Author Topic: Gorgeous Series II on Ebay (Read 476 times)

David Houck · « **on:** December 07, 2004, 09:11:07 AM »

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=3767646353&rd=1

A Series II with a Europa body. Beautiful Vermilion laminates. This is one of the nicest basses I've seen on Ebay.

the_mule · « **Reply #1 on:** December 07, 2004, 09:57:02 AM »

I've also seen it, very impressive list of specs, very beautiful instrument altogether.
The price is right I guess, must be hard to part with such a special instrument...

Wilfred

bsee · « **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2004, 05:51:35 PM »

While it is an extremely pretty instrument, the price *WAS* in the ballpark. I guess those second thoughts are kicking in, because he upped the starting bid from $4500 to $6500. I suspect that he'll have an extremely hard time finding takers at that price.

One other item of note, it appears to be a Series 1 with Series 2 electronics, not a true S2. Note the chromed hardware, 7-piece neck laminations, basic logo, and metal backplates. He also doesn't mention side LEDs which would be standard on a S2 and the body pics don't have an angle to show whether or not it has the extra pinstripe down the middle.

I don't see too much else in the way of meaningful upgrades on there, so I would say it's pretty much a Series 1 plus electronics and abalone ovals. That puts current list right about $11,000 before applying any specials, which means you could just about have a new one built for yourself like this for something in the vicinity of the current starting bid.

-Bob, the analytical one...

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** December 07, 2004, 06:28:50 PM »

Yes, $4,500 was an attractive price; too much for my budget, but a very good price for the bass.

malthumb · « **Reply #4 on:** December 07, 2004, 06:43:01 PM »

bsee wrote

One other item of note, it appears to be a Series 1 with Series 2 electronics, not a true S2. Note the chromed hardware, 7-piece neck laminations, basic logo, and metal backplates. He also doesn't mention side LEDs which would be standard on a S2 and the body pics don't have an angle to show whether or not it has the extra pinstripe down the middle.

I think the body lams will tell the true story. I didn't think that the recessed logo and continuous wood backplates became standard until the last price increase in early 2003. If that's true, this bass being a 2002 would still have the standard logo. I don't recall when the side LEDs became standard for the Series II.

Peace,

James

poor_nigel · « **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2004, 07:00:22 PM »

I don't recall when the side LEDs became standard for the Series II Since Series II's came out.

I downloaded a side picture and enlarged it. I would say it probably has side LEDs, as you cannot see side markers on it. It looks to be a straight Series II for it's year, IMO. I lost all interest when I saw it jumped $2,000. Good luck to the seller.

It is interesting that sellers always quote the new price of Series II basses in their auctions for the old ones, although their basses do not have the standard options of a modern one. It is easy to forget that one of the reasons for the steep price hike back then was that some cool & pricey options became standard.

bsee · « **Reply #6 on:** December 07, 2004, 07:00:53 PM »

Good point, James, I forget to account for the changing specs. Thanks for the reminder! Either way, though, the features of this instrument seem more comparable to today's S1 when considering value. The rest is just a name game, wouldn't you agree?

-Bob

poor_nigel · « **Reply #7 on:** December 07, 2004, 07:29:17 PM »

$11920.00 This is what I got after plugging in the features of this bass into the Quote Generator. Note that there is no option for the five-layered body that bass has, so . . . Always buy the package deal!

However, with the current specials, and the fact that you can probably get at least 30% off from a dealer, I would definitely go for a new one made with the woods I wanted and specs, before I would pay the $6,500+ the seller is now wanting for a used, less than current standards Series II. So I agree with you Bob - Pretty bass, but nope.

valvil · « **Reply #8 on:** December 07, 2004, 09:29:50 PM »

The split core (w/laminate in between) is something some customers do not want, so even if an instrument does not have it, it does not mean it's not a Series II on that basis alone. I passed on mine, but I actually got in in my Signature triple O a few years ago, where it wasn't standard. I liked splitting the mahogany core, but somehow I did not care for the idea of doing it with vermillion.
This month's featured custom, Stanley's new bass, is an example of a Series II wih no split in the core.

Valentino

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** December 08, 2004, 06:50:05 AM »

Thanks Val!

knight · « **Reply #10 on:** December 08, 2004, 11:41:34 PM »

Hello Alembicians,
Can anyone describe the contribution of Vermillion to sound? I've never played a bass with this sort of wood.

Cheers,

knight

lbpesq · « **Reply #11 on:** December 09, 2004, 07:33:31 AM »

Knight:

I'm not a bass player, but this might help. I'm getting vermillion neck lams in my custom Further. According to Susan, the vermillion is a little less dense than the standard purpleheart lams which should result in a warmer tone. As I understand it the more dense woods (PH, Ebony) provide sustain and a sharper tone while the less dense are a little warmer, not as bright.

Bill, the guitar one

bsee · « **Reply #12 on:** December 09, 2004, 08:00:55 AM »

I would mostly agree with that, Bill. I don't know as much about PH, but I believe that ebony is so revered because it provides a very full response. When I think sharp tone, I mostly think maple.

Another comparison that is commonly made is between vermillion and mahogany, as they are both common Alembic body woods. My understanding there is that vermillion is a little heavier, thus more dense, and provides a marginally tighter response.

knight · « **Reply #13 on:** December 09, 2004, 09:13:16 AM »

Well thanks BTGO and bsee, some good information about woods. I do get the impression that with a 5 piece body the contribution of front and back laminates is not the single most important factor, but of course it all adds up. I don't think any alembics have trouble sustaining notes (certainly not the one I have).

knight, the thinking-about-this-one-one...

bsee · « **Reply #14 on:** December 09, 2004, 11:37:29 AM »

Well, back on the topic of this bass...

Truth in advertising seems to have won out. The price has now settled to $5899 starting bid and the list price for the instrument is more accurately reported at $11,250. It is, according to the seller, an upgraded Europa and not an S2. I still think it may have been built as an upgraded S1 based upon the serial number and features, but that's pretty much a wash.

In any case, the price is probably within $1000 of what you would pay to order a brand new bass with the same specs. Not a bad discount if you're looking for this exact bass, but not a bargain either.

Since the price and description have already changed a couple times, stay tuned if you're interested. Who knows what the listing will look like tomorrow!