Author Topic: Alembic Series 1 LSB formerly owned and played by John Lodge (Read 275 times)

crobbins · « **on:** December 14, 2009, 08:01:41 PM »

I saw this on the Gruhn Guitars site.

Alembic Series 1 LSB , 1980, EXF, formerly owned and played by John Lodge of the Moody Blues, documentation includes wood card from Alembic and receipt for customizing done by Alembic for Lodge, OHC......$20000

http://www.gruhn.com/photo/BM2711.jpg

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** December 16, 2009, 02:49:10 PM »

Series II electronics, Maple fretboard, unusual grain pattern on the top and back woods; I'm wondering if that pattern is the result of quarter-sawing? Quarter-sawn Maple? Nice bass.

mica · « **Reply #2 on:** December 16, 2009, 03:54:38 PM »

It's actually Satinwood top and back. Love the bee wing figure on that bass.

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** December 16, 2009, 04:06:33 PM »

Thanks Mica; I wouldn't have thought of Satinwood. It does look nice!

hifiguy · « **Reply #4 on:** December 17, 2009, 08:45:34 AM »

Beautiful instrument, amazing provenance. Drool.

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #5 on:** December 17, 2009, 07:05:16 PM »

Wow, I would have thought lacewood or a lightly colored bubinga. An interesting specimen.

2400wattman · « **Reply #6 on:** December 17, 2009, 09:15:47 PM »

Too much, damn it! You can acquire Tiran Porter's ol' Seris 1 on G Base for $6,000.00 and it's flame maple back and front w/caramel pickups!

hifiguy · « **Reply #7 on:** December 18, 2009, 07:36:33 AM »

Well, Adam, it's at Gruhn after all. Have you EVER seen a bargain there?

57basstra · « **Reply #8 on:** December 18, 2009, 08:16:48 AM »

I bought my Series I bass at Gruhn and I think I got a great deal. It was a consignment piece and I did get it significantly lower than what it started out at being priced.

I don't think that Alembic bass listed now is worth $17,500 more than mine and I bought it at the same place from the same folks.

I let a Carvin Holdsworth prototype guitar slip by at Gruhns for $600 and I think that was a deal. I have seen some others, usually guitars, that have been good deals -- at least in my opinion.

Keep an eye on the inventory. The real deals don't last long.

I wouldn't (and couldn't) pay $20,000 for a guitar or bass no matter the history.

lbpesq · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2009, 08:28:57 AM »

I wouldn't (and couldn't) pay $20,000 for a guitar or bass no matter the history.

Jerry's Alligator, Wolf or Tiger?

Jack Cassady's #1?

Phil's Osage Orange, Mission Control or The Godfather?

Jimi's Strat?

Clapton's Blackie, Brownie, or The Fool SG?

Les Paul's original Log?

BB King's Lucille?

Willie Nelson's Trigger?

Paul McCartney's original Hofner bass?

Keith Richard's Tele?

Pete Townsend's SG?

All instrument I would pay $20K for, if I could afford it and they were available. Hey, do I detect the seeds of another thread here?

Bill, tgo

sonicus · « **Reply #10 on:** December 18, 2009, 08:47:10 AM »

Oh ,

Don't leave out JACO's beat up Fender Jazz Bass for ; was it $40,OOO ?

LOL!!!!!!!!

57basstra · « **Reply #11 on:** December 18, 2009, 09:47:34 AM »

I said I couldn't

garth4664 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 19, 2009, 07:06:14 AM »

http://painandgrief.com/aaa/fcbasssite/alembic/images/catalogue/catalogues.htm#83c

It is in the 1984 catalogue - looks beautiful.

Have to say I agree with Bill on this one - there are so many instruments in this world that I would consider far more valuable than 20k and many of them are Alembics (still not sure if THIS one is worth that much to me...)

One other way of looking at it is if the bass cost $3500 in 1980, and the average interest rate you would get on a bank deposit is 6%, the equivalent amount sitting in your savings account now (29 years later) would be $19000.