What do you good folks suggest? Help with an E-bay auction

[ajish4]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7325813924&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT
 
HELP PLEASE!  
 
THINKING of bidding on this bass for my husband for Father's Day.  
 
What do you guys suggest? I came to this board two years ago and you guys were GREAT!!!! Your advice was right on!  
 
He has an EPIC that I purchased for him around Christmas about two years ago. He LOVES it, but has been expressing a desire for a 5 string.
 
The neck on his EPIC is the perfect size for his hands. I'm wondering if this 5 string might possibly be too wide? Does anyone know HOW MUCH BIGGER than the EPIC it might run?  
 
ANY advice would be greatly appreciated. Can't afford new, and the local stores here want over 3 thousand for ANY ALEMBIC! I'd appreciate ANY thoughts, pro or con would be a great help.  
 
Also, what do you guys think about the AGRESSIVE ROCKER statement? Do you think the bass would hold up for this kind of play? I can't make out the thumb nail damage too well, would it be very expensive to have repaired, or should I leave well enough alone?
 
Also owned are a Chris Squire Rickenbacker & a Fender Prophecy lll. Both have necks on the thin side and have the kind of sound he likes.  
 
Thanks so much in advance for your help!
Janey

[drjenney]

Janey,
 
I owned this bass until a month or two ago, so I can give you some good insights.
 
I purchased it in the mid 1990s from a shop in Minneapolis, MN. The bass sounds great and is in great shape. It's a huge step up from an Epic, not to mention it is a 5 string. I let it go in order to finance the purchase of a 6 string Essence [now there's a wide neck!]. I held on to the 5 string until I was sure I could make the transition to the 6, which is what I'd recommend to your husband. When he gets comfortable with the 5, then he can sell the Epic 4.
 
As far as the dings, the guy who had it before me was a punk rocker and apparently slapped the bass a lot with his thumb nail. I bought it figuring I'd get it fixed, but it's really hard to see the damage unless it's in just the right light and you're looking for it. I decided it just wasn't worth trying to fix it and botching the job--or take the risk of shipping it to and from Alembic. The flame walnut on the bass is especially nice.
 
So, I say go for it! I know I'd love an upgraded bass for my birthday, even now!  
 
Now, if there was only a way to make sure my wife read this posting?
 
Dr. J

[David Houck]

Janey;
 
This looks like a great bass.  The dings in the front are the only problem.  I'm including a cropped picture to show the area where I think the dings are located.  (Tim, if I'm wrong, please correct me.)  Since Tim knows this bass, I would say to go with what he has said about it.  Again, the only thing I would be concerned about is the cosmetic appearance; and Tim says that the dings are hard to see.  Other than that, I think it's a great bass!  Well, there is one other thing; that's a soft case, so if you win the auction make sure the seller packs it securely!
Tim; is the seller the same person you sold the bass to?

[drjenney]

Dave,
 
Yep, that's them. You can see them clearly in this picture. Of course if you get that close to me while I'm playing you're going to have your nose in my strings!
 
Yes, this is the same lady who bought my bass. In fact, these are the very same photos I sent to her when she inquired about it.
 
A big Amen on Dave's comment about the soft case. Not made for an Alembic, the headstock actually pushes a bit at that end of the case, so the potential for damage from shipping is there. I'd say have the seller wrap it securely in some sort of foam or bubble wrap before putting it in the case. You might even want to offer to pay a bit extra to have her take ot down and let a professional pack it before shipment.
 
Janey, I should add that the set neck is going to have more sustain than your husband's Epic. The fact that it's a 5 string will add even more! Usually, bass players feel that's a good thing.
 
Dr. J

[drjenney]

Oops, Dave is right. The Epic has the set neck [less sustain], the Essence has a neck through [more sustain].
 
Just goes to show I should not try to watch TV, grade final exams and correspond w/ Club members--all at the same time. Hope I didn't grade one of those papers wrong?
 
Dr. J

[ajish4]

Hi Dr. J & Dave,
 
WOW! I can't believe it! Not only am I getting some great advice, I hear from the person who actually OWNED the bass! How cool is that!??!!?!?
 
So much great advice. Thanks so much guys!
 
Time to do some bidding!  
 
Dr. J, as far as your birthday goes.....keep leaving little hints like my husband does! He JUST HAPPENS to leave an open E-bay page open now and then so I JUST HAPPEN TO SEE what's got his fancy!  
 
