Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere => Topic started by: Bruce on December 27, 2021, 04:14:46 AM

Title: Reverb Alembic Essence in Spain says its been listed for 2 years? and one in
Post by: Bruce on December 27, 2021, 04:14:46 AM

Sorry if this has come up before but I'm new. there are some - on the face of it, nice looking Essence basses on Reverb
This one says its been listed for 2 years https://reverb.com/uk/item/32789119-alembic-essence-1991 - referb job but looks nice

and this one in Netherlands - https://reverb.com/uk/item/45983879-alembic-essence-1993-natural?bk=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJqdGkiOiJiYzZhNWMxNS0xOWJjLTRjMTItOGZmNS0zNDM3NDA5MmE1ODMiLCJpYXQiOjE2NDA2MDY4NjQsInVzZXJfaWQiOiIyMjU4NjE0Iiwic2Vzc2lvbl9pZCI6IjIxNDkwMTY5LWViNzUtNDBjMy1hY2M3LWRmN2U5YWM5YWVjNiIsImNvb2tpZV9pZCI6ImNmZWY1MzFkLTVkY2MtNDkzOS05M2ZkLTE1MmY5MzMwMDA4MSIsInByb2R1Y3RfaWQiOiI0NTk4Mzg3OSIsInNvdXJjZSI6Ik5PTkUifQ.3OQ_7-HQq91l9oGNHDR9MP6bB9Jms-2fAfnNdfcUzys

listed 2 months.

I need to understand the market so please has anyone got some words of wisdom for me - are there clues to what is good and bad and why might the Spain one have been there so long?

thanks for helping a novice

Stay safe
Bruce

Title: Re: Reverb Alembic Essence in Spain says its been listed for 2 years? and one in
Post by: Russ on December 27, 2021, 06:27:40 AM

My opinion is that Essence basses that are over 25 years old typically go for between $2000-$3500 for the really nice ones, so I'm guessing if you live in the US and you are considering either of these they're a little on the higher price end (plus you have to pay customs and shipping).

If you look on Reverb through the sold listings you can get an idea of what they (other Essences) were listed for and in some cases what they sold for. if you're lucky, you'll find the same instrument you're looking at presently had been sold before and what price they sold it for.

Anytime an item has been refurbished it has a potential to lose appeal since most folks want it in factory condition, I don't have an issue with this myself. They clean up nicely with some polish (which you can purchase from the Alembic store), this is how some people justify flipping them for more.

HTH

Title: Re: Reverb Alembic Essence in Spain says its been listed for 2 years? and one in
Post by: Bruce on December 30, 2021, 03:06:39 AM

Thanks Russ
appreciated - I guess I must take my time and learn more before buying

stay safe
Bruce

Title: Re: Reverb Alembic Essence in Spain says its been listed for 2 years? and one in
Post by: hammer on December 30, 2021, 06:48:56 PM

IMHO (and in agreement with Russ) I’d say the asking prices for these are on the high side. Converting to US dollars that’s $3000-3500. It would have to be a pretty special Essence to actually sell for that price in the US. I’d say that $2000-2500 is a more typical selling (not initial asking) price. However, Alembics do tend to sell for more in Europe than in the US. Usually, one purchased in the US is going to be more of a bargain, but it’s not necessarily because of customs.


If the international seller is willing to fill out the paperwork and provides proof that Alembic is a U.S. company and the bass was made here, than “repatriation” duties are pretty much non existent. I’ve purchased two Alembics from outside of the US and didn’t pay customs duties on either. Shipping, however, is another story. The US shipping costs from the mothership to Minnesota for a bass that just finished an Alembic electronics upgrade was $216 with over $100 of that for insurance. I’d hazard to think what shipping and insurance would be from Spain or other EU countries.

Title: Re: Reverb Alembic Essence in Spain says its been listed for 2 years? and one in
Post by: Russ on December 30, 2021, 08:45:38 PM

I didn't know that about customs and the origin country, I purchased a Ritter and sold it to a guy in Germany and I'm pretty sure he probably paid the customs charges when I shipped it back to the mother country. Great information to share for us here in the US and looking at Alembics overseas!!

Title: Re: Reverb Alembic Essence in Spain says its been listed for 2 years? and one in
Post by: hammer on January 01, 2022, 01:19:59 PM

I should have indicated that what I described is the approach taken by U.S. Customs. It could in all likelihood be different in other countries.

Title: Re: Reverb Alembic Essence in Spain says its been listed for 2 years? and one in
Post by: keith_h on January 03, 2022, 06:57:18 AM

You may have to pay custom fees but there should be no import duties/taxes as it is bringing something made in the USA back to the USA. The person you sold the Ritter to in Germany would not only have had to pay customs fees but also import duties/taxes and likely VAT too.

Title: Re: Reverb Alembic Essence in Spain says its been listed for 2 years? and one in
Post by: Bruce on January 03, 2022, 07:50:39 AM

INTERESTING ! UNFORTUNATELY THE UK WENT WITH BREXIT AND WE ARE NO LONGER PART OF EUROPE. THIS MEANS ITS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO BUY A GUITAR FROM EU OR MOST OTHER PLACES DURE TO VAT AND IMPOTY DUTIES ETC. THE ADDITIONAL CHARGES PMAKE EVERYTHING SO EXPENSIVE - ONE DAY WE WILL WAKE UP AND BE PART ODF THE WORLD !!