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Alembic Series II appraisal wanted

SamJ

SamJ

Founder - Fender MIA Club
Apr 22, 2006
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SFO / HNL
#1
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#4
My $0.019: Used Alembic pricing is a bit fluid, depending on so many things. Probably a good number for that bass is in the $6k - $7k range at the moment. But, of course, that depends on so many things and the big one - whether or not there is buyer for THAT bass at THAT price point.
 
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#7
There are several discounts from that quoted price when you order a new Alembic, IIRC roughly -25%
I think the starting bid is a tad on the high side, but it wouldn't surprise if it sold for that (or more)

This bass is also featured in their '89 catalogue:

Link Removed
(apparently started life as Series I with Series II woodwork and was later upgraded with Series II electronics)

Definitely droolworthy!
 
#8
That catalogue shows it as a Series I, not II, how can that be?

Now this thread is a bit all over the map.. some are telling me this is an $8K bass new, others $26K... anyone who's actually bought and sold Series I/II recently have an some solid info?
 
#10
I'm pretty sure a new Series II today is around $20K, my Elan 5 (non Series) was little under $12K in 2009
This bass was around $10K in '89, there have been many price increases since then and the Series II got some upgrades in the last years (fi: Inlaid logo, gold plated hardware)
Edit: $10K in '89 might be a little high, pretty sure its between $7500-10000

Most likely this left the mothership with Series II electronics, could also be upgraded along the way...
Just took a better look at the pictures, it has a Series I body (5-piece) and Series II Neck (3 Purpleheart lams and side leds)
Edit: There's a mistake in the catalogue, It says "Deluxe body laminates" should be "Deluxe Neck" lams :-)
 
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#13
All tops are unique, especially these Burl Maple tops. All Alembics are Unique also, this one has the Series I body and Series II neck. Those are also some distinct custom options, that's definitely the same bass ;-)
In most cases Alembics are pretty easy to spot, it gets more difficult when they have a solid finish (like the Black Spoilers from '83, I think there must be at least 50 of them)
The latest trend in this "Modern Alembic era" is elaborate neck woods selection, like Ebony, Walnut, Mahogany etc , that makes them even more easy to spot :-)
 
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#15
FC Bass said:
All Alembics are Unique also, this one has the Series I body and Series II neck.
Click to expand...

I was under the impression that any Alembic Series bass can be had with any of their body styles. I.e., there's no such thing as a "Series I body" per se, there's just the large point body, or the small body, or the large omega body, or the large triple omega body, or the Exploiter body, etc etc and then you can get a Series I or a Series II in whichever of those body styles you request. No?

Also: Are there any other differences between a Series I and a Series II besides the electronics package and the number of neck laminates?
 
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#16
Series I body has a 5 piece laminated body, Series II has a 7 piece laminated body. This bass has a 5 piece body, so that's Series I ;-)

Standard specs for Series II include: gold plated hardware (chrome for Series I), continuous wood backplates (brass for Series I), side leds (side dots for Series I), Standard Omega body shape, (Standard Point body shape for series I) and inlaid logo with shell (surface mounted logo for Series I)
Those options (including the 7 piece neck, the body lams can't be specified in the quote gen.) account for a $4450 upcharge in the custom Quote generator: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] The upcharge for the electronics is $800

IIrc they won't do the Epic bodystyle with Series Electronics (electronics wouldn't fit in there)
 
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#20
OutToPlayJazz said:
The last time I looked at the Alembic price list, a new Series II was around $8k. Now admittedly that was around five years ago, but unless Santa Rosa has been experiencing hyper inflation... :)
Click to expand...
That was either a very old price list, much longer than 5 years ago or your screen was missing some dots... :-) they were around $18K in 2009 (base price for Series II)
Here are some older pricelists: Link Removed 1983, 1984 in US Dollars and 1987 in Belgian currency (Bfr)
 

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