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Alembic Series II appraisal wanted

#41
SamJ said:
so it's basically 16 years old, but today it would sell for about 20K brand new..... considering inflation and price increases, what's a fair price? $7-8K? he seems to want 12K on the Alembic club forum, but that would seem more appropriate for a 2-3 year old used, no?
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26 Years old (1989) Time flies :-)
I don't think he/she will get $12K, that's about $6K less than a brand new one on which you can specify all details yourself.
I've seen used Series II sell for around 3000-7000, this is an extremely nice one so 7500 is no wishful thinking imho.

If you buy a new Alembic, you must take for granted that it devalues at least 50% the moment it leaves the factory.
If you're lucky and find the right person for that bass/guitar, you might get a little more. But you'll certainly take a major hit if you decide to sell.
That's why it's best to start with used Alembics before you go custom. :-)
I had 4 used and 1 new one from a dealer stock (the above fretless) before I got my Custom Elan, so there was some experience with different neck profiles and electronics that helped a lot in making some decisions.

Used Alembics tend to hold their value well and I've seen those prices go up a little in the last years. There are also abnormalities on the used market, Essence and Orion (Orion costs the same as an Epic) seem to sell for more than Spoilers and I've seen some signature models sell for Series $$$ ($3000+)
 
#42
alembicbones said:
I don't think there is much difference between a 16 year old Series II and a new Series II. Ron hasn't changed his approach to that electronics package in that time. I have Series I electronics in the bass in my avatar and my bass is 11 years old and nothing has changed. If I were to sell my bass, I would ask a price at around 50% of what a new bass, including discounts, would cost. I think the seller is asking a reasonable, albeit a tad high, price. I can't blame him. It's a beautiful, unique bass that probably sounds like a monster.

Bones
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Maybe not with a 16 year old bass, but there can be Issues with older Series Electronics (till around 1997 IIrc)
Some can have problems with the increased radio interference, there is an upgrade available from Alembic (You have to send the bass to Santa Rosa) with a sliding price scale (Older instruments are more expensive)
 
#43
FC Bass said:
Following your logic this can't be the same bass?

aaafretlessbody.jpg


full.jpg


There's no doubt about it, It's the same bass ;-)
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The woodgrain pattern looks the same but someone added a fourth knob to it.
 
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#45
FC Bass said:
And an extra switch, that cannot possibly be the same bass! :)
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You're joking, right? That woodgrain pattern is duplicatable, like it's a print of some kind?

Where the extra knob and switch are located looks to me more like the use of available space in the cavity than what ergonomics or aesthetics would dictate.

You must be joking. Sorry if it went over my head. But then, I'm short. :D
 
#46
Yep, totally joking. That's my bass :-)
I did the upgrade myself, from Essence + Q to Signature electronics.
There's one slightly modified filter unit with a "sideways" output connector, the normal layout would require some routing in the cavity.
I had to drill two holes (for the switches) and widen the hole a bit where the single switch was:

Before:
DSC019361.jpg


After:
110175.jpg


I knew I've seen this bass before (the Series II) Must smoke less of that funny stuff.... :-)
The seller says that he had Alembic upgrade the electronics and add side leds when he purchased the bass from them.
 
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#48
Based on my own experience of buying a used 1995 Alembic series I 5 string Europa bodied bass with Burl Maple top and back. I feel that $7,500 price is more than I would pay personally for a 1989 alembic. But then if someone was really keen on buying that particular bass then I guess they may feel differently and for them the price could be worth it. I bought this bass shown below which apart from the body shape and extra string is the same model. This one has been owned by two collectors both of whom, I'm told were non musicians so when I got it it was virtually unplayed in brand new condition without a mark or blemish. The seller is a collector of high end basses. It still had the same strings that were on the bass when it was bought in 1995 it came with the power supply, cable and original case. Without divulging what I paid, (I never do that), I can tell you that I paid significantly less than $7500 US for it. So if you factor in the fact that it was bought in Europe where where we generally pay more than buyers do stateside for alembics $7500 US starts to look expensive. That said, whoever buys it is sure to get a great sounding bass.

ale_eurs1burlusd.jpg
ale_eurs1burlusd1.jpg
ale_eurs1burlusd2.jpg
 
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#49
Awesome bass, jazzyvee; but, you simply can't compare 1995 prices to what people are paying today. Going price for a used Series I in 1995 was roughly $2k, give or take. Mica tells me that current used prices she is tracking are $6k-ish. So, things have significantly changed in the last 20 years.
 
#52
bucephylus said:
Awesome bass, jazzyvee; but, you simply can't compare 1995 prices to what people are paying today. Going price for a used Series I in 1995 was roughly $2k, give or take. Mica tells me that current used prices she is tracking are $6k-ish. So, things have significantly changed in the last 20 years.
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Sorry i should have stated, it was made in 1995 but i bought the bass in 2013. Hope that makes the posting more relevant.
 
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#53
jazzyvee said:
Sorry i should have stated, it was made in 1995 but i bought the bass in 2013. Hope that makes the posting more relevant.
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Oops! Well, sounds like you got a great deal.

Again, absolutely awesome instrument. Pretty close to what I would have spec'd; except that I would have wanted the instrument to weigh under 9.5 lbs. Which Susan said they can do.
 
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#54
I think mine weighs in about 12lbs and as well as the cavities to hold the electronics, i think there is more wood removed from the wings to make it lighter. At the moment the longest gigs I've done with it is a couple of hours and whilst i can feel it's a heavy bass I haven't found the weight a problem. Hopefully it won't in the future. I've read many players offloading their basses due to the weight and balance.
 
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