Author Topic: I'm getting ready to purchase a used Epic 5... (Read 177 times)

xavier · « **on:** November 09, 2004, 05:57:04 PM »

That has sat in a good friend of mine's case for years because he can't play fretless.

Anyway, I have heard worlds of praise for Alembic's service, and I was wondering if you guys will refinish and (possibly) fret my Epic-to-be? I don't want to give such a work of art to any local tech, I would prefer it to be worked on by you guys.

Also, how would I approximate such a cost?

poor_nigel · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2004, 12:40:23 AM »

To my thinking on this subject, a bass is a bass, regardless of model (I could easily be wrong), therefore I would estimate at least $1,500, plus shipping both ways. @ $1,150 for the refin and $400+ for the fretting, depending on if it is lined or not, and assuming it does not have LEDs. Staff will be able to quote exact costs. I have heard a rumor that repairs are not included in the coming price hike - yeah! Opps, I forgot that the refinish job includes dressing of the frets or a discount on refretting, so I would think the discount would apply to the fretting, or probably they have a lower, fixed price for refinishing a fretless bass.

I forgot to welcome you to the club. Welcome Collin! Whether you own an Alembic or just get a buzz off em, this is a great place to read all kinds of things Alembic and get answers to questions you may want to post. The price listed about seems like a lot, but you pretty much get a new bass out of the deal. If the finish is still usable, you might want to think about just getting it fretted.

(Message edited by poor_nigel on November 10, 2004)

bsee · « **Reply #2 on:** November 10, 2004, 05:42:40 AM »

It would definitely be cheaper to wait for an Epic in mint condition to become available than to buy one and do that much work to it. Used Epics rarely go over $1200 on the open market, so all the work you would pay for would well exceed the market value of the instrument.

Bass Central has one (fretted 5, flame maple) on their website for $1499 that has been listed for quite a while.

godoze · « **Reply #3 on:** November 10, 2004, 05:56:11 AM »

I agree with BSEE; I got my Epic for under $800.

xavier · « **Reply #4 on:** November 10, 2004, 05:01:32 PM »

It is in mint condition, that's the best part!

I'm probably going to keep it fretless anyway, was just wondering about the finish mainly, because I like the Alembic finishes so much (Wineburst particularly).

oujeebass · « **Reply #5 on:** November 10, 2004, 06:48:55 PM »

yeah the Epic is just a cheapo Alembic... I was told the same thing when I bought a Les Paul Deluxe for $100 in '83,and a '63 Fender Tremolux for $200 in '87. Both are worth a whole lot more today than they were back then. I would consider refurbishing any Alembic you can get,these aren't your typical instruments

poor_nigel · « **Reply #6 on:** November 10, 2004, 07:22:22 PM »

Restoring basses is a lot like restoring vintage cars. If you have an old Ford Fairlane that you dearly love and spend $25,000 on a restoration, you can pretty much expect to lose yer butt if you ever decide to sell it, even if it is still in mint condition. However, some cars like Mercedes Gullwing can return $2 for every $1 put into it, as they are insanely desirable to collectors. Therefore, if you get a nice Series instrument for a low price, it could make economical sense to have it refinished.

Bob is sensibly correct in the advice he posted ? right on the money. I would only suggest restoring an instrument that one is particularly fond of that has sentimental value. Sound gear is not like vintage cars in the fact that if you restore them, chances are you just ruined the collectable value of them. This even goes for speakers. I suppose it goes for vintage autos, too, but not to the extent of sound gear. You refinish that old, scroungy-looking 59 P Bass, and not only will you lower its value, but some people will cry fer yer head!

bsee · « **Reply #7 on:** November 10, 2004, 07:33:53 PM »

Jeez, nobody is saying Epics suck. Just that the value of them on the used market is very low relative to list price. Typically, the fours are going for under $1000. For an instrument of that value, it's hard to look at spending $1500 on a refinish that the bass doesn't need.

If I had a 15 year old and beat up series bass, I would consider the refinish job. If I were looking to own a fretted epic five, I would buy a fretted epic five for about $1000, not for $2500 after fretting and refinish.

oujeebass · « **Reply #8 on:** November 11, 2004, 05:50:23 AM »

that is all true,in the current market... Things change is my point. I would think any Alembic is worth more than current market values.

bsee · « **Reply #9 on:** November 11, 2004, 06:13:35 AM »

That doesn't mean yo uwant to pay double market value for it today just because it may be worth that much at some point in the future. This is particularly true when you take the changing value of money into account. There are a lot of better investments than an Epic. Buy it to play it.

Now, if you were going to spend $3500 or so to get yourself a brand new one in the finish you wanted, then buying a mint condition version for $800 and spending $1000 or so to refinish it sounds like a less expensive way to get what you want. I'm a function guy, though, and it would be hard for me not to play it as it is.

oujeebass · « **Reply #10 on:** November 12, 2004, 06:26:05 PM »

These instruments are all handmade right?,so no two are exactly the same... That being the case. I believe any Alembic is worth restoring if need be. I am not saying these are investments. These are art.