Author Topic: Another !0 percent ... (Read 1194 times)

another10percent · « **on:** December 07, 2006, 01:55:27 AM »

I was sorry to see that once again prices will rise on Alembics.
10% increase starting in 2007
6% this past January
January 2005 a 15% increase. That was said to be the first one in 20 months.The amount of the raise 20 months before was not listed in the message.
I am not sitting in Alembic's shoes and sure do appreciate their work. But with an increase in pricing of 31% over 3 plus years along with the company restricting the discounts offered by their resellers, makes it easy to understand why a great new instrument dealer is selling off his new inventory as used but unplayed on eBay. The cost of inventory for an instrument that doesn't sell quickly is quite large. Its amazing that on top of the cost of the instruments, the cost of activators, rack equipment and who knows what else is going up too. I love Alembic, I really do. I just have been priced out and that is sadder than they will ever know. I wonder how many of Alembic's buyers have had a raise on pace with Alembics costs. Again I know that this is a business...but do they care about the folks who buy their guitars? The guitars depreciate at a wicked pace when they come out of the showroom. I'ts a sad day. To think that a set of humbucker pickups are going to be over $935.00 list makes me wonder when the Alembic club will charge a fee to join. Probably the most screwed up thing is that the price of the 30 year old unsold kits are for sale as if they were new. I guess they will go up again since they have sat around for another year.

bigredbass · « **Reply #1 on:** December 07, 2006, 02:41:30 AM »

Well, 10 . . . I can most assuredly tell you that ALEMBIC CERTAINLY cares about its customers.
They have shown me and many others on this post a certain graciousness way past anything most of us have ever seen any where else.

If Ed Roman wants to dump his pieces off on EBay as I saw earlier today, if one of them suits you , GET IT, seems like quite the deal on the ones I saw. Ed says Dingwalls are superior instruments . . . puh-leeze, Ed, stay out of the lacquer thinner, OK? Dw's are nice instruments with a unique fret system . . . but they're not ALEMBIC.

Handbuilt instruments, especially the so-called 'boutique bases' always depreciate fast. I'm glad they do, as I made quite a buy on mine. The vintage market is tilted to the usual suspects, yet lots of great instrumnts fall outside the half-dozen brand names. But I think this depreciation isn't nearly as crazy as paying 2o grand for a 60s Jazz Bass, or 200 grand for a 50s Les Paul. 'But they appreciate, they're INVESTMENTS!' OK, so is that LP gonna be worth a MILLION dollars in 10 years? I don't think so.

Incidentally, my last Musician's Friend catalog is full of Custom Shop LP Customs for five or six grand: That certainly makes ALEMBIC a bargain to my mind.

Regards their price increase: I always say their business is none of my business. The very best ALWAYS costs more, no matter what kind of product. You'll never buy a new Ferrari in the same price range as a new Vette. Nothing feels, sounds, looks, or is built as well as an ALEMBIC, and they're built by some of the nicest people in the world.

Either you can step up to the plate, or you can swing away. People vote with their wallets. It's up to you.

But, what's it worth to own a legend?

J o e y

(Message edited by bigredbass on December 07, 2006)

5stringho · « **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2006, 04:59:34 AM »

Well, Shucks. Another 10 percent. I still want a Series 1 or 2. Guess the old '89 Mercury Topaz is just gonna have to make it another couple of years!! PRIORITIES!!!!!! Mike

bigbadbill · « **Reply #3 on:** December 07, 2006, 05:03:44 AM »

Joey, whilst I agree wholeheartedly that Alembic are the best, not everyone has got that sort of money in the first place. As posted elsewhere, I was considering an Essence, as an addition to my Triple O. I was unprepared for the Essence costing the same as my Triple O did 3 years ago. ?3650? That's almost double in dollars. I'm generally looked at as some sort of nut by my musician friends because of the amount I've spent on my guitars; far more than I can really afford to be honest. It's also caused grief in my relationships.

It took me 20 years to step up to the plate for my Triple O, and that wasn't because I didn't want to spend the money, it was because I couldn't afford to, simple as that.

For me, it was ultimately worth it, but it has taken me 3 years to pay for my Triple O. And unless I find something used (or sell my TO), it's looking like I'll never be able to afford another Alembic. There are few other people I know who can realistically afford to put that kind of money into a guitar; any guitar. I don't have kids, I don't drive so don't own or run a car (and I am a little obsessed!). If I did, there's no way I would've been able to afford one in the first place. That Essence is between a third and a quarter of the average annual income of most of the people I know, which puts it out of the reach of most. As for a Series, I don't know anyone at all who can afford one. I wish I could.

