Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => For Sale & Trade => Topic started by: poor_nigel on September 20, 2004, 03:22:20 PM
-
Is this is, or is this ain't this bass?
http://club.alembic.com/Images/403/9077.html?1080606904 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=380)
Seller is in same area it was stolen from. Uh oh!
-
The bass has already been turned into Alembic. Wow, I sure hope if one of basses gets nabbed, I get it back. Cool!
-
That's definitely the same bass. Looks like a pawn shop that's selling it.
-
Mica knew about it within fifteen minutes of it appearing on eBay, which is less than 90 minutes ago. If she got a commitment for safe return already, that's great!!!
-
Mica already talked to them (They contacted her after someone called them informing them it was a stolen bass) and thinks the owner will get back his bass. I think that is really great and a very good reason to feel good about the Alembic community as a whole. Not trying to be too ugly here, but I hope the thief get skinned!!!! And . . . Then let's party!
Math good! Spelling, grammar bad!!!
(Message edited by poor_nigel on September 20, 2004)
-
That bass is still on the auction block as of 1 minute prior to this post.
-
And still receiving bids.
-
The seller is currently waiting to talk with the owner's insurance comapany and local law enforcement. If the insurance company wants it sold, the auction keeps going, otherwise the auction will be closed. This prime bass could be sold to someone here - great! I do pick the worst times to be cash poor!
-
Nigel, that is certainly an interesting development. Does the owner get a say in the matter, or is the decision up to the insurance company? Now that I think about it, I guess the owner may have already replaced the bass with the proceeds from the insurance.
-
Hey Dave:
Here is what I got from the seller:
I have talked to the owner and I am going to speak to his insurance company today to find out if they will be wanting to sell it.If they do and want it to stay listed I will sell if they do not I will end the auction. I am waiting to speak to law enforcement also. I should know by tomorrow I would guess.Thanks, (Name Omitted)
Logically, if the owner collected insurance on the item, it then belongs to the insurance company. I am sure the owner could give back the settlement to get the bass back, but who knows on that matter. If I was seriously interested in this bass, I would not give up on the auction, as if the insurance company gives the go ahead to sell the bass and get their cut, someone will be the proud owner of this spiffy treasure.
-
The owner probably got a pile of cash associated with the list/replacement cost of the bass and would have to return that to get his instrument back. We're talking about a souped-up Series II here, so that's an awful lot of money. I heard rumors that this bass was on the for sale block previously, so the owner may not have the love-it-like-a-child level of bond with the instrument. Under this set of cirumstances, the owner probably keeps the cash and the insurance company technically owns the bass. On the other hand, the insurance people probably expect to get something like $10K for the instrument. It could be a great bargain for someone if the sale is allowed to continue.
-Bob
-
When I contacted the seller they let me know the auction was for the bass alone, no case or other items associated. It should be interesting to know how they would ship the instrument.
-
Just dropped in a box full of loose popcorn?
Still an incredible bargain if the auction continues...
-
Hmmm, what would it cost to fret this thing? The orice is starting to work upward, but it is still likely to end up as a bargain.
-
If I was the fortunate winner I would whole heartedly appeal to Mica to communicate a transportation strategy. I get the feeling the owner or insurance company may pull the auction if it doesn't reach the stratospheric promise of the bass.
-
Now to make things even more confusing somebody in New York state is listing the same bass as a Mark King 5 series II.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=3750731222&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=3750731222&rd=1)
Even got 2 bids on it, up to 511$. He obviously lifted the only picture he displays from the other auction; of course his unwillingness to accept bids from outside New York is pretty odd too. Even encourages people to e-mail him their phone number so he can tell them about the bass.
I despise a crook, but I despise a stupid crook even more.
Valentino
-
Maybe he wants to make sure that once arrested, he doesn't face any federal charges for interstate fraud? The guy has a few legitimate-looking feedbacks, too, including one from last week.
Still, if this guy is willing to sell the same bass for less money, you have to take him seriously!
-
I was wondering someone to notice this. I am waiting for pictures and the Buy-It-Now price from the seller. I thought the whole deal suspicious, and compared the picture shown to those of the pawnshop's auction. Lordy, but it is the same as one of their pictures - oh shock! I notified eBay and the pawnshop. What else can one do? It is just another ripoff artist trying to con more people on eBay. eBay will not care until the pawnshop owner gets on em, probably.
