Relative value of different models?

[csissom]

Oh well... it looks like some other bidder valued the HG Distillate a bit more than I did, so I wish him well with his new Alembic.
 
So that means I'm still in the market!
 
I also wanted to say how much I appreciate all the sharing of knowledge in this thread.  I now know exactly what I am looking for in my next Alembic.  I hope you all realize what a good thing you have going here with all this access to experienced owners, players and company staff.  This type of community is rare.  
 
Curt

[the_8_string_king]

You're sure right about that Curt.  There is a wonderful community here, and it's super cool that people can share their experiences, insights, and perspectives.  I believe it's a great benefit to us all -and it makes sense especially considering the NATURE of Alembic.
 
Alembic is a wonderful great experiment (at least to some extent) -and an interactive and collaborative experiment.  (One I'm sure we'd all agree is a resounding success!!!)
 
One of the primary benefits of civilization is the ability for people to acquire and share information (and experiences).
 
Alembics experience -based on experiences with other customers- was invaluable in contributing to me getting my dream bass.  I'm in debt to countless people I don't even know.
 
It's nice to give a little back, and to share with those who sincerely appreciate it, and who will use it to help get their dream instruments.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who sees it this way.
 
Again, best of luck.  Be patient, all things come to he who waits.  (Well, maybe not ALL things, butcha'll get'cher Alembic  when the time is right).
 
And again, also keep your eyes open for the occaissional Essence and/or Elan with the Europa upgrades, which, depending on specs, might be as good or better -and only you can say.
 
Take care!

[michoid]

Well guys I have put my Elan for trading here last week. Got an offer for trading with an Epic, and another offer from a gentlemen who would buy it.
 
I had no idea of the value of my Elan. Today, I had the bass evaluate by a couple of stores who frequently sell Alembic since I had an offer from a potencial buyer. They go around for between 1500 to 1900$ market value and sometimes much lower.  
 
______
store 1-Your used Alembic Elan 5 string bass could probably be sold used at this time for approximately $1999.00.
 
store 2 -I will tell you that the last Used Elan 5 with LED?s sold for about $1200-$1500 and took a long time to find an interested party.
___
 
I paid 2,429.99 in 89 for that thing. Just found my invoice. It's obvious it wouldn't be wise to sell it, regarding the quality of it. There is no way I'm gonna get a similar instruments with 1500$ in my pocket. I would have to add at least 2000$.
 
I contacted Alembic a couples of years ago to have it convert to 4 strings, they asked just about the actual value of it to do the job!
 
My Elan:
 
Elan 5 strings  
with the original warranty card. Bought new in 1989 at Steve's; in Toronto. Serial num: 88H5062 date: 9-9-88  
- two-tone burl walnut top  
- maple body  
- maple neck fully laminated purple heart, maple.  
- chrome GOTOH tuners  
- brass bridge and bird tailpiece  
-P and J pickups. 3 knobs 1 q switch.  
 
THE NARROW NECK. Pretty much a 4 strings neck with 5 strings. Fast and solid but no-way to slap with it.
 
There is no way I'm going to sell that fine instrument for the price I just bought my G&L 4 strings a month ago, wich is certainly not in the same league as my Elan, regarding playability and overall craftmanship!  
 
Now I really don't know what to do anymore.
Fact is , I need an alembic 4 strings.
 
Desparated Michel, Montreal.

[mica]

There is more than one way to convert to a 4-string. When you ask us about retrofit work, we give you a detailed estimate about the price and the exact nature of the work.  
 
Since we are a manufacturer, we approach jobs like this as remanufacturing -- to make it as if we had made it like that in the first place. I would usually quote this job to include plugging the holes in the peghead, reveneering the peghead, refinishing the peghead, and redrilling. That isn't a small amount of work. Plus you need all new hardware.  
 
Probably the best thing to do is to find a good local repair person that you can trust. They can buy any parts they need for the job from us. Then you won't have added freight costs and customs hassles either.  
 
If you want to get this done more cheaply, you can  
buy a new tailpiece, bridge and string nut for  around $550. You can probably use 4 of the existing tuners, and make posts to redirect the angle coming off the tuners. This isn't how we would do this kind of repair, but I have seen other basses with treatments like this.  
 
The other way is to be a little patient and see if there's another Alembic owner out there that is looking for your bass that has a similar 4-string to swap with you. It may not be instant, but I have seen many happy swaps take place on this very website.
 
Good luck - there's always more than one way to solve a problem.

[bigredbass]

I'm with Mica - there's always a way.
 
I don't know if you're under some sort of time constraint to get this done NOW, I get that impression, I could easily be wrong.
 
