Author Topic: Nice Orion four on eBay (Read 333 times)

bsee · « **on:** November 02, 2004, 10:29:05 PM »

Just a heads up in case anyone is looking.

Serial number is 00 OW 12488, and I can't quite identify the top wood. The bass is reported as new, though it must be a bit shop worn to be represented as 9.5/10.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3758641472&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

mica · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2004, 11:55:52 AM »

Checked out the file on this bass:

top: Canarywood
pinstripe: Purpleheart
body: Mahogany
neck: Maple with Walnut pinstripes
fingerboard: Ebony
finish: High gloss polyester
pickups: MXY
controls: vol, pan, bass, treble
birthday: December 6, 2000
originally sold to: Uncle Bob's Music
There wasn't any indication that the bass was custom built for a specific person, but the finish is not typical for an Orion in 2000. Mom remembers this as a stock bass.

The bass was registered in 2004 as a used piece, so even if the original warranty papers are intact, it can't be registered as new.

Canarywood is a tawny color with rosey streaking, it's really unusual.

bsee · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2004, 12:00:30 PM »

Yeah, it looked pretty in the photo and I couldn't place it. The best I could say was that it looked like an off-color vermillion or a low-contrast tulipwood. Price looks very reasonable, so I hope it will find a good home!

mica · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2004, 12:27:04 PM »

It tricked me too - I thought is was a plain piece of Koa at first, but then I was sure that I wasn't sure, so I had to grab the file and fiind out.

basstard · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2004, 01:44:43 PM »

A pretty unusual thing (for an Alembic) is that it doesn't have a back laminate on the headstock.

mica · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2004, 01:53:07 PM »

Not usual for an Orion, Excel or Epic bass - it's standard issue.

seberl · « **Reply #6 on:** November 03, 2004, 07:56:30 PM »

I'm seriously considering this bass, only reservation I have is that this would be the first time I would buy a bass without first playing it. I play Blues, Rock (jamband) and like to play accoustic as well. Does the Orion sound good for a warm sound?
Could you please give an alembic newbie some advice??
thanks

neyman · « **Reply #7 on:** November 03, 2004, 08:36:07 PM »

I use my Orion 5 string for RnB/Blues and I can get everything from a warm, thick P bass sound to a bright funky slap. I don't think you can go wrong. I love my Orion!

the_mule · « **Reply #8 on:** November 04, 2004, 06:44:46 AM »

Not trying to step on anyone's toes here, but I think the Orion is the most natural and warm sounding Alembic around (besides the Epic for obvious reasons). For the signature Alembic sound you'll need a low-pass filter and q-switch, and the Orion doesn't offer unlimited tone tweaking (exactly the reasons why I'll keep my EVH as a life long companion to my Orion) but the Orion will always have a special place in my heart...

[insert lyrics to Jethro Tull's 'Orion' HERE]

Wilfred
(wannabe chairman of the International Orion Appreciation Society)

geddy · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2004, 02:32:50 PM »

mule, the more alembics I hear the more I'm starting to appreciate the warmth and mid range of the set neck. In fact, outside of a neck through with ebony neck lams, I think the set necks sound better, or at least better to me.

seberl · « **Reply #10 on:** November 04, 2004, 06:03:22 PM »

Thanks for the feedback regarding the sound...
One more question: Should I be concerned that this bass has been sitting in the store in Wisconsin for almost 4 years? On the e-bay listing it shows Muskego, Wisconsin as item's location. Sounds to me like that if this was sold to Uncle Bob's Music it is still there. I didn't get a response on my first question regarding the bass from the seller so I tried again. Let's see what happens...

the_mule · « **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2004, 12:32:19 AM »

Sebastian, it depends. The pictures aren't very clear, so you might want to ask for detailed pictures. I bought my first Alembic, a beautiful N.O.S. 1999 Orion (only) last January (time flies when you're having fun!). The bass had had enough admirers playing on it carefully, but not everyone liked the look of the grafted walnut top. I only want to say that the fact that it has been hanging in a shop for quite some time doesn't mean that there's something wrong with the bass. But do note Mica's remark in the second post of this thread about it being registered as 'used' in 2004. Your assumption that is has been sold to Uncle Bob's and that it's been hanging there since then doesn't seem to be entirely correct...

Good luck,
Wilfred

bsee · « **Reply #12 on:** November 05, 2004, 09:42:22 AM »

It would be really simple to call Uncle Bob's and verify the status if you were interested in this bass. If the dealer really never sold it and is in good standing, they should be able to straighten out the new/used thing with Alembic.

From the Alembic dealer listing:

Uncle Bob's Music
10220 W Greenfield
W Allis, WI 53214
(414) 453 2700 phone
(414) 453 2029 fax

By the way, they really want a sale. The price is down to $1100 and still waiting for a bid. If the seller is trustworthy, that's a good price new or used. The only question is, if the seller is misleading us about the bass being new, do you trust the rest of what is being said?

If I were interested in this bass, I'd make the call.

seberl · « **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2004, 11:18:28 AM »

Thanks again for all your suggestions. I did call Uncle Bob's, spoke to a guy named Tyler and here's the story:
Somone did buy the bass but brought it back after 4 month and traded up to a 5 string, hence the used/like new status. They also told me that they would give me a store warranty on it just to make sure, however according to Tyler the bass is in perfect condition.
Now I just gotta remember: if you get confused, listen to the music play...

bsee · « **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2004, 04:06:19 PM »

Well, you've got two options now if you want the bass.

Option one: Bid for it and hope you don't get outbid. Even though the price is down to $1100 to start and there have been no other bids, that doesn't mean someone won't drop in a bid for $1500 at the last second. If you do this, bid what you're willing to pay, don't bid $1100 and expect to win.

Option two: Call Uncle Bob's again and see if you can make a deal before the auction ends. They lowered the price three times, so they want to sell. You might get a decent price, though maybe not the $1100 starting bid, but still a nice low-risk and reasonable price. Better do this before anyone bids if you're going to!

Whatever you do is a gamble. Maybe they'll sell it to you for $1200 outright, and you could have had it via auction for $1100. On the other hand, you could lose out or be forced to pay $1500 if someone else wants it. If you cat, you may never know what would have happened. This is so much fun!!!