It just seems that the things that catch his eye get more and more expensive! He just loves to play, even thought he's not a pro by any means.  
Any idea on the neck width? Measurements are listed in the auction, but I have no idea how that relates to the neck on his EPIC.  
 
Wow, sound better than his EPIC! He's blown away about how that bass sounds! I hope it doesn't go too high.  
 
I don't know how to thank you guys. You did it again! Thanks so much!
 
I'll keep checking back!
 
Janey

[richbass939]

Janey, you are way too cool!  Hey everybody, not only did she buy him an Alembic already but she wants to buy him another one.  My wife is cool enough for letting me keep buying basses myself.  Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
Oh yeah, neck widths.  Assuming his Epic and the Essence on e-bay don't have custom necks you could go by the specs on Alembics product list.  Both basses have the same widths for 4- and 5-strings.  The 4 is 1.625 at the nut and 2.360 at the 24th fret.  The 5 is 1.875 at the nut and 2.930 at the 24th.  I have a 4- and a 5-string Epic.  The 5 does seem quite a bit wider, but I have gotten used to it pretty easily.  Unless the hubby's hands barely fit the 4, the 5 shouldn't be a problem.
Did I mention that you are way cool?  Okay, I'll stop now.
Rich

[sfnic]

Let's see.  From the specs:
 
Epic 4 -
 
Scale - 34
Nut - 1.625
String-to-string extrapolation - .48533
24th Fret Width - 2.36
String-to-string extrapolation - .70333
 
 
Essence 5 -  
 
Scale - 34
Nut - 1.875
String-to-string extrapolation - .40625
24th Fret Width - 2.93
String-to-string extrapolation - .67000
 
 
For reference, a Rick 4001C64S -  
 
Scale - 34
Nut - 1.625
String-to-string extrapolation - .48533
24th Fret Width - 2.281
String-to-string extrapolation - .67700
 
 
So, overall, the Essence string spacing at the nut is narrower than the Epic and the same as the Rick; and stays narrower (and closer to the Rick) as you go closer to the body.
 
I'd say that your husband would be comfortable with the Essence 5.  The nut spacing is the same as his Rick, and the fan out is closer to the Rick than the Epic, even though the Epic is narrower.  The extra fan on the Epic will have trained his fingers somewhat for the longer reach, and the Rick-like string-to-string jump will help him learn how to access the B-string fairly quickly.
 
nic

[David Houck]

Janey;
 
The Epic is probably 1 5/8 (1.625) at the nut and a little under 2 3/8 (2.36) at the 24th fret.  The listing says that this Essence is 2 1/8 at the nut, which is wider than the standard Essence 5 string (1.875).  It also says that it's just under 3 at the 24th fret, which does sound like the standard width of an Essence 5 string at that point (2.93).  If his measurements are correct, then the spacing is going to be narrower at the bridge than a standard Essence 5 string.  You may want to get the serial number and post a serial number request in the Alembic Basses & Guitars section, since this bass may have a custom neck configuration.  On the other hand, Tim may already know.
 
The spacing on my Orion, which is also 2.93 at the 24th fret, is about 5/8 string to string.  I don't have a 4 string with the Epic neck dimension in the house at the moment, but you can measure the distance string to string at the 24th fret on your Epic and get a general idea of what you are looking at.  If others in the group notice this thread maybe they can help out.  I'll probably just making it more confusing.

[David Houck]

I like Nic's response!  I'm still a bit concerned about that nut measurement.  Maybe you could ask the seller to measure it again.

[sfnic]

I'm curious about that 2 1/8 nut, as well.  The only basses I've seen with that width are all 6-strings.  Alembic does do 2.00 nuts on 5-strings, specifically the Series basses and the MK and SC Signature 5s.  But every other Alembic 5 is 1.875
 
Also note that my extrapolated string spacing is based on equal centerline-to-centerline distance, rather than equal gap-between-edges.  And I'm allowing 1/8 on each side.  So the actual instruments may well differ.

[ajish4]

Hi Guys,
 
You are all so wonderful! You've made this SO much easier on me! Thanks again!
 
I'm in over my head with this stuff, but you guys make me feel at home! Thanks Dave, DrJ & Sfnic for the advice on the neck. I'll drop the seller a quick line and ask her to double check. Its important due to the size of his hands. He doesn't have long fingers and it would be such a waste to get him a bass he can't play. He has NO problems with the EPIC neck.  
 
