The cost of Alembic ownership

[synapticgroove]

Right on guys!  Yeah, I've definitely been eyeing an F-2B, since it will probably be another year or so before I will have the funds to properly consider a Series bass.  Thank you for the suggestions!
 
One thing that kills me, is that Alembics are known to cut through the mix on the higher register, but this Epic has more bottom end than Grace Kelly in Rear Window.  I'm a multi-instrumentalist and spend a majority of my musical time tracking in the home studio.  However, the first time I jammed with a drummer, I actually had to turn the preamp down on this thing as it had a little too much thud for his bass drum!  That is a great problem to have!  
 
I can only imagine how much more tonally expressive an F-2B sounds, or a much higher end Alembic, like the Series I & II, SCSD, running into an F-2B!
 
What I've noticed, pretty much across the board, is that with musical gear, the better the craftsmanship, the better the clarity; the lower the manufacturing count, the higher the cost.  I could liquidate the Epic, a Moog, a mint vintage Space Echo and probably wind up with a nice used Series bass right now.  But, the non-impulsive side of me wants to wait and not liquidate the Epic and really savor the build up of working up into a much higher end Alembic.  
 
I'm only 35 and have played Alembic for the last (almost) two years.  I'm not quite sure I'm ready for a Series yet! haha

[charles_holmes]

Right before the Stock Market catastrophe my wife inherited some cash. Christmas time we buy each other a very nice gift. I happened to be looking at Bass Northwest & they had an Alembic Distillate series short scale bass for sale @ 5 grand. I said to my wife  if you want to get me something for Christmas, that's what I want!! She Looked at it and said Ok And paid for the bass!! Now she's been telling me to sell of all of my other basses and buy another Alembic because they sound so much better than The other basses!!!! I'm a lucky guy indeed!!

[David Houck]

Even though I'm not a doctor, I have limitless patience and plan to soak up the atmosphere on these hallowed boards until that day arrives!
 
I've been around this board a long time, and while it is absolutely true that you can learn a lot, about all kinds of things, from the good folks that post to this board, I don't think you can learn quite enough to qualify as a doctor; maybe a Doctor of Alembicology, but not a medical doctor.
 
Or at least it hasn't happened yet.  At least one of our members became an attorney after spending a few years here, but I think he took some college classes too.

[edwardofhuncote]

My Dad used to say asking forgiveness is easier than asking permission. Not surprisingly, my Mom didn't think too much of that reasoning.  My cousin says, I'm buying hard assets as a hedge against inflation in a tough economy. His wife firmly rejects that logic, but tells me she loves to hear him play music, and knows that it makes him happy.
 
You guys are lucky to have some pretty awesome wives! By the time I figured out what was going on, my no-good-cheating (ex) wife cost me a helluva lot more than the Alembic bass of my wildest dreams would. Actually, 5x more, now that I think about it. Dang, that still stings...  
 
Funny story, sad but true - the last legitimate date I had, upon seeing my practice room for the first time, took one look around and said Gawd! How many more guitars have you gawt?!  Oh well... so much for that one.  
 
Seriously, I have a pretty strict policy about not using household funds or personal finances for music-related purchases. Simply this - turn music money into musical instruments. It takes longer, but it's nice not having to rationalize once I see one I like.

[keith_h]

My wife has never cared what I purchase as far as musical instruments. It might have helped that I met her at my drummers wedding so she knew well ahead of time what she was getting into. Four Alembics later she says if you want another get it.

[keith_h]

My wife has never cared what I purchase as far as musical instruments. It might have helped that I met her at my drummers wedding so she knew well ahead of time what she was getting into. Four Alembics later she says if you want another get it.

[jazzyvee]

Seriously, I have a pretty strict policy about not using household funds or personal finances for music-related purchases. Simply this - turn music money into musical instruments. It takes longer, but it's nice not having to rationalize once I see one I like.
 
I was very much in the same frame of mind for years and most of my pre-alembic gear was paid for by gigging. These days gigs are less frequent and so I don't earn enough from music to pay for an alembic outright. I top up my music income with my general day job savings in order to make my purchases,  and it's good to know at least some part of my music making is paying it's way. As I don't have any burning desires for another bass at the moment, my gig money should be building up nicely for when that short scale series bass comes along with my name on it.

[samsamaha]

Sold 3 USA made bass guitars, including a fender customshop Jazz, Fuji X1-pro camera with flash and lense, a Suzuki F64C harmonica and then threw in $3500 from a tax return to fund mine. Wife still didn't approve but didn't have a leg to stand on since it was financed with mostly my sales and the part of the return we set aside for my dream bass purchase!
 
(Message edited by samsamaha on April 17, 2015)

[tncaveman]

I just did it.  I needed a bass that was worth less than my 40 year old Rickenbacker and wallah, an Alembic Rogue courtesy of CL.  Followed by a fretless Elan.   I told her: I don't hunt, fish, play golf, ......   And, I can sell it for what I paid for it (used buys of course).   But actually, in 20 years, they will be both worth more than what I'd paid!  And I am enjoying using / playing them.
 
Stephen