With regards to the car analogy, I guess it's a good one; using that analogy, if I did drive, it would be a used Toyota, because that's all I could afford.

lbpesq · « **Reply #4 on:** December 07, 2006, 07:13:09 AM »

another10%:

Your info isn't quite accurate about the kit guitars. AFAIK Alembic is NOT selling the kits. Rather, they are taking some of the old kits and building the guitars themselves, with upgrades and mods, and then selling them. Admittedly, this stuff ain't cheap, but neither is the cost of living in the San Francisco Bay and outlying areas. Alembics are expensive and I feel lucky to own Alembics. I got great deals on two used instruments, a '76 Series I and an '83 Electrum. I saved up for a special 50th b-day present to myself and commissioned a Custom Further 2 years ago (it should be finished soon, I hope). The Further is pricey, but even with mods and multiple inlays, it will still cost about half the price or less of the new Fender Strat Clapton Blackie. For only $20,000 you too can own a BRAND NEW black Strat with the same dings, worn out spots, and cigarette burns as the guitar on which Layla was recorded. BOY HOWDY!!!! Now that's insane.

Bill, the guitar one

(Message edited by lbpesq on December 07, 2006)

ampeglb100 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2006, 07:36:55 AM »

In my opinion you should only conider ordering a new Alembic if you absolutely, without a doubt, know exactly what you want and can't find that bass (whatever it is) used. I look at ordering a new Alembic, whatever model, as a lifetime investment that I will never sell. Anything short of that I think you are setting yourself up for a lot of disappointment and frustration as far as your pocketbook is concerned. You shouldn't even be worried about the resale value of a new Alembic because if you are going to drop $4000, $6000, $12,000...!!! you ought to be buying the most close to perfect bass, for you, that you can. If you aren't 110% sure about that or if you can't afford it then hunt down a used one and buy, sell trade to your hearts content. If they have to raise prices to maintain their level of professionalism then so be it - I would rather them retain their integrity then water it down for the masses, but ultimately you the buyer (or really, we the buyers) have control over what we choose to buy.

adriaan · « **Reply #6 on:** December 07, 2006, 07:51:09 AM »

Not sure how much of the increase might be to do with simple inflation. So you could buy a Series I for 2,000 USD in 1975. Now check something else that costs 12,000 USD today, and see how much it cost back in 1975.

Other than that, I'm afraid the custom Alembic of my dreams keeps slipping away further and further. And it's not even a Further to begin with. :-(

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** December 07, 2006, 08:34:43 AM »

I have no idea, and I probably shouldn't even comment, but ..

One thing that occured to me is labor cost. I imagine that labor cost is a significant component of the overall cost of each instrument. And off the top of my head, two aspects of labor cost immediately come to mind.

The first is health care cost. I have no idea what this company does in relation to health care costs, but generally health care costs can be a significant amount of total labor costs, and the rate of increase in health care costs is significantly more that that of the rate of inflation.

The second factor that occurs to me regarding labor is the cost of keeping very highly skilled artisans. If you're making the best crafted instruments, you probably need the best craftsmen. My guess is that the increase in labor costs associated with keeping highly skilled craftmen are much greater than the average annual increase in inflation.

Just some thoughts; I really have no idea, and for all I know they got rid of all the really good people and hired some folks off the Fender assembly lines to build the Series basses for 2007.

adriaan · « **Reply #8 on:** December 07, 2006, 08:40:27 AM »

Dave, that can't be true. Surely they moved the whole production to Fender's Mexican facilities. Which as we all know are building better instruments than Fender's own Custom Shop. Whose latest ploy has been to ask obscene amounts of money for damaging instruments before delivery, on demand.

dannobasso · « **Reply #9 on:** December 07, 2006, 09:16:10 AM »

This same old discussion comes up each time their is an increase. There will always be increases. If you can buy one , buy one. If you can't, wait or buy something else. Cost of living goes up, you want to be able to meet that cost and you need to get it from somewhere. Your employers give increases. Do you complain? My union is always whining about getting more money and it really bothers me. If I want more than they are offering then I will move on. If a business owner wants to make more money he (or she) has to work harder and get more business. The craftsman who work for Alembic need to pay their bills. The owners need to pay their bills, but they see a responsibility to treat their employees as individuals who deserve a living wage.

