Orion 5 string SHORT scale

[gearhed289]

This is a really cool bass with a nice lacewood top. Interesting back of the headstock, as it has a few veneers rather than the usual volute that you'd see on a set neck Alembic. Looks like a lot of fun to play!
https://reverb.com/item/60070111-alembic-orion-5-string-short-scale-lacewood-with-blackened-brass-hardware?utm_content=feed_listings&utm_source=braze&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily-Feed-Email&utm_term=Feed%20Email

[jazzyvee]

Interesting I was recently pondering on whether it would be a sensible idea  to sell my Bocate Europa and get an Orion as I presume they are lighter weight basses. With touring coming up soon and feeling i should carry two basses, having a lighter alembic as a spare bass would be nice. However this one is in the states so out of my reach also has no mention of how it is strung B - G or E - C but looks like the former. Lovely bass though and as a shorty is a nice touch.

[BeenDown139]

well a 10-lb. bass has a lot going for it, especially if you have to wear it for a whole shoe, imho.
$6500 USD? nice bass, but not that nice.  good luck with that, sir!

[rv_bass]

That’s pretty cool.  I’ve had two Orions, one five (fretless) and one four string.  They were both very light and comfortable to play.  This one is much heavier.

[jazzyvee]

I have contacted the seller to find out about shipping and possibility of a trade with my bocate europa. I don’t want to add another bass so it would have to be one in- one out if i go for it. But only if the price is right. Any advice on how to do a part exchange when basses are not local?

[hammer]

Personally, I wouldn’t trade a thru-neck Europa for a set-neck Orion. Since the bass is in Southern CA I bet you could find a Alembican down that way who would be willing to act as an intermediary. However, I didn’t see anything suggesting the owner was open to a trade.

[jazzyvee]

Good points, all my current alembic basses are neck through. I did own a left handed epic for a couple of weeks, (a chance rescue from a shop who had failed to sell it for a long while), and that sounded great so i doubt if I will be unhappy with the sound.

I'm more concerned with the price including shipping and UK taxes and how the B string will feel to play on a short scale bass. I intend to carry my Europa as a back up bass on UK tour dates unless i find a lighter alembic to trade. Up to now I have always carried just one bass to gigs unless they are local and i want to use a 4 string so I am confident in the reliability of these basses compared to the reliability of a string. :-) I guess i'm just testing the waters of possibilities, and it's all down to the right price and how much I could get for my Europa to balance my bass budget. 👍🏾