What is driving the recent upsurge in alembics being traded on the used market?

[jazzyvee]

As you may know I had been looking for the "right" Alembic Series I short scale bass in the right condition and price for around 10 years and eventually found one late last year.
Over that time I have been watching a number of places on line including ebay and dealers around the globe and have noticed that in the last couple of years there seems to be more alembics up for sale and being bought and sold on the used market than I recall at any other time. Admittedly there are some that keep doing the rounds again and again. I know some of the older ones are now appearing around the "affordable" price bracket now but their prices are still generally above other new pro/high end instruments by other makers. I haven't personally seen any new big name players coming through who choose alembic basses significantly and alembic don't do big advertising or endorsements. Has anyone got any views as to what the "recent" interest is? 


If you have bought one for the first time recently or returning to the fold after being without one for a long time, I would be interested to read what was it that attracted you to alembic?

[jacko]

I'd blame Brexit.

Graeme

[jazzyvee]

Hmm Brexit cost me more for my recent SI bass because the pound was dropping all the time.

[jacko]

Our trip to Washington next year looks like costing a small fortune.

graeme

[growlypants]

To answer your original question, Jazzy...  I bought a new (09) Alembic Bass in 2011.  I hadn't even SEEN an Alembic since the 70's, and then it was a ridiculously priced Series 1.  (Over $1,000!!!)(By the way, I was still in college...)

The bass I bought was a 5-string MK Signature Deluxe.  I don't even want to tell you what I paid.  I had to have it.  It balanced perfectly, looked gorgeous, {"Superb Walnut"} and it's been responsible for my learning, REALLY learning what bass guitar is all about.  Now, more than 5 years later, I still enjoy challenges on that bass.  Technique, baby!!

[gtrguy]

Inflation feeds off itself.

[5a quilt top]

Could just be the result of more new Alembics being produced each year = more available in general. Based on the serial numbers, I'm going to guess that around 300 new instruments per year are born. If fewer than 300 per year are lost, that means the pool of potentially available Alembics (whether for sale or not) increases each year.

Also, an owner may decide to part ways with an instrument currently in their possession in order to make room (physically or financially) for an addition the stable. And there are those who own several Alembics - and all of them will eventually need to find new homes when their owners are unable to continue to enjoy them.

As you well know, once the Alembic bug bites, addiction sets in and it is difficult to restrain oneself from becoming a victim of "AAAS" ("Additional Alembic Acquisition Syndrome "). In my case, I keep saying I'm going to stop, but that goes right out the window the instant I see or think of another one that might be nice to have. As such, my collection has grown far beyond what I originally intended and reality dictates that all of them will eventually be on the market, unless they are destroyed.

[edwardofhuncote]

I'm not sure what exactly is going on either Jazzy, but there's certainly an upward trend in how many Alembics are for sale second-hand, particularly the recent rash of 1970's models. I wonder how many are really changing hands. I've got a running joke with my cousin, who is just as passionate about vintage guitars... we always say, in defense of buying instruments- "I'm buying hard assets as a hedge against inflation". My guess is, people are selling off some of those 'assets' right now, and trying to turn a little profit.

I'm not "in the market" right now, at least not to the point of actually seeking one out. For now I'm content to just watch for them as a hobby, and play the two (soon/eventually to be three) Alembics I have, but a long-term goal is to find an old Series I bass. Would love to find one in need of restoration. Where I am in the world, there simply aren't any around to pick from. I've never even seen another in the wild, so-to-speak. 

Honestly, it was a stretch for me to haul off and order a custom bass from them... I'm nowhere near the player most of you guys are, but I really appreciate the pure craftsmanship in them, and I do play out enough to justify having a nice instrument or two. (or three!) 

[pauldo]

Hmmmm.
Interesting thoughts.  I recently found new employment and was given paperwork for their 401k program (no company match but an ESOP option).  But now . . . .

Now I'm thinking investing in a bevy of beautiful basses could be the answer to my retirement slush fund!

However I once sold a Zebrawood Exploiter and regret it so much, I am not sure I could part with any of them.  Currently my Distillate is earmarked as an 'inheritance' to my son who plays bass better than he thinks.

[keith_h]

It wouldn't surprise me if some are just due to the age of the owner. Many of those early purchasers would be hitting their 60's or 70's today and have reached the point they aren't playing anymore. I've reached the point that I have begun divesting some of my equipment, although no basses or guitars, as I just don't play out anymore and really have no desire to. I'm sure there will come a time I sell some of my basses and just keep the really special ones.

[rv_bass]

Seems like they are all good possible reasons for increased offerings. I would add that people who have been looking (and dreaming) for a while (even decades) are now at the point where they can afford to buy one, fueling the market from the consumer side and making it an appealing time to sell. There also seem to be some that are just in it for a profit, there are a few instruments that keep coming up for sale and there are a few sellers that seem to be churning through instruments as well. It's the character of the market.

[dfung60]

Another factor in increase listings may be that people are more comfortable listing, buying, and selling high-ticket instruments online.  That makes the market for any particular instrument much larger than it was before.  If you turn the clock back 10 years, if you think about how online listings looked and your willingness to send $3000+ through Paypal, it was probably quite different than today, and even more so for international sales.


David Fung

[moongerm]

My two pesos: Aside from a very few new Alembic basses being advertised on ebay and reverb, you don't see many, if any at all, series basses that are 2006 or newer on the market.  My guess is because those that have newer series basses will likley take a hit if they really need to part with it. Those that have older ones have much less risk and as such are easier to let go.

Will this make newer Alembics made within the past 10 years for example, more valuable than older ones once they start to appear more regularly?

[hammer]

There is something to said, however for those originals.  Even though I love some of the things they are doing with the new Alembics (e.g., accent woods) and the fact that that many of the older series basses need the electronics upgrade, I'd love to get my hands on a well taken care of small-bodied Series bass from the 70s - early 80s.

I really think its a combination of things ranging from the age of many of us who can afford these beautiful instruments, to the ease of buying online so that there is now a national audience for used Alembics rather than the ability to only sell locally, to the fact that there are now sufficient numbers of lovingly cared-for used Alembic basses that can be found at a reasonable price.  I'd never sell by Signature Custom that was made for me in 2012 because I'd take such a hit on it.  My 6-string Europa as well as my 4-string SC Signature Standard, however, which were purchased used would be instruments with which I'd consider parting because I could get close to what I paid for them (please promise to ban me from this site if I ever advertise one of these and include the statement..."if purchased new this bass would cost over $XX,XXX). 

[andertone]

I hate to say it, but when you are in your 60's weight becomes an issue.  I've gone through a number of Alembics and they were fantastic, but I no longer can heft a plus 10 lb instrument for three sets.  I wish there was an affordable lightweight chambered option, I would be back in the mothership.  Until then, will have to play my <8lb Sadowsky's