Author Topic: Used Alembic Six-String Guitar Wanted (Read 730 times)

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #15 on:** September 21, 2004, 04:12:08 PM »

As far as I know there is no second chance auction, and from scanning e-bay, it hasn't shown up again yet. I believe J Hale may be selling it privately now, but I am not sure of that either. (Wow what a useless post!)

kmh364 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 21, 2004, 05:31:14 PM »

Kevin (hydrargyrum):

Well, you still have a chance...Jeff Hale is selling the guitar on consignment for a private owner. The RESERVE price was $2095 D'UOH!!! The owner is mulling over an offer for $1950 currently. Jeff asked me if I had any interest...at that price, uh, um, eh, NOOOO! LOL!

kmh364 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 21, 2004, 05:38:54 PM »

And remember: that NEW Skylark from Steve's went for $1800 w/OHSC! And that was a nice wineburst like Hollis's! And it took three or four auctions to get that buy now bait to catch a fish.

I'm betting that at the old MSRP, that guitar didn't cost much more than what he's asking when it was new in Y2K (after discount).

At that price, I'm with Kenbass4: Order a new one just like it from Superbass at a steep discount and call it a day.

hollis · « **Reply #18 on:** September 21, 2004, 05:57:13 PM »

I understand your points, valid all.

My point is simply this; That guitar(IMHO)is worth every penny that is being asked for it. If I were in the market, I'd feel just fine spending that for it. To each his own.

kmh364 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 22, 2004, 06:41:18 AM »

I'm sure it will be worth every penny to the guy who buys it. Good on ya , mate...whoever you are.

BTW, Jeff Hale intimated to me that he thought the asking price was high enough that it encroached on the price neighborhood of a new one and, as a result, he recommended to the seller to take the offer.

mooch · « **Reply #20 on:** September 22, 2004, 08:15:35 AM »

I was just catching up with this discussion. First off I have to bolster what hollis wrote regarding Alembic 6 string guitars. I currently have 3 electrums and a skylark. Each is a beutiful piece of work with its own sound. My maple electrum unplugged sounds like a fine acoustic. My 2 rosewoods one has single coils one has doubles..together they are capable of every type of sound you would want. I do prefer, out of comfort and neck, the neck-thru electrums over my skylark. With that said I look at the going prices of these PRS's and gibsons and I can understand why a Skylark owner would be looking for at least $1800 to $2000. They are so much more versatile than the aforementioned. Anyone who plays guitar and has a chance to play a Skylark would have to agree. The fact that some skylarks have hung around on ebay etc does not tell me its market value...it tells me that most people out there don't know what they're looking for. Maybe it's just a name that they're after

zappahead · « **Reply #21 on:** September 22, 2004, 08:36:14 AM »

If a guitar cant be sold for X amount of dollars then that is indicitive of its market value. Market value does not = quality of craftsmanship of course, but what people are willing to pay for something is exactly what market value is.

If you know you can get something cheaper or you know you can something brand new or better for slightly more then the prudent thing to do IMO is to wait and be patient.

Is a good to great condition Skylark worth 2000 compared to a PRS, Gibson or Fender? Of course it is. But, the market is what it is. We saw a brand new one sell for less that was newer and IMO a better model. Personally I would wait, although I wouldn't begrudge a person for buying this Skylark, they wouldn't regret it as far as quality for the money goes.

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #22 on:** September 22, 2004, 03:03:12 PM »

Well, I can add a new element to this discussion as I am arranging at this very moment to buy the very guitar of interest for the price mentioned. I decided that with all factors considered (wait time, my budget constraints,etc), that the value was comparable to the asking price. I am sure the guitar will give me hours of rapture, and from that perspective haggling over a few hundred dollars for an undeniably amazing instrument just isn't worth my time. Ultimately I think we can all agree that we each benefit from the lasting value of our instruments.
(A cynic is a person who knows the cost of everything, and the value of nothing)

Just kidding all ;-)

kenbass4 · « **Reply #23 on:** September 22, 2004, 03:22:06 PM »

Kevin,

Have fun with your new (to you) Skylark! And welcome to a long and healthy addiction as well. (Trust me on this one. You'll play one of your other guitars and just feel...disappointed.) My point was as you stated...it's worth it TO YOU to get it now and enjoy it now. I had to wait 4 months for mine (which, BTW, isn't long for a custom)

Ken(TEO)

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #24 on:** September 22, 2004, 04:17:31 PM »

Ken,

Thanks so much. My addiction began however with the Orion Baritone I had previously purchased, so I am not unaccustomed to the high. I will unfortunately be forced to sell the baritone to finance this purchase, and details will be forthcoming on the club. If anyone is interested they should check out the pictures in the showcase section under the the title Orion Baritone. Thanks all.

kmh364 · « **Reply #25 on:** September 23, 2004, 06:39:33 AM »

Congratulations on your purchase, Kevin. Play it in good health. Take some extra pix of it and post 'em on the site.

Ouch! That barb about the cynic really hurt. Touche'!

Cheers,

Kevin

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #26 on:** September 23, 2004, 07:15:08 AM »

Thanks for the well wishes. I'll make sure to share my joy with everyone in the showcase. BTW hope the cynic remark didn't sting too bad, it was meant in the most lighthearted manner.

hollis · « **Reply #27 on:** September 27, 2004, 03:22:05 PM »

Congrats on the Skylark. I know how much you love that Orion baritone of yours.... If I hadn't just bought a Persuader, and an F1X, and an Ampeg PR2X12H..... We'd be talking shipping arrangements right this minute!

Enjoy the Skylark (I know you will... it's a beauty!)

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #28 on:** September 27, 2004, 06:07:57 PM »

Hollis,

Sounds like you are running out of hands! I know I am going to regret selling that baritone in the long term, but I couldn't resist the mesmerizing wood grain in the Skylark. Besides, I just had to experience that Alembic magic in the scale I was most accustomed to. I am waiting as patiently as possible, but am pretty impatient to caress that signal with some sweet tube loveliness. I will try and capture every square inch of its beauty for the showcase when it arrives. If I ever hit the lottery (which will be hard since I don't play the lottery), I am going to order a set of Alembics: Bass, Baritone, Guitar, and Octave Guitar each designed to compliment the others sonically and aesthetically. Of course I am still waiting to order a custom built from the woods my grandfather and I chose as well. Too little money, too many ideas, and such beautiful instruments to tempt me.

Kevin

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #29 on:** September 29, 2004, 11:36:31 AM »

It arrived!

It is absolutely dead mint too. I kind of wonder if the people who bought it ever even played it. In addition, it is only two years old, not four, as listed in the auction. I will post showcase photos soon (probably this weekend).