This BB Here….

[YamatoJJ]

Hello, Everyone:

This is a Brown Bass I found on the ‘Bay while still thinking over the ‘92 custom made Signature I found here in Osaka…any thoughts? Too high? Made in 2018. I’m sure for me it would come out to a whole lot in taxes and to ship but far less than new here or in the States.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alembic-/144364367566?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

[tkotmk42]

Hi Yamato-san,

Nice BB indeed, and priced appropriately I think.  It's not 2015 anymore, and days of getting thru-neck Alembics for less than 10k usd is gone.....
Tax to import from US isn't too bad, 10% sales tax on 60% of the value, so it should be less than 500 usd for the import tax (maybe more, but that was the case when I imported my last bass from UK.)

I think I know which bass in Osaka you're talking about:  that one is also very nice, but it is medium scale and not sure you would like the medium scale in small standard body (I have never touched one).
Also, the neck pickup position is close to the neck (less space b/w pickup and neck-end), some people prefer to have more space (thus the current pickup positions?  I prefer the old 'less' space), you may want to consider that.

Anyways, both looks stunning.....  It's the second best time of the whole Alembic experience (best being playing one...lol).   Good Luck!!

Takeo Sonoi

[YamatoJJ]

Hello, Sonoi San!

THANK YOU for the information on the BB: now that I know how import tax works,
I have a much clearer picture on things to buy…..thank you so much for the calculations!

Yes, I am pretty sure you know the bass I’m mentioning in Osaka: it’s at Miki Gakki.
I like it, but still thinking of what I’d like…new to Alembic, and so maybe I need to look around more, but options are limited in Japan nowadays due to COVID affecting imports, maybe.

[tkotmk42]

Yamato-san,

Have you thought about this one???
https://www.ishibashi.co.jp/ec/product/2800000402037?SPID=maker_353

I saw this one in person few times when I visited there, this is in very good condition from what I can tell.
I would pick this one over the one in Osaka IMHO.  Only thing is, it does not say it comes with original case, or papers.
You can probably get it around 700k JPY based on the price they listed and also what they list on Reverb (which they advertise INCLUDING international shipping).
And on top of that, they're running interest free financing for up to 36 month....free money is good, right?  lol

I just came back from that shop, didn't have the time to play the SC, but did play the Series 1 with tons of finish checking....   it played and sounded very very good......  as you guys discussed on the other post, I think it is bit overpriced, but if I can get them to go down a bit, I think its worth it, considering the price of the new ones today...  ><

Anyways, wish you luck on your search!   Wish me luck on mine as well. 

Takeo Sonoi

[YamatoJJ]

Hello, Sonoi san!

I live in Osaka, and because of COVID, I can’t get up to Tokyo for a day trip to try the Europa or the Series I: so it WAS GOOD??

Good luck to you, sir: if you come to Osaka let me know!