I have to disagree with you on the crook/stupid crook issue, Valentino, as I hate a smart crook that gets away with things. Ones this dumb are mainly just annoying. If you are going to be a crook, be a good/dumb one, so we can all feed and house you sooner!
That's pretty funny Bob! Got a laugh outta me.
(Message edited by poor_nigel on September 24, 2004)
-
It's pretty amazing that he would lift the picture from a current auction.
-
I sent the following question through e-bay:
What an amazing coincidence! Your picture is exacly the same as one of the pictures of another Alembic bass currently on e-bay: Alembic 5 string fretless series 2 bass guitar Item number: 3749962310. Do you have any other pictures of the bass that are exactly the same as this other auction? Or are you planning to win the other auction while simultaneously reselling it? Going for the Guiness Book of World Records for owning the best bass for the shortest time? Just wondering.
I'm not holding my breath for a response.
Bill, the guitar one
-
Aw dang. Now I will never get the pretty pictures he/she promised, nor will I be able to use the Buy-It-Now price to steal it away from everyone. I wonder if this is a hijacked account. They do it a lot with RealDolls on eBay. Hack into an account for the auction. List a Hotmail type of e-mail to contact them, if you want to settle the auction early. The auction disappears in a day or two, and then poof, another using exactly the same pics and message is back up, but a new Seller's account and new contact e-mail address is listed. They always want wire grams for payment. Hmmm, wonder why?
Huh? What do you mean how come I know about RealDolls??? Well, I am stuck up here in the wasteland, and those silicon babes are startin to look REALLY good compared to the locals . . .
-
Maybe the person with the second auction had walked into the pawn shop and been told You walk in with 'x' dollars and it's yours and the person got the bright idea to attempt to try and sell it out from under the pawn shop and make some $$$ on it. But, I mean, ... Like the pawn shop wouldn't notice?!?!
Ok, I had to go do a search on RealDolls just to see what you were talking about.
well... I can't come up with much to say about that other than, You learn something new every day.
(I think the oddest thing was that they actually sell posters of the dolls, that's just plain weird.)
(Message edited by LotharTu on September 24, 2004)
-
Why hasn't EBAY pulled these auctions? How can two people auction the same instrument at the same time? Why haven't the cops done anything about this? If the owner has been paid an insurance claim, this is a stolen item and belongs to the insurance company. If not, it belongs to the owner, not Cap'n Pawnshop or Idiot in Tonawanda!
This sh*t p*sses me off big time!
-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1467&item=5523011260&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
Above is a link to one of the ripoff artists with a current auction going.
Posters of RealDolls? Replicas of Replicas? From flesh to silicon to ink? That sounds a bit weird at that! Wow, they come in custom colors, too! I wonder if you can upgrade to ebony lams for a good stiff neck and a great tight bottom end? OK, OK, enough is enough . . . This is a family-oriented board.
-
I am sorry Kevin, by I am forced to believe that eBay does not care in the least. They have been letting the conperson with that RealDoll auction scam do it over and over for months now. They have not done a thing to stop them. If someone threatens to bring suit or get the police involved, then I believe they will do something. eBay is the largest black market and fence for stolen goods in the world! As long as eBay is making its billions and profits are going swimmingly, there will be no change in their policies, and hunting down crime messes with their bottom line.
My opinion - Life is not fair, nor just. Too many people are apathetic and most will not even fight for what they believe in anymore, as they firmly believe it will do no good. And usually they are right. It is sad, but that is no reason to give up. We just have to do what we can, and maybe in the long run it will make a difference.
-
>>>>Maybe the person with the second auction had walked into the pawn shop and been told You walk in with 'x' dollars and it's yours
-
Man, if that was my bass, I'd be raising the dead (Jerry? LOL!) with the noise that'd come out of my mouth! I hate EBAY and try to avoid it as much as I can. How many people are really getting bargains on there anyway?
BTW, Nigel: Considering my experience with my ex-wife and women in general, maybe a RealDoll isn't such a bad alternative, LOL! It would ccertainly allow me to use the HOV lane on the NJTP on the way to work, LOL! JUST KIDDING!
