What kind of money are we talking to get into an alembic shotscale? Can you get one (new)for $1500.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Alembic $ ?
- Thread starter rockscott
- Start date
Considering their cheapest base charge appears to be $6400... probably not 
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
bongomania
Commercial User
Wow! I know a bassist who purchased one new for $1000. That was 20 years ago? I have played his bass, its awesome!
bongomania
Commercial User
The Epic used to be the Alembic 'budget' line of basses. I forget what the list price was on them but I bought one for my son brand new at a Guitar Center blowout sale for $500 in the mid-90's.
Rick B.
Rick B.
I played a used Epic 4 string at a Guitar Center a few years back. It was fantastic, but needed some fret dressing. I think that clocked in around $1200 or so.
I would say at least $2000 for a used one and between 6000-7000 for 4 "cheapest option neck through" new one.
Set neck (Epic Orion Excel) will be about 4500-5000 I guess, check with Alembic to be sure.
Set neck (Epic Orion Excel) will be about 4500-5000 I guess, check with Alembic to be sure.
I know how much you have to pay for a JPJ
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,638
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
i paid wholesale my first one (a series I long scale) in 1975, since the store i worked at was an Alembic dealer, and our dealer's cost was $1500, so their high end ones have always been pricey.
Probably true.
I bought my Alembic new in 1990 - it cost $3,500.
I just went through the Alembic "custom quote" page, and the same bass today would exceed $12,000.
I'm glad I got it when i did!
That's about what I've paid for Link Removed last year, don't forget the monthly special (about -$1500) and the dealer discount (about 25%)Probably true.
I bought my Alembic new in 1990 - it cost $3,500.
I just went through the Alembic "custom quote" page, and the same bass today would exceed $12,000.
I'm glad I got it when i did!
My guess is that yours would be about $10,000 today (streetprice)
Sure right about the "glad" part!
I have some old (late 70s early 90s) pricelists, must scan that stuff someday (+ get a DeLorean and speed it up to 88mph) INSANE prices
My first one was a Spoiler @ $1750 back in about 1981
Back then there were only 4 models.
next came the Distillate at $2800
Series 1 @ $3400
Series 2 @ $3700.
Back then there were only 4 models.
next came the Distillate at $2800
Series 1 @ $3400
Series 2 @ $3700.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,638
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
when i bought a mint '85 SS distillate used about 6 years ago, i thought that i got a great deal on it for $2500. it's the best Alembic that i've owned out three (my first two were series I's -a long (bought new in -75) and a '76 short scale w/led side dots-bought used in '79).
the distillate is a keeper. here's a pic of it:
the distillate is a keeper. here's a pic of it:
The prices vary and it depends what you are looking for. The ones with the series electronics seldom go for less than $2500 used. Epics and such are less but sellers are asking a lot for them now on Ebay, used Epics and Excels are fetching crazy prices, and Alembics prices for these models new are now a lot more than what they were only a few years ago. Alembic really is responding to a buyer's market.
I paid about $1800 for my Epic 5. That was about 6 years ago. I got it from a music store (Guitar Resurrection in Austin), so it probably would have been a bit cheaper from an individual.
It's a great bass. It's a 34" scale, not what I would consider "short scale". I don't know that Alembic makes any production basses of shorter scale than that, although they can custom make just about anything you want. Not cheaply, though.
It's a great bass. It's a 34" scale, not what I would consider "short scale". I don't know that Alembic makes any production basses of shorter scale than that, although they can custom make just about anything you want. Not cheaply, though.
