Jan 1, 2005 Price Increase?

[echo008]

http://www.basscentral.com/alembicbass/price.shtml
 
Has anyone heard anything else about this...
 - Tom
 

[poor_nigel]

Well, this could change some of my plans for this summer.  Best to wait and see which 'items' 'departments' 'services' are affected before changing plans, but a good thing to know ahead of time.  Will the market bear an @ $15,000 starting price for a Series II instrument?  
 
Forgot to turn on my grammar checker.  
 
(Message edited by poor_nigel on October 26, 2004)

[bsee]

Amen - that's a hefty bump that would eliminate any benefits from monthly specials starting in January.  I really hope we get a nice special in November or December if this is really going to happen.  That, and I better make up my damn mind about ordering a four or five string in a hurry too...

[dannobasso]

Already ordered #11! Birds gotta fly, Dannos gotta feed the addiction! Any of you here working without any raises? I'm union so I pass that on to Santa Rosa!
Danno

[poor_nigel]

Actually, there are those of us here who have suffered loss of or lowered income.

[echo008]

Its just going to take a little longer to pass it on to Santa Rosa. I still see a new Alembic in my future... not too far down the line.
 - Tom

[dannobasso]

So did I for a number of years. Laid off, company left the state, not eligible for any services. So I took any work that was going. Worked full time hours while going to school delivering construction supplies. I still work 2 and 3 jobs 6 to 7 days a week and have done so for several years. I even share my opportunities with others who need to make extra money so in turn I make less on the same jobs. I do what I have to do in order to do what I want to do. I will continue to support the Wickershams no matter what the cost out of affection not necessity. I truly believe that if the product could be delivered without any increase, it would. (most folks think I'm nuts for buying these things, but some of them have vettes)
I genuinely hope and pray that the fortunes of all who love this company will prosper and thrive and increase in the near future. In addition may everyone enjoy good health and peace as well.
Danno

[gare]

raises?  Whats that ?
I think the economy is in for a rough ride the next four to six months what with the middle east situation, oil prices, etc. Not to go off on a thing, but all this affects living and running a business. The small businesses feeling the most pressure.  Price increases are an unfortunate part of staying in business. Of course we all know this. I dont think any business wants to raise prices and risk loosing potential customers. But out of necessity....
I would again buy Alembic product(s) regardless  of an increase..as circumstances permit.  
Danno..Nigel..best of luck.
I do believe things will change for the better for all of us, it's just may take a little while.
Gary      

[slacker42uk]

iPERSONALLY THINK ALEMBICS ARE WAY OVERPRICED.YES THEY ARE MAGNIFICENT INSTRUMENTS FOR SURE,BUT THEY DO NOT WARRENT THE KIND OF PRICE TAG THEY ENDURE.I THINK THE LOW END MODELS ARE THE BIGGEST CULPRETS,THE CONSTRUCTION TECHNEQUES ARE BASIC.REAL BASIC.EVERITHING IS DESIGNED FOR SPEED OF PRODUCTION.AND THE SOUND IS AVERAGE.I HAVE HAD ROGUES,A STANLEY CLARKE SIG. MODEL,AND I USED TO OWN THE MOODEY BLUES SATINWOOD MAPLE BOARD SERIES 1.SO I KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THESE INSTRUMENTS.WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY FIRST ALEMBIC[ROGUE] FROM THE BASS CENTER IN LONDON,IT CAME SHIPPED WITH 45/105 STRINGS. I CHANGED TO MY PREFERED SET OF 40/100.THE NECK WAS TOO STRAIGHT,SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE STORE,AND THEY TRIED TO LOOSEN THE TRUSS RODS BUT THE WERE AS LOOSE AS THEY COULD GO.SO TO GET RID OF THE BUZZING THEY HAD TO FILE/DRESS THE FRETS.BUT STILL IT BUZZED.SO I SWAPPED THE BASS FOR ANOTHER ROGUE,AND GUESS WHAT?THE SAME PROBLEM.SO I ORDERED A STANLEY CLARKE AND GOT IT A MONTH LATER,AND THE SAME PROBLEM. I SPOKE TO ALEMBIC AND THEY SAID THAT THEY SET THE BASSES TO 45/105 TENSION.NOW FOR A ?4000 BASS[IN 1997] YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHANGE STRING GUAGES AND ADJUST THE NECK ACCORDINGLY.I HAD THE BASS 2 MONTHS AND SOLD IT AT A LOSS.I THEN CAME ACCROSS THE MOODEY BLUES BASS AND WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE SOUND AND BOUGHT IT.AFTER A WHILE I NOTICED INTONATION PROBLEMS,AND ADJUSTD THE BRIDGE,BUT IT WAS ADJUSTED AS FAR AS IT WOULD GO.IT WAS WAY OUT.I TOOK IT TO A KNOWN REPAIR MAN AND THE PROBLEM WAS THEN OBVIOUS.WHEN ALEMBIC CONSTRUCTED THE BASS THE ROUTING FOR THE SUSTAIN BLOCK WAS NOT FAR ENOUGH FORWARD,SO WHEN YOU ADJUSTED THE BRIDGE SADDLES THEY COULDNT GO FAR ENOUGH FORWARD TO GET PEFRECT INTONATION.BUMMER.SO YOU PLAY 11TH FRET ON THE G STRING WHILST PLAYING AN OPEN D STRING THE SOUND WOULD OSSOLATE.BIG TIME.
SO I THOUGHT,SOD IT THE BASS HAS GOTTA GO.I HAVNT HAD ONE SINCE.[AND I KNOW ALEMBIC HAVE HAD STRAIGHT NECK PROBS BRFORE]

