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Would You Make This Trade?

#43
I have an Alembic Epic, and two other basses. Sometimes I think, "Oh I should sell it and get something else" but then I take it out and I realize the Alembic is nearly perfect compared to my other basses. It's a keeper, and I'd be better off just saving up for another bass.

Mine has the same pickups as yours and I'm amazed how they have no, or very little, magnetic influence on the strings. That's kinda neat.

Why not just buy the Fodera and keep the Alembic?
 
#44
Recently, I looked at the Alembic price list too, it is absolutely insane and I mean that in the truest sense of the word. Having said that, one of the basses that I crave the least is a Fodera. They play very well, but I don't like the way they look and to me, they sound very generic. You can argue about the tone of Alembics, but they are all their own.

I get the weight thing, a lot of us are getting up there in age. But, it seems to me there is a decent chance the Fodera isn't exactly light either. Alembics aren't just boutique basses, they are THE boutique basses.
 
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#45
Would you place them at equal value? For you, or for someone else? The thing with custom anythings is that it's custom for you specifically. Sure, there might be someone out there who would want exactly the same as you, but most people wouldn't. So getting a custom anything should be done with that in mind, it is a commitment to either losing money or keeping it forever. That's my experience anyway. Now, if you think you would get more than the Foodora on the open market then sell it and buy the 'dora. If not, keep the one you had made specifically for you, and be happy with it :)
 
#46
mdogs said:
Recently, I looked at the Alembic price list too, it is absolutely insane and I mean that in the truest sense of the word. Having said that, one of the basses that I crave the least is a Fodera. They play very well, but I don't like the way they look and to me, they sound very generic. You can argue about the tone of Alembics, but they are all their own.
Click to expand...

Agreed. The one I owned sounded good but nothing special.
 
#47
I own alembic series Europa 5 too also and I have spent quite a bit of time playing fodera and a number of other high end basses at a dealership a few years back and what I discovered is this. All of the basses sounded fine but none, to me, had any "must have sound" nor had a sound that I would miss if I didn't have those basses, however I would seriously miss the sound and the experience of playing that I get from my alembic if I had to sell it. I hope you reach a decision you are comfortable with, whichever route you decide to go with this dilemma.
 
#48
I owned a new Fender 1982 MIA Precision. Great bass. Years later I found a used 1988 G&L SB-1 (also split pups) that blew it out of the water. The Fender is gone.

I owned a 1990's Alembic Orion, not Series 1 electronics. Maybe the best built bass I have ever owned. Excellent craftsmanship, excellent sound, thinnest neck I have ever owned. I liked the ergonomics. Years later I sold it to a guy on active duty and bought a G&L L2500. Just a better fit for me.

YMMV. Life is too short. If you want to trade or sell it, go for it. If you decide to keep it, go for it. We are not judging. Do what is best for you, and we will all complain on social media, either way. :)
 
#49
So as I mentioned earlier, I kept my Alembic. Very happy I did so. It really is an irreplaceable bass.

Now, the stars and moon have aligned and I have a Fodera coming on Tuesday.

Over the last couple of years I've put together a dream collection of basses. They all have a purpose and get a lot of play. I truly love the bass guitar!

I will remain alembicbones though.

Bones
 
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#50
If my alembic became too heavy to play on long gigs, i would play sitting down rather than sell it.
On the Fodera, a few years ago i spent a long day at a high end bass shop trying out a number of their basses including a number of fodera models and whilst they sounded good i didn’t find any bass that had a sound that i would choose over my alembic. I might also add is that i’m not in the position where i do loads of gigs and am expected to have specific bass types for dep/session gigs. There are a lot of sellers regret posts on musicians forums. I’ sure you will choose wisely.
 
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#51
Unlike most people here I believe, as from shops view, this trade can be done even If there is no profits. It's easier to order and put few Fodera's to showcase than Alembic's. It's about rarity and product variety for them at this case and they know better the demands of their customers in that area. :thumbsup:
 

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