5 String Series (REVERB) "2" in Quilted Cocobolo [was: Suspect ...]

[otis]

Guys, this one strikes me as very suspicious.  I might be wrong, but... there are a number of inconsistencies with this Reverb listing.  Let me know your thoughts...
The year is wrong- it's a 2001 according to Alembic.
The Series is also wrong- it was at least built as a S1. 
The neck recipe is wrong in the listing- but the picture seems to confirm Alembic's info.
There are hairline cracks on the rear body laminate (8 by my count, but I'm not sure if they're superficial.  From what I understand of quilted CB, it tends to sometimes do this) which are sort of disclosed (they are by the picture, but not in the description).
The pictures on Alembic's website do not match- on Alembic's website, they're S1, which is what it was built as, but in the Reverb listing, they 'appear' to be S2.
Is it possible this bass started off as a S1 and was upgraded to an S2?  Sure, I suppose... And are there different configurations of S1 & S2 electronics that aren't always the same?  Again, sure.
Still strange...
The price is way off, even for a S1 or 2 and even this custom.
It's listed by a person who just joined this year and has 0 reviews, and in a state that saw quite a few riots, quite a lot of looting, and quite a lot of violence. 
This whole thing is just strange to me- but maybe it's just my overactive imagination, lol.  I sure hope so.






Here's Alembic's build write up: 


http://www.alembic.com/info/FC_qcb.html


And the Reverb listing in question:



https://reverb.com/item/46279323-alembic-series-ii-2002-coco-bolo


I've emailed Mica about it, I guess we'll see.  Even if it's legit, almost $23K for a 20 year bass?  Even for an Alembic of that rarity, that seems quite a lot like it's pushing it.


Thanks Guys & Gals-


Frank

[dela217]

It looks like 2 different basses to me.    I looked closely at the grain on the rear.    They don't match.

[otis]

I thought of that... but still.  I couldn't find the S2 on Alembic's website.  Is it possible?  Absolutely, but still strange.  You could be right, and probably are, but... I don't know.

[otis]

Yeah, the backs definitely look different.  They're amazingly similar though.  And there's probably quite a few that aren't listed in the Featured Custom annals.  Now I feel silly...

[adriaan]

I'm not seeing any reference on the Reverb listing to the Featured Custom, and it now says Series II. As Michael pointed out, it's clearly a different bass (I'll add that the MOP behind the inlaid logo is different too).

I can't see anything suspicious with the listing. (Though the frets could do with a little cleaning.)

[jazzyvee]

That sure is a beaut. Although,  that price does seems highly optimistic. But if someone has deep pockets that need emptying it might just go.  Personally i just love dark woods especially coco bolo and if i was in the USA, i would be thinking about the possibility of straight swap for my same year SII. But not without hearing it first.

[jazzyvee]

I do wonder if the most recent alembic price rise has influenced sellers in the used alembic market. There certainly seems to be a jump in prices in all the models. That said, from what i see in th facebook groups there is certainly seems to be a lot more bass players getting alembics just over the last couple of years.

[BeenDown139]

killer bass.  killer price as well.  red flags aplenty.  hits all the buttons for me.  good thing i'm in the financial horse latitudes or i might be following up on this.  yikes!

Bass was purchased with good intentions but never used.  Actual playtime is well under 5 hours. 

ok....whatever ya say...

[StephenR]

I do wonder if the most recent alembic price rise has influenced sellers in the used alembic market. There certainly seems to be a jump in prices in all the models. That said, from what i see in th facebook groups there is certainly seems to be a lot more bass players getting alembics just over the last couple of years.

There is a lot more disposable cash at hand because people have curtailed travel and many other activities due to the pandemic. That seems to be what is driving the increase in instruments that sell for what we consider above market prices. Then there is the online selling greed to contend with, it has always been there just gotten worse and worse. I suspect some of the Alembics listed have seen little use for a long time and the owners list them at a high price figuring that if someone is willing to pay what they are asking they are willing to sell. If the instrument  doesn't sell they continue to hold on to it. I can't think of any other explanation for the overpriced instruments you see siting on Reverb for a year or more. The fact that it can be difficult to find the final selling prince when things do sell doesn't help anyone figure out what typical selling price is. Then there are the Japanese listings as well as ones by a certain flipper who tends to change the listing price constantly. Very hard for someone to figure out what it or isn't a good deal and it is intentional.

That is a beautiful bass, for sure. Thankfully I have a Series II five-string and am no longer looking for one or I would be bummed because this bass is out of my price comfort zone.

[mica]

While very similar, these look like different basses. There are quite a few instances where someone sees a build while on a factory tour and they decide to get something very similar. That may have happened with this Quilted Coco Bolo bass.

This wood is extremely rare, in fact, I only have a couple of pieces left that are only wide enough for an Essence or Further, and aren't as spectacular as these examples. So while the price is very high, I can't make another one.

[jazzyvee]

Judging by past experiences and revelations read here, in real life that bass must look breathtaking and stunning. It certainly one of the the best looking series basses I've ever seen and sadly/thankfully?... (not sure which)... out of the reach of my "Alembic Reserve Fund" account. :-)
Well I have my lottery ticket for tonight. :-)

[Russ]

I'm thinking you could have them build you one cheaper than what they are asking for this (or the other Europa 4 string, both are priced way high IMHO for not being brand new) - and they would be to your liking versus having to settle. Good luck I guess on the sale, I can pretty much guarantee will never see them sell on Reverb in any case - my bet is they disappear one day and nobody will know what why

[s_wood]

Jazzy’s analysis is spot on. The price of a new Series bass has increased significantly over the last 10 years. Some sellers think that the price of a used Series bass, especially a newer one in mint condition, should be set by reference to what a new one would cost - hence the increase in used prices. There is a logic to that pricing strategy, and it’s the strategy often followed by retailers. What’s interesting to me is that one can also often find older Series basses for sale at half the price of their newer used cousins. I think that’s because there are plenty of private sellers who do what I do when I sell one of my Alembics - I try to get as close to getting my original purchase price back as I can. Since the older basses cost much less to purchase originally, sellers who use a purchase price recoupment as a pricing strategy will price those basses accordingly. In the end, the market will determine the fair price for any particular bass.

[jazzyvee]

I'm thinking you could have them build you one cheaper than what they are asking for this (or the other Europa 4 string, both are priced way high IMHO for not being brand new) - and they would be to your liking versus having to settle. Good luck I guess on the sale, I can pretty much guarantee will never see them sell on Reverb in any case - my bet is they disappear one day and nobody will know what why

Unlikely alembic could make and sell it cheaper as a new series II 5 string bass starts at
$37,250 before the premium woods of coco colo and ebony neck lams. Without knowing the dealer discount it could still be over $30k. So yes good luck with the sale

[BeenDown139]

Well price is dropped to  ~$19k USD which moves it into almost tempting category for the cranky old man from denver.  Almost.  Except for:

1) zero sale, zero feedback seller
2) $19k USD
3) probably have to part with one of my babies to make this work.
3) i need another bass like i need another hole in my head. Not that that's ever stopped me 🙄