-
I contacted the guy from the second auction outside ebay just to find out if he would try to sell to Europe. He was responding only minutes after I send my email asking for photos, serial#, owners name etc. I received only the well known auction photos but no serial#. He told me that he is the owner (!) and the bass will come with case and papers. He was asking for $2500 buy-it-now and I should complete the deal notifiying ebay with my ebay email adress. I friendly refused the deal with a vage excuse.
(Message edited by thebass on September 25, 2004)
-
Both auctions now ended. I guess the insurance company wasn't happy with the numbers, or some other deal was made. If anyone knows, I'd be interested. For example, if the insurance company has it now, I'd be interested in hearing what they want for it and how much it would cost to fret the instrument.
-Bob
-
Poor Nigel must have started some sh*t, LOL! Even the RealDoll auction is mysteriously gone. Did we experience some mystic mass karma and conscience or did Five-O step in and rain on everyone's parade? Inquiring minds wanna know!
-
lol, Lothartu... its a long walk from Buffalo to Bellingham!
Doh!, yep I missed that.
-
Hey Kevin. These thieves' MO is to run an auction with 'contact me for Buy-It-Now prices' and then close it in two or three days, tops. Each new auction has a new seller that looks legitimate (They might be hacking into legitimate members' accounts) and new contact information. The RealDoll thief will be back in a few days, with the same old pictures of the same item. They are looking for new eBayers that are not wise to dealing on the Internet.
PayPal is becoming unsafe, also - well, as if it ever really was safe. Yesterday I had to run to the ATM and strip my account, as some Internet thief was making bogus charges to my PayPal account. Tomorrow I get to go to my bank and close my account and start a new one. Lucky for me, they were making charges on an account I keep minimized, so they got 'rejected' on their requests. PayPal will not let me close their accounts (I am closing them all!) until all business is concluded. I do not feel like giving thieves my money so PayPal will close the account, so further attempts to steal from me cannot happen.
I am pretty much known for putting my money where my mouth is, and in this case, removing it. I have decided no more Internet dealings when it comes to the money end. All transactions will be done over the phone, and from an account that has just the amount of money in it to cover the transaction(s). Just like with the 20 junk e-mails I have to weed from my box ever day, I now have added inconvenience for buying stuff off the Internet. Here in the Wasteland, with so little offered locally, the Internet is almost a necessity. I am not complaining here (sounds like it to me!), just trying to convey to others to cover themselves before they get burned and not to let convenience cost you too dearly. I don't know about other nationalities, but we Americans do love convenience!
-
That is EXACTLY why I've refused to get my Pay-Pal account verified. No way in heck am I going to link my checking account to Pay-Pal.......
Paul TGO
-
Well, it looks like this bass is back on eBay, and will be sold this time around. I guess it has been cleared with the police and the insurance company, and it has no reserve set on it. Cool beans for some lucky person.
-
Please, somebody, keep me off of eBay for the next six days. No, really.
It would work on too many levels--my name, Shawn, is an Irish corruption of John, the original owner's name. My lil' koa S2 doesn't aggravate my bad back nearly enough to satisfy my German masochism, so that 13-pound bass looks inviting.
And the typical S2 electronics are supplemented by bass and treble controls, an idea I brought up to Alembic in 1997 and was told (by someone no longer employed there) that it was impossible.
Not to mention it would stay in the Club, safe and sound...it's only right that Understated Elegance live at my house.
Who am I kidding--it's sell for at least five grand (laughing).
-
I asked him for the serial number and some other details, he said he's selling it for the insurance company and the serial is 98 11831
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=3754417109&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=3754417109&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW)
So is it safe to bid on this now?
-
Yep, it's safe. Well, at least the bass is no longer considered stolen, so it is as safe as any other eBay auction.
-
I asked about the type of instrument case and pawnamber said he would post it on the auction. I would have to guess that John is using the rest of the S2 ensemble (cable, rack P/S) with the replacement bass.
-
Jeebus, already up $1K since this morning. I guess my fantasies about something cosmic happening and me getting this for $1800 are broken.
