Is it me or does this Series I seem rough?

[OJ Dorson]

A boogieman power supply came with the Series I I purchased and it was terrible... very noisy! Also, there seems to be the start of a nasty crack on the neck near the headstock. But, then, it's being sold by Edwin van Huik and my understanding is that he knows his Alembic stuff pretty darned well. Rather than post on his sale asking about these issues, I thought I'd bring it here for discussion. Am I worrying for nothing? Is this really a $16k deal?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/148933841943667/permalink/1968839306619769/?sale_post_id=1968839306619769

[adriaan]

Price is very high, even for Europe, and it looks like a schedua top rather than koa. The power supply is best left unsaid.

[mica]

Edwin's evaluation of the headstock can be trusted - but if you're buying it's probably good to ask him his opinion of it directly. You can see why we don't put finish on the edge of the fingerboards anymore.

The price of a new Series I or II includes the power supply and cable.

This bass is figured Schedua top and back. Pretty sure the core is Cherry.

I will decline comment on the Boogieman products.

[fivestringdan]

Who knows how long that crack has been there. It may have been stable for a few decades. You can buy a 70's Series I for half that. But, it may tickle your fancy.

[lbpesq]

I will decline comment on the Boogieman products.

Mica, your restraint is admirable.

Bill, tgo

[xlrogue6]

I will decline comment on the Boogieman products.

Mica, your restraint is admirable.

Bill, tgo

As are her many other sterling qualities!

[flavofive]

Yep, I tried to make an offer on this bass that was (I think) very reasonable for what they currently sell for, at least here in the States, but it was automatically rejected because it didn't even pass the minimum threshold that they would consider.   

All good - I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, and assume that the typical sales prices are quite a bit higher in Europe.

(If anyone has a '74-77 short scale / small body Series bass they'd be interested in selling for typical US rates, feel free to contact me!)

[StephenR]

Not sure there are typical US rates anymore…lot of overpriced instruments being offered up these days but don’t blame you for wanting to find something being sold at a more reasonable price than the one in the link above. Hope one of the members here can help out, Alembics listed publicly tend to get snatched up quickly and flipped if they are listed at the kind of prices we would consider fair. Good luck with the search!

[flavofive]

Many thanks Stephen!

[tx196059]

Flavofive, I might be able to help out in your search. What is the current rate of a 70's Series bass anyway? Reverb has some listed, but not sure they will sell anywhere near close to asking price.

[flavofive]

Hi Joe/tx, very nice of you to offer!  To the best of my knowledge from watching online sales for the past few years, Alembic basses from 1975-1979 typically sell for roughly $6,000 in fair/good condition, up to roughly $9,000 in unusually good (or excellent) condition.  Average is maybe somewhere around $7,500.
1975-1979 guitars seem to sell for around $1,000-1,500 less than basses on average, for whatever reason.  Maybe just less of a demand for them.
Amazing that the prices have almost doubled in just the last 7-8 years.  Guess I missed the boat on buying one back then!

Anyway, I'm specifically looking for the original "brown bass" body shape that was phased out in late 1977, e.g.:

 

No need to go to any trouble!  But if you happen to know of one that you or someone might be interested in selling, I'd be happy to discuss.

Best,
Mike

[tx196059]

Hi Mike. Email sent......

[flavofive]

Hi Joe, I just sent you a PM.  For some reason, emails sent via the Alembic Club don't seem to be coming through to me; not sure why.  But I sent you my direct email address just now via PM.  Sorry for any trouble, and many thanks for the email!