New cost of my Orion 4

[Glynn]

Not sure if I am doing this the right way but sent an email to alembic@alembic.com thus and haven't had a reply yet:-
"[size=78%]Hi,[/size]
I am re-checking my new for old insurance amounts and wondered what the new price of my bass would be please.
It is an Orion 4, Zebrawood  Serial Number 99OW12007 and I bought it new in 2000. I had Sims red side LEDs (12) retro-fitted and have a Hiscox hard case.  It is right handed.
Many thanks ( by the way – the bass is still brilliant),
Glynn Murray

[StephenR]

Hey Glynn, looks like you may be using a generic email address and email is not always the quickest route to getting a response, have you tried calling Mica? The company accepts calls between 11AM and 4PM PST.

[mica]

Hi Glynn,

We did get your email on Saturday. Most insurance companies will accept the published prices on our website. A new Orion 4-string bass in a standard wood like Zebrawood is $8000. The other items like the Sims LEDs and the case I can't help you with the replacement value as I don't have any experience with those prices.

I have replied to your email tonight with what additional information we would require for a formal documentation of the replacement value. Just let me know.

-Mica

[jazzyvee]

Hi Glyn, I have used the published alembic price list for pricing my alembics but also added an estimate for the import duty and tax because that would be closer to what we would pay if we bought it from a dealer here in the UK. When I got my series bass the the replacement cost was obviously a lot higher than normal and my Insurance company wanted a written valuation from the maker which Mica posted & emailed on to me. Unfortunately, but understandably that ended up costing more to insure as it was more than the published price due to it having custom options.
The following year it went upon even more and I was told if I filled in a security declaration form they could assess my individual risk and that could reduce my premium. I did and got a reduction of about 1/3rd on my premium, but inflation and general price rises and more alembics have meant that I don't feel that saving anymore.
Insurance is a necessary evil sometimes. Hope all is good.

[Glynn]

Thanks all. Stephen - good point. Mica-I got email, sorry to jump the gun by using a post. Jazzy-thanks for that useful info, yes all is fine - I know of people who rely on their house contents insurance but that usually (as does mine) has a clause excluding use for a profession or trade so I agree that we don't have a sensible option other than pay up. 

[StephenR]

You guys are lucky that you can get insurance for your instruments, I tried and was turned down since we live in the Oakland Hills, the fire danger here is high and it is an earthquake zone. It is even difficult to insure a house despite it being required by mortgage law. Since we rent our house and there are no laws requiring rental insurance there were no strings to pull, I doubt our landlord's homeowners insurance would cover any of our possessions.

[lbpesq]

Stephen, have you tried Heritage for musical instrument insurance?

Bill, tgo

[StephenR]

Not familiar with Heritage thanks for the tip, will try and check them out.

[lbpesq]

Heritage has been discussed here in the past.   Excellent for insuring musical instruments.   Before I got my Voyage Air and would travel with my Martin or Taylor, it was a crap shoot whether I could get the instrument on-board as carry-on or have to gate check it.  I prearranged with Heritage that I could call them from the plane cabin and let them know if I needed the extra insurance if the guitar had to be gate checked.  Now that's service!

Bill, tgo

[gearhed289]

When I was gigging a lot in cover band land, I used Music Pro. Seemed very reasonable. My State Farm agent won't do an add-on to my homeowners since I generate money with my gear, so I had to go elsewhere.

[Glynn]

Like the CD a lot Tom.  What bass were you using? Great sound of everything throughout - especially like the bass line on Track 10 " Follow".
Glynn

[gearhed289]

Like the CD a lot Tom.  What bass were you using? Great sound of everything throughout - especially like the bass line on Track 10 " Follow".
Glynn

Wow, thanks! I used 3 Rics and my Distillate. I don't want to hijack the thread, so I'll PM you the details. 

EDIT - I don't see an option to send a message, so here you go:

1) Above Ground – Alembic Distillate (1986)
2) Gates – Ric 4003S/8 (1993)
3) Carry On - Ric 4003S/8
4) The Journey – Ric 4003S (1989)
5) On With the Show – Alembic Distillate
6) Nomads – Ric 4001CS (1992)
7) Forty Years – Ric 4003S
8 ) The Take - Ric 4003S w/Alembic pickups and preamp
9) Coastline – Alembic Distillate
10) Follow – Ric 4001CS w/flatwound strings
11) Confusion – Ric 4003S/8

[Glynn]

Thanks for that. The flatwound strings on track 10 explain sound. I think the little envelope under our names does the PM but not used it yet? I started the thread so I guess it is OK to drift off a bit- anyway I have continued my cover (revised) with Victor Knight here in UK.  New for Old and about £11000 cover costs about £17 per month.  World wide (not that I go anywhere!) and unattended vehicle cover.

[gearhed289]

Yeah, I put flats on occasionally to get that sound. I've done that on a couple of sessions with the engineer I work with and he loves it.

Guess I didn't notice it was your thread. Hijack away! LOL!

I don't see the envelope under your name for some reason.

[Glynn]

😀👍