Author Topic: Not quite right (Read 459 times)

slawie · « **on:** March 16, 2016, 11:05:41 AM »

Looking at the ebay ad it just does not feel right.

The bass has what looks like Alembic activators but to use the name Alembic as a model name is deceiving. It also states The photograph are sample

It is from an ebay shop in Japan with loads of stuff that looks suspicious - caveat emptor

The pictures look so-so but it is definitely not what is going to be delivered to your door.

No-one here would go within 100 miles of that thing but I feel for the poor schmuck who is going to buy it and be deflated by the sniggering and guffawing when they get it valued.

Is there anything that can be done?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Free-shipping-Moon-JJ-Limited-ALEMBIC-CG-E-Bass-Guitar-/151997829227?hash=item2363c6d06b:g:GpQAAOSwA4dWLZLz

Enzo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 16, 2016, 11:31:16 AM »

The brand name is Moon and it's stated. Maybe they could have been more specific saying it has Alembic electronic. The fact that it says this is a sample is obviously not good. Maybe they have different variations woods but I would not even bother taking the chance to deal with them.

tubeperson · « **Reply #2 on:** March 16, 2016, 11:50:52 AM »

All we see is Alembic jazz style pickups. I am not sure the Alembic electronics are made available for sale on non Alembic basses. I do not believe they are. Mica, Moderators?

dtothec · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2016, 12:08:41 PM »

I saw one of these back in November. Apparently those are very good basses Larry Graham plays them. Please see the attached thread.

http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/221641.html?1447297711

lidon2001 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2016, 02:15:56 PM »

Great bass. I see no problem. Do you think they stole the pickups?

Why would Mica have a problem with a manufacturer buying Activators and using them? Alembic is a pickup manufacturer, among other products like basses, guitars, and preamps. That's like saying Seymour Duncan would have a problem if a manufacturer used his pickups.

StephenR · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2016, 02:24:42 PM »

Relatively sure that the only pickups and electronics that Alembic will not sell to a third party are the ones for the Series instruments. They will only sell those as replacements for existing Series instruments. If you look on the website you can see exactly which pickups they sell.

I have Activators in my Stratocaster and custom bass pickups with an activator chassis in my Quantum bass.

mica · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2016, 02:39:11 PM »

We have sold pickups to Moon in the past; Tune, Aria, and others as well. Without seeing under the hood, we won't know if all the original electronics are there, but the pickups look pretty standard to me.

Also, for a time in the 1980s we supplied high impedance pickups to some makers in Japan, but I can't recall exactly who that was just now - getting old!

lidon2001 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 16, 2016, 02:44:58 PM »

Here's an Aria SB from the early 80's with stock Alembic pickups.

Alembic has been selling their Activator pickups to manufacturers from their inception.

Series electronics are a different issue. I'm pretty sure they keep that proprietary.

slawie · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2016, 03:02:02 PM »

I stand corrected.
Excuse while I go off and tuck into a generous serve of humble pie.

slawie

Enzo · « **Reply #9 on:** March 16, 2016, 04:11:50 PM »

hieronymous · « **Reply #10 on:** March 16, 2016, 04:13:00 PM »

slawie, I think you're off the hook - the The photograph are sample line is definitely a red flag! Moon is definitely currently manufacturing instruments, here's their website:

http://www.moon-guitar.co.jp/index.html

The eBay seller seems legit as well, but I actually share your misgivings. Alembic-equipped Moons don't appear to be a standard item, so if the one in the pictures isn't the one you are getting, then what are you getting? Maybe it's a new-old-stock off of a run? There seem to have been Alembic-equipped-Moons before. Hmm...

lidon2001 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 16, 2016, 05:35:08 PM »

I apologize for my sarcasm. I'm working on that.

The only thing that comes to my mind when I see that bass is: Yum!

T

JuancarlinBass · « **Reply #12 on:** March 16, 2016, 06:54:02 PM »

Larry Graham plays Moon Basses on his instructional video, where there is only him and a Japanese drummer, which plays some sort of Behemoth Yamaha drumset to play along with Graham. Well, everything on that video is kinda bombastic, but hey! It's Larry Graham! I enjoyed it the same!! A lot!

bigredbass · « **Reply #13 on:** March 16, 2016, 10:36:26 PM »

MOONs are one of those exceptional Fender clones that seem only to be sold in the Far East. I've often wondered now that so many builders are making Fender clones in this country (Sadowsky, Mike Lull, and on and on), why these and Atelier Z's or Bacchus or any of the other Japanese axes aren't sold here . . . it must be the exchange rates. If I were ever to get a serious clone, Bacchus would be at the top of the list. Moons are my-t-fine as well, but a little traditional for me. That slanted neck pickup was pretty common in Japan in the 80's.

I agree the ad / vendor seems flaky.

Fortunately, the huge Ikebe Gakki store is an ALEMBIC dealer, and you can link to them in 'Dealer' page. They even have an attempted 'Engrish' page, complete with yen / USD convertor. A fascinating cruise through their website, and I'm sure Mica could recommend someone to contact there if you want to spend your money on the other side of the International Date Line . . . .

Joey

bigredbass · « **Reply #14 on:** March 16, 2016, 10:50:48 PM »

Did I say Bacchus?

http://bacchusdo.com/product/tf5nao.htm

Joey