Original owner question

[gmich]

I bought a series 1 bass with figured maple body, #78-XXX originally owned by the bass player for deep purple. Does this make my alembic more valuable since I am thinking of trading it towards a used series 11? I would appreciate some input--thanks
 
(Message edited by gmich on November 16, 2008)

[hieronymous]

Do you have any paperwork or pictures proving the connection? I would think that would help.
 
Also, which bass player? Roger Glover and Glenn Hughes are the two most well-known, but there was also Nick Simper on the first three albums.  
 
I would worry that since none of them are strongly associated with Alembic, that it might not make too much difference in value. Also, by 1978, Deep Purple had already broken up, so it wouldn't be so strongly associated with DP, unless maybe it was Roger Glover and he used it in Rainbow or on his solo album?
 
Whatever happens, good luck with the sale/trade! Deep Purple is one of my favorite bands and Alembic is one of my favorite basses!

[bsee]

I would guess that it might be a little valuable to a Deep Purple fan, but maybe not any more valuable unless that fan is also looking for a Series I.  There have been basses signed by Stanley Clarke or John Entwistle that haven't sold for significantly more than they would have purely based on their value as a playable Alembic bass.  As such, I wouldn't count on any sort of windfall even if you can provide proof of the connection.  
 
Maybe if this was the bass that recorded Smoke on the Water, it might have greater value as a rock icon, but again, the number of people willing to pay anything extra for it is probably pretty small.
 
Good luck, though!  Post some pics and you'll see what people are willing to pay for it.

[terryc]

Roger Glover at the time 'Machine Head' was recorded which had 'Smoke On The Water' used either Rickenbacker or Fender basses, the album was recorded in 1973 which at that time Alembic were never heard of in the UK. My guess it was much later, maybe after the reform in 1984.
I would think it maybe worth more if the musician was deceased or an absolute icon ie hendrix, jaco etc.