Author Topic: Used Alembic Six-String Guitar Wanted (Read 742 times)

scott · « **on:** September 15, 2004, 11:47:59 AM »

Has anyone come across any used Alembic Series 1 or 2 six-string guitars for sale (or any other used Alembic six-string models for that matter)? Thanks in advance for any help, comments, or suggestions.

hollis · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2004, 12:40:00 PM »

Every once in a while an Alembic guitar will find its way to these boards. I think the last one was Glocke's Skylark... http://club.alembic.com/Images/395/10300.html?1088343419

I don't know if it's still available...

For some reason (one that I know well), people just don't sell their Alembic guitars very often.

Hope that helps. Good luck in your search.

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2004, 01:21:19 PM »

There seems to be a lovely Skylark on ebay right now also. I just bought a house or I would likely try to go for it. Good luck hunting.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=3748496187&rd=1

bsee · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2004, 01:57:00 PM »

I was looking at that one too, though I would prefer the shorter scale.

kmh364 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2004, 05:40:27 PM »

It didn't sell. The high bid was $1380 and it didn't meet reserve.

bsee · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2004, 05:47:58 PM »

And the winning bidder made another higher bid than that trying to reach reserve. Could have been $1400, could have even been $1500 that didn't make reserve.

If you're interested, I'd contact him and see if he'll talk/deal.

-Bob

kmh364 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2004, 06:08:15 AM »

Don't get me wrong: it's a nice guitar...I just don't think it's worth that kind of money. I offered Steve's Music in Canada $1500 for that NEW Skylark he had on ebay of months until someone else on this site bought it @ approx $1800. Personally, I would have gone $1200 or so TOPS, but that's just 'ole cheapskate me. This is a used Y2K guitar with the old body style (no rear tummy cut)...nice condition, nice natural figured top, and brass plates, but otherwise nothing particularly special.

hollis · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2004, 03:36:58 PM »

Well,

This seems to be my day for controversy. I guess I?ve let statements to the effect that a pristine Skylark is not worth more than $1200.00 go by with no response one too many times. So, with that in mind, here I go:

I feel that anyone who thinks that the Skylark?s value should in any way be less than (or even in the same ball park as) Gibson?s or PRS has not spent enough time with a Skylark in their hands.

I?ve said this before, however, here goes again: I own a Gibson Les Paul (an old one, built when they gave a damn), a 1990 PRS, a Heritage H-575 custom, a Travis Bean Artist, Martins, Yari?s, Guilds, and Taylors. Hand built guitars all. And yet, none of these instruments are even in the same league as my Alembic Skylark. The idea that this instrument is worth less than any of these is quite frankly, laughable. And, if I could get the tears out of my eyes from the laughter, it?d be more than a little insulting.

Hey, I?m all for saving a buck whenever possible, but please. If somebody is fortunate to come across the right set of circumstances, by all means, recognize your good fortune, and buy it! However, value is a subjective commodity at best. I just find it interesting that there seems to be so much talk about what the lowest price is. Value is in the eye of the beholder. Not everyone is out for the almighty buck at the sake of all else. Personally, I don?t think anyone could buy my Skylark for any price. I love this instrument.

I hope I haven?t stepped too hard on anyone?s toes, however mine are feeling a little less pained. It?s just my opinion however unpopular that may be.

bob · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2004, 11:43:10 PM »

Well said, Hollis.

I can think of at least a couple of times where someone here (doesn't matter who) has said something to the effect, the money doesn't really matter that much, I just have to get the best possible deal, that's just how I am.

Fine, I can accept that, we all have our own priorities. But if you want to talk about what the instrument is worth - rather than what you would be willing to pay - I think you have to put some of those other issues aside.

If I were in the market for a guitar, $1200 for this one would be a steal (though I'd have to replace those gold knobs...)
-Bob

palembic · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2004, 11:56:07 PM »

Brother Hollis,

it IS good to hear someone saying these nice things about Alembic normal guitars - you know ...the wooden things with six thin strings on it , normally we use thicker strings HA. Over here I don't know 1 guitarplayer with an Alembic. I heard comments by musicians on nearly ALL guitars and got a lot of them in my hands personally but not ONE comment about Alembic. I really can't figure out how they sound.
Please ...I don't want to question your point. It is just ....I have absolutely NO auditive reference point.

