Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere => Topic started by: YamatoJJ on June 13, 2022, 06:22:33 AM
Title: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: YamatoJJ on June 13, 2022, 06:22:33 AM
Hi guys found it here in Japan:
https://www.digimart.net/cat03/shop60/DS07693414/
not gonna be around long…here is the description from Google for y’all in English.
"Alembic" shines uniquely among many high-end manufacturers such as production concept and sophisticated original circuit. It is a solitary brand that is unrivaled in terms of originality and high quality, such as specialized specifications and forms.
The one in stock this time is made in 1986, and the inlay of the fingerboard that has been sublimated to the point that it can be said to be antique is really characteristic. Although it is described in the spec sheet as "Custom Tree of Life", it is a complicated and full-body finish that is tailored to the motif of the "Tree of Life" that appears in the "Bible" Genesis ". .. Avalon, mother-of-pearl, sterling silver, and even ivory are generously used as the material for the inlay, and you can see the depth of luster and texture that cannot be achieved by imitation. The wood used to make up the wood is also of high grade, and you can see that it is a first-class product whether it is walnut on the body top, mahogany on the core, maple on the neck, or ebony on the fingerboard. Not to mention the practicality of the electrical system, it also shows the world's highest quality in processing technology.
The sound is very straightforward and straight, contrary to the modeling. Due to the laminated structure, the feeling of compression coming from the wood is excellent and elegant, and the three-dimensional effect of the sound and the richness of the overtones are just one word. You can edit the sound image as you like by controlling each Q Switch and Frequency. It is also an appealing point that the electric feeling of the sound is thin on the system. A comfortable instrument with acoustic nuances.
There is some usability, but there is no damage that greatly impairs the appearance. Considering the model year, I think it is a beautiful item. There is no problem with the electrical system, the remaining amount of the tiger slot, and the effective width, and the remaining amount of frets remains firmly. There is "Alembic Power Supply DS5" as an accessory.
Please take this opportunity to try it.
Weight: Approximately 4.45kg Alembic Power Supply DS5, connection cable, our used warranty, Original Hard Case included * Customer consignment
No idea why “truss Rod” became “tiger slot.”
Older electronics, but I think it was a collector piece. Won’t find many at this price and in this condition very often, so my guess was about to go for it. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: jazzyvee on June 13, 2022, 10:18:10 AM
That is a lovely bass and one of my favourite of the alembic inlays.
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: BeenDown139 on June 13, 2022, 10:52:32 AM
that's $8798 USD according to the interweb. doesn't say what the scale is, not sure if it really matters with that inlay on it. holy cow! that must've been somebody's baby at some point, be interesting to know the story.. i'd say bust up the piggy bank and go for it!
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: YamatoJJ on June 13, 2022, 01:31:34 PM
OK, I wiped away the drool and calmed down lol
Jazzy, the inlay is the “jewel in the crown” in a way; that is some very intricate and expensive work indeed…..which makes it almost a collector’s piece just for that reason.
Been Down, once I calmed down (lol), I realized there is no mention of scale, and while I’m in love with the look, well, who knows what it’s like. I am of the mindset that while the price, being as fair as it is, is still what it is, and buying unheard is still tricky.
Whew, the GAS Monster grabbed me for a moment! Lol
I will mail the shop and ask what scale and what it comes with, but I am pret-ty sure someone is just going to jump and buy once they see an SI at that price. Darn, but reason has to take hold lol. My thanks, gentlemen…am still thinking on it!
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: rv_bass on June 13, 2022, 03:13:06 PM
Is there an English language version of that site?
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: StephenR on June 13, 2022, 04:10:44 PM
Is there an English language version of that site?
I was able to translate it on the same page and got the same translation as the one in the first post.
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: edwardofhuncote on June 13, 2022, 04:58:24 PM
Now that is an unusual Custom. Spoiler shape, with Omega? Knobby headstock and Series electronics. Tree of Life? I might be wrong about all of that it's so strange.
Goodness.
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: StephenR on June 13, 2022, 05:44:47 PM
The same bass was mentioned here back in 2004. http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/13228.html
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: rv_bass on June 13, 2022, 07:14:38 PM
Is there an English language version of that site?
I was able to translate it on the same page and got the same translation as the one in the first post.
Thanks, Stephen. I was hoping to find a translated page to English with information on how to purchase the bass, it’s pretty cool. :)
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: StephenR on June 13, 2022, 07:30:09 PM
Didn’t find a way to translate the entire page but did click on the yellow shopping cart link below the pictures. This popped up.
“This item is out of stock or unavailable from outside of Japan“ yamatojj emailed them and may get more info. Site could just be wonky, too.
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: rv_bass on June 13, 2022, 07:40:22 PM
Thanks, Stephen, appreciate it. I guess I can calm down now :)
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: YamatoJJ on June 14, 2022, 05:07:17 AM
Hello, all:
I asked about the bass: the scale is 30 and 3/4 inches.
The person at the shop put it on with a strap and said he felt the weight and the dive. Hmmm…
The shop salesperson said because the bass is on consignment, it can’t travel abroad, not to mention the inlays of ivory and abalone make it possibly impossible to send out.
