Hey GTRGUY - please translate Mon!
One point we all need to address. Since the current Alembics are so custom oriented, we just take a hit on resale. It is so hard to find someone else who likes everything you (and Me) likes and wants to pay top dollar for. I am not a Vintage Fender person, but when I purchased the Roman Conqueror, it was sold not at the retail selling price, but at a reduced rate. Yes it was a used instrument, and yes to rebuild it would cost much more than even the original buyer paid (Jeff is a great member BTW). However, just like leisure boats or Audiophile electronics, buying used is a better value. The piece is only as valuable a what a real buyer is willing to pay in real times, just like a house. That is when we see what they are really worth! The only exception I can offer to the forum is that is for someone who makes a personal (perhaps even emotional buy), the premium you pay maybe worth it to you. Of course, I also bought the Ed Roman Triple Omega Buckeye Burl, just nominated as one of the sexiest Alembics, and I paid more than I usually would have been willing to under normal circumstances. That particular piece moved me, plus I resented Ed Roamn hilding on to it who later discontinued selling Alrmbics. For me it meant that this big husky boy has at least one sexy girl in his life (LOL, sorry and props to my darling wife who is also sexy but more needy that my basses, that's what she gets for hasseling me to sell my children).
Give me Buckeye Burl and Quilted coco bolo, or even superb flame walnut or give me death!!!! One other wood will be added to my sexy list soon, if I ever receive it from the mothership (heh heh heh Susan , Mica and crew). Resale may be less however and in the right circumstance I accept that! I also have purchased used Alembics at a fairer price to me as a consumer, but had to settle for compromises. Oh well!