Really cool deal in NYC - Alembic content

[undeadbass]

So I'm walking down 8th ave from the 42nd st. station on my way to rehearsal, when something catches my eye. Just south of 40th st., there's a pawn shop. In the window is an Alembic Spoiler... for $700. It's either a knockoff, or a replacement neck - the headstock says Kawaii, but the pickups are Alembic. I didn't get a chance to try it, since I didn't want to be late for rehearsal, and I don't have $700.

That said, there's a really cool bass for not that much money, considering the price tag of Spoilers. So if one of you guys wants to snatch it up - I sure can't afford it anytime soon.

And before you say "no pics, no bass," I don't have a camera phone. And the shutters were already down by the time I went back to show my keyboard player (who has a camera phone).

 

[millsbass5]

No ****. I did see a Kawai for sale w/Alembic guts recently. Who knows?? Maybe the same axe.

 

[Hoover]

So I'm walking down 8th ave from the 42nd st. station on my way to rehearsal, when something catches my eye. Just south of 40th st., there's a pawn shop. In the window is an Alembic Spoiler... for $700. It's either a knockoff, or a replacement neck - the headstock says Kawaii, but the pickups are Alembic. I didn't get a chance to try it, since I didn't want to be late for rehearsal, and I don't have $700.

Heh, I play once a week in the Music Building on 8th Ave and I've been eyeing that same bass for at least the past 6 months! I noticed it's missing one of the bridge saddles, and it looks like a proprietary brass bridge, so getting a replacement could be a bit of an ordeal. But yeah, it's a hippie-sandwich (pretty sure it's a neck-thru) 4-string with Alembic pickups and "Kawai" on the headstock, never saw one like it before.

 

[bassclef112]

Is this what you saw? It's a Kawai FIIB. Look around - plenty of info on them, including discussion in the Alembic Club regarding comparison.

 

[SKATE RAT]

i didn't think there where anymore pawn shops in NYC?

 

[Hoover]

Is this what you saw? It's a Kawai FIIB.

Yep, that's it...except this particular instrument has a zebrawood top, and a different bridge (not nearly as elegant as the one in your picture; this one looks more hand-built, like the old ghetto brass bridges that S.D.Curlee's originally came with.)

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Those are nice basses, but they're definitely not Alembics and $700 is only an OK price.

 

[bassclef112]

That pic I posted is a file copy - I don't personally have one of these. I did consider one and from what I glean from owners is that they are very well made (one of the 80's Japanese handbuilts), but the electronics leave something to be desired. I read of several owners that gutted them and replaced all the electrionics (not necessarily with Alembic stuff) and were very happy.

KFS is right on - I see mint ones that are typically around $800 but the price has been going up because of the continuing/growing interest in the 80's MIJ stuff (like Aria, Yamaha etc). Some very nicely made basses came out of there at that time.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Kawai-B...QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item2ea9e6462a

http://cgi.ebay.com/80s-Kawai-FIIB-...QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item20aecb6077

 

[undeadbass]

Heh, I play once a week in the Music Building on 8th Ave and I've been eyeing that same bass for at least the past 6 months!

I'm at the Music Building every so often on Fridays - my singer has a room every Friday night on the 6th floor, so if we're not busy with gigs, we rehearse there. Otherwise, we're usually at Suite 7 on 30th St. It's the first time I actually paid attention while walking, though. I should be more careful about that!