ARE ALEMBICS TOO EXPENSIVE??

[3rd_ray]

I agree with just about everything everyone has written so far, but I also have something to add from a slightly different angle. For me, tradition and history also adds value. I've wanted an Alembic since I first saw John Paul Jones playing one (or did I see John Entwistle first?) in the 70's. Then there are all the other Alembic players from back then like Tiran Porter, Greg Lake and of course Stanley Clarke. When you buy an Alembic, you buy into that history, and that's cool.  
 
My next Alembic will probably be an SC standard, but I'd buy an S2 if I could. I'd drive a Ferrari if I could too.  
 
One other thing I like about Alembic is that they'll make my bass exactly the way I want (within reason I'm sure), not all high-end bass makers will do that.  
 
Mike

[ajdover]

You realize, Bill, that if you have a  
'61 Strat that you paid only $125 or so for, we all hate you, right?  ;-)
 
I paid $650 in 1996 for my autumnglo Rick 4001.  Today it's worth twice that.  Go figure!
 
Alan

[richbass939]

I realized long ago that there are some things I can go relatively cheap on and still be happy with my purchase.  There are other things where that doesn't work for me.
Just an example to illustrate my point:
Let's say I spend $7300 for an Alembic that I will enjoy for 20 years.  I could have given $1000 for a bass that I don't enjoy nearly as much.  Each day of the 20 years, the Alembic costs me $1.  The cheaper bass would cost me approximately $0.14 per day.  Every day, I play the $1000 bass knowing that I could've had the best, but I settled for less than I wanted.  Knowing that I saved $0.86 today doesn't make me feel any better about my purchase.
If some people are perfectly happy with less expensive instruments and can't stomach paying for Alembics, then Alembics are not for them.  Obviously, there are a lot of people who feel otherwise.  
There are some things in my life where I go the cheap route and am reasonably happy with what I buy.  After all these years playing music, playing an instrument that I'm not happy with isn't worth it.  
Rich

[terryc]

richbass..that is the mentality I go by, a friend of mine wanted to buy a genuine National Resonator guitar but he said he couldn't justify the cost until I explained those exact words.
If he kept it forever and passed it onto his son or daughter it is value for money unlike cars which depreciate the moment they leave the showroom.
I have had my Alembic for 10 years now and although it was a bargain($1800 from Rudy's Music Stop in NY) it has paid for itself many time times over with all the gigs I have played using it plus the absolute of enjoyment of owning it.
Alembics are expensive but would you buy any other bass(except another Alembic) once you have one

[dannobasso]

Its about personal taste for me. After hearing RTF Romantic Warrior, I was hooked by the sound and SC's technique. Acquiring them becomes habit mixed with a bit of  obsession. I just ordered another custom and I always say OK I'm done. Then an idea, desire and musical need haunts me and I make the call. I get a lot of flak about my equipment from some guys and support from others but I keep playing what I want to play. I may be selling off some of the ones that were not made for me but that remains to be seen. All that being said, I can't afford a Series 1 or 2 at this stage of the game. But I hope to someday. The Alembic family have always worked with me in a way that no other company or service provider ever has. Personal, friendly, accommodating, trusting and caring don't completely describe the relationship. To me Alembics cost what they cost for a reason and I don't object to the price when I can have what I need and want. I always look at other makes but can't seem to justify buying some of them even when the price is about the same or lower than Alembic. It would seem there is a magic number for quality that I am in tune with when it comes to the Wickersham family. In closing, they are a lot cheaper than a wife and kids with pets. But thats a whole nuther argument.

[terryc]

danno - I second your closing statement wholeheartdly!!!

[white_cloud]

Really enjoyable discussion folks - some really great posts
 
I think I agree with just about all that has been said - any item is only ever worth the sum another is prepared to pay for it at the end of the day!
 
Plenty of members right here wouldnt pay for anything less than an Alembic!
 
John.

[hydrargyrum]

From an economic price/demand viewpoint, obviously they are not overpriced, or Alembic would close it's doors.  However, I am willing to say that Alembics are indeed expensive from the perspective of the average musician.  One must differentiate between cost and value though.  When one considers the value of these instruments (playability, dependability, beauty, and resale value), the cost seems more justified.  
 
One thing I have never been able to quite rationalize though is the price schedule for some of the upgrades.  For instance, upgrading to an Ebony neck laminate is quite expensive.  However, I know of other boutique builders where this is available at no cost.  This makes me inclined to believe that the reason for the upcharge is probably not due to materials costs or labor (but I have never made a guitar, so what do I know? ). I have to think that there are other forces at work in Alembic's business model which would explain these factors.  This is of course, just speculation.
 
Ultimately, I think what really makes Alembic unique is that they personally make almost everything on their instruments.  How many other boutique builders make their own hardware and pickups?  I am guessing very few.

[glocke]

No..not when you consider the time, effort, and thought that has gone into these, and the fact that each one is unique and a work of art.   Plus, they are made in the good 'ol U.S.A.  
 
 
Im just glad Im fortunate enough to be able to own two (I never thought Id be able to own one, much less two), and hopefully within two years maybe even my own personal custom.
 
Also, Alembic is one of the few companies I know where even their less expensive models exhibit the same craftsmanship as the more expensive models.

[crobbins]

You get what you pay for..

[grateful]

If one considers the price Fender and Gibson charge for some custom shop bog standard instruments, one can only conclude Alembics are a real bargain.

[jacko]

1. No, Alembics aren't expensive - they're handmade instruments custom built to our wishes, plus, every other bass player or guitarist in the land will be jealous of you even if they thnk you're playing a spector (it's happened to me) ;-)
 
2. Yes, Alembics are too expensive. I really want a 5 string series 2 dragonwing in Buckeye burl with a dragon inlay but there's no way I could justify spending another ?17000 on a musical instrument to senior management even if I had access to that sort of money. Going back to Danno's point, if I was single with no kids then the order would be with Susan right now ;-)
 
Graeme

[funkyjazzjunky]

Alembics may not be easily affordable, but like a Rolex, a Ferrari, or a hand tailored suit; the best is costly.

[jacko]

In that case, my wife must be the best.
 
Graeme ;-)

[white_cloud]

Graeme - perhaps you could trade one of your kids against the Dragonwing? just a thought!
 
John.