Price Range for 1993 Alembic Triple Omega Custom Bass?

[deaconjohn]

This is the bass:


https://reverb.com/item/1334314-1993-alembic-triple-omega-custom-bass


I'm thinking for this bass the price range should be should between $6,500 and $7,500.


Would that be about right for this bass?


TY

[eruby]

That is a sweet instrument.

[edwardofhuncote]

Welcome to the Forum deaconjohn.

Tough to say on that one, since Triple Omega bodies aren't all that common, which makes finding a few comps a challenge. That one has Anniversary electronics and looks to have premium woods too, both very attractive features. That said, the Triple-O isn't everybody's thing... there's a slice of the market that loves it, and a few more that would prefer more traditional shapes.

The seller's asking price is proably set on a curve... he may be asking $9500 trying to get $7500. I wouldn't hazard a guess as to what price it might actually fetch, but I do know other 20th Anniversary models have sold for less on the used market.

Again, welcome.

[hammer]

I'll second Greg's comments.  The body shape is unusual (hence higher asking price) but not everyone's cup of tea (hence it might be up for sake for a long period time with the seller eventually reducing the price significantly)

If you absolutely want a Triple Omega, its a very nice example and someone specifically looking for this body shape might be willing to pay the premium price the seller is asking.  On the other hand, if you're patient and not wed to the Triple Omega at this price I would suspect you would be able to acquire a Series I or II in very nice shape for $7,500-$9,500.

[deaconjohn]

Thank you for the replies.  Regarding ergonomics,  would you say the Triple Omega is more ergonomic easier/harder to play on the lower range notes than a Series I or II body?  Thoughts?

TY

DJ

[hammer]

I've never played a Triple Omega so I'm speaking only from my experience with Series (Standard Point) and other Alembic basses that I have, and of course its  going to depend on the type of Series I or II body about which you are speaking.  From my experience the scale of the bass and neck width makes a lot more difference with respect to playability than a body.  All my basses are medium (32) or short scale (30) and have classic neck width and though I'm on the small side (5'8") I have no problems in reaching the low notes on any of them.  alembics other than their weight as extremely ergonomic.

By the way, if you want to see what approximately $7,500 can get you take a look at the bass Matt has up for sale in the for Swap Shop and Wish Lists - Sale or Trade section.  It's a beautiful SC Series bass in Cocobolo that looks to be in amazing condition. 

[deaconjohn]

Thanks for the advice!

[keith_h]

There's a nice small body Series II on the For Sale board with an advertised price of $7700. I think the price on the Triple O is too high and IMO the range should be more like $4500 - $6000 ($6K for someone who really wants one). 

The Series II can be found here:
http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=22257.0

[cozmik_cowboy]

That is one nice slice of of walnut!!!!!

Peter

[deaconjohn]

Thanks everyone for your input. I emailed the seller and told him the range is 4-6.  We'll see!



TY

[manticore]

That one has been listed for a very long time at that price, a very long time...

[eastcoastepic]

Greetings, Deaconjohn & welcome; I would say (as a Triple Omega owner), that the price is a bit high. Of course, from a collector viewpoint, this is a 'pre-pistol grip' bass, where the later models, like mine, have a slightly different upper horn (if that matters to you). If I were to sell mine (a 2003 5 string model) today, I would ask somewhere in the neighborhood of $8K, and probably take a bit less. A new version of my bass would run $14K (via the quote generator here).
That wood is spectacular, and it is a 4 string, but I still think a 23 year old axe should command $4.5K to $6K in the real world, depending upon condition.
A Triple Omega is not for everyone, but the sound from the 11.5 lbs of Mahogany/Maple/Purpleheart/Ebony or whatever combination of woods the bass is constructed of will make you smile for years on end.
(Oh, and the larger body style makes for an absolutely perfect forearm rest, if you're a non-pick style player)  :-)
Good luck to you.....
Chris

[deaconjohn]

Thanks Chris!