Author Topic: "Replica" on eBay? (Read 285 times)

jagerphan84 · « **on:** May 05, 2004, 07:46:44 PM »

Take a look...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=3722631501&rd=1

Advertised as an Alembic replica...
Adjustable nut, bird tailpiece, Alembic script on headstock... Any thoughts?

dannobasso · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2004, 07:58:28 PM »

Looks like a Spoiler to me. I've got 5 in that body style with those electronics. Maybe the guy thinks that because it's not a series or lage body style that it's not the real deal?
Danno

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2004, 08:18:17 PM »

I would be inclined to agree with you, but I'm reluctant to contact the seller. If it appears to be genuine, and the 'replica' branding keeps the price down, maybe my distillate would like a sister...

Adam

jagerphan84 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2004, 08:19:48 PM »

(Message edited by jagerphan84 on May 05, 2004)

bassman10096 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2004, 09:05:33 PM »

(Message edited by bassman10096 on May 06, 2004)

bassman10096 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 05, 2004, 09:12:53 PM »

At very least, it looks like a good counterfeit -right down to the bridge, tailpiece, the two missing screws on each PU and the logo. I agree with you guys - there is a possibility the seller might have an Alembic and not know it. On the other hand, if it is not the real deal, it is a good enough counterfeit to fool some unsuspecting buyer - even one who checked against pictures of actual Spoilers!!

I'm with you Adam - even at the risk that it was just a good fake, I might be interested if the price were right.

I think I'd still feel pretty low if I watched some unsuspecting shnook pay for a counterfeit. On the other hand, if the shnook bought an Alembic for a song - AND NEVER KNEW IT WAS REAL - that's the depths of irony! On the other (other) hand, if some smart shopper spotted the signs we have and picked up what looks like what might be a pretty good Spoiler - and the shopper wasn't me (or one of the rest of us), I might feel really stupid!! Then again, maybe the fairest thing would be to contact the seller...

What to do? What to do?

(Message edited by bassman10096 on May 05, 2004)

valvil · « **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2004, 09:32:19 PM »

It does look original; could easily be an employee built instrument. Those are not official. Mica may know more.

Valentino

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2004, 09:38:33 PM »

Maybe you could ask the seller if there is a serial number at the end of the fretboard.

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #8 on:** May 05, 2004, 10:10:55 PM »

Hey, I know that bass!
Was e-mailing back and forth with the seller before I found my Series, and saw those same pics. Looked long and hard at them (notice the nut is on backward?) and it does appear to be the genuine article, owned by someone clueless to its' pedigree who bought it from Guitar Center, who are also known for cluelessness.
It looks dry as hell and kinda chewed up--a Clubber's future biker bar bass?--but his reserve will be in the neighborhood of $500, which is pretty cheap. It's either an '83 or '84, if memory serves. If I still have the e-mails I'll post whatever pertainent info I find.
While we're on the topic, has anybody checked CG's auction site, instrumentexchange.com, lately? There's about seven Alembics posted there, including an $800 maple Persuader and several Series basses, including a fiver from '76 which I would love to have (it was born the same year as myself) but would have to sell my car to afford.

flaxattack · « **Reply #9 on:** May 09, 2004, 07:07:08 AM »

somebody wised him up- he's reposted

effclef · « **Reply #10 on:** May 15, 2004, 10:05:42 AM »

Kungfusheriff - thanks for pointing out that instrumentexchange site. I presume it's private people selling, not just what's available at some GCs?

Note the interesting Mark King there:

It's a five string, burl maple omega. Looks from his picture that it is indeed stamped MK in the serial number. What's weird is that it has only three knobs and three switches, and has a humcanceller pickup in the center. Weird. Europa electronics and prepped for Series? I don't see an output jack either so it may be side mounted.

At $4500 it may or may not be a bargain, but I'd want to know the real scoop on the electronics package.

EffClef

David Houck · « **Reply #11 on:** May 15, 2004, 10:23:15 AM »

EffClef; that's a beautiful bass. And I think you are probably right that it has Europa controls and is prepped for Series.

kungfusheriff · « **Reply #12 on:** May 15, 2004, 10:41:20 AM »

My pleasure effclef, if somebody gets an Alembic out of it (grin).
Some sellers are private individuals, most is GC inventory.
A quick way to tell who's who is the number of complaints--the greater the number of aggrieved buyers, the more likely it is that the item is GC property.
If I was of a mind to buy something from GC that had appeared on IE, I'd wait for the auction to expire (they don't get much traffic, it seems), call up my local GC manager and make him an offer below the opening bid. Items are traded between stores pretty freely.

adriaan · « **Reply #13 on:** May 17, 2004, 02:18:26 AM »

It's a MK with a very small headstock. Have seen something similar somewhere on the net before, think it's 3/4 size. Upper horn looks enlarged - to improve balance?

(I meant 3/4 size body. Not sure, the earlier one may have been Point rather than Omega.)

(Message edited by adriaan on May 17, 2004)

811952 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 17, 2004, 09:08:44 AM »

Nope. It's a full-size body and headstock. The neck is large but nice. The action is set way too low, so it buzzes everywhere. It's a nice instrument. The 1/4 output jack is on the side. It's extremely clean..

John