Great deal on Reverb for a Nice 6 string Epic

[jwright9]

Great deal on a great bass!


https://reverb.com/item/13470407-alembic-epic-6-string

[TolerancEJ]

Ooh! I should have enough by mid-August if it's still there at that time.

Out of curiosity, how are the Epic models to play? I always seem to find them priced around this range ($1700 - $2100). I know they're around $7K new. Are there any particular reasons? Anything I should know in advance?

[dhagopian]

Alembic in general have terrible resale. Great if you're looking to buy a used one. Not too great if you want to sell.

[jwright9]

Alembic in general have terrible resale. Great if you're looking to buy a used one. Not too great if you want to sell.

It's sad but very true.

[TolerancEJ]

Alembic in general have terrible resale. Great if you're looking to buy a used one. Not too great if you want to sell.

Sure I understand that, but the Epic in particular normally seems to be the lowest price (i.e. most affordable to me). The Orion 6-strings also start around $7K new but I never see those appear around the $2K range.

Is it the Epic body shape? Do some people experience neckdive? I already use a wide strap and wear my basses high. I've found that eliminates most situations of neckdive.

[jwright9]

I have owned 3 Epics over the years. I have had one each 4, 5 and 6 string basses and none of them had any neck dive.
They are fantastic instruments all around.

[TolerancEJ]

I have owned 3 Epics over the years. I have had one each 4, 5 and 6 string basses and none of them had any neck dive.
They are fantastic instruments all around.

That is excellent news to read!

[oggydoggy]

I have found ALL Alembic instruments to be of top notch quality. No exceptions.

[mica]

I always seem to find them priced around this range ($1700 - $2100). I know they're around $7K new. Are there any particular reasons? Anything I should know in advance?

Most of the used Epics out there are not like a new one - they have a thin polyurethane finish that looks similar to oil, and wears sort of poorly compared the the polyester finish we use on the Epics now (and everything else except Brown Basses since 1980). Also, the used Epics are mostly from a time when we were making them in larger batches for larger stores like Guitar Center, they were not individually made and able to be custom ordered as they are now. Further, since we still make extremely high quality instruments (we like to think we get better with each one we finish), if someone wants to drop new money on a bass, they will probably order a new bass. Some brands you have to get an old one to get one of good quality. We are weird!

[TolerancEJ]

I always seem to find them priced around this range ($1700 - $2100). I know they're around $7K new. Are there any particular reasons? Anything I should know in advance?

Most of the used Epics out there are not like a new one - they have a thin polyurethane finish that looks similar to oil, and wears sort of poorly compared the the polyester finish we use on the Epics now (and everything else except Brown Basses since 1980). Also, the used Epics are mostly from a time when we were making them in larger batches for larger stores like Guitar Center, they were not individually made and able to be custom ordered as they are now. Further, since we still make extremely high quality instruments (we like to think we get better with each one we finish), if someone wants to drop new money on a bass, they will probably order a new bass. Some brands you have to get an old one to get one of good quality. We are weird!

Makes perfect sense. Thank you for sharing!

[gearhed289]

We are weird!

This is why we love you!

[TolerancEJ]

This Epic is sold now. I was hoping for it to be available when I had the money.

[jwright9]

Yeah, sold for only $1425!!!!!

[jwright9]

This Epic is sold now. I was hoping for it to be available when I had the money.

When the price is THAT low, you have to find a way to come up with the money.

[TolerancEJ]

I understand but that’s not always possible. Guess the time just wasn’t right.