A beaut, but that scale has me wary of paying that amount and I don’t like the fit….oh, no.
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: rv_bass on June 14, 2022, 07:21:19 AM
Thanks for the update, Yomatojj. The inlays are probably mother of Pear and abalone, I would be surprised if there was ivory in there.
It’s a shame they won’t ship out of the country. If they did it would be on its way to me :)
Do you know the name of the shop that is selling it?
Thanks, Rob
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: tkotmk42 on June 14, 2022, 07:32:20 AM
Cool bass. My main contact at the shop I frequent, was the one selling this bass was new back in 1987 (shop called Top the Line), when Mica and her family and Stan the man visited the store (as mentioned in the 2004 post). He had interesting story to tell, SC did a workshop in studio called "takeoff 7" during that visit.... hmmmm....
Very interesting to see this bass stayed in Japan for all these years..... I believe inlay uses real ivory and that may be the reason it stayed in Japan for all these years? ??? (I believe you can trade musical instruments with small amounts of ivory.....I may be wrong)
Also, they mentioned it is 30 3/4 inch scale. I seriously doubt that, based on how tall the truss-rod cover is, and the spaces between pickups and dummy hum canceller... it looks like medium scale to me.
Anyways, I was hoping to check it out today, didn't happen, will try tomorrow.
Takeo
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: rv_bass on June 14, 2022, 08:18:40 AM
Hi Takeo,
You mentioned the name of a shop that the bass was at originally a number of years ago. Do you know the name of the shop that currently has the bass?
Thanks, Rob
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: Thomasio on June 14, 2022, 08:34:40 AM
"The shop salesperson said because the bass is on consignment, it can’t travel abroad, not to mention the inlays of ivory and abalone make it possibly impossible to send out."
I'm pretty sure it didn't get to where it is without traveling abroad.
Thomas
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: jazzyvee on June 14, 2022, 11:34:19 AM
Probably been in Japan before the rules changed, like my guitar arrived from the states with ivory in the inlay 2009 and was stopped at customs for tax and duty but no issue with the ivory content. ow with the recent law change in the UK i can't sell it.
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: rv_bass on June 14, 2022, 03:32:03 PM
It looks like the ivory might be in the two larger leaves on the 12th fret and two smaller leaves on the 24th fret. I could ask them to have them professionally remove and I could replace them with mother of pearl when it gets here. That said, can anyone tell me what shop currently has this bass? I could contact them to see if they are open to that idea. Thanks :)
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: tkotmk42 on June 14, 2022, 04:10:03 PM
Rob-san,
It's in Kurosawa G-Club Shibuya. Their contact is
g-shibuya@kurosawagakki.com
Phone number: +81-3-3462-0261
Although, it's not on their own e-commerce page, just on Digimart.... strange.
I am going to see this bass today, let me know if you want me to ask any questions.
Takeo
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: welovecats on June 14, 2022, 04:20:16 PM
Hi Rv, I have a close friend in Osaka I have asked to check out how/who you can call. But looks like Takeo might have beat me to it. I gave my friend your name and explained the ivory removal needs. Told him I think you really want it.
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: welovecats on June 14, 2022, 04:23:34 PM
It’s about 8:30 am there now I think, so should know something in next few hours. Just to clarify, I have no interest in this for myself, just trying to be helpful.
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: rv_bass on June 14, 2022, 05:34:35 PM
Awesome, thanks very much welovecats!
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: rv_bass on June 14, 2022, 05:36:53 PM
Thank you tkotmk42 as well, I would be interested in your thoughts about the bass after you check it out as well. :)
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: tkotmk42 on June 14, 2022, 05:42:05 PM
RV-san,
I will ask the shop about the ivory removal as well. I am pretty interested in it, I will check the scale length as well.
Takeo
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: rv_bass on June 14, 2022, 05:47:00 PM
Thank you, Takeo-san, and if you don’t go for it I would be interested.
Rob
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: tkotmk42 on June 15, 2022, 08:42:26 AM
Hello
I went to the store today and checked out the bass. Unfortunately, I didn't play the bass, but it looked to be in decent shape. It does have some dings and scratches (which they're not showing on photos) but overall the finish is shiny and looking pretty good. As for the inlay work, WOW, it looked even more amazing in person. Scale wise, I am convinced it is medium scale, but staff insisted on it being short scale. oh well
And it is on consignment and store will NOT do any modification to the bass to make it export ready, BEFORE or AFTER the sale. Most store would NOT want to touch them for export, the staff said.
So, I think your best bet is to come down to Tokyo, purchase the bass, take it to a luthier you can trust, and have the ivory removed. Even then, you really can't ask them to certify it is ivory free, as they did not do the original work and traces of ivory may still be hiding somewhere (staff said).
Good luck. It's not for me, but it does have the original DS-5, cable, and hardshell case.
Takeo
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: BeenDown139 on June 15, 2022, 08:55:17 AM
it's starting to look like this bass is made of unobtainium.
Title: Re: Gorgeous Series I
Post by: rv_bass on June 15, 2022, 10:47:05 AM
Thanks for the review and updates, Takeo-San, much appreciated!
Oh well, maybe some day it will show up in the States…until then… :) :) :)