Hi to you too Rich! I bet you're cool too!  Actually, hubby is very good to me. He spent his DREAM ALEMBIC savings on a new embroidery machine for me! How could I not want to do something that will make him happy in return? It's ok, I like hearing that I'm COOL. I don't get called that too often!
 
I can't afford the guitar he wants, but we'll try to work up our way to it! I'm not sure which one it is, all I remember is that the guy from ELP played it back in 1977-79. He has his picture with the bass on his screen saver! EVER SINCE seeing this guy when we were back in high school, he has wanted this Alembic. He was SHOCKED when I got him the Epic, I hope I can pull this one off too!
 
He's even played with the idea of selling his Rickenbacker to get that Alembic, but being Chris Squire is his all time favorite bass player, he just can't bring himself to do it. That was the first bass I managed to get him new. I guess that has something to do with it too. He ALMOST gave in when they hit over $4000.00 on E-bay!
 
Oh well, one of these days I'm sure something will turn up.  
 
Even if I don't manage to win the bass on E-bay, I'll check back here and see what is available. I should have thought of that sooner. I guess this would be the place for some great deals! I'll keep you all posted!
 
Thanks again guys for making a non musician feel right at home!
 
Janey

[ajdover]

Janey,
 
   Being the way cool woman you obviously are (uhh, could you talk to my wife about my collection, and why I need more Alembics?), you might want to consider getting a custom Alembic at some point in the future when your pocketbook allows it.  The dream bass you're referring to is Greg Lake's Scorpion (I just got John Entwistle's Bass Culture book, and it has a great shot of that bass in it).  It basically has two claws to it.  To get that today you'd have to have it custom made, just like I would have to have an Entwistle Spyder custom made.
 
Can understand about the Rick - I have two (one is currently in pieces and awaiting a total rebuild; the other is a '76, totally stock).  I grew up listening to Geddy Lee and Squire - I'll never sell my Ricks for that reason alone.  Plus, your hubby has a Chris Squire model - mine are garden variety 70's 4001s.  Can't say I blame him.
 
If he goes with the Essence, I'm sure he'll be happy.  It's a fine instrument, and you really can't go wrong with it, or any other Alembic for that matter.
 
I hope the search for his next Alembic goes well.  And ... please tell my wife I need another Alembic?  She'll believe it coming from a way cool chick, right?  :-)
 
Regards,
 
Alan

[ajish4]

Thanks for the neat reply Alan,
 
AH ha! A Scorpion! I'll save that for future reference! THANK YOU! All I need now is a winning lottery ticket!
 
Wish I could return the help with the wife. Though, it sounds like you have things well in control with those Rickenbacker basses around the house.  
 
I'd love to be able to order a custom bass one of these days but the cost is just WAY too high! I love my husband, but I can only be so cool as you put it, with this bass guitar thing!
I have two kids that will be in college in a few years, priorities you know! For now, Tony (hubby) will have to just make due with a used Alembic!  I don't THINK he would complain!  
 
I have to tell you all, I'm going CRAZY watching all these Alembic basses! Another stunning ESSENCE was listed and I contacted the seller too, JUST IN CASE! These things almost look like furniture! What beautiful wood!
 
I don't know what the reserve is set for on my first choice, but the second ESSENCE doesn't have a reserve set which makes the bidding a little easier, at least I know I COULD win the one without the reserve. I hate fishing around for the reserve!  
 
The serial number on the new listing is 96k10185.  
 
I'm just a bit worried with buying such an expensive item on E-bay. I'm a regular seller and have almost 870 positive feedbacks with no negatives. Both sellers have great feedback but under 15 transactions. I guess I'm just getting a bit paranoid. I wish they were just a BUY IT NOW and I'd have nabbed one!  
 
Every time I log on to check the status, I have to make sure hubby isn't lurking around. I feel like I'm in a spy movie, and I'm looking for the secret plans someone?s desk, just narrowly avoiding being caught! Boy, the sweaty palms! Thank GOD he doesn't go on E-bay TOO often! He'd see all my watching buttons on the screen!
 
I've also been in touch with a few other people who are selling EPIC 5 strings. I need to have a backup plan JUST IN CASE the ESSENCE basses go too high.  
 
I'll make sure I let the board know what the final outcome is.  
 
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN for all the help.
Janey

[David Houck]

Janey; I'm guessing you were the high bidder.