Author Topic: Alembic and the separation from GC (Read 553 times)

jetbass79 · « **on:** September 13, 2005, 10:01:23 PM »

I used to work for Guitar Center, but only recently, when the appearence of boutique basses became non-existent. But I remember 10 years ago when you could walk into a small GC and they would have many Epic basses at the very least, and the larger ones would have the fancier more expensive Alembic basses.

So if there is a thread which explains this separation, I would like to know where it is because I am curious, or if the story has never been told, I would like to know it. It's more for historical purposes than anything else...

I will say given Guitar Center's rapid expansion business model, it's good that Alembic does not cater to this because there would be no way to keep such high standards of integrity for a product of Alembic's calibre.

88persuader · « **Reply #1 on:** September 13, 2005, 10:49:19 PM »

Speaking of integrity ... I have to add this. 1st I'm an Alembic player and lover HOWEVER several years ago I went to the Guitar Center in Danvers MA just before Christmas looking for a more high end bass. They had taken delivery of several 4 and 5 string Epics. I at the time had never tried an Alembic, all i knew was Stanley clark played them. When I went to take one off the wall a salesman who knew me ran up to me and told me to be careful because the frets were so sharp he was afraid I'd get cut. Well he wasn't kidding, the necks had shrunk and the frets were sticking out of the sides and were very sharp. Honestly i was blown away that a guitar store would allow an instrument to be put on the wall in that condition, especially considering they were some of the most expensive basses in the store. I ended up buying a Musicman Stearling and being totally disillusioned at Alembic. Years later I discovered a choice used Persuader at the very same GC and became a hard core Alembic lover. My point thought is if a music store expects top dollar for an instrument they need to set it up properly. When i mentioned the frets to the store salesman his response was If you buy it we'll get it worked on. My feeling was I'm spending almost 2 grand for a NEW 4 string bass and it has to be repaired before i take it home? You have to be kidding! Sooooooooo if that's how the GC represents Alembic basses I for one am glad they don't deal Alembics anymore ... they'll give them a bad name!

hb3 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2005, 10:18:07 AM »

They don't set up the basses before they stick them on the wall...I don't think I've ever played a playable bass off the rack at guitar center.

as far as alembic and guitar center, I once asked long li about this at the la bass exchange -- before they went out of business -- and he told me his version of what happened, which as I recall was pretty salacious, but frankly I can't really remember what it was now. I've posted here asking about it...no one seems to want to talk about it.

rockbassist · « **Reply #3 on:** September 14, 2005, 11:07:07 AM »

The condition of basses off the shelf really depends on the store. I deal exclusively with Guitar Center in North Attleboro, MA (despite the fact that they are 1 hour from my house)and have always had good luck. However, there is only one salesman that I will deal with. Any instrument will need some adjusting after purchase based on the player's individual style and preferences. Also, the fact that settings change during shipping and handling. I recently bought a used Epic at the GC that I mentioned. All I had to do to it was set the intonation and adjust the action. I liked the bass so much that I bought another one from a private party and had to make similar adjustments. I have been told by several people who own music stores that the reason most do not carry high end gear is because they can sell more of the low to moderately priced and make more profit.

bassjigga · « **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2005, 11:32:33 AM »

It's true that any instrument will probably require some adjustment depending on the player's tastes. But the GC where I live has the action on their basses so high they're not even playable. I want to say it's over 1/4 which is ridiculous. It's not that hard to take an allen wrench to the bridge and at least make it reasonable.

jetbass79 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 14, 2005, 04:04:08 PM »

The fret end issue has more to do with temperature and humidity conditions than it does with the store that is selling the instrument. The problem is when these conditions do arise someone has to fix them and sometimes that means putting extra money into the piece because of the labor required to fix it. Then there's a competent person required to fix it and that can be a problem, too. There are lots of luthiers out there but a lot of them are hacks at best. So it can be a real quandry...

pace · « **Reply #6 on:** September 14, 2005, 04:36:15 PM »

I think it comes down to the whole quality / quanity debacle and I admire the folks in Santa Rosa for making their romance w/ GC a short one.

When a small company deals with a corporate entity such as GC, Walmart, or the like, they are at the whim of whatever rules / regulatory procedures the buying agent puts forth....

From shipping/receiving to marketing to packaging if your product does not meet their requirements chances are you will be penalized in some way. In essence, doing business with big business can sometimes open up pandora's box~ you sign a contract that looks lucrative and promises big numbers but all of a sudden you find that you are being micro-managed from some outside number cruncher!!!!

Think about it~ why do so many companies that do business w/ WalMart move to Bentonville AR?!?!?!? THEY ARE SLAVES!!!!

dannobasso · « **Reply #7 on:** September 14, 2005, 05:31:16 PM »

I believe that it came down to GC's usual hardball tactics. They wanted pice breaks on quantities. They do this to everyone and really beat up the suppliers. If you want to sell in their stores, thats what you do, sell them to GC cheaper. Alembic stood its ground. It takes the same amount of time to make each instrument regardless of quantity. Why should they sell for less if the order is higher? IMHO, really knowledgeable and qualified sales staff at chain stores are hard to keep around. They get jerked on a regular basis. I do all my own adjustments so it's no big deal for me. I went into Ash in Paramus NJ after a call from a friend who works there. He said an Essense 5 was waiting for me. When I got there I asked them for some tools and lemon oils and I set up the bass for display. About a week later, I went in and bought it. So with that, a Rouge 5 I'm buying used privately and my lastest custom Excel. I'm done with buying basses for a good while. An Alembic baker's dozen is enough for now. Oh, BTW GC Paramus has a very nice used MK Balance K 5 for sale.
Danno

hasadari · « **Reply #8 on:** September 14, 2005, 07:42:02 PM »

A MK Balance K 5 - Standard or Deluxe? Any details?

Please let me know.

Bob Brown
hasadari@aol.com

dannobasso · « **Reply #9 on:** September 14, 2005, 08:47:49 PM »

as memory serves, deluxe stinger omega w/led's and walnut top though I could be wrong. Call them up, I'm sure they will talk shop.
Danno

mgatov · « **Reply #10 on:** September 15, 2005, 03:51:23 PM »

I admire Alembic for not seeking endorsements. The instruments speak for themselves and their worth/value is apparent to anyone who picks one up. Besides, I bought my Tribute because of what it is and does. I couldn't care less who else uses it.

Alembic and the WalMart mentality seem to be diametrically opposed. Kudos to Alembic for maintaing their standards and the concept of fairness.

Michael

hb3 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 15, 2005, 04:05:14 PM »

it was a strange match, that's for sure...

the other one that mystifies me is pedulla. I actually did buy my buzz bass at a GC...they're listed as official dealers, far outnumbering the independent music stores who carry their instruments. weird!

811952 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 15, 2005, 04:37:56 PM »

Additionally, GC is owned by Fender...

jetbass79 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 15, 2005, 05:12:28 PM »

If GC was owned by Fender you would think that they would have more Fender product in there than standard series and american series basses, no? So I would have to assume that statement is a joke.

811952 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 15, 2005, 05:17:49 PM »

Nope. Fender also owns at least part of Epiphone, if you can believe it (like Honda owning part of Harley Davidson, which I'm told it does). Fender doesn't sell their entire line through GC, only lower-line stuff and instruments others would deem seconds. The *nice* Fender stuff goes to dealers like Sweetwater and such, and is very difficult to find discounted nearly so much as the GC inventory. Kind of sucks the life out of free enterprise and any sense of competition, doesn't it...
John

(Message edited by 811952 on September 15, 2005)