So I finally broke down and dropped serious (for me) $$$ on a high-end bass yesterday, a '95 Alembic Epic 5 string I found on Craigslist. I'll go ahead and tell you the backstory in this post, then get on with the impressions in the second one... Pics in the third. You can skip the first two posts if you wanna. I won't complain. 
Listed on Norfolks Craigslist on Wednesday evening, Alembic Epic 5 - $800. Im constantly surfing this site, looking for the good deals, and havent gotten screwed yet. Naturally, I was on the phone in a heartbeat - the pictures hadn't even loaded yet on my comp.
I talked to the owner's g/f, as he was at work, and was all set to leave and get this bass (assuming it was not a fake, which I've heard are floating around) that night. She called me back just before I left the house, said he'd rather me wait till he's there the following day (yesterday), but since I was the first caller, I had dibs. I was cool with that, but I had to work the next day, so it would be after 2 before I could pick it up, which was cool with him.
I got a call (at work) at about 1045 or so... the owner had taken several calls from people willing to pay far more than he was asking, and would I be willing to go up to match them...
(Son of a B***H!
in the back of my head, but I kept my cool)
We talked for a while, and his highest offer (what I like to call a "bidder") was from a guy willing to part with $1500 for it. The drawback was that the guy wanted to meet him an hour away, halfway to his house. He wasn't feeling too good about that after all, if the dude backed out or didnt show, hes out for the gas, and worst case he could get rolled for it. Needless to say, I was quick to point out that I was less than a half hour away Long story short(er), We agreed that $800 cash plus my PS3 (60gb w/extra controller), Guitar Hero I, II, & III, God of War I & II, Metal Gear Solid 2 & 3, Need for Speed Carbon, Resistance: Fall of Man, and a few Blu-Ray movies would be an even trade.
Now some of you guys who are also gamers may think that I got screwed, but I bought the PS3 for $250 from a friend of mine, and its done nothing but collect dust and played Blu-Ray movies in the last couple of months. Plus, Ive either beaten or gotten bored with the games, so Im really not out as much as it sounds. Considering that the games were worthless, essentially, to me, I figure the total as around $1100 For an Alembic Epic. May not be a Series II, but still a phenomenal bass, and of all the Alembics, I actually like the body style on the Epics more than anything except maybe the Essence basses.
When I went to the sellers house, I took a printout of Alembics reported stolen basses, along with their how to spot a fake tips, from their owners club forums, with me If the seller had objected, Id have walked out. He had no problems with me giving it the thorough once-over before so much as playing a note, so I was pretty confident it was the real deal. Metal Alembic logo on headstock, finished over check. Serial number stamped on the back of the headstock and in the control cavity check.
Anyway, played it for a few minutes at the sellers place, unplugged because he didnt have an amp Yes, I bought it without plugging it in, but Im fairly certain had it not worked, I coud have had it repaired, and the condition of the bass really made me feel comfortable without trying it. Very well taken care of, it was obvious. Mostly in tune, even after having been in the sellers closet for what seems to be a long time.
Made the deal, took it home.
Listed on Norfolks Craigslist on Wednesday evening, Alembic Epic 5 - $800. Im constantly surfing this site, looking for the good deals, and havent gotten screwed yet. Naturally, I was on the phone in a heartbeat - the pictures hadn't even loaded yet on my comp.
I talked to the owner's g/f, as he was at work, and was all set to leave and get this bass (assuming it was not a fake, which I've heard are floating around) that night. She called me back just before I left the house, said he'd rather me wait till he's there the following day (yesterday), but since I was the first caller, I had dibs. I was cool with that, but I had to work the next day, so it would be after 2 before I could pick it up, which was cool with him.I got a call (at work) at about 1045 or so... the owner had taken several calls from people willing to pay far more than he was asking, and would I be willing to go up to match them...
(Son of a B***H!
in the back of my head, but I kept my cool)We talked for a while, and his highest offer (what I like to call a "bidder") was from a guy willing to part with $1500 for it. The drawback was that the guy wanted to meet him an hour away, halfway to his house. He wasn't feeling too good about that after all, if the dude backed out or didnt show, hes out for the gas, and worst case he could get rolled for it. Needless to say, I was quick to point out that I was less than a half hour away Long story short(er), We agreed that $800 cash plus my PS3 (60gb w/extra controller), Guitar Hero I, II, & III, God of War I & II, Metal Gear Solid 2 & 3, Need for Speed Carbon, Resistance: Fall of Man, and a few Blu-Ray movies would be an even trade.
Now some of you guys who are also gamers may think that I got screwed, but I bought the PS3 for $250 from a friend of mine, and its done nothing but collect dust and played Blu-Ray movies in the last couple of months. Plus, Ive either beaten or gotten bored with the games, so Im really not out as much as it sounds. Considering that the games were worthless, essentially, to me, I figure the total as around $1100 For an Alembic Epic. May not be a Series II, but still a phenomenal bass, and of all the Alembics, I actually like the body style on the Epics more than anything except maybe the Essence basses.
When I went to the sellers house, I took a printout of Alembics reported stolen basses, along with their how to spot a fake tips, from their owners club forums, with me If the seller had objected, Id have walked out. He had no problems with me giving it the thorough once-over before so much as playing a note, so I was pretty confident it was the real deal. Metal Alembic logo on headstock, finished over check. Serial number stamped on the back of the headstock and in the control cavity check.
Anyway, played it for a few minutes at the sellers place, unplugged because he didnt have an amp Yes, I bought it without plugging it in, but Im fairly certain had it not worked, I coud have had it repaired, and the condition of the bass really made me feel comfortable without trying it. Very well taken care of, it was obvious. Mostly in tune, even after having been in the sellers closet for what seems to be a long time.
Made the deal, took it home.
The mids are my favorite part, because theyre really tight, have a wonderful woody sound to them, and sustain for a looong time. The slightest vibrato from my fingers translates clearly, and (as a result of the even tension, I suppose) nothing really booms out. This bass is a lot of fun to play between the 5th and 12th frets. Amazing sound, for what it is. Up above 12, Im going to need to change the strings and adjust the intonation, as it has been sitting for a while, but I think this bass will get used less for the high end than my Cort does. Not that it sounds bad, by any means, but I dont feel that the growl that I like so much, the woody sound, will translate well to my solo playing style in the high range. Plus, most of the use I get out of the C on the 6 is on the higher end, 12th fret up. Went knob-twiddling, looking for a good jazz tone, and with the blend set almost completely to the bridge pickup a little less bass, and a little more treble, I found it. Great, growly without being obnoxious (like my Cort, when I go looking for a jazz tone). Not exactly overwhelming, but unique (in a good way) and better than what I'm used to. Now I just have to find a jazz group to hang out with and jam. :groovy:
)
