer will ever buy other than a home (in most cases, there are always exceptions to these rules).

I don't think a musical instrument being in the top 2 on this list is common for many folks, most musicans included.