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

#21
Chatdawg said:
I have ALWAYS known they're expensive, but as you yourself said, five figures is a lot for bass.
Click to expand...

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!:D
 
#22
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! :D
 
#23
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.
 
#24
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.
 
#25
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
vntf0MO.jpg

one of their songs bass sounds good in it.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V0PfHo6jQI
 
#27
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.
 
#29
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"
 
#30
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.
 
#35
#36
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.
 
#40
alembicguy said:
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"
Click to expand...

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.
 

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