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

[dela217]

Andertone - I know what you mean.   Light weight is a BIG deal to me.   I rarely take an Alembic out these days.   Too heavy, and all of my basses are Series basses.   So that means a power supply, or bring my rack with the IN-2, (even MORE to carry) it just becomes a hassle.

My go to bass is a 7.4 pounder.   I have been playing that one every gig.

That being said, my Alembics still sound the best and those are the ones I play around the house.

Even my main rig has gotten smaller.  It is either a 2x10 or a 1x12 with a lightweight GK 800 amp.

[edwin]

Glad I'm still a young, chipper, 55 (for another 7 weeks)!

[moongerm]

Yeah! A new Alembic Edwin for 56!? Doooo it  

[rv_bass]

Hammer, I agee regarding the older Series basses.  I have a newer one and love it, but it has a different voice and vibe from my 70s basses.  I love the way Alembics sound and have no desire to play anything else.

As for weight, if it starts to feel too heavy, I just simply sit down and play, not a  problem. 

[bigredbass]

Visits to the Custom Quote Generator. 

Right now, the difference in price between new and modestly-appointed used ones is huge, so with the climate David brought up, people are taking a swing at owning one at prices similar to what a first-rate new bass from others would run.  Custom or 'boutique' instruments (I hate that term but can't think of a good alternative) have always taken a beating in the used market, and time will tell whether or not the vintage guitar market will catch up and up-value used Alembics.  In the mean time, it is a good time for buyers to stick a toe in and see what they think via the used market.

I will certainly agree with Andertone, that while I don't have any weight issues, they are generally unwieldy instruments, and somewhere down the road reshaping and rethinking them to be more ergonomically effective will certainly be in order.  I'll miss mine, but I won't miss how big they were, and I'm not a small fellow.

[rv_bass]

Juat a thought, four string Excel, Orion, Essence, and Brown Basses are all lighter weight <= 9 pounds and ergonomically comfortable to play (I'm not sure what an Exploiter weighs).

[5a quilt top]

Re: weight - yeah they're a load, but that's one of the things that inspires me to keep going to the gym. The other is arthritis. If having good muscle tone will allow me to play the instruments I love a little longer (and stand while doing it), the sweat is worth it.

Also, I've found that an instrument's balance can offset its weight. My 5-string Europa does not feel nearly as heavy when it is strapped on as my 5-string Series II standard body (with omega cut) because it has better balance, even though both instruments weigh about the same.

I hope to be in good enough physical and financial shape to be able to continue to enjoy them for many more years, but, if either situation changes, the number of pre-owned Alembics available for sale will be reluctantly increased.

[rv_bass]

I recently looked through old threads and found Series I basses selling for around $3500-4000 as far back as 2004-2006.  The trend over the last year for on line sales has been $4000-4500 for a Series I bass, not much of an uptick over 11-13 years.  Although I am glad that these beautiful instruments are holding some value over time, and deservedly so.

[Spoiler Alert]

Hello. I just purchased my very first Alembic Spoiler bass. I have always admired the Alembic brand, but they were always out of my price range, but watched them for sale on E-bay for the most part. I recently found a classified section for selling basses on another forum site. They had them all and more of basses I'd never really heard of, but the Alembics intrigued me. I started watching for what I thought was a reasonable deal or better and was ready to pounce. It popped up as a 1985 Spoiler in really nice shape and I pulled the trigger. Received the bass and it's like I waited my entire life to hold this guitar. I open the case and just smile. It's like I've arrived. Also, it has a maple top and the natural wood has a unique "man in the moon" pattern in the wood. If you turn the guitar upside down the pattern has a distinct face that looks like the cartoon version of a half moon with a nose and lips. So, this beautiful guitar is now known as "Moonie". A nod to the Who for obvious reasons and my love for Keith and of course John and his Alembic Exploiter. Yes I'm on cloud nine right now and I don't ever see me selling it. It doesn't feel heavy at all and it balances perfectly. This is my first post since joining the Alembic family. Thanks and it's good to be home. 

[pauldo]

Congratulations!
You sound like many of us feel.
Alembic appeals to more than one sense.
Visually - beautiful radii's, inlays, shapes and wood.
Touch - smooth radii' sand a construction that nearly plays itself.
Sound - _______ fill in the blank,  Alembic's produce many tones.
Smell - fresh lemon oil on a fretboard warms the soul.
Taste - mmm, haven't gone there. . .

[edwardofhuncote]

Congratulations & Welcome. 

We like looking at our neighbors' Alembics too, so be sure to post some pictures in the Spoiler Showcase thread:  http://club.alembic.com/index.php?board=695.0

[serialnumber12]

more eye candy here.

[Spoiler Alert]

Thanks so much for the warm welcome Pauldo, Edwardo & Serial#12! I will post some photos a little later. The things that grabbed my musical heart with this bass are the quality of the build/craftsmanship, the deep bass tone (love the PUP's), the hardware, beauty of the woods and it just feels so right with the 32 inch scale. Thanks again, you guys are great! Thanks also for the photos. My bass resembles that 2nd Spoiler from the left in the front row. Awesome collect right there, wow!

[tx196059]

Wow! Cool picture! I count 27-29. Different each time I count. Screen Saver!!!!

[pauldo]

Wow! Cool picture! I count 27-29. Different each time I count. Screen Saver!!!!

That was from the Alembic Gathering in Chicago at Bag End.
A glorious event, with many Alembic (and Alembicans) gathering. 

Meeting 'family' and freely swapping instruments amongst each other while jamming through some of the finest speakers around (4x21 ) was so much fun that the 4 hours (?) felt like 4 minutes.