WTB: short- or medium-scale 4-string

[Eric1616]

On the moderate to inexpensive range.....  options?

Much thanks.

Eric.

[edwardofhuncote]

Keep an eye out for a secondhand Epic, Excel, or Spoiler, or Persuader (older models)... these are usually the best value for an entry. They seem to become available in waves, so don't necessarily jump at the first one. 

[rv_bass]

An Orion would be a good choice as well.  I had one with Essence electronics and 3-way Q and loved it.

[keith_h]

The newer bass models (Epic, Orion, Excel) that I have seen tend to be 34" long scale basses. The older ones like Spoilers and Persuaders tended to be 32" medium scale basses. If you are patient there are some short scale, small body Essence basses that pop up from time to time. Just look carefully as they are often presented as Stanley Clarke basses which implies a Signature model that they are not.   

We might be able to come up with more specific suggestions if you give us an idea of what you mean by moderate to inexpensive. 

[Eric1616]

Thanks for the response.  My strong preference would be to top out at $3k. 

[rv_bass]

There are a few on Reverb and Ebay within your budget, although most don't specify scale length so you will have to ask them.  Here are two medium scale Alembics I found that you can start your search with if you want.

https://reverb.com/item/1077426-alembic-spoiler-amber-quilt-top

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alembic-4-String-KOA-Spoiler-KOA-206-USED-VINTAGE-/371791312341?hash=item56907d35d5:g:NmQAAOSwImRYLSgq

Good luck!

[Eric1616]

Much thanks.  I saw those.  What do you think of this one?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/142187220587

Based on my research, the price may be somewhat high.  But it looks really clean...

[tbrannon]

That's a beautiful bass.... price point seems a bit high compared to values the past 5-7yrs, but there has certainly been an increase in sales prices on used Alembics of late. 

[rv_bass]

That is a beautiful looking bass.  I don't know where you are located, but note that the listing says ships from Japan.  The Japanese market seems to be priced a bit higher than the US market for Alembics.

[keith_h]

It is a great looking instrument. It has some beautiful koa for the top. My guess is it would be a few, several ?, hundred less in the US. It also says free shipping to the US which could balance out some of the price difference. If this is forever bass I wouldn't let the price difference bother me. If you only plan to keep it a few years then you might be better off waiting. If you do decide to buy it be sure the seller declares that the instrument was made in the USA and being returned there to avoid customs duties.

Since it appears to be in Japan I would verify that this is the only seller. Not too long back there were a number of e-bay posts for the same instruments by different people. I think what they were doing was putting up a price knowing they would get the bass for less and be able to keep the difference. 

[Eric1616]

Good advice.  This is the only listing on eBay for that instrument.  I'm currently negotiating with a Craigslister for a really great looking Spoiler.  If that falls through I'll consider this one - but I think my preference would be a Spoiler -- gotta find out what that G switch is all about 

[rv_bass]

I think you might be referring to the Q-switch.  This link from the FAQ section describes the Spoiler electronics, including the Q-switch.

http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=280.0

[Eric1616]

Yes, of course, autocorrect error.

[keith_h]

My first thought was a "G" switch would be something a stripper would use to drop her (or his) drawers.

[Mr. Bill]

I'd be careful with those Japanese listings on Ebay.  There seems to be a business over there of listing basses for a markup that are for sale elsewhere and then purchasing them using YOUR money and pocketing the difference.  If you look, there are a couple basses from Japan that are listed by more than one seller.