Author Topic: 5 String Fretless Alembic  (Read 625 times)

David Houck

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5 String Fretless Alembic
« on: May 01, 2008, 06:34:59 PM »


 

 


dela217

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5 String Fretless Alembic
« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2008, 06:40:29 PM »
Don't do it.

tbrannon

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5 String Fretless Alembic
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2008, 06:44:00 PM »
My gosh- that is stunning.  I don't think I've ever seen this bass before Dave.
 
I agree with Michael. Don't do it.

artswork99

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5 String Fretless Alembic
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2008, 06:54:18 PM »
Beautiful bass Dave!

David Houck

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5 String Fretless Alembic
« Reply #4 on: May 01, 2008, 09:11:32 PM »
Michael and Toby, thank you for your advice.  I appreciate the sentiment and admit that it's hard to let this instrument go; however, it's just not being played.  And due to a significant reduction in my work load, and a correspondingly significant impact on cash flow, I'm thinking this would be a good time to sell it and a couple others that aren't getting played.  And it looks like I have finally found a fretted series six string, which I think will become my main bass.  So selling this bass will make picking up the six string a little easier.
 
And I agree, I love the Zebrawood grain contrast and pattern, and the balance point body shape.  And the color of the Mahogany is especially nice.  It looks really nice on a stand in my music room; but it's not getting played.
 
Condition.  The fingerboard is marked from roundwound use, but the surface feels smooth.  Otherwise, it looks to me to be in excellent condition; I haven't noticed any blemishes.  The bass was built in 2000; I acquired it in 2002.

Bradley Young

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5 String Fretless Alembic
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2008, 12:41:55 PM »
Does it have any fret markers (sidelines or dots)?

David Houck

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« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2008, 03:31:28 PM »
Yes, side dots.

David Houck

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« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2008, 08:28:19 AM »
An emailer asked for details.
 
- Original hard shell case in excellent condition.
 
- Zebrawood top, Mahogany body, and what looks to me to be a Purpleheart veneer setting the top off from the body.
 
- Balance Point body.
 
- 5 piece Maple set neck with Walnut veneers.
 
- Ebony fingerboard with side dot position markers.
 
- 34 scale comfort taper neck.
 
- Europa electronics with side mount jack.
 
Several emailers have asked about price; and I don't yet know.  My plan was to put it up here and see what kind of response I received.  This combination of features just doesn't come up often enough on Ebay to get any sense of market price.
 
I plugged it in to my rig yesterday and played for a while; and it sounds wonderful.  This is the only bass I have with Europa electronics, and their versatility is readily apparent on this bass.
 
In my view, the Europa electronics package is a significant upgrade over a standard fretless Orion.  And I think the Standard Point body and this top are pretty cool.  Other than the roundwound marks on the fingerboard, the condition is excellent.  And some of you may have heard of the seller before; which, in my view, is a significant upgrade over buying off of Ebay.
 
Going through the exercise of writing this post, I think I'm slowing coming to what I think a reasonable value for this bass might be.  Feel free to email suggestions.

eflat

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5 String Fretless Alembic
« Reply #8 on: May 07, 2008, 04:08:38 PM »
I have never been a fan of the look of Zebrawood, but this one is the exception! The whole package I think does it, the body shape, the narrow pickups that blend in so well without interrupting the flow of the laminate. Best of luck on the sale, and if I fall into some cash.....  

David Houck

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« Reply #9 on: May 15, 2008, 01:27:59 PM »
Several members have emailed asking if I've come up with a price yet.  So I'll send out something to you today.  If anyone else is interested, send me an email.  Thanks!

rolty

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5 String Fretless Alembic
« Reply #10 on: June 04, 2008, 10:18:10 AM »
Yes its delicious... Now come on dont be shy, what's it worth to you.
Or maybe you sold it already?

David Houck

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« Reply #11 on: June 04, 2008, 11:28:40 AM »
Hi Jim.  Supposedly, I have a pending sale; however, I haven't heard from the buyer in several days, so I'm not sure where we are.  I also have another interested party waiting in the wings.  As for shipping oversees, I've never shipped a bass oversees, and I have no idea what's involved.  And as for shyness, you are certainly welcome to email me what it's worth to you!

David Houck

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« Reply #12 on: June 19, 2008, 10:18:18 AM »
Bump.  This bass is still available.

thebass

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« Reply #13 on: July 05, 2008, 06:53:58 AM »
Email sent to davehouck @ davehouck . com

David Houck

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5 String Fretless Alembic
« Reply #14 on: July 05, 2008, 05:05:25 PM »
Hi Werner; I did receive your email, I just haven't had a chance to think through a response.  I'm unsure about shipping to Europe.  My feeling is that it's problematic, but I don't know that for sure; or if I did know, I've forgotten.  I need to look in to what's involved.
 
If anybody has any recent experience shipping a bass from the US to Europe, please feel free to post your experiences, suggestions, and a general description of what's involved.