Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Showcase => Series I Basses and Guitars => Topic started by: sdmartintn on November 26, 2006, 06:04:01 AM
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Greetings all: Here's my shameful story. Way back in 1987 I came upon this gorgeous Alembic Series 1 when I lived in Atlanta. I was a student at Emory University at the time, and needless to say, without deep pockets. Yet I had always longed for an Alembic after being hooked by the sound of Andy West and the Dixie Dregs. The bass was owned by a musician in need of some dental work. He had no insurance, and alas was forced to sell his bass to help pay for it. I was able to talk him down from his asking price of $1200 to a mere $1050, an event that has brought shame to me every time I've thought about it. But, I wasn't exactly in a great position to provide charity at the time. I've played the bass as my main instrument for years, but have (shamefully) take it for granted. I bought an Ibanez six-string two years ago, and my prized Alembic has sat in its case ever since. I am not a frequent player, but it's still a sad fact of my life that I have not cherished this instrument the way I should have. After finding this forum I have discovered that I am part of an elite community of Alembic owners, and it has given me a great deal of inspiration. I'm proud to share some pics of this bass with you. I'll be glad to post the serial number of this instrument (if I can find it). Some notes on its history: I purchased it from a guy who had also bought it used. The original owner lived in the Atlanta area also. In 1990 a guy named Kurt (his last name escapes me) took it and set it up for me. He did a fantastic job with it- took the action down to a silly height with no buzzes or problems whatsoever. Then in about 1995 it started sliding into inactivity. Enjoy! Notes: Walnut top/back, bubinga (?) headstock veneer. The smudge near the battery cover plate is from where the padding inside deteriorated; it can be easily cleaned off. On the front side photos the top seems dusty or matted; this is some kind of photo artifact and is not present on the instrument.
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/33771.jpg)
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/33772.jpg)
(Message edited by davehouck on November 29, 2006)
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Beautiful bass-
If the guy was willing to sell it for what he sold it, then you paid about as much as it was worth to him. $150 dollars below asking price is hardly stealing it.
Enjoy the bass and if you ever feel like selling it, I'll give you $1050 for it. ;)
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The best way to repent is to play it! That's a beautiful bass.
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Nice! Welcome to the board!
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Don't feel too bad, I got this bass:http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/4748.html?1119048182 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8399) from a guy who was asking $1200 and I told him that I all I had was $750, so I told him I didn't want to insult him, and that was all I had, so he better find another buyer. 3 days later, he called me and told me he'd take it. I didn't feel too bad, because his main bass was a 61 Precision in mint shape.
Edwin
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Just a gorgeous bass. As hieronymous said, playing is the sincerest form of appreciation. Welcome to the Club and enjoy!
Paul
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RE: Edwin-
Yeah, but was he a starving bass player who only wanted money to get his teeth fixed??
Thanks to this board, I have my bass out and wailin' away again after two years in the case. I've been rockin' out to Weather Report's Cucumber Slumber.
Although, I am jonesing for the new NS Design Wave 4 upright...
+Steve