Paul the bad one

kmh364 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 21, 2004, 03:56:58 AM »

Sorry I got you upset, Hollis. I'm sure you're correct about the quality and perceived value of an Alembic over just about anything else. That's a given here on this site anyway. Market value, however, is a different story. While there's nothing wrong with someone paying a premium for premium goods, I just don't happen to be one of them. I'm simply not willing to pay more than what the market dictates. Actually, I'm usually looking to pay less, LOL!. I really don't need anything that bad, nor is my wallet big enough to indulge my wants even if I did.

Obviously, worth is a subjective term, and my unfortunate usage of said term ruffled some feathers. For that I apologize. It was not my intention to hurt anyone's feelings or demean their purchase or property in anyway. I am just a cheap b*****d that is only willing to pay what I'm willing to pay. This is certainly a free country, so anyone is free to spend their money anyway they wish. I was just expressing my own personal opinion.

Cheers,

Ke(vi)n

(Message edited by kmh364 on September 21, 2004)

hollis · « **Reply #11 on:** September 21, 2004, 12:02:23 PM »

Hey Kevin,

Thanks for being good hearted about my ranting...
It's just a subject that's very dear to me, and sometimes my passion gets the best of me.

No harm no foul.... One of the things I love about this group is the variety of opinions.

Hey Paul(TBO),
The response (auditory) of an Alembic guitar is every bit as amazing as the response of their basses. The only thing more beautiful than they look is how wonderful they sound.

I don't pretend to be a bassist, but I do now (fortunately)know how amazing Alembic basses feel, and sound in person...... One day I may learn the bassist's groove. I'm sure that my Alembic bass will help me toward that end (if anything can!).

I do consider myself a guitarist with at least some small understanding of the fretboard and technique required to express myself musically (If I didn't, I guess I would've just wasted the past 41 years LOL!). And what I do know is that I consider getting my Alembic guitar a milestone for my playing abilities. It's responsive and intuitive nature has opened up fresh avenues within whatever small skills I may have brought to the table. Bluntly, this instrument has made a better guitarist out of me, and for that, as well as many other facets of the Alembic experience, I am very grateful.

I'm sure that as a bassist, you may have experienced something similar with your first Alembic bass? True?

Anyhow, if you have any questions about Alembic guitars, please feel free to ask. My experience is limited, but I'm sure our other brothers and sisters of the higher frequencies will be happy to fill in the blanks...

(Message edited by hollis on September 21, 2004)

kenbass4 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 21, 2004, 12:32:34 PM »

Hollis, Kevin, Paul, et al.

I think it all boils down to what are you willing to pay for it and what's it worth to you I ordered a custom Rogue about a year ago. I could have gotten one MUCH cheaper on E-bay. Why did I pay considerably more for the custom? Because there is no other bass like it in the world, and I had a hand in creating it. That to me makes it priceless. I won't be able to sell the bass for half of what I payed for it, I'm sure, but to me it doesn't matter. I did not pay full retail for it, because I went through an alembic dealer, so I was at least somewhat financially savvy. When you buy a custom, it's exactly that...You make the decisions about YOUR instrument. If an Alembic on e-bay has something about it that speaks to you, pay what you're willing to for it. But keep in mind that as the e-bay price increases, it may be worth spending a little more to get exactly what you want with a custom.

Just my 2.5 cents...

Ken (TEO)

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #13 on:** September 21, 2004, 02:51:42 PM »

I was the winning bidder on this item, and I have to admit that I was a little ashamed of the amount I bid on this item after reading some of the posts here. I would like to point out though that the price quote I received from Bass Northwest was a great deal higher than that mentioned in a previous post in this thread for a new Skylark. Taking into account production and delivery time is another concern (I can be very impatient). On the whole I don't feel that a mint quality Alembic really depreciates all that much either. Ultimately I would still be happy to purchase the guitar (yes, I realize I said in an earlier post that I could not afford it due to a home purchase, but the wood grain mesmerized me). If I should happen to work out a similar deal, my Orion Baritone will unfortunately have to be sold to compensate, and I will be sure to make an offer on the club first.

kmh364 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 21, 2004, 04:03:17 PM »

Just for sh*ts and giggles, did J Hale Music renew the auction or offer a second chance auction to the high bidder(s)? As per the above link, it appears to be dead in the water. Anybody have any info?

I did email them during the bidding to ask a few questions about the thing, but they never responded.