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How would you grade this bass?

#61
tbz said:
Bass is a 95.

Not quite sure what age has to do with it. I’ve purchased 30 year old stingray case queens listed as “excellent”. Condition was factually excellent.

Those basses didn’t stink and they were not covered in nicks and belt marks.

Folks that are claiming those are just wood features may need to check again with better resolution. Circled marks are almost all scratches that go against the grain. Outside of one or two of the circled lines that could be argued as “wood features” despite being pretty deep.

This is a walnut top with mahogany back btw. For the guy that mentioned Zebrawood lol.

Condition matters. I bought this over several other Alembic epics on sale that were also listed as “excellent” as this had the best price.
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Ultimately, you’ll need to ask yourself if the bass is worth to you what you paid for it. Only you can answer that and the answer will dictate the next steps.

As you can see there’s differing opinions here and opinions are like bottoms and we all gots one of those…
 
#62
One quick update. Seller did respond to my return request yesterday. They simply replied with “I’ve contacted Reverb.”

Their shop policy does not allow returns on used gear, despite Reverb allowing them. Seems like the seller acted in bad faith to start with and is now trying to avoid the return by hiding behind his policy. Instead of acknowledging the error and allowing the return.

I’ve opened a reverb case on my end requesting the return. Will update folks as it plays out.
 
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#63
tbz said:
One quick update. Seller did respond to my return request yesterday. They simply replied with “I’ve contacted Reverb.”

Their shop policy does not allow returns on used gear, despite Reverb allowing them. Seems like the seller acted in bad faith to start with and is now trying to avoid the return by hiding behind his policy. Instead of acknowledging the error and allowing the return.

I’ve opened a reverb case on my end requesting the return. Will update folks as it plays out.
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Hopefully you'll get your money back. They do tend to favor buyers over sellers--at least from what I've seen.
 
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#64
two fingers said:
I would call that "good", not excellent. I don't think anyone subjectively would call that excellent (in good faith). In my view you are well within your rights to ask for a return.

If the bass reeeeeeeally speaks to you you can ask for a discount. Either would he appropriate in my view.

But, no, that isn't excellent to me either.
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If it was me, it would be on it's way back from wence it came, without spending the time to ask for opinions. Just me though.
 
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#65
Parents always believe their children are beautiful and perfect. It’s that emotional attachment that often clouds judgement.
As has been stated, if it was a retail outlet I’d be holding their feet to the fire but given you bought this piece from its daddy, i’d tend toward cutting them a but of slack. Depending on what was paid maybe ask for a discount if that would help, or if you paid a premium or are not willing to accept a bass that shows wear, start working on a return.
 
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#66
FunkHead said:
I bought a Fender precision body once and it stunk like B/O. It was horrible. I stripped it down and cleaned multiple times with Lysol disinfectant wipes.
I couldn’t smell it any longer but it took a lot of disinfecting….

Some people sweat all over their basses and then put them back in the case that way. Yuck!
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Guilty, but they get a good rub down as soon as I get back and go on stands. I haven't managed to "infuse" my stench into a bass yet. I didn't know that was a thing. Haha.
 
#67
I bet reverb will come back with a discount offer. It is probably worth considering it if it’s decent.
I’d definitely clean it real good and make sure odor can be eliminated 1st though.
 
#69
drewphishesp said:
has anyone asked what the picture of the bass were on reverb? Im assuming you didnt buy it blind.
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Pics highlighted the scratch on the back.

He completely neglected to take pics of the rest of the heavily dented/scratched back or the heavily dented/scratched areas beneath the bridge.

Photos seem to be intentionally taken to avoid showing the flaws.

Description was “I can’t find any marks outside of this dent on the back”
 
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#70
tbz said:
Pics highlighted the scratch on the back.

He completely neglected to take pics of the heavily dented/scratched back or the heavily dented/scratched areas beneath the bridge.

Photos seem to be intentionally taken to avoid showing the flaws.

Description was “I can’t find any marks outside of this dent on the back”
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I know it's too late but I usually screen shot ads that I purchase just in case.
 
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#72
honestly the big scratches and divots on the back are pretty bad. He didnt have a picture of those? the rest are small and not saying your being nitpicky, but are nothing that would make me think twice about purchasing the bass If I picked it up in a shop and the price was good. The back tho, thats terrible
 
#73
and for the record I did buy an alembic epic off of here and the brass looked the same and shined right up with a little polish, it too had the same little dents and scuffs I think just because of the sheer weight and age of the instrument. the big divot in the back tho, thats a red flag
 
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#74
drewphishesp said:
honestly the big scratches and divots on the back are pretty bad. He didnt have a picture of those? the rest are small and not saying your being nitpicky, but are nothing that would make me think twice about purchasing the bass If I picked it up in a shop and the price was good. The back tho, thats terrible
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He did have one far away shot of the big scratch on the back. I was assuming it only blemish, based on his description and was fine with that.

A bass being sold as excellent but with a single mark called out clearly, was ok. The smell and the 2+ dozen other nicks and dings are not ok though.
 
#76
The bass is obviously not in "excellent" condition. More like "good" condition. Still looks like a nice bass with a little TLC. IMHO, getting a refund would depend on what I had paid for it. If it was full retail, I'd return it, but if it was pretty cheap for an Alembic, I'd have to consider that. Also, the smell should go way with a cleaning and letting it sit out for awhile.
 
#77
drewphishesp said:
smell could be just from the case, either way your unhappy so hopefully it solves it. grading is very subjective. does it play nice?
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It does. It’s a bit grungier than everything else I own so the neck feel is a bit off, but it plays quite well and despite it only having the b/t style Alembic circuit, it has the “basic” Alembic sound for sure.

So I’m really on the fence now. I’ll see what reverb offers and just make the call.

edit: Best way to describe it:

brain and nose: “dude send it back”

ears and fingers: “NO. We are keeping this”
 
#78
tbz said:
Wanted to get the hive minds consensus on this one.
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consensus, eh? :laugh:

looks like a minority POV, but i'm with those who'd judge the purchase based on the way it plays and sounds. the looks wouldn't have much to do with it (but i definitely get your disappointment with the looks, rating system, smell, whatever). e.g., given the money i paid for it, would i consider it a player, for me? if i cared about the looks, then i'd factor in the cost of fix-ups/repairs. unless you 'overpaid' for the playing experience = what difference does the rest really make? rhetorical. :D
 
#79
Found the listing on reverb. Sorry, I'd side with the seller on this one. Just my 2¢ worth

edit: FWIW my number one player US Lakland 4460 that I bought right here on TB 10 years ago arrived with a lot more dents and dings than were described in the ad. However, upon plugging it in and playing it, those ill-feelings disappeared completely as I was enamored with how it felt and sounded.
 
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