Author Topic: California Special from eBay (Read 85 times)

jaberman · « **on:** December 10, 2007, 02:40:29 PM »

From what I can tell, pricing is not the usual topic in these forums, but I found a used Alembic California Special (late 80's) and I've never gotten into this area of wonderful instrumentation before. Yes, I'm an old Deadhead, yes, I've seen pictures, but I never thought I'd actually buy one. But now I'm very tempted. I've been saving for something, this might be it. This California Special seems to have been bought on eBay last March. I'm thinking of getting it and having it outfitted with the buffer amp and effects loop by Alembic (got the price quote in case I get it). It seems nice, if a bit old. Pictures are posted elsewhere on the Alembic site, at http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/37359.html?1173698357.
What would be a reasonable price?
Happy Holidays, everyone.
jb

rami · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2007, 02:53:53 PM »

What about the crack in the headstock that's mentioned in the thread? I think you should have that addressed before buying it. Something like that, no matter how minor, will affect its value dramatically.
It's a beautiful guitar otherwise.

Good luck,

Rami

(Message edited by rami on December 10, 2007)

jaberman · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2007, 08:12:15 AM »

Thanks, Rami,
The crack was looked at by a luthier/repair person in Chicago named Geoff Benge. He opined that it had settled, and wasn't a problem, but he shot some glue into it anyway. He's got a good reputation, so I imagine this is not a structural problem. While you're here, what's your favorite Alembic bit of information/fluff/nonsense/fun? The information I have on this is that it's an 88, somewhere in the Alembic spectrum between a Darling and a Spectrum, making retail something like $6-7K, were one to be built now. I don't see a lot of them used, so I don't have a good idea of what it's worth. Your opinion?

jb

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2007, 08:40:20 AM »

Hi Joel; welcome to the board!

There is more information on this guitar here.

Note in that thread that the previous owner mentioned a pickup problem. You'll want to make sure that's been addressed.

California Specials don't trade very often, so it's difficult to estimate the current market value of the guitar you're looking at. The red sunburst on Quilted Maple on this one looks very nice in the pictures. My guess on a market value would be $1,500 to 1,800 if the crack is not an issue (cosmetically or structurally) and if it's in good condition. But again, that's just a guess, and it's based on my vague recollections of what I've seen them trade for over the past several years. And it depends on how many people are looking for that particular guitar at any point in time. The thing is that there are not a lot of California Specials on the market. So if you really want a California Special, then the fact that they don't come up for sale all that often is a consideration. Others here follow the guitars on Ebay and elsewhere closer than I do, and if they happen to read this thread, they may offer some better insights on the market for these guitars than I have.

lbpesq · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2007, 10:46:59 AM »

Welcome to the club, Joel. As a guitar slinger (we are a definite minority around here), a collector, and a frequent visitor to ebay, I agree with Dave's assessment. While it is difficult to put a price on a Cali Special for the reasons Dave mentions, you can put things in perspective by comparing it to a Series instrument. A new Series I guitar currently carries a factory price of $12,900. You can knock about 20-25% off of that if you go through a dealer. A used Series I guitar (they don't come up that often, but more often than Cali Specials - perhaps 4-5 times a year on ebay) brings about $2500-$3000. Orions and Skylarks come up more often and usually go in the $1500-$2000 range. You'll also see an Electrum every once in a while, also in this range or slightly higher. If the California Special is the guitar of your dreams, then you may want to seriously consider this one. If you are open to other Alembics, you may want to wait. In the words of another member, Paul, the bad one, there will always be another. I hope this helps.

Bill, the guitar one

jaberman · « **Reply #5 on:** December 21, 2007, 09:55:57 AM »

Thanks, Dave and Bill. I decided to go ahead with this one. It's had some work, and I am hoping it's all in good shape. We'll see. Your comments were helpful. If it looks like the pix and plays like an Alembic, it should be ok. No sooner did I pay for it, however than a Phiga Tiger T2 came up on eBay, which is the budget (ha!) way to get a Jerry guitar. I guess I'll have to wait on that, as I'd also like to get one of those, some day. Thanks for the kind welcomes. Be well, and Happy Holidays to all.

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** December 21, 2007, 12:03:31 PM »

Joel:

Congrats on you new Alembic. I think you're going to be very happy with it. If you're interested in a Phiga, I have a Phiga Casta (#4) that I would sell for less than 1/2 of the current bid on the Jerry guitar. It has a big beefy baseball bat neck and I prefer thin necks. Let me know if you're interested.

Bill, tgo