Yep, I agree. The hardest part is watching these prices go up faster than inflation [or bass players' purchasing power!].
It's not just that the threshold is getting higher and higher for the first time buyer. It's that too many are winding up in the hands of collectors, who look at them only as an economic investment.
I mean, Alembics are meant to be PLAYED! They are beautiful, but it's their SOUND that sends them to the head of the class. All too often,fine instruments languish in their cases lest they get a small ding on them that erodes their value!
We jail pet owners and parents for neglect, why not some of these Alembic owners?!? I mean, instruments that are not taken out at least once a week and played should be put up for adoption!!!
OK, rant over. Just call me Ed Roman #2...
Dr. J