I sacrificed a lot for my instruments because I wanted them. It was worth it to me. My friends don't understand it but then I don't understand that a person who chooses to smoke cigarettes, pot and drink in bars will complain that they have no money. I chose my priorities, they chose theirs.

If this company sees a need to increase its prices that is their business. If I chose to order another instrument, that's my business. If I can swing it, then I'll do it again. If I can't I'll either find a way or do without.

Our thread starter is not a devotee. Those here who are get it and understand.
I don't buy Alembics as an investment. I buy them as wonderful tools to make my music with.
Picking up on the auto notion, I would love to get a new Vette or Magnum but I can't afford it and stay solvent. So until I can I'll stick with my van and play my Alembics. (plus I can't fit my rig in the vette).

southpaw · « **Reply #10 on:** December 07, 2006, 09:20:14 AM »

Just my 2 cents... Like many peoople in the Corporte world, I have not had a raise in 3 years but everything around me has increased. I know Alembic is very concious of the increases and they are not doing it out of greed. I chatted with Susan a couple of years ago regarding cost and I think the biggest culprit is the State of California.
California hits businesses with some outrageous cost & taxes. Other businesses have said the same thing (think Santa Ana). I believe in 2004 California raised the Workman Comp cost by 400%! My suggestion to Susan & Alembic; Move the company to Nevada, Oregon or Washington. Still American made but reduced expenses. California is so ungodly expensive, the janitor needs to make six figures for basic shelter, imagine what the artisans at Alembic need to make because of the cost of living in California.
No one is more heartbroken about the increases than I am, my dream of a Dragon Wing is gone, unfortunately for working class bums like me, $6000 of disposable income on a bass will never happen. I have met the gang at Alembic, they are hard working, good people; there are no Mercedes and lobster lunches happening.

jseitang · « **Reply #11 on:** December 07, 2006, 09:38:06 AM »

but i think alembic should stay in california. its what really makes it special... its in the air. i long for the day i return to the golden state.
stay gold!

lbpesq · « **Reply #12 on:** December 07, 2006, 09:45:07 AM »

MOVE OUT OF CALIFORNIA!!!!!! HERESY!!!!!!!

Alembic IS California - California IS Alembic.

And, MOST importantly, Alembic is only 1 hour from my doorstep! As for those Mercedes and lobster lunches, I love the taste of a good blackened cajun 450SL on focaccia with sun-dried tomato pesto and some langostino on the side! Yum yum!

Bill, tgo

bassjigga · « **Reply #13 on:** December 07, 2006, 09:50:17 AM »

Yes the state of California is certainly a factor. It is the most expensive state in the country to do business in - for any business. Our laws and regs are tighter than anywhere. In addition it's also very expensive to live here compared to most other places so I'm sure that has an affect on the labor price too.

Another huge factor is the price of oil. Petrolium is in EVERYTHING. It's in the paints, the glues, delivery costs rise with fuel, etc.

I don't like the increase either. It certainly doesn't help my pocket. Another part of the problem is that nothing else sounds like an Alembic - there are no substitutes. But I find a lot of times the people complaining about their prices own 5 Sadowskys, 2 MTDs, 3 Zons, 2 Ken Smiths, 6 Fender Jazzs, a couple MMs, a Lakland or two... and on. Not that everyone here falls into that category, but what's the difference if one person has $50,000 in instruments and owns 20 and another has the same value and owns 3? Anyway I went a little off topic I guess....

Yeah prices suck! Let's have a half off your order December special!

Dave

southpaw · « **Reply #14 on:** December 07, 2006, 10:15:28 AM »

Bill, I don't think Alembic set up shop in Santa Rosa to be close to your home, but I could be wrong! My point is that an Alembic is special because of the people and craftsmanship, no matter where Alembic is located the instruments will still be tops. Here in Illinois we have seen the top surgeons move their practices over the state lines to Wisconsin & Indiana because of the massive malpractice insurance in Illinois. They are still top surgeons, just with less overhead. I wonder if Governor Arnold plays guitar? Maybe he can help reduce cost... By the way, how do you cook a 450SL? Sounds dangerous, but count me in for lunch.