Author Topic: Alembic Elan Plus 4 String Bass - $1100 (columbia md) (Read 434 times)

jack · « **on:** February 25, 2014, 03:18:19 PM »

Fair price. Is this a member's? Someone needs to scoop this up.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/msg/4341040455.html

1990 Alembic Elan Plus
4 String
With Bass and Treble boost cut switches
3 Almebic Pickups
Pearloid oval inlays on fretboard
Plays great and has a beautiful tone. Hairline crack on fretboard top frets.
Price reflects condition. Elan Plus typically sell between $1500 and $1800.
For more info about this bass see http://alembic.com/support/reference.html#sernum

mtjam · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2014, 02:37:48 AM »

I'm on it!

Enzo · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2014, 05:35:05 AM »

I don't know what he means with 'price reflects conditions'. Is he talking about just the hairline crack, 'cause other than that looks great. I hope you can check it in person.

wookie · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2014, 08:01:28 AM »

Who cares about a hairline crack? It's used. These basses are so awesome with the upgraded guts. I've got a 5 string version that the singer in my old band broke the head off of....sure it was total heartbreak at the time, it's not quite as pretty as it was but it's a great bass! It's comfy, fast, sounds great and the repair now 17 years old is as stable as it ever was and now it's history that makes that bass more personal.

Buy this bass and play it, live it and love it!

JuancarlinBass · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2014, 10:39:14 AM »

It?s a real beauty. Hope I could get my hands on it.

bsee · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2014, 01:17:04 PM »

Almost everyone cares about a hairline crack, at least until they've evaluated it to see if it is likely to get worse. None of the pics represent the damage. I am always concerned when an instrument is described in a way that suggests the seller doesn't know what they have. Three pickups? Make sure you get a bill of sale and good ID on the seller in case it turns out to have questionable ownership history.

llobsterbass · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2014, 09:55:32 AM »

I expect they are counting the split P pickup as two.

bsee · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2014, 07:28:23 PM »

Clearly, they are. Since that isn't really what it is, though, I wonder what the seller really knows about the instrument. Maybe I'm a bit of an Alembic snob, but I like to think that most owners spend that much money because they know what they are buying. When someone misrepresents the details of an expensive instrument, it always makes me wonder how they came to own it. Maybe I'm a bit cynical, but I like to think of it as careful.

mtjam · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2014, 04:36:03 PM »

I've had several e-mail exchanges with the seller. What do you guys think? Fixable or avoid? Very appealing at that price.

wookie · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2014, 05:53:25 PM »

Personally, I think you should be honest and say look, I have to expect the worst. Would you take ____ for it?

Get it as cheap as you can and just mentally prepare yourself so that when you get it. You expect the head will be broken off.

Then cry about it.

Put your big boy pants on and have it reglued for $150 and make the best damn music of your life. I know that bass sounds awesome. And WORST CASE you spend $150 and it'll play like new!

OR if you think a guitar is supposed to be looked at instead of played, stop wasting this guys time and go pay twice as much for a pretty one.

wookie · « **Reply #10 on:** March 12, 2014, 06:01:22 PM »

Is the bass going to hang on your wall or hang on your shoulder?

No one cares or knows if the paint brush that was used to paint the Mona Lisa was re glued.... Because the brush doesn't matter, only what was made with it.

mtjam · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2014, 06:28:02 PM »

Wow. Take it easy.

Not really sure what you're getting at here...just trying to get others' opinions.

I know Alembic can fix anything, and I'm sure it sounds good. My first Alembic had a repaired jack when I bought it, and it's been absolutely stable ever since.

Sorry if you feel I'm wasting somebody's time. Just trying to hear from someone more knowledgeable than I am with fingerboard cracks.

I could see it in person if I decide I want it anyway, so that would ease my mind.

Sorry if I've misunderstood your intent. I suppose that's the problem with internet communication.

Cheers!

jack · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2014, 09:46:11 AM »

Here's a picture of the wound. Question is whether this will grow.... maybe ask the guy how it happened and whether it's spreading?

(reminder to self - oil fretboards tonight!)

Seeing as it hasn't sold already, I'd see if there's a little flexibility in price, pick it up for a grand and slap a little epoxy in there to try to keep things stable. Then you can decide if you want to have it professionally repaired at a later point.

If it's totally stable I'd play if forever like that - we all know there's no money above the fifth fret.

jack · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2014, 09:55:55 AM »

The top on this bass is nice.

sonicus · « **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2014, 10:01:20 AM »

The crack appears to have effected the inlay as well . In my experience epoxy does not adhere to an oiled surface well . I think that the advice of a real luthier would be prudent . It might be trivial and then again ___a red flag ____. What is happening in the truss rod adjustment cavity next door ?