US list for an SC Deluxe is $9500 without the case, that's about 6800 euros. Discounted and with no options, it might be around 5500 euros base price without the case, the transport to get it from Santa Rosa to Europe, or any of the import or sales taxes.
The SC Deluxe Station is showing at 9350 euros has a US list price over $14K without adding anything for the dragonfly inlay. That would get you a price around 8500 euros at a 25% discount without case, transport, or any taxes. I don't think that 9350 euros is an outrageous price when you factor in everything that went into the cost from Alembic.
Admittedly, when you add options to an instrument that increase the cost by 50%, the market for the instrument can get pretty small. The bass isn't so much overpriced as it was over-ordered for the market. Even internationally, the market for such an instrument is minuscule. A large percentage of the population would rather pay 6000-6500 euros for a base model SC Deluxe rather than 9350 euros for this souped up model.
In short, Pierre-Yves, I just don't see what you're seeing. They are expensive, but the prices are reasonable based upon the costs.
Acoutron, on the other hand, is discounting at a very high level if those are current prices. Base list price for a Signature Standard is $7300 US. The Acoutron prices translate to about $5400 US, just over a 26% discount. That's with no consideration for all the extra costs (case, transport, taxes). The number for the Signature Deluxe works out to almost 28%.
Now, maybe that's where the price has to be so that Europeans aren't calling Bass Central to order their instruments, I don't know. I do know that it is a below rock bottom price based upon current list prices and exchange rates.
It's also risky to publish a full price sheet for instruments you would have to order and pay for in a different currency when exchange rates might shift. Looking at currency data, European currencies have fallen about 10% against the dollar over the past three months or so. That could also explain the apparent low prices at Acoutron. It seems that if you buy an in-stock Alembic from a European dealer, you're dabbling in the currency markets.
-bob
