Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere => Topic started by: toddharris on July 05, 2009, 05:43:38 PM

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: toddharris on July 05, 2009, 05:43:38 PM

Find this gorgeous.  
Would make a great match with my 2 '70s BC Rich Koa Eagle basses!
http://cgi.ebay.com/1993-Alembic-Essence-4-String-Neck-Thru-Koa-Upgrade_W0QQitemZ140331339150QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item20ac664d8e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A10 (http://cgi.ebay.com/1993-Alembic-Essence-4-String-Neck-Thru-Koa-Upgrade_W0QQitemZ140331339150QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item20ac664d8e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A10)|66%3A2|39%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: sonicus on July 05, 2009, 06:21:09 PM

Very nice.  I find this Essence design very appealing. I have thought of the possibility of getting one made with my own custom features in the future. GO FOR IT MAN . get this one ! buy it now !

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: David Houck on July 05, 2009, 07:31:51 PM

Nice!  And a good opening bid price.  No case.
 
(Message edited by davehouck on July 05, 2009)

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: thedavidkeith on July 05, 2009, 07:43:13 PM

Hey guys, that is my essence.   Let me know if you have questions or need more pictures.   I am keeping my elan and just can't afford to have them both laying around...   I also have not sold the Series 2 Custom guitar that I posted about several months ago if anyone is interested.    
 
Take care friends,
 
David

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: David Houck on July 05, 2009, 07:46:49 PM

Looks nice David!

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: bsee on July 05, 2009, 07:47:54 PM

I don't think $2K for a koa Essence in a bag is a particularly bad deal these days.

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: bsee on July 05, 2009, 07:50:03 PM

David, you ought to read up in the FAQ section on Alembics pickup mounting before you break something on one of your instruments.

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: David Houck on July 05, 2009, 08:06:50 PM

David, if you find it helpful, a few corrections for your listing.
 
If you look in the holes in the pickups that are missing the screws, you should see adjustment screws underneath.  There is a discussion of how the pickup adjustment system works here (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=301).
 
Alembic electronics do not have parametric EQs.  Your Essence has, in addition to the Volume control and Pan control, a Low Pass Filter.  An explanation of Essence electronics is here (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=237).
 
That you find the Koa top more attractive and gives better tone than the normal maple tops is a subjective opinion and not necessarily a factual statement.  Personally, I think my Maple top Essence sounds pretty good.
 
While less expensive than an Essence, an Epic is not a cheap bass.  The quality of construction is every bit as good as an Essence.  The set neck is not a cheap alternative to a neck through; rather, it is an alternative tonal concept, as the set neck gives a different frequency response, emphasizing the mid range.

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: thedavidkeith on July 06, 2009, 03:14:45 AM

Dave,
 
Thanks very much for the guidance, I have modified the description to reflect my better understanding.
 
Also, I do have the case for this Essence, but plan to keep it for my Elan.  If someone from this list wants to discuss selling it privately I am inclined to pass on the savings from ebay/paypal fees to the buyer.  I will also negotiate on the case but would prefer to keep it and simply pass on the bag that I got with the Elan instead.

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: thedavidkeith on July 06, 2009, 03:27:45 AM

Just for giggles, this is me pretending to be a rock star with aforementioned Elan...(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/67002.jpg)

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: bungalowbill on July 26, 2009, 03:02:34 PM

Long time lurker, first time poster. I bought the Essence from David and now have my very first Alembic! I'm very pleased with it, and my dealings with David. Now I'm off to the FAQ section to learn more about it!
 
Here's a pic (http://www.giantsteps.ca/pix/alembicessence.jpg) for those who are interested:

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: David Houck on July 26, 2009, 03:26:19 PM

Hi Brian; welcome to the board and congrats on picking up that really nice Essence!  Great picture of the bass too!

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: artswork99 on July 26, 2009, 07:01:11 PM

Hi Brian,  Congratulations and welcome!  Nice Essence, enjoy!  Play it Healthy!
Art

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: Enzo on July 26, 2009, 07:54:49 PM

Very nice bass, congratulations and welcome in the exclusive Club of Alembic owners.
Now prepare yourself to be addicted !

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: bungalowbill on July 29, 2009, 08:49:47 PM

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I'm really enjoying the Essence so far, and I can see how this could easily become an addiction!  
 
This seems to be a great community based on my extensive lurking while I researched my purchase. My other two electric basses were handmade by Peter Elias in the '80s... lovely instruments as well, but with total production under 200 (I think) there's not much in the way of community for those...

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: bungalowbill on August 14, 2009, 11:19:56 PM

I'd like to thank enzo for warning me about the possibility of addiction...  
 
I had spent about 18 months looking for my first Alembic. I'm in Vancouver, Canada, and Alembics up here aren't very common, so I was glad to find one I wanted, even though it was in Florida, at the opposite end of the continent.
 
So after shipping my prize across the country, I had it about a week before I found its five string koa sister (93K7668 and 93K7699) on Craigslist, just a half hour drive from home. A bit of negotiation, and I now have a matched set... probably even from the same tree!
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/68765.jpg)
 
(Message edited by bungalowbill on August 14, 2009)

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: artswork99 on August 15, 2009, 05:33:40 AM

That's cool!  Enjoy both of your new beauties!
 
(Message edited by artswork99 on August 15, 2009)

Title: Pretty Koa Essence on eBay
Post by: David Houck on August 15, 2009, 07:31:35 AM

That's a remarkable story!