Author Topic: 1983 Distillate on Ebay - Flame Mahogany? (Read 716 times)

skott · « **Reply #15 on:** July 27, 2006, 09:38:31 AM »

Just wanted to drop by the forum to say hi. I am the owner of the Music Go Round store in Kenosha and noticed you guys talking about our bass. I spent some time researching this one and really couldn't find anything like it. The previous owner passed on, and his next of kin ended up selling it to us. We could not get much in the way of build specs direct from Alembic, so we are sort of at a loss for specifics, and unfortunately left to assumption. I did get a lot of basic specs from the site and am glad to see such a nice forum out there for these fine instruments.

You guys are definately right about the Koa, and the neck striping, very unusual on a standard distillate. I had an employee run this auction, and just corrected their mistake.

I also wanted to address the shill bidding theory that was brought up here. I can assure you that this is not the case. When we noticed the shady bidder we emailed him/her immediately asking them to give us a call to confirm that they were a real bidder and disclose their method of payment. We gave them until wednesday to do so, and go figure, we cancelled their bid. In response to the other bidder canceling, I don't blame him. I never get into a bidding war with a low feedback/new user. That's just common sense. We have excellent feedback on eBay and have no reason to try and bump up our bids. We always run no reserve auctions, so the price you see is the price you pay once you place a bid.

I think our pricing is very fair on this bass. Not withstanding the upgrades, these instruments are not only going up in price, but the used market is scarce. I can tell you that we have never had so many people watching one auction before. I would not be suprised if the final bid sets a record in what you have seen distillates go for recently. Then again, we could only have one bid for 2k. I have been wrong before.

If anyone has any questions i would encourage you to give me a call toll free at 1-888-USED GEAR (Option 3, zip code 53142). Just ask for skott.

David Houck · « **Reply #16 on:** July 27, 2006, 03:02:04 PM »

Hi Skott, thanks for the post!

bigredbass · « **Reply #17 on:** July 27, 2006, 08:14:27 PM »

Fellas, I think we should put Music-Go-Round on the 'Short List'. I'm impressed that Skott punched in to explain the bidding. I'd heard of Music-Go-Round before, knew they were a reputable store, always a comfort once you wade into the EBay swamp.

THIS is EXACTLY why I prefer local music stores and why Susan put Guitar Center in the 'out' bin:
You can talk to a human being trying to run a business properly and to be of service . . . what a concept.

Also, it's interesting that here's a man in the business who sees 1) used ALEMBICs are scarce and 2) the market is going UP (not surprising in view of number one!). I honestly feel like a certain percentage of so-called exotic bass owners pay a forune for Bass A and are shocked to find it SOUNDS exactly like their bud's Ibanez or Spector as they both have EMGs, etc.

Thank You, Skott, hope we can find a home for this exceptional Distillate here. Please come back to us when you have another Alembic. Or just hang out!

J o e y

skott · « **Reply #18 on:** July 28, 2006, 07:24:59 AM »

I think you hit that one on the head joey, we are a chain of over forty stores nationwide that really prefers to deal locally or on our own website. eBay is begrudgingly used only because it really reaches the world market. the great thing about are site is that there is no bidding involved, and many things can be had for better pricing than when purchased on ebay.

i originally did not think to post this bass for sale as i know that many forums frown on commercial interests on their forums. as we are not a private party selling, i just didn't see it as appropriate.

s!

effclef · « **Reply #19 on:** July 28, 2006, 07:45:20 AM »

Skott, I suppose it's up to the Moderators but I would think people would be happy to see your forsale post in this Forum. After all, a lot of us search just to window shop and love to see what's for sale out-there.

EffClef

57basstra · « **Reply #20 on:** July 28, 2006, 10:47:12 AM »

Wow! An actual thinking, concerned, enthusiastic, intelligent human being with whom you can communicate. What a concept. Best of luck to you in your sales, Skott.

southpaw · « **Reply #21 on:** July 28, 2006, 10:51:51 AM »

Skott, thanks for taking the time to post details.
The folks at Alembic should be able to give you a build record of the bass, I'm not sure how quickly they can find the record as they are very busy... It is a great bass and I bet several people here would love to have it. I thought that first bid was not right. Sadly, I know of music stores that use schill bids to run prices up on EBay, since this is not the case, my apology if I offended. I bought a G&L bass and accessories from Music Go Round in other states, and was always treated well. Any info you need about Alembics in the future, just ask here, there are lots of experts willing to help!
Again thanks and welcome to the forum.

