Author Topic: Pair of older Series 1 basses (Read 840 times)

edwardofhuncote · « **on:** October 13, 2015, 05:29:29 AM »

A pair of older Series 1 basses on ebay:

This Standard Point has been bouncing around for quite a while now... it's the one with the odd replacement knobs, kinda' looks like a schedua top. I often wondered what those two screws (?) in the back were for... other than that, it appears pretty straight.?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=272013324392&alt=web

And this pretty short-scale maple top, that so far hasn't reached an astronomical price.?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=151842017045&alt=web

hammer · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2015, 09:58:11 PM »

The Short Scale looks like its in pretty good condition. What are the import duties on musical instruments coming from our friends in AU?

jazzyvee · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2015, 11:09:31 PM »

I'm currently in a quandary about whether to move on that one. The price seems fair for a bass of that age. It's been refurbished and looks great. But the problem for me is the high import duty and VAT into the the UK.
The seller is offering free shipping to the USA actually and offered me a deal on the shipping to the UK.

There is about a day left for me to decide. But it you are interested don't let my interest stop you going for it. Here is a link to the bass on the forum.
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/188516.html?1399798720

keith_h · « **Reply #3 on:** October 14, 2015, 04:49:14 AM »

There are no import duties returning a product made in the US to the US. It just needs to be clearly documented to Customs.

Keith

FC Bass · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2015, 05:52:24 AM »

Does that include VAT?

If I would get this bass to Holland, I would have to pay custom clearing costs, import duties and VAT (total approx. +24%)

Enzo · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2015, 06:57:41 AM »

Kind of surprised he didn't actually think to post this for sale on the Club since he had already showed it previously.
Regarding the shipping, I ended up buying the Rogue that was for sale in Australia (will post on showcase as soon as I take some pictures) and the cost was $260 AU (roughly 190 USD or ?123) with a shipping company called Pack and Send, delivered here by DHL. I'm waiting for eventual other costs to show up, like it happened in the past, brokerage fees or import taxes.
Unfortunately I didn't specify to write 'Used Alembic bass guitar, Made in USA' as, at some point, right after the payment made via PayPal, there wasn't a prompt reply as I requested to confirm the money had arrived, he waited a whole day, maybe a few more hours. You can imagine the sensations of being out of money and ?out of bass therefore my mind went on 'I hope the bass arrives' mode and I didn't focus on anything else!

tomhug · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2015, 12:12:01 PM »

Regarding the Series I, I asked the seller: The two brass screws on the back are not standard for Alembic Series I's. Are these from a repair or do they serve some other purpose? What does this instrument weigh? Do you have the original knobs?

He replied, The weight is about 9 lbs., the screws in the back were used by the previous owner to hold a set list, There are no other knobs, just those shown.

I am thinking :
1) the weight is highly approximate.
2) Who drills holes in their bass for a set list?

hammer · « **Reply #7 on:** October 14, 2015, 01:43:54 PM »

Someone clue me in on the SC Series I in which I may be interested. Has a fairly complete refurbish been done including a refinish or just a redressing of the frets. Earlier photos in the link sent by Jazzyvee clearly indicate a weathered, yellowed, vintage finish with checking. Newer photos and Ebay listing suggest a removal of old finish??

hammer · « **Reply #8 on:** October 14, 2015, 02:58:12 PM »

Oops! Didn't read through the posting Jazzyvee linked to carefully enough. Bass did have a refurbish, just not sure who did it.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #9 on:** October 14, 2015, 03:44:13 PM »

Refurb was done by the seller who is a luthier himself.
I will check this again when I wake in the morning. I'm just not happy about paying so much tax and import duty as that extra money could be better spent directly on a newer one in Europe.............. when it turns up. One option suggested to me by my other half is to get it shipped to family or a friend on the east coast of the USA as the seller is offering free shipping to the USA, then get a cheap flight from the UK to collect it. Bingo i could have a weekend in florida, NY or Washington DC and bring it back as carry on.

sonicus · « **Reply #10 on:** October 14, 2015, 03:59:53 PM »

Jazzyvee,

Are you absolutely sure that you will be able to bring it on your flight as a carry on ? I have heard mixed reports from various friends lately. It seems like that might be a mysterious variable. I am obtaining various instrument flight case's lately ; just in case
In any case , I wish you the best with this worthwhile investment! Case or no case.

Wolf

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #11 on:** October 14, 2015, 05:34:17 PM »

Jazzy, if I can be of assistance, I'm about 4 hours south of Washington D.C., well within my road-trip range... and I surely wouldn't mind babysitting that one for a couple moons. =) Just don't get me in trouble with Her Majesty, as I may want to visit merry old Huncote one day!

StephenR · « **Reply #12 on:** October 14, 2015, 05:52:44 PM »

Carry on will be difficult. You would probably have to check it. I think some airlines will let you carry an instrument until just before you enter the plane then they take it and put it in the baggage compartment and return it to you just after the plane lands without going through the normal bag check process. You may want to check with the airlines for their policies.

Back in the late 60s and early 70s I used to fly with my instrument and could get an escort pass which allowed me to carry it to the baggage compartment of the plane, watch the baggage handlers put it on and then pick it up from them when the plane landed. Those days were LONG gone even before 9/11...

mtjam · « **Reply #13 on:** October 14, 2015, 06:27:32 PM »

Jazzy, I am approximately 1.5 hours away from several airports in DC and Baltimore. I know you've been searching for such an instrument for quite a while. This one looks pretty nice!

Your US Alembic friends are always willing to help out our Alembic buddies from across the pond!

bob2 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 14, 2015, 09:02:30 PM »

just chiming in on the standard point: those two brass screws look like a strap placement experiment more than anything else.
i could be wrong though.