[echo008]

Sorry to hear about all the issues you have had with your Alembics, but this is definitely not the norm. And like you allude to in the opening sentence of your rant. it is a personal opinion (and should be respected)
But......
Please take the cap key from your computer keyboard and destroy it, not only is it rude but its hard to read.
 - Tom

[slacker42uk]

HEY,I WAS NOT TRYING TO BE RUDE!RANT?MAYBE BLUNT IS A BETTER TERM.I HAVE KEPT MY DISSAPOINTEMENT TO MYSELF FOR SOME YEARS NOW,AND WHEN I SAW THE WORDS 'PRICE INCREASE' I THOUGHT-COME ON!

[echo008]

its just that when you use all CAPS like that it seems like you are shouting and not really trying to be a part of the conversation.
I can sympathize with you though.. really.  
I would be upset at spending all that money and having major issues like you have had as well.  
I have not had the problems you have encountered, but I would  think that if you would have contacted Susan or Mica at the time that they would have tried to make it as right as they could for you.
 
 - Tom

[lbpesq]

Paul:
 
   I am not a bass player, so I won't even begin to respond to your complaints about string gauge, etc.  I have, however, visited the factory several times and am a regular on this site.  I therefore feel compelled to respond to your allegation that  
 
THE LOW END MODELS ARE THE BIGGEST CULPRETS,THE CONSTRUCTION TECHNEQUES ARE BASIC.REAL BASIC.EVERITHING IS DESIGNED FOR SPEED OF PRODUCTION
 
I have certainly heard people complain about Alembic prices before (actually, there are few things in life that I haven't someone complain about it's price), but your's is the first time I have EVER heard ANYONE complain that Alembics are built TOO FAST!!!!  My observations and experience is that nothing could be further from the truth.  You want to see speed of production.  I've seen video of the Gibson plant, and even the PRS factory where instruments are being manufactured infinitely faster than anything I've seen at Alembic.  At the other factories, machines do most of the work as an assembly line of guitars moves through the plant.  At Alembic there is a workshop with a few talented people doing it all by hand.  As for the low end models, I have an '83 Electrum which was one of the more modestly priced guitars.  The workmanship is stunning and far more impressive than my Fender,  Gibson, or PRS.  And it plays and sounds great too!  I am sure your experience was not encouraging.  I would sugest that if you ever have a problem with an Alembic again, going straight to the company first rather than to a private repair shop.  Alembic stands behind its products better than any company I've ever dealt with.
 
Bill, tgo

[slacker42uk]

I AM SORRY IF I UPSET ANYONE.THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS I HAVE KEPT THIS TO MYSELF.LOOK I STILL LOVE ALEMBICS.I AM STILL INTERESTED IN THESE INSTRUMENTS.WHY WOULD I BE LOOKING AT THE SITE?I JUST HAD A BAD TIME WITH THEM.IN BRITAIN THEY ARE CLASSED AS THE ROLLS ROYS OFF BASSES[HEY DID I SPELL THAT RIGHT?]I WORKED IN A MUSIC STORE FOR 5 YEARS IN ENGLAND AND WE DEALT WITH SECOND HAND ALEMBICS FROM TIME TO TIME.I HAVE ALSO OWNED COUNTLESS BASSES OVER THE YEARS,AND SEEN LOTS OF DIFFERENT MAKES E.T.C.I JUST THINK THAT ALEMBIC RIDE ON SEPERATE PLANE FROM OTHER BRANDS BECAUSE OF THEIR STATURE.WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PRS GUITARS, I HAVE SEEN SOME WORKS OF ART,GIBSON IS A DIFFERENT BALL GAME ALTOGETHER,THEY ARE MASS PRODUCED.IF I WOULD HAVE HAD MY PROBLEMS WITH JUST ONE BASS,THEN I WOULDNT HAVE'RANTED'BUT I GAVE ALEMBIC THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT,YOU COULD SAY.

[mica]

Paul,
 
I'm disappointed I never heard from you about problems you had with your basses until now, else we could have addressed your concerns. Now, we'll never get the opportunity.
 
These days we ship everything to England with the extra-light strings preferred by players in your country. Some other players were forthcoming with the problems and that allowed us to correct service issues associated with setting up a bass with lower-tension strings.  
 
I respectfully disagree with your opinion that our basses are built for speed of production. I think there are more than a few makers in our shop that also would not share your opinion.
 
As for the bridge on the Satinwood bass, I have never been contacted by any owner or repair shop about this. I don't doubt your observations, but I wonder why nobody has asked for assistance with this. I can think of at least 2 ways that this can be corrected easily,  and can offer that it is my observation that we learn from our mistakes and improve the product over time. Newer Alembics are superior in quality and are more consistent than earlier ones - it's only natural as we get more experience.
 
If you ever do find yourself in possession of an Alembic again, and if you have any problems with its use, please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance. I still keep the picture you sent to me in my office.  
 
Sincerely,
Mica