-
I don't remember mention of the cable, but I believe the original report of the theft stated that the rack with the PS and a couple other things was stolen with the bass.
I might be wrong on that. You should be able to contact the original owner through his posts here if you're interested in what he may have lying around.
-
Jeebus, already up $1K since this morning. I guess my fantasies about something cosmic happening and me getting this for $1800 are broken.
Same thing I was thinking, but how many times can you score big in one year?
The rack was also stolen, but I haven't heard anything about it surfacing.
-
No word yet from pawnamber on the case. I'm sure the price will float beyond my pain theshold shortly, but I can always hope.
-
I suspect this will end up on the wrong side of $5K. I never heard what it would cost to fret this thing, but I suspect it wouldn't be too much more than a re-fret, and those are in the $500 vicinity. Even if it cost $1000, it still opens up interest to everyone, not just the fretless players out there.
Good luck to all who have an interest! It's a very pretty instrument that should go to a good home.
-
I was quoted $400 to defret and maple line a bass a while ago - after the price hike, I do believe. I thought the price was reasonable. Since it seems about the same work to reverse the process, I believe Bob is certainly in the ball park at $500. Shipping, however, will add a couple of hundred, as who is going to ground ship this bass anywhere??? Also, if the winner sends this in for a fretting, they may as well have the crown tip and point end buffed out, so it looks minty again. Might as well order a case and DS-R5 & cable, too, have the bass shipped directly to Alembic. Gee, then they can pretend they are having a custom built, as they wait for it to be completed and finally come home. Nice fantasy. I wish I was not so broke!
-
Actually, this is not a small job. To fret this bass will require a new fingerboard (there's LEDs in there). A new fingerboard, neck refinish, fretting, mop ovals and LEDs and setup will run $1620. Plus, I think you'll have to be really nice to Mike and Bob to convince them to chop up a perfectly good bass.
-
Hmmm, well, it was going to be more than I wanted to spend on someone else's dream bass anyway, but that's good information in case anyone else was thinking about this. I suppose the LEDs are currently positioned at the fret positions rather than between them. Is that why it would need a new board, or is there some other reason?
-
Yow! Well, so much for short-sighted thinking on my part. This new information should make the auction a little more interesting.
-
Well, $4700 and change. Seems like someone will get a nice bass at a fair price. I hope the new owner loves this instrument when it gets there!
-
I heard from the new owner of this bass today - he's having it shipped here for a little TLC before he picks it up. I think he's also getting the original case from the original owner.
-
Don't you just love happy endings....or beginnings... I guess I'm pretty fond of happy middles for that matter....
-
Hopefully the new owner will become a Club member, I hope to see pictures of Understated Elegance pop up around here every now and then. Very impressive instrument, and I just love happy endings...
Wilfred
-
I'm still working out the shipping and payment details with the seller, I'm hoping a continued positive attitude on my part will be infectious with the party on the Bellingham end. My Spoiler and Excel are just as eager to get played in the mean time. And a BIG Thanks to Mica, Frank and Valentino!
-
Congratulations!
-
Well Adam, because of the huge amount of posts I didn't realise (I'm really not that smart) that you're the new owner and therefore already a Club member. Congratulations, and I sure hope you'll be able to play her soon...(the remark about the pics still stands!)
Wilfred
-
Congratulations Adam,
You're a lucky man indeed. Yes, please pictures.
Mike
(a fan of walnut)
-
Very cool Adam. What an amazing instrument.
-
As it turns out my other basses are as well. I was thinking my next bass would be Redwood or Cocobolo, but I'm not complaining!
-
Welcome Adam and congratulations on your bass. I've looked at it longingly among the custom archives many a time. Pictures would be great as soon as you have it home...
Bill, the bass one
-
Funny note:
While I was listed as the high bidder before the sale, I received an ebay derived email message promising me that I could purchase, a unit meeting the exact standards of the one I had the current bid on. (I paraphrase) 'If only I would contact (said seller) off ebay they would be happy to arrange it.' I was confused and amused at the same time. Knowing some of the history of the instrument, and it being nearly one of a kind, took most of the air out of the off ebay sellers argument.
Oh to correct the last post,
As it turns out my other basses are (walnut tops) as well.
Adam