starburst dragonwing jsut popped up on revverbb

[BeenDown139]

https://reverb.com/item/71822283-2007-alembic-starburst-custom-made-1-of-1-aaaaa-top-leds-original-case

not shilling for the storefront as it may be a sore subject around here.

interesting bass.  strike that absoulely awesome bass.  i'd make a play for it but the lack of hand operable/ easily accessible controls pretty much shoots it down for me, unless the seller's gonna make a big $ concession.  whiiiich i doubt he will.

this may be heresy around here, but the tone controls on an alembic are lost on me.  the tone/filters on all my basses are always wide open as i prefer the raw unfiltered sound of the bass and use hand technique and maybe some pickup blend to control my tone.  i could get by withoout tone controls but no volume/pan?  sorry.  no sale.  i own a full custom bass that someone else ordrred.  it's pretty cool but i can tell ya there's some strange stuff on that bass that i sure  woulda done different.  so, to use the hoary old standby of mine - there's no accounting for taste.  i'm sure the original owner had his reasons for doing the controls like that.  pretty sure resale value wasn't on the list

[edwardofhuncote]

Now that's what I call 'set it and forget it'. Interesting. Is it Series-equipped, or just Series prepped, I wonder?

[Jonny]

Now that's what I call 'set it and forget it'. Interesting. Is it Series-equipped, or just Series prepped, I wonder?

Just prepped from what I understand. We saw this days ago in another thread.
It's a dummy pickup just for show.

https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=28007.0

[hammer]

Interesting posting BUT...given that it's not a Series Bass, why doesn't the seller provide any information at all about the electronics other than it has "custom controls that are accessed thru the control plate cover."  If I was a buyer, I'd certainly want to know a bit more about the electronics which make the difference between a bass that is an Alembic and anything else other than that they are "custom."

[BeenDown139]

i gotta say the more i look at it nuttier it gets.  where's the output jack? i've seen them hidden in strap pins.  please say it isn't bluetooth.  if it was prepped for series I then does it have stereo ouput?

definitely one i'd have to handle before money changed hands.  handle a lot.

been prepping for abig audition tomorrow.  gotta playeverything from aerosmith to RHCP to AIC.  i'm the new guy gonna be using the MKDeluxe.  usually gotta nudge the pan or volume a little from one song to the next to get my sonic space.  i kept visualizing me showing up to the audition with a museum piece of a bass that i gotta use a tool on in between songs to set my tone.  i dunno.  it's stopped raining.  my hands hurt.  gonna hit the tub

[JimmyJ]

Here:
http://www.alembic.com/info/fc_starburst.html
Jimmy J

[senmen]

Guys,
electronics are standard Signature. 
Master Vol,. Pan Pot, 2 x Filter. 
The Switches are 2 x Q Switch (2 positions)
and LED on/off

Greetz
Oliver (Spyderman)

[senmen]

BTW the input jack is on the outer lower rim, see photo

Greetz
Oliver (Spyderman)

[BeenDown139]

thanx jimmy and oliver!

that build link helps.  gotta say, ebony stringer in the neck is a bigger deal than most people tink.  have one in the SII and it's got sustain for days.

really conflicted on this one.  if it wasn't for that wacky control setup, i'd probably finally have something to put on my last empty bass wall hanger.

but without major expensive modification, this instrument would be little more than wall art for me.  i gotta be able to strap in on tune it up and crank out the jams.  and not think about where i left the freaking volume and tone screwdriver this time.  i got enuff problems remembering where i set my glasses down last.

[senmen]

Well, to be honest I am also strongly interested. 
But seller only ships CONUS so I would need to ask
someone else shipping it for me. 
Then you still have the risk on your own. 
I am always very sceptic buying used stuff without seeing
personally.
And additionally I would have to pay immense shipping costs
as well as 22,2 percent duty and taxes on the value
plus shipping costs. 

Well I think it is better not to think about it anymore. 
But of course it is one of the iconic Alembic builds. 

Greetz
Oliver (Spyderman)

[BeenDown139]

And additionally I would have to pay immense shipping costs
as well as 22,2 percent duty and taxes on the value
plus shipping costs

does that apply even if you buy from a private seller such as myself?

[senmen]

Yes, unfortunately. 
19 percent taxes and the rest is duties. 
As long as you import, no matter if dealer
or private, you have to pay. 


Greetz
Oliver (Spyderman)

[BeenDown139]

Well I think it is better not to think about it anymore.

amen, brother.

i shoulda stoppped thinkning about it 12 posts ago

[jazzyvee]

Is the cost of flying out to pick it up cheaper than the shipping and taxes? If so you would be bringing your own bass back so you may not have to pay those charges.

[hammer]

I get the idea of having the controls set on ones bass and then just leaving them alone. I use an SF-2 and do a lot more tone shaping with that than with the controls on my bass. However, while a rare and custom bass (but aren’t ALL Alembics custom) asking $16,000 for an instrument with Signature electronics is way too high a price unless that specific bass meets every single one of your needs and preferences.


As far as import duties/taxes go, at least in the U.S. you don’t get hit with them if you are repatriating a U.S. manufactured product. I’ve purchased two Basses from other countries and not paid anything beyond shipping. I don’t know if that’s the case in other countries and in this case it wouldn’t make a difference but good information to know. Now shipping is another whole ball of wax. I was recently asked to ship some books to India for a colleague. I was astounded that UPS, FedEx, and DHL all wanted over $250 for shipping a box that was no more than 8” x 14” x 12” and weighed about 11 lbs.