Nice cocobolo Orion 5 on eBay

[clarkybass]

This just appeared. I am after a 5er and superficially this looks great. Any thoughts anyone? Is this an Alembic club member's? Looks good but I am in UK so always a risk distance buying. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2003-CUSTOM-ALEMBIC-ORION-5-STRING-BASS-/110541650930?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Guitar&hash=item19bccbbbf2

[otis]

Mark,
 
this looks like a great deal.  I would go for it.  The only time I've ever heard of anyone being burned is if the eBay ad talks about sending the money Western Union.
 
I've personally purchased at least half a dozen Alembics off of eBay with absolutely no problems.
 
Go for it!!!
 
Good Luck;)
 
Frank

[clarkybass]

Thanks Frank - think I will watch this a bit to see how bids come in. For us in UK, its c.$200 shipping and then 20% import duty on top of the total cost, so $400+ on top of the bass price. If bids start racking up then it can become hellish expensive for us Brits! At the BIN price of $2,999 the total cost for me would be about $3,900 (?2,650) which is not such a good deal. So I will be one of those annoying eBay watchers!

[jacko]

Nice top woods on that bass Mark. However, when you're looking at the price, don't forget that you'll have import duties and taxes on top of the carriage charge so it could end up costing in the region of ?3000.
As an alternative (and handy as you're in London) it might be worth taking a trip over to bass world in sevenoaks as graham has a nice 5 string orion for ?3500 with the added benefit of being a through neck although only (only! hah!) having essence electrics.
I bought my 2005 rogue via graham and he's a nice guy to deal with.
 
Graeme

[clarkybass]

Hi Graeme, thanks for taking the time to post. That Orion at Bassworld is gorgeous but unfortunately by the time we get to ?3000 or more I'm out :-( I will have to go the second-hand/used route ... and it would help if an Alembic owner suddenly had a burning desire for a nearly-new Gibson T'bird as a part-exchange!

[jazzyvee]

That Orion doesn't seem to have standard controls as there is a switch on it so its probably volume ,pan filter and q-switch.
 
Both Jacko and I got stung on import taxes from USA bought instruments... it's painful.
All the best with the purchase if you go for it and hope you get a good price.
 
 
Jazzyvee

[otis]

Hey, Mark,
 
Here's a few for you!
 
http://houston.craigslist.org/msg/1765923951.html
 
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/msg/1760622770.html
 
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/msg/1767147743.html
 
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/msg/1773261489.html
 
There's a few good prices, which seem like they would keep you well under your limit.  Not sure if they're willing to ship overseas, but maybe...
 
Frank

[otis]

Mark, here's another one from eBay.
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-Epic-5-String-Bass-Wenge-Top-/160440266845?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Guitar&hash=item255afc305d
 
Frank

[clarkybass]

Thanks Frank! My favourite is still the Cocobolo one at the top of this thread - I am lurking as a watcher and hoping noone bids!

[clarkybass]

Thanks Frank! Some nice basses there but have to say my favourite is still the Cocobolo one at the top of this thread - I am lurking as a watcher and hoping noone bids!

[otis]

Mark,
 
Don't mention it!  Yeah, that one is nice.  But the one at Bass world is even nicer- plus it's neck-thru.  Hopefully the one on eBay works out for you- if not, I'd save my $ and buy the one @ Bass World.
 
My fingers are crossed for you!
 
Peace;)
 
Frank

[David Houck]

Very nice top!
 
I agree with Jazzyvee, looks like it's been upgraded to Essence controls plus Q switch.
 
One thing to think about, no hard shell case; if your shipping from California to London it's something to consider.  You should correspond with the seller before bidding to see how he plans to pack it up.
 
One other interesting observation; the text of the listing mentions the beautiful inlay work on the neck.  There are no inlays on the neck.  There's nothing else in the listing to suggest that this isn't a legitimate sale; so my guess is that he's referring to the logo, but the logo doesn't look inlaid to me.  You might want to ask about that as well, maybe he can take a closeup shot of the inlay work on the neck.

[clarkybass]

Well, I was outbid in the last couple of minutes. C'est la vie!

[mg1125]

I was outbid too my friend,actually I had the privilege to play and admired that astoning bass last night with the owner at his house and last minute was outbid,so now has a new home I talked to the owner and said is going to Germany.but best regards.