Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: tmoney61092 on January 20, 2009, 05:01:05 PM

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: tmoney61092 on January 20, 2009, 05:01:05 PM

i ran across this auction while surfing ebay
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-Elon-4-String-Bass_W0QQitemZ140296233996QQihZ004QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-Elon-4-String-Bass_W0QQitemZ140296233996QQihZ004QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
 
does anyone else think this is a little...odd?

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: bsee on January 20, 2009, 05:25:27 PM

Been around before.  Everyone believes the tip of the headstock was busted and this was the non-factory repair.

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: tmoney61092 on January 20, 2009, 05:29:48 PM

wow, that was probly not a good move, should have just sent it back to get them to repair it. thanks for the info
 
~Taylor

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: bsee on January 20, 2009, 05:42:23 PM

The repair can still be done at any time.  Alembic can pop off the headstock and glue in a new paddle and such.  It's apparently not major surgery.  If you do a search here, you may find a post about it including a basic cost guesstimate.

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: kungfusheriff on January 20, 2009, 06:18:56 PM

Might make a good gig bass. You wouldn't have to worry about scratching the finish...

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: jazzyvee on January 20, 2009, 10:56:17 PM

There was an alembic like this up for sale in the UK last year although it had a standard headstock :-).
 
I was fortunate enough to play it and it sounded and played like a dream. I didn't buy it but another member of the forum did and by all accounts he was very happy.
 
I have to say the headstock on the link you have here looks fugly.
But if you can get the bass at a good below market price it may be worth taking Bee's advice and getting Alembic to fix it up.
 
Jazzyvee

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: tmoney61092 on January 21, 2009, 03:38:44 AM

yea, i'm thinking about doing that, seeing that i don't yet own an Alembic, the person selling this prboly has the reserve pretty high, despite the headstock damage
 
~Taylor

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: adriaan on January 21, 2009, 03:48:21 AM

If you do buy it, make sure they send you the missing logo too ...

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: tmoney61092 on January 21, 2009, 03:52:53 AM

good call, didn't think about that, i'll only buy it if the reserve isn't set to high, since half the headstock is gone
 
~Taylor

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: 3rd_ray on January 21, 2009, 05:56:41 AM

Looks like they put in a strat style jack too. That might not be as easy to fix.
 
Mike

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: blackelan on January 21, 2009, 08:59:03 AM

I would hold off on buying this. There will be better deals out there. Does anyone remember the 5 string Elan in a purple see through finish? I beleive the seller wanted around 2100 for it.

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: tmoney61092 on January 21, 2009, 01:43:57 PM

i'm not to worried about the strat style input jack, as long as it works and sounds like an Alemic should, i'll be happy. regarding the holding off on the purchase, i probly won't be able to buy it anyways, seeing that i own 4 basses and already owe my parents money, but maybe an early birthday present

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: blackelan on January 21, 2009, 04:13:36 PM

I just found a beautiful Elan 5 string with Anvil case for 1800 dollars. It is all stock with signature electronics. I can help you find a better deal on a 4 string Alembic if you dont want a 5 dont rush to buy something just because you want it now. I had to wait a long time to order my Elan to make sure it was exactley how I wanted it.
 
Here is the link.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/msg/998612228.html (http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/msg/998612228.html)
 
(Message edited by BlackElan on January 21, 2009)

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: mike1762 on January 21, 2009, 06:13:25 PM

I like that Olympic Elon. LOL

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: tmoney61092 on January 22, 2009, 03:33:12 AM

ooohhhhhh, nice 5 string, i just don't know what my spending limit is, especially in this economy, and i have to pay my dad back every penny for him buying me music gear, you sure have all the updates on Elans, what other deals can you find?
 
Thanks,
 
~Taylor

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: blackelan on January 22, 2009, 07:25:28 AM

I have not seen anymore Elans for sale but...
I think this is the a good deal on a Series I for 2200 plus the guy is local to me.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/msg/1002134003.html (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/msg/1002134003.html)
 
The only other deals I see are for Epics and Essence Alembics and most of those are on Ebay. If I had disposable income I would buy that Elan 5 in Pheonix but try to talk him down to 1500 and agree somewhere in the middle. Never buy a bass that has been modded poorly or has had headstock repairs because you never know its real history.

