Alembic Stanley Clark Deluxe / Value?

[MrStevie]

Hi there Alembic Community.  I'm helping a friend who's father passed.  I spoke to Mika and she gave me the information on the this bass.  She suggested I post here to see what a fair value would be.  Any pricing help would be greatly appreciated.  I attached some pics.  Here's what we know.

Stanley Clark Deluxe
Green LEDs
Cocobolo Top and Back from "Susan's Stash"
Continuous Wood Backplates
Retro Body Shape
20th Ann. Electronics
Flame Maple / Ebony / Purple Heart Laminated Neck
Abalone Inlays
"Tulip Tip"

Best Regards,
Mr. Stevie

[Slam]

One way to do it is to seek out values of recently sold basses and average them. Both Reverb.com and eBay allow you to see only sold listings. Some people feel it is more accurate to throw out the highest and lowest value to remove outliers.

[MrStevie]

Thanks for the advice.  On a "stock" instrument that works well.  Unfortunately, this is much more specific.  That is why Mika suggested we post here.

[hieronymous]

I actually think the advice to check Reverb is sound. Try this link:

https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=alembic%20stanley%20clarke%20signature&show_only_sold=true

I was basically going to suggest $7000 minimum, and this link shows that 3 Signature Deluxes actually sold at around that price. The one your friend is trying to sell sure looks amazing! You could always start higher and then bring the price down later. There are a couple of deluxes listed now for over $12,000 - could start there and see if they get any bites.

[rv_bass]

The cocobolo top and back, flamed maple neck, ebony neck laminates (2 in this case), scalloped fretboard end, vintage body shape, LEDs, 20th Anniversary electronics, abalone inlays, continuous back plates, are all upgrades. Do you know what the core body wood is?  Doesn’t really look like mahogany, so could be another upgrade as well.  That’s a beautiful bass, and 2014 build, so not that old.  You may want to start on the higher end as suggested by others and see where it goes, you want to be sure to get a fair selling price.

[garyhead]

Also....beware of "flippers" who badger you with lowball offers.....

[fivestringdan]

Thanks for the advice.  On a "stock" instrument that works well.  Unfortunately, this is much more specific.  That is why Mika suggested we post here.

Alembic is a custom shop. There is nothing "stock" about anything they build. The advice and link to past sales on reverb and ebay are your best bet in finding an average selling price for your instrument.

[StephenR]

I actually think the advice to check Reverb is sound. Try this link:

https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=alembic%20stanley%20clarke%20signature&show_only_sold=true

I used to type in a similar link to find the sold instruments then at one point every time I tried I got an error message. Now I simply go to the "All Filters" link at the top of the listing page, there is a choice for Show Only Sold in there, that works reliably for me. I still am not sure all the prices reflect the selling price, though, but you can see what it was listed for before it sold. If something has been marked down it probably sold for the marked down price. Some of the sellers entertain offers and if they accept a different price it may not show in the sold listing.

Lots of custom features drive up the original selling price and unless someone wants exactly what you are selling they may not be willing to pay a premium for those features when it is resold, they may be more interested in shopping for the lowest price for the  body shape, electronics and number of strings they are looking for.

I paid a bit more for my last Series bass than I would have liked to pay but it was almost exactly what I would have ordered for a build and after looking for over 5 years for a Series five-string with the same body shape and features I was willing to pay a bit more. FWIW... the sold listing on Reverb does not show the price I paid.

[pauldo]

I paid a bit more for my last Series bass than I would have liked to pay but it was almost exactly what I would have ordered for a build and after looking for over 5 years for a Series five-string with the same body shape and features I was willing to pay a bit more. FWIW... the sold listing on Reverb does not show the price I paid.

^^^^
That is indeed a beautiful bass.  Someone may pay a lot of money to have it.

Paul (gonna buy a lotto ticket tomorrow 😃)

[gtrguy]

Keep in mind that Reverb and EBay now will 1099 you (a tax form showing that the item you sold is taxable in the USA).

[YamatoJJ]

Hi: so did this get sold?

[tkotmk42]

wow, this is a super nice instrument....  hope it went to nice home.

[MrStevie]

Hi: so did this get sold?

I was approached by the family who owns the basses.  I'm trying to help move them as a favor.  I'm trying to find a fair value as not to gouge anyone.  But, I need to get a fair value for the instruments.  After speaking to Mica at Alembic, she suggested that I post here in the Alembic forum.  They will be listed shortly as soon as I can get them out there.

[YamatoJJ]

Looking and drooling still!