Author Topic: Info on 81 1808 (Read 488 times)

funky4 · « **on:** September 19, 2004, 06:11:49 AM »

currently on ebay....interesting description of electronics....any help and opinions appreciated.

thanks

chuckf

poor_nigel · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2004, 06:41:12 AM »

I got quite a smile from reading the seller's description when it first came on the block. Wait for the build report and ignore everything seller wrote. The bass looks straight and worth the $2,800, however, the seller is ignorant of Alembics and has no feedback, at all. Should you decide to go for it, I strongly suggest you use Escrow as a payment option. It will cost you extra money, but you will not get ripped for all of your money.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/confidence/payment-escrow.html

You send in the transfer of cash. They inform the seller it is there. The seller sends you the bass. You decide if it is worth it. If so, you inform Escrow to release the funds. If it is not up to the bargain, you ship the bass back and inform Escrow of this. Then seller informs them the bass is returned and Escrow gives you back your funds. Guess who pays all the shipping. It can be a big hassle if the seller is not reputable, but it is doubtful that the seller will agree to use Escrow, if they are disreputable or simply a fraud.

Culver City, California. You or anyone you know live close to the seller that can go pick the bass up in person? Any member here willing to help out? If you get ripped on eBay, primarily, you are with few options and can kiss the money goodbye. eBay has become a very buyer beware place. I wish you all the best, if you decide to go for it. BTW, when this was first posted, I checked and there were no 81 Alembics listed on the stolen list, so that is a good thing.

bsee · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2004, 07:02:43 AM »

That whole description is pretty bogus. Definitely make contact before bidding and see what you can find out about the seller. A person on the ground who can check the bass out for you would be the best idea.

The opening bid is listed at $2600, did he revise it down? If so, you may want to hold off on bidding even if you're interested to see if it drops again.

Good luck!
-Bob

poor_nigel · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2004, 07:09:58 AM »

Opps, that would be my poor eyes, sitting here in the dark. It was at 2,600 all the time, I am sure. Makes it even more attractive! Note that I had to download the picture and blow it up to get a clear shot of the serial number so I could be sure if the last digit was an 8 or a 9. My bad!
(I obviously think it is worth $2,800+)

bigredbass · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2004, 11:10:16 AM »

I see what Susan means about 'any body whoever picked up a piece of sandpaper . . .' So who the hell was this Ron Himself guy? What a strange last name.

I wonder if I could get a Brazilian Maple bass, with that Q.Sound Automatic WahWah in a Pointer body? NONE of this is listed in the Quote Builder.

All kidding aside, it really sounds to me like the former owner (he's selling his Alembic and keeping OTHER exotic basses?) owed the guy doing the auction! I'd DEFINITELY follow Nigel's escrow advice and be very, very careful. This is the kind of thing that's got 'EBay Horror Story' writ large all over it.

Just watch: This same guy will be selling an 'Olympic Exploder' next week.

J o e y

bsee · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2004, 01:51:08 PM »

Well, the guy has revised the listing at least twice, changing the starting bid both times, so you could have seen $2800.

funky4 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2004, 02:20:29 PM »

yea...i noticed the changed starting bid price Bob, and think I'll heed the advise of the others in this post and watch this one for a while....maybe Mica or someone at alembic can chime in with the build details on this bass and it will be of some help as well.

I also emailed the seller with specific questions over 1 1/2 days ago with no reply yet?

Thanks to all for the current posts...

chuck f

poor_nigel · « **Reply #7 on:** September 19, 2004, 02:54:27 PM »

Well, I feel better that I actually had something right in the first place, but I am obviously still going senile. I am not really interested in the bass, so I was not paying much attention.

Speaking of seller reputation, there is a Stanley Clarke Deluxe on the block at eBay by the guy I bought a bass from last year. He is a great guy, and totally honest. If anyone is interested in this bass, getting ripped is the last thing one needs to worry about dealing with him.

bsee · « **Reply #8 on:** September 19, 2004, 03:57:28 PM »

The purple one? I don't love the color, but I am very interested in the bass if the price doesn't go far. The pictures make it look like the string spacing is a bit narrow at the nut, exactly what I am looking for if it is true.

-Bob

poor_nigel · « **Reply #9 on:** September 19, 2004, 04:18:04 PM »

Hey Bob. I e-mailed John asking him if he would like to send me pics to post on here. The ones he has on eBay are pretty lacking. I e-mailed you his e-mail address, so you can work directly with him, if you want. He was very good to me on that bass I bought from him. I know nothing of the bass he is selling now, but I highly recommend him. Nuff said.

As far as the color goes, if you were looking to sell it further down the road . . . Maybe it is much prettier in person.

bsee · « **Reply #10 on:** September 19, 2004, 04:23:13 PM »

I am looking for a player that is not necessarily a keeper. If I love it and keep it, that's great. If I don't, it will help determine the specs of a custom to be ordered down the line.

I also have an 8 year old Maytag washer/dryer that I was getting ready to upgrade, maybe I can make him a deal?

Thanks for the help!

poor_nigel · « **Reply #11 on:** September 20, 2004, 05:29:57 PM »

Here are a couple of pictures of this bass:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3749711468&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

John says the bass really looks like amythist in person and these are too dark.

Looks like flamed maple to me. The next shot was too dark to be of use for anything except to skew the gamma so you can see there is no damage to the back.

That's all folks, unless John sends me more - I hope. It looks like it could be very pretty in person. Make me hungry for a grape Jolly Rancher!

bsee · « **Reply #12 on:** September 20, 2004, 05:40:13 PM »

We're off topic - but it looks like an SJ in the serial number with a few upgrades rather than an SC. Probably saved money doing it that way since the original buyer didn't want the cocobolo.

skokiaan · « **Reply #13 on:** September 20, 2004, 06:09:23 PM »

Looks like you're correct about the SJ with the upgrades. I have amended my auction to reflect this info.

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #14 on:** September 20, 2004, 11:33:53 PM »

First of all--keep the purple bass away. Somebody else buy it, please!
Second: the guy selling the Series is a twit, and I don't care if he's reading this. Whomever they are, they have been trying to offload it in the Recycler and Craigslist for months, starting at $8000(!!!). The eBay price did go down...I was watching with a degree of amusement.