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: tmoney61092 on January 22, 2009, 11:05:28 AM

thanks for the deal updates, i don't yet own an Alembic and i'm trying to get either an Elan or a Spoiler for a lower price, i'll have to see about that 5 string, it's very tempting
 
Thanks for the Info(Congrats on the Newsted Elan, I LOVE THAT BASS!!! and he's pretty much my number one influence)
 
~Taylor

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: blackelan on January 22, 2009, 11:54:48 AM

If you are on a budget have you considered Aria SB basses from the early 80's? You can pick one up for around 700 dollars. I dont mean to spam your thread but I have a nice white 85 Elite II with case for 700.

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: tmoney61092 on January 22, 2009, 01:08:39 PM

how are the Aria SB's in sound? how would you compare it to an Alembic(if thats even possible)? i don't mind the spam, i'm just glad that there is someone trying to help, i think i've seen it, do you post it on ebay often?
 
thanks for the help
 
~Taylor

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: blackelan on January 22, 2009, 01:48:11 PM

I think FC_Spoiler can answer that question the best comparing the Alembic to Aria sound.
I found that they both were unique in there own way with some similarties sound wise, I currently dont own any Alembics so I am going off what I remember.
Yes I posted the SB on Ebay a few times and it sold two times and each time the buyer backed out at the last second.
 
(Message edited by BlackElan on January 22, 2009)

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: FC Bass on January 22, 2009, 02:33:14 PM

The Aria nails the sound on \Helpless\, also \Wild Boys from Duran Duran is a good example.  
That?s about it for the Aria soundwise, not much (useful) variation there (mine has passive electronics and just one pickup)
If that?s the  sound you?re after, you can?t go wrong They?re also very well build, only need to retune once a year.
 
I can?t get that exact sound from the Alembics, it stays to clear or gets too ?boomy?
I like the overall sound of the Alembics better plus there?s lots more variation in there, but that comes with a price tag of course? (compared to Aria)
The last Black ?n Gold I (the same I have) I saw on Evilbay sold for $600 (without case if I?m not mistaken)
 
On the semi beheaded Elan:
In a previous thread Mica said this one was likely a ?tripoverthecabledaccident? victim.
Makes sense since the output has modifications to, they can tear out and take a piece of the a piece of the top when they?re confronted with brute force. One of the reasons why I?m using a wireless (to protect me and my bass) :-)
 
I can?t  wait to see your Elan Jason, extremely nice to see that one resurrect! (http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/60401.gif)
(imho Jason N. should have stayed with the JPJ and have another Series II build)
 
And who grabbed that Series I? :-0

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: tmoney61092 on January 22, 2009, 02:38:16 PM

thanks for the info fc spoiler, i'm really only looking for a very good sounding bass(80's ish) for less than $900, if anyone can find/has one that they want to get rid of, they know sounds good, please send me an e-mail
 
~Taylor

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: FC Bass on January 22, 2009, 02:52:59 PM

I think that?s a fair (market) price for the subject of this thread.  
Used prices for Alembics are insane, you get much more than what you pay for (imho)

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: tmoney61092 on January 22, 2009, 04:46:15 PM

yea, i will have to see about being able to buy a used Alembic(because God knows that i wont be able to buy a new one)
 
~Taylor

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: blackelan on January 22, 2009, 04:47:06 PM

If I was in your shoes Taylor, I would beg borrow and beg some more to get that Elan 5 in Pheonix.  
 
The SB Elite has two passive pick ups so you get more tonal variety but I think comparing them to a Alembic is like Apples and Oranges.

Title: Alembic Elan?
Post by: tmoney61092 on January 23, 2009, 09:40:08 PM

i will have to see what i can do, it is very tempting so i am thinking about asking about it tomorrow(if my dad wins the $ 10k that is) but thanks for all the help, it has been a real pleasure discussing with all of the members here, please, continue to post things on here/ send me e-mails if you have a used Alembic for sale
 
tmoney61092@aol.com (mailto:tmoney61092@aol.com)
 
~Taylor