I bought my Alembic very much used: Buckle rash, a few dents and dings, some little scratches, etc. The sound and electronics are fine, however. Because of it's condition, the price was lower, and I can let friends try it out without fear of ruining that mint condition of an instrument. It lives in a gig bag that seems to be fine for the use I give it. I'll take it on any gig.
I do have some other instruments that are in mint condition, and they have to be babied to keep them they way they came from their makers, but the Alembic ain't one of them. I kinda like that.