I believe the common experience of most of us here is one of two ways:  Either you've got the $$ to order a custom or buy an in-stock piece at a dealer, or you're going to look in the used market, like I have.  
 
When it comes to hunting for just the right piece used, it just takes a while.  No two of these basses are exactly alike.  Your Elan is a perfect example: Not a lot of Elan 5s with deluxe laminates, but certainly desirable for anyone looking for a PJ5 Alembic.  
 
It's NOTHING like looking for a gold-top LP or any other production instrument built in large numbers.  And I've been buying and selling my own basses for over 20 years, and never once traded a bass for another with an individual.  I think you can get this deal done, but it's gonna take a little time and investigation to get yourself to a situation that's right for you.
 
J o e y

[michoid]

Thank you Mica and Joey for your reply,
 
As I mentionned, I have been thinking to have the Elan convert for quite a while, years in fact. I don't know if that would be a good thing really , still struggling with that..  
 
I had never really wanted to part with it, the sound of it, the solidity, and losing the Low D. I love my Elan for the low D and the overall quality.  
 
That is why, I bought the G&L, 4 strings, thinking it would do the job for the moment for slapping, and keep the Elan. But the G&L does not do the job.  
 
Not that I ever thought the G&L would substitude for the Elan, but gee, when I go back to the Elan, that ebony, solid fingerboard, and vibrant body. ngnngngngggggg
 
I need a 4 string Alembic to progress with my slapping technic.  
 
I cannot afford another Alembic for now,(wich would have been a used serie one, medium or short scale).
 
If I have the Elan convert or sell, I lose the low D, and still, cannot afford a 4 strings. I'm stuck, stuck, stuck.
 
So, I'm going to be patient. Maybe here or on ebay an affordable Distillate or serie 1 will appear. Then I suppose I would take a shot at it.
 
And maybe, just maybe, if I am very lucky, somebody here will be in need of a 5 strings, narrow spacing , and will offer a used Serie 1 or the equivalent in exchange. You never know...
 
Then I'd move, and forget about the Low D.  
 
One thing I have decided though, I'm not going to settle for anything that doesn't level with the Elan. And it's a darn fine bass.  
 
I'm going to sell the G&L though it's also fine instrument for the money.
 
Michel, Montreal.

[bsee]

It's all in the eye of the owner.  I have a Persuader 5 with deluxe laminates.  I would say that it is every bit the bass that your Elan is as a player, though undoubtedly it has seen a bit more wear in its day.  I wouldn't object to an offer of $1900 for the bass, but I didn't buy it new.  
 
I appreciate your position, but you have to accept that the original owner of any Alembic bass takes a value hit.  The typical Signature Deluxe bass of similar age sells in the $2500-3000 range where those instruments were in the $5000 range when purchased by their owners.  You value your Elan above what the rest of the market does and that is fine.  In fact, it's the same reason why most of us keep the instruments we have.  
 
Here's where your logic goes a little off, though.  You're talking about spending another $1000+ to turn your five string into a four.  I don't believe that kind of major surgery is ever a good idea on any instrument.  After spending your $1000, you will have created an Elan that is worth LESS on the open market than the instrument you started with.  Check with your dealers, they will tell you that an Elan 5 goes for a few hundred more than a 4, new or used.
 
Of course, you've been discussing dealer sales.  The dealer always gets a cut.  You might see as much as $2500 from your bass if you sell it privately or on eBay, though that would be a stretch.  You also might be able to pick up a similar bass in four strings for the same money.  You're going to pay $200-500 to the dealer to sell your bass and that again when you buy a replacement.  That could put you $1000 out of pocket for what should be an even trade in private deals.
 
With regard to a trade, you speak of Distillates or Series 1 instruments.  A Distillate would be about even for an Elan, but a Series bass would have been double the price.  You may want to recheck your expectations there.  Also, there are a number of other models that would be more in line with your market.  Rogues, Europas and Signature models are still above the Elan on the model chart and much closer in value than a Series instrument in good shape would be.  The Essence is a fairly common instrument that would be about even, and probably the easiest for you to find in excellent shape at something like an even swap.
 
I wouldn't take the financial hit or risk of having your bass rebuilt into a 4.  In your position, I would test market my bass privately in the price range that I would accept and see if there are any bites.  I would also aggressively seek out trade offers or possible three-way deals around here to see if you can come out about even with an instrument that would satisfy you.
 
I'll give you one last thought.  Bass Northwest has had an unusual Alembic 4 for at least a couple years.  it is a painted finish bass that has lines similar to the Spector/Warwick, basses that were very common in the hands of serious slappers.  I've never asked them about it, but I suspect that they might let it go for something around $3K, if not a couple hundred less due to the time it has spent on their wall.
 
-bob