David Houck · « **Reply #22 on:** July 28, 2006, 12:26:52 PM »

Andy; I started writing a long response to your suggestion, but deleted it. Suffice it to say that after thinking about it for a while, I believe that your suggestion would open a can of worms that we don't really want to open. While the current instance certainly seems reasonable, consideration of the larger context of opening our forum up to free commercial advertising suggests that it's just not a good idea.

I think Joey's point is significant. There are a number of members that have lists of web sites that they check for Alembics on a regular basis. Joey's observation is that after reading Skott's post, members will add his web site to some of those lists. Many of the posts in this Seen On Ebay And Other Sites section are links to Alembics for sale that members have found checking those sites.

Skott is right, it just wouldn't be appropriate.

effclef · « **Reply #23 on:** July 28, 2006, 12:41:50 PM »

Actually, since I posted, I had been thinking about retracting anyway - thanks, Dave - I agree now, posting an as-seen message is different from advertising here.

EffClef

southpaw · « **Reply #24 on:** July 28, 2006, 01:58:06 PM »

Skott, I think your company's website just got added to a lot of computers... mine included.

skott · « **Reply #25 on:** July 28, 2006, 09:04:10 PM »

I always hate when i see vendors posting on forums that i belong to, it always just seems so invasive. I was reluctant at first, but i really wanted to put it out there that we don't engage in shill bidding and the such.

I am glad that you guys have found what is likely the best kept secret in used equipment on the web. One thing i know for sure is that our pricing is usually spot on if not under market on many of our items. Check in to the my music go round link on the top of the homepage, it will save searches and email you when stuff comes in. We have been working hard on getting more pictures and adding features to the site.

All in all I am glad that i posted here, and will definately keep checking in from time to time. I'm just a gear junky at heart.

s!

robhagen · « **Reply #26 on:** August 15, 2006, 02:54:15 PM »

hi guys,
nice discussion, thought you'd like a followup. near as i can tell, my new '83 flame koa distillate has been siting in the case for most of the past 23 years. i may have paid too much for it, but it sure is nice. still waiting for history, i'm sure they'll get to it when they can.

music-go-round shipped this out the same day i paypal'd the $$. could have been packed better, the case was literally falling out of the box by the time it got here. they sent via fedex, a good thing as it probably wouldn't have made it via ups. there are 3 slight wear spots on the bass from the case, don't know if that was sustaned from rough shipping or was there already, can probably be buffed out.

my first alembic. i think i'm going to like it.

have fun,
-rob

lbpesq · « **Reply #27 on:** August 15, 2006, 05:53:35 PM »

Rob:

Congrats and enjoy! Stunning piece of koa. You think you're going to like it? Oh yea, you're gonna like it!

Bill, the guitar one

bigredbass · « **Reply #28 on:** August 16, 2006, 05:53:20 AM »

That's the way lots of us have come to Alembics, Rob: Amazingly, a certain number of the used ones are obviously 'low mileage' regardless of their age. I always wonder did the original owner decide he really wanted a Fender instead, they just didn't 'get it', did they want to learn to play and life took them somewhere else?

It's a beautiful axe, and certainly an exceptional example of a Distillate. Most are just a bit more plain looking. But that's the beauty of Alembic: Like snowflakes, they're all similar but no two are identical.

This should make you a wonderful bass, and good you found us. Like Jerry Reed said, make it talk, son!

J o e y

southpaw · « **Reply #29 on:** August 17, 2006, 09:03:56 AM »

Congrats Rob, a stunning bass. Given vintage guitar prices recently, don't worry about the cost, I wish all my investments would increase as steadily. Recently sold Distillates on EBay have been fetching well over $2K as Longhorncat pointed out above. You are now the owner of a classic Alembic bass, play it loud & proud! Please post pictures when you have a chance.
Congrats again.