Author Topic: The Original East Meets West (Read 711 times)

mikedm · « **on:** July 15, 2006, 01:32:37 PM »

is for sale at it's original home. Larry Morgan's Music and Sound, Garland, TX 972-864-8584.
Fingerboard needs a little oil, brass needs polish. No dents, dings or other visible signs of abuse, other than that it's in fine shape for a three year old.
I didn't have time to plug it in so I can't vouch for the electronics. Willing to check it out if anyone is interested.

Mike

kmh364 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2006, 12:03:42 PM »

Hey Mike,

Just for Sh*ts and Giggles: What's Marcus asking for that thing?

Cheers,

Kevin

mikedm · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2006, 01:30:11 PM »

It's a consignment sale, $3000. I would guess there is some wiggle room, depending on what the seller is asking to get from it. That's still more than I paid for a new 5 string Orion with Europa electronics and LEDs in '03.

As it happened, the seller showed up while I was playing it and we yacked for a bit. He's a die hard PBass player and according to him, the EMW was ultimately too much bass.

adios,
Mike

kmh364 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2006, 01:48:06 PM »

Thanks, Mike.

Some things never change: It was overpriced when new and it's overpriced used, LOL!

Wow! Troy is gonna be disappointed! He gave away his EMW (compared to that price), and his bass was closer to mine than the original EMW in spec (and MSRP).

Personally, you'd have to kill me and pry it from my cold, dead hands to get me to divest of my Alembics! LOL!

Cheers,

Kevin

mikedm · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2006, 02:00:38 PM »

Understand. I'm interested to see if this sells. A few years ago Fedora, Modulus, Ken Smith and Alembic out numbered the Fender, Ibanez, SGR stock they carried. Now it's almost entirely Fender. That's a shame. I'm not knocking Fender, it's the lack of variety that's disappointing.

I miss my Orion, that body felt soooooo nice and played like a dream. I'd like a few more just for grins, but as it is, my current Alembic is more than enough to meet my modest demands. Keep all of yours.

kmh364 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2006, 05:11:03 PM »

Just goes to show where the market (and the economy) is at. That and heavy mass-marketing. that's why Fenders will always be in demand, with or without quality, and the majority will still say what's an Olympic? LOL!

kmh364 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2006, 05:19:00 PM »

FWIW, if the buyer didn't bite, I'd have taken Troy's EMW. It was a steal, and despite the duplication, it'd be great to have a spare LOL!

The current owner is in a Sting/Police tribute band (think Blue Turtles-era) and that EMW should be perfect!

Personally, the Orion is like Buttah, but the thin SI neck is even better...makes the Orion seem like a club! It's all beer and skittles until you strap 'em on...The Orion is an easier reach to first position...the SI std. point is brutal (both 34 scale)! I'm a six-footer with long arms and a 50 chest (i.e., not a small guy) and I have trouble reaching.

mikedm · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2006, 10:18:52 AM »

I might need to go by and plug the EMW up to something...Good thing it's not fretless: the prospect of finding a part time job doesn't thrill me.
LOL, I completely understand. I traded my Orion for the Anniversary bass. HUGE adjustment in weight and first position reach for me, I just ain't that big. But I instantly fell in love with the (classic taper) neck. If, IF, I ever order a custom it will have to have the same neck deminsions. This is a peculiar peeve and I don't know why it nags me so, but I wish the Europa didn't have the curved cutaways where it meets the neck thru. If only it had the one sweeping arc like it's cousin the Orion. Don't know why that bugs me so much.

have a great weekend

kmh364 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2006, 11:31:33 AM »

The new owner of Troy's EMW just got his bass, and he's in love! He is having a little difficulty with string tension as he is used to a 30 scale. He has the same buddy that I do: Arthur, er, um, Arthur Itis, LOL!

kmh364 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2006, 10:54:47 AM »

Mike,

Did they ever sell that orig. EMW? I'd be interested in what it went for (again). I have another ulterior motive...I just picked-up the Troy's Custom Orion EMW from the guy who Troy sold it to. Apparently, I was in the right place at the right time as the price was too good to pass-up.

Cheers,

Kevin

mikedm · « **Reply #10 on:** September 25, 2006, 11:37:39 AM »

Kevin,

It was there as of two weeks ago. The only people that play it are the guys that work there and me. I don't think there's been much serious interest. Lot of cash for a used instrument, regardless of it's capability and quality.

adios,
Mike

kmh364 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 26, 2006, 05:04:22 AM »

That's a shame...supply v. demand.

I will say that the EMW I just bought listed for almost TWICE what the original, it is exactly one year old, it is as new (i.e., mint, virtually unplayed), and I got it for considerably less than what LMM wants for the well-used '03 original EMW.

Even my guitar guy, who is not an Alembic fan, had a jaw drop when he heard what that I got a mint '05 $6K Alembic for less than what most people pay for a Lakland parts bass.

mikedm · « **Reply #12 on:** September 26, 2006, 06:03:25 AM »

Glad to hear it, that's quite a score. I wish that I was in a position to purchase this one. Then I'd have the frets pulled...can you imagine?

Lots of parents bring their kids thru the store. You can see how Dad would pass on by a $3K used bass when he can buy brand new Fender (something he recognizes) for less than a grand. Hey, son. How 'bout this one? Hmm, maybe that's why the EMW is hanging there, moves more of the LMM stock?

kmh364 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 26, 2006, 06:18:21 AM »

Yeah, It hough about the same thing. If Troy hadn't gone for the paua abalone oval FB inlays, I thought about the fretless route. A lined fretless might not be too bad, but the oval inlays would kill the sound. That would be sick, though...Matching fretless/fretted 5A Quilt/Ash/PH EMW's!

I wonder what it would cost for a fretless FB replacement? LED's could be added at that time too! Du'oh...now we're talking serious, bargain-defeating, very expensive mods.

As it is, I asked Mica for pricing to make a brass TRC to replace the black plastic one, and also what a chrome-plate job on the existing harware will cost. I'm not relishing tarnish nor am I looking forward to polishing it away. I just don't dig that none of the hardware quite matches on any Alembic that doesn't come with plated hardware.

I should just leave it alone, but I have that sickness that won't let me rest until I customize my own way.

We'll see. She's a mighty fine instrument as is. My problem is that I've seen the realm of Alembic possibilities, as well as having a fancier EMW as a template, so it's hard to be satisfied with anything less than your own vision of what can be.

mikedm · « **Reply #14 on:** September 26, 2006, 08:50:14 AM »

Usually my wallet dictates my situation. I don't know how many Alembic variants have danced through my mind.

FWIW. LEDs, oh man. Had them, loved them, miss them. This past Sunday a husband n wife team sang a Nat King Cole number during Church services. Tech team brought down the stage lights and left the band in the dark with only the small lights for our stands. I never needed LEDs so badly. Bb to G is a BIG stretch for me in the dark, lol.