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.
I gig 2 basses. So why do I have over 20 of them?
...keep the Alembic.
...keep the Alembic.
If it were me I'd keep it
If I were you I'd sell it... to me... For like $500
If I were you I'd sell it... to me... For like $500
Tough call. I personally have never been big on collecting a lot of things, so I would probably sell. There are might be a couple things I wish I would have held onto, but I moved on and now they bring a smile to my face as a fond memory. IDK, I'm weird that way. My wife is always saying "why are you getting rid of that" " a couple years from now, you'll wish you had that" etc...
Not just about bass gear, but everything. Again, just me.
Not just about bass gear, but everything. Again, just me.
If you just want to sell it to try a new toy then go ahead. Alembic Persuaders aren't all that rare, so you could feasibly buy another in future, if you wanted.
If you don't take it gigging, does it have other uses? Great at the studio or for home recording? Or do you have a sentimenal attachment to it?
If you don't take it gigging, does it have other uses? Great at the studio or for home recording? Or do you have a sentimenal attachment to it?
Yes, you should definitely sell it....to me! (Uhhh how much)? But seriously, if I had that bass, I would NEVER sell it! It looks like it was actually custom-made for me. Let me guess: It is 1.5 inches at the nut, obviously has J and P pickups (high quality), rosewood fret-board and neck- through body design. Probably sounds awesome and plays "like butta." Need I say more?
I sold my lefty Alembic Orion four, vermillion top... and, yes, I wish I had it back. Keep it unless you need the money.
I had the same bass, only with no LED's and a different headstock. I ended up selling it for $300 more than I paid for it when I bought it new.
Let it go...
Let it go...
I don't play my Ric out that much, but I love it and will never sell it! It is my prize for quitting smoking 
Keep it man! You would regret it if you sell it
Keep it man! You would regret it if you sell it
Don't sell it! Alembic basses are unique. I'm willing to be that if you sell it you will regret it in less that five years.
Why? Because you won't find anything to replace it.
Why? Because you won't find anything to replace it.
Replace the strings, clean and polish it, then do a good set up. Give it some love. Play it exclusively for a couple of months and see if you fall back in love with it enough to make it your #1. If this doesn t do it and you think you can do without it, sell it. It is a beautiful well made bass, and you should not give up on it so easily. If it were mine, I would be playing the sh&t out of it. Hard decision, good luck and hope you keep it.
What a waste!
You should absolutely use this bass when you play!
The only bigger tragedy would be if you sold it. Don’t do it!
You should absolutely use this bass when you play!
The only bigger tragedy would be if you sold it. Don’t do it!
There should be a thread about criteria on whether or not to sell a bass - you can go through the list and maybe get a clearer picture of what factors are involved, rather than just pure necessity. (Maybe there is one?)
Also, not all Alembics are created equal - the Persuader, Distillate and Spoiler were more like "production models" as opposed to higher end models like the Signature models (which came in both Standard and Custom), Anniversary, Series I & II, etc. And don't forget the Elans & Epics. Persuaders are still really cool basses - they're kind of like an Alembic take on Fender basses. But they aren't that uncommon either.
I have a Stanley Clarke bass that I never quite bonded with. But after Stanley Clarke signed it I felt an obligation to work with it - now it's probably my main bass! Sometimes it takes time and the right circumstances.
And then again, on the Alembic Club there was a refrain of "There will always be another!" that some people championed.
Also, not all Alembics are created equal - the Persuader, Distillate and Spoiler were more like "production models" as opposed to higher end models like the Signature models (which came in both Standard and Custom), Anniversary, Series I & II, etc. And don't forget the Elans & Epics. Persuaders are still really cool basses - they're kind of like an Alembic take on Fender basses. But they aren't that uncommon either.
I have a Stanley Clarke bass that I never quite bonded with. But after Stanley Clarke signed it I felt an obligation to work with it - now it's probably my main bass! Sometimes it takes time and the right circumstances.
And then again, on the Alembic Club there was a refrain of "There will always be another!" that some people championed.
The answer all depends on your personality. How many basses do you own? Do you own other instruments that you don't play a lot but like to look at? Have you ever sold an instrument that you wish you still had, not because you needed the sound on a recording but just because you wish you hadn't sold it?
You said you love it. If you own something you love and don't need the money, why sell it? Forget about 'it should be played'. It's a work of art.
You said you love it. If you own something you love and don't need the money, why sell it? Forget about 'it should be played'. It's a work of art.
Why not gig it a few times and see if you can rekindle the love? It looks sweet, but you can only really experience true love with a bass is when it shakes the floor beneath your feet.
Were it me, as with others, I would not sell unless there was a pressing need to sell. Unlike a lot of other brands, no two Alembics are alike and it may not be fully replaceable should your tastes change again in the future. I haven’t gigged on bass in years. In my last few bands I either drummed or played guitar. If I used your gigging criteria I wouldn’t have a bass left and that simply would not do. Hence, I’m now going to go and thrash my tasty walnut and purpleheart topped Orion for a little while, shake the floor a little
Were it me, as with others, I would not sell unless there was a pressing need to sell. Unlike a lot of other brands, no two Alembics are alike and it may not be fully replaceable should your tastes change again in the future. I haven’t gigged on bass in years. In my last few bands I either drummed or played guitar. If I used your gigging criteria I wouldn’t have a bass left and that simply would not do. Hence, I’m now going to go and thrash my tasty walnut and purpleheart topped Orion for a little while, shake the floor a little
