Worth mentioning... Eddie's Guitars is an Alembic dealer, with a phone number and a storefront. They cater to a clientele that wouldn't flinch at buying this bass. I can't
imagine a circumstance under which I would buy that bass, or make any other transaction of that size using an online platform and not have some human interaction. But hey, it's 2025... I guess some folks would rather do it that way.
The important thing about this one, it's new, and it's in-stock. No waiting. No issues. No foolishness. I agree it's a lotta' money, but the 13 people on that build sheet had to get paid somehow. If you want it cheaper... I dunno, wait 20 years and buy it third-hand?