Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => For Sale & Trade => Topic started by: David Houck on April 30, 2009, 05:05:16 PM

Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on April 30, 2009, 05:05:16 PM: I'm not a collector; and this bass is not getting played. It's been in the closet for quite a while now; and my economic situation is such that it doesn't make sense to hold on to this bass any longer. It just seems unlikely that I'm going to be playing fretless; so I'm letting it go. I don't have the build info, but I believe the top and back are Rosewood, offset from the Mahogany body by Maple laminates. The medium scale neck is Maple and Purpleheart. The front and back headstock laminates appear to be the same as the body laminates. The nut appears to be bone. There are a few minor nicks along the bottom edge, and the truss rod cover has some tarnishing, and the brass plates on the back have only a few minor scratches; but overall this bass is in excellent condition. The case is in good condition; and I've got a power supply and cable around here somewhere. Personally, I think it's a beautiful bass. I love the grain of the top and back lams. The body shape looks like the later version of the Distillate; however, it looks to me to actually be bigger than a Distillate body. I think it's the same size as a Standard Point, but with the extended Distillate horn and flat bottom. The extended horn gives improved balance and first position reach. And of course, it looks better in person that in the pictures. Personally, I think the tarnishing on the truss rod cover detracts from the beauty of the bass. On my Essence, I solved a similar problem by sanding the plating off and applying brass polish. The preferred alternative however would be to simply get it replated. A fretless Series I with these woods and with the extended horn is a bit hard to come by; and if I ever decided I wanted to play fretless, I doubt I would find another like it. But at the moment I don't see myself playing fretless; and I do want to reduce the number of basses in the house. The only trade I would consider is for a backup for my six string; that's all I'm playing right now, and if something were to happen to it, I would be in a bit of a jam. If you follow Ebay regularly, and know what Series basses like this one go for, and know how relatively unique this particular one is, then you probably have an idea of what it would go for on Ebay. I know that we get a lot of non-member visitors on this site; my first preference is to sell this bass to a fellow club member. I guess at some point I have to actually press the Post button. Enjoy the pics.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/64653.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/64654.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/64655.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/64656.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/64657.jpg)
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: dela217 on April 30, 2009, 05:14:40 PM: Very nice!
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on April 30, 2009, 05:24:03 PM: Thanks Michael! Clicking the post button took a very long time.
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: govegan on April 30, 2009, 05:25:18 PM: How much are you looking to get for it?
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: 57basstra on April 30, 2009, 05:51:16 PM: Very nice! Dave, do you know the year or thereabouts? It has the extended upper horn. I'd say mid-80s. Am I close?
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: mkazaria on April 30, 2009, 06:01:12 PM: Nice bass. What is the sking price.
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: mkazaria on April 30, 2009, 06:01:35 PM: Nice bass. What is the asking price.
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on April 30, 2009, 07:07:34 PM: David, you're very close. It's the first two numbers in the subject line. Hee hee !!
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on April 30, 2009, 07:19:48 PM: I've given a lot of thought to the asking price and have not yet reached a determination. In the meantime, helpful emailed suggestions as to what this bass would sell for on Ebay, and reasoned alternatives, plus shipping and paypal fees, would be appreciated.
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: 57basstra on April 30, 2009, 08:04:08 PM: Sorry, Dave (and everyone else). I'm trying to work on some other stuff tonight and I keep hopping over here .... not paying enough attention to either I'm afraid..

.there's an old sayin' 'round my neck of the woods:

If it'd been a snake it'd bit me.
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on April 30, 2009, 08:07:04 PM: David, I miss the stuff in the subject line often too. That's why I did remember to put that it was medium scale in the text as well as the title.
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: Enzo on April 30, 2009, 09:38:41 PM: Beautiful and unique. I'm not even good with frets, imagine without ! Good luck with the sale Dave.
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: hankster on May 02, 2009, 04:07:01 PM: I think that is a stunning bass. Dave, that gots to hurt.

Rick
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on June 22, 2009, 09:05:51 AM: Bump
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on June 22, 2009, 09:49:00 AM: Mike; email sent.
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on August 22, 2009, 08:10:39 AM: Bump
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: 88persuader on October 07, 2009, 10:05:40 PM: Is it still available? And how much do you want for it?
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on October 08, 2009, 07:46:13 AM: Raymond; it is still available. If you are interested, please email me.
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: 88persuader on October 13, 2009, 09:17:00 PM: Dave it's a beautiful bass, exactly what i want. AND unfortunately I posted the question before I had clearity of mind and realized there is no way I'll be able to aford buying it from you even if you're offering it at a very reasonable price for what it is. So unfortuntely I have to pass. It IS my dream Alembic though! If i win the lottery I'll contact you! :-)
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on November 29, 2009, 06:04:47 PM: Bump
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: mike1762 on November 30, 2009, 05:19:09 AM: Email sent...
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on November 30, 2009, 04:27:27 PM: Email response sent ...
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on December 06, 2009, 03:56:33 PM: I've had lots of inquiries, but this bass is still available. $4,200 plus shipping and any related costs.
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: gerarddem on December 06, 2009, 04:07:30 PM: Beautiful instrument Dave...
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on December 06, 2009, 04:10:45 PM: Thanks; I think so too!
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on January 22, 2010, 05:46:21 PM: bump
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on February 18, 2010, 06:04:33 PM: bump
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: mike1762 on February 19, 2010, 05:17:11 AM: Hey Dave, my standing offer... Stands!!! That being said, I hope you get what you're asking.
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: krystoof on February 19, 2010, 01:20:36 PM: Nice top!
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: David Houck on February 20, 2010, 08:56:45 AM: Mike; I can't find that in my email records, I think that was in our phone conversation. Can you email that to me so that I'll have it? Thanks!

And thanks Christophe!
Title: '85 Series I Fretless Medium Scale Four String
Post by: mike1762 on February 20, 2010, 10:13:06 AM: Email sent. If anyone else is interested in this bass, please make Dave an offer. This instrument would only get occasional use from me. While I would be proud to own it, I would rather see someone get it and PLAY it!!!