I had a pair of Epics a while back. Fantastic basses and I thought the only basses I would ever want. Till I found my first killer Jazz Bass. It was all over then. The Epics are long gone and I really don't miss them. Wonderful basses but I like other basses more. In thinking about it I have a whole group I should sell...
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You may hate this, but I have a 6 month rule - it I haven't touched it (gig, studio, practice - anything) in 6 months, it's out. No matter how rare or special. But then again I'm neither a collector nor am I sentimental. I guess I'm a utilitarian, or just a realist.
I had a Victor Wooten Signature 4 string Fodera Monarch (he even signed it before I got it) for a few years, and it sat in my closet almost the entire time. It was an amazing bass, and sounded incredible. But it didn't sound like me. I had no use for it, other than it being a symbol of my favorite bass player (and my biggest musical/personal influence).
Mind you, that's a $7,000 symbol - one which I turned into 7,000 actual dollars. The coin was worth much more to me than something that hangs out in my closet. And plus, a bass of that stature deserves to be played by someone who will actually play it.
Just my thoughts, sorry if it offends anyone
I had a Victor Wooten Signature 4 string Fodera Monarch (he even signed it before I got it) for a few years, and it sat in my closet almost the entire time. It was an amazing bass, and sounded incredible. But it didn't sound like me. I had no use for it, other than it being a symbol of my favorite bass player (and my biggest musical/personal influence).
Mind you, that's a $7,000 symbol - one which I turned into 7,000 actual dollars. The coin was worth much more to me than something that hangs out in my closet. And plus, a bass of that stature deserves to be played by someone who will actually play it.
Just my thoughts, sorry if it offends anyone
If you favor your primary bass because it was custom made for you, why not sell the Alembic (and maybe one or two more) to order a custom instrument from Alembic. I think you'll find their custom instruments are a bit beyond... 
I just sat down and played the Alembic....dang, it sounds so good and plays so we'll I think I will be keeping it. Thanks for your input!
Play both?
I have four electric basses. I love them all and gig three (the fourth, my heavily modded Peavey, was my first bass and I'm sentimental about it... I still use it for rehearsal).
I've failed a few times trying to convince myself to sell an alembic. I did sell a baritone alembic guitar that I bought used as I wasn't doing anything much with it. I still haven't had instances where I would have needed it since. So I don't pine over that sale. But selling a bass is another thing.
lbbc,
Glad you decided not to sell the Alembic. I've owned six Alembics over the years and still have two. So obviously I have sold or traded Alembics at some point in time or another. I did always make certain I had at least one other Alembic whenever I sold or traded one. Even so, there are two that I still regret to this very day.
The first was a 1979 Zebrawood medium scale Series II. I bought it dirt cheap (<$2,000) and it was an amazing bass. But it was a 4-string and I needed a 5-string. So I ordered one of the two that I still have today. A 5-string Series II. Sold the '79 Zebrawood to go towards the purchase. I didn't realize at the time that a 32" small body Series II is pretty much a unicorn. Doh!!
The second was even more painful. I don't name my instruments, but I did name this one. It was Orwell. Serial number 84. For the sake of reference, the bass that Stanley Clarke recorded School Days and so many other hits with was serial number 80. I bought Orwell for $475. He was in very sad shape. Electronics replaced with EMGs, emblem removed, frets beat to hell. Spent a couple years bringing it back to life, including have Alembic replace the electronics. Then I had more 4 string basses than I needed, including the '79, so I sent it back to Alembic and had it converted to a piccolo bass. Bad move. They did a great job. I suck at piccolo bass. After a couple years of not playing it, I sold Orwell to another Alembic Club member. Wouldn't mind getting him back.
Orwell is in the middle of the three basses in the picture below. I still have the other two.
Glad you decided not to sell the Alembic. I've owned six Alembics over the years and still have two. So obviously I have sold or traded Alembics at some point in time or another. I did always make certain I had at least one other Alembic whenever I sold or traded one. Even so, there are two that I still regret to this very day.
The first was a 1979 Zebrawood medium scale Series II. I bought it dirt cheap (<$2,000) and it was an amazing bass. But it was a 4-string and I needed a 5-string. So I ordered one of the two that I still have today. A 5-string Series II. Sold the '79 Zebrawood to go towards the purchase. I didn't realize at the time that a 32" small body Series II is pretty much a unicorn. Doh!!
The second was even more painful. I don't name my instruments, but I did name this one. It was Orwell. Serial number 84. For the sake of reference, the bass that Stanley Clarke recorded School Days and so many other hits with was serial number 80. I bought Orwell for $475. He was in very sad shape. Electronics replaced with EMGs, emblem removed, frets beat to hell. Spent a couple years bringing it back to life, including have Alembic replace the electronics. Then I had more 4 string basses than I needed, including the '79, so I sent it back to Alembic and had it converted to a piccolo bass. Bad move. They did a great job. I suck at piccolo bass. After a couple years of not playing it, I sold Orwell to another Alembic Club member. Wouldn't mind getting him back.
Orwell is in the middle of the three basses in the picture below. I still have the other two.
Before you consider selling this beautiful piece of art, please ask yourself these questions:
1. Why am I considering selling this bass?
2. Does it produce a sound I will use currently or in the future?
3. In case I regret selling it, will I be able to afford or find a replacement?
4. Does this bass possess any sentimental value to me?
I, Personally, would not sell it, because all of my answers to those questions would be in favor of keeping it. I’ve already sold off one of my Alembic basses, And I will never do that again as long as I live. I have regrets. Good luck!
1. Why am I considering selling this bass?
2. Does it produce a sound I will use currently or in the future?
3. In case I regret selling it, will I be able to afford or find a replacement?
4. Does this bass possess any sentimental value to me?
I, Personally, would not sell it, because all of my answers to those questions would be in favor of keeping it. I’ve already sold off one of my Alembic basses, And I will never do that again as long as I live. I have regrets. Good luck!
Sell it. Too many great basses out there waiting for you. You can always buy another Alembic that you actually might play.
Update on selling my Alembic. I didn't sell it but gave it to my son who lives in Idaho (it was in my will to go to him anyway). He was appreciative beyond words. He always joked that if he had it he'd put it in plexiglass and call it "Excalibur" (Wayne's World reference...yeah, we're geeks like that). It did my heart a world of good to share something I loved with someone I love. I know he will play and enjoy this musical piece of art.
