Alembic Cases

[mele_aloha]

Since the FTC is closed I thought I would put this question out here.
 
Does anybody here know what kind of case your custom comes in if you order a Series II Custom from Alembic? Is it just a standard plain case to get them home, or are they nice cases?
 
The only reason that I ask is that I see some people in here talking about ordering cases from outside.
 
I am just wondering if I need to specify a better case if I want them and I didn't want to bother Mica right now just in case if one of you know the answer.  
 
Thanks, Paul

[kmh364]

Same plain G&G-sourced case. Get Alembic's ATA flight case ($$$ and long lead time) or source your own and send it to Alembic before your baby ships.  
 
My new Series I was damaged during shipping from CA in the OHSC. It offers little protection. Get a flight case to protect your expensive investment.
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin
 
(Message edited by kmh364 on July 03, 2007)

[glocke]

I think that if you are having a bass shipped from the factory, they will pack everything in a wooden crate (only problem with that, according to Mica, is that it takes about 30 minutes to take aprt to get to your bass).

[dnburgess]

You can source a case from a third party and have it shipped to Alembic - so that your bass and case will come to you together.
 
...but you better get the case from a reliable source as it will be a real pain if your bass doesn't fit properly.

[bsee]

Actually, the case is always an add-on option, though I doubt Alembic would sell you a Series II to be shipped somewhere without any case.  
 
The wooden crate option was mentioned recently and I think it was most of $200 to upgrade to it.  You'd be better served paying for the upgrade to a flight case over standard if you regularly need that sort of protection.
 
The standard case is very nice and solid.  People look elsewhere if they want a gig bag for portability, or if they are doing a lot of travel and need a heavy road case.  Other than that, I would take the standard case over any similar alternatives.

[jlpicard]

Personaly, I think the G&C cases are a rip-off! (not by Alembic but by G&C). The overall durability doesn't seem to be any better than a standard $79 generic case. Then again I could be wrong. I don't own any hard cases other than my Alembic case so I have not taken a close look at a generic for a long time. Alembic is aware that the  quality vs. $250 could be better and has toyed with the idea of making their own cases. I can see it now...  a matching cocobolo laminate case with Maple/purpleheart/ ebony edge binding. Heavy though and I'd want a case to protect my case! ;>)  
Mike

[crgaston]

Mine was shipped in a crate.  
 

 
 It didnt take very long to open.  The lid was secured with 1-3/4 wood screws, so a couple minutes with a phillips-bit-equipped electric drill was all that was needed.  By hand, with just a screwdriver, it would probably take a half-hour, and your forearms would get quite the workout, since there were nearly 20 of them.  It is extremely sturdy and protects the instrument very well.  
 
The hardshell case it came in is nice, but I'd probably prefer an SKB-type for regular road use to avoid beating it up, and also because I feel like the SKB would offer a little more protection with it's full-perimeter seal.  
 
Paul, if you don't need a flight case regularly, I HIGHLY reccommend having your bass shipped in a crate.  If you ever need to ship the bass anywhere, you'll still have the crate, but you won't be encumbered by the flight case in your normal transport of the instrument.  
 
Hope this helps,
Charles

[garyhead]

Get an ATA Case!  The G&G cases are generic! Alembic shipped my bass in a G&G wrapped in a cardboard box. The case didn't survive.  I have been waiting for a replacement case now for over a year!  Yes, that's right....a year!  Alembic stopped responding to my inquiries last June.  I contacted G&G (one of the owners) last spring and they said they have NO IDEA when they will do another run.  So here I sit...damaged case, manufacturer unwilling to make a replacement.  Bass manufacturer unwilling to respond to a (5 Alembic basses)customers request.  Posting here to hopefully generate a resolution.

[rami]

You know Gary, I've had to send my custom alembics back a few times for some adjustments and all I had to ship them in were their original G&G cases (and a cardboard box from my local guitar shop).  Considering that they each travelled across the continent twice each time and that my Dark Prince Bass made the journey several more times, a few dings and scratches on the cases are more than acceptable.
 
And believe me when I say that I was scared beyond words at the idea of shipping my $10,000+ babies like that.  As long as they made it safely, I can accept a few dings and scratches on the cases.
 
I don't know what the condition of your case is - If it's severely damaged or it doesn't close or it's unusable - If it protected your Bass, it did it's job.  Perhaps I was just lucky.
 
Rami

[garyhead]

Rami.  You post is simply spin.  You speak of scratches.....I am speaking of poor customer service from Alembic AND G&G Cases.  And while we're at it...the Retail Dealer as they are simply sitting back watching my e-mail traffic to above businesses.  Frustrated?  Yes. Optimistic? After a year? No.

[olieoliver]

Hi Gary, sorry to hear about you're case trouble. If you purchased the bass from a retail dealer it would seem to me that they are whom you should contact about replacing the case.  
 
Hope all turns out OK for you,
Olie

[rami]

I agree with Olie.  If you bought the Bass from the dealer rather than directly from Alembic, I think they should take responsibility for the case.  With a few exceptions, most of my dealer bought Alembics arrived without cases.  I purchased all the cases separately from the dealer. They all cost under $100.  A couple of times, the dealer gave me the case at no charge (considering the cost of the Bass).  Your dealer should be willing to do at least that for you.  The situation should never escalate to the point where you're angry and frustrated.  An unhappy customer is bad for business - a smart dealer should know that.
 
Best wishes,
 
Rami

[kungfusheriff]

Bringing the conversation back onto a more positive note, does anybody know if the trapezoidal nylon semi-hard cases are still available?

[mica]

I've heard from the casemaker that the cases for the Spyder basses will be shipping by October 12. We've ben waiting many months for these cases, received the incorrect shape more than once and are really looking forward to getting these cases. Not only have we been unable to send Gary a replacement case, but we haven't been able to ship any Spyder basses.  
 
Gary, since in mid-June I was out for maternity leave, it's possible a message was overlooked. We're never more than a phone call away, and as I mentioned, this tale of woe for the both of us should conclude very soon. Your order is the first to be fulfilled.  
 
Sorry, we're not selling the Protech cases anymore, but you can probably find them elsewhere since they were not specifically made for us.

[mica]

Oh, and the new Spyder cases will be made of the heaviest wood they offer. The other models cases will all eventually be in the heavy wood.  
 
When we started buying their cases, there was only one weight. At some point, they offered multiple weights, but we weren't aware that they were making them any differently. Anyway, the new heavier duty cases should be better quality.