Author Topic: Joined in July (Read 277 times)

artswork99 · « **on:** August 15, 2007, 10:00:22 AM »

Hi everyone,

I joined the forum in July after looking at it for several months. Currently I am a Hyak owner and hopefully will soon become an Alembic owner as well. I am trying to venture into my first Alembic. What a thought... most of you probably remember that moment well. I have the pleasure of living in the Asheville, NC area and met Dave shortly after arriving last year... and then the added pleasure of meeting all of his basses and seeing his band play several times! What a treat!

Today I have been browsing and posting in several areas. It is nice to see such communication with a renowned one of a kind company such as Alembic within the Factory to Customer area. Lots of other great discussions going on as well and I am thankful to become a part of this group.

Best regards to all,
Art

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** August 15, 2007, 06:53:10 PM »

Art; the FTC (Factory to Customer) area is pretty cool. Sometimes you just want to order one of everything.

artswork99 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 15, 2007, 06:57:52 PM »

I'll bet! It is quite nice to get a window into the creation of an Alembic.

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #3 on:** August 15, 2007, 09:10:57 PM »

Welcome aboard Art!

This is a great resource full of knowledgable people; whether you're looking for a used Alembic (much less expensive) or a new custom (much more expensive) you can find people here than can help you.

If you happen to know exactly what you want, you can either place an order (for a new Alembic) or peruse the Swap Shop and Wish List section.

On the other hand, if you aren't sure exactly what you want, and/or you have questions/want advice/feedback, the Dreaming For Now section is a good place to share your ideas/objectives and to get feedback from those who know.

I see you've perused the Factory to Customer section; that, Showcase, and the Custom Archives (on the main page -just in case you somehow overlooked this) are also really cool places to see some of the various unique customs Alembic has made for us!

Check out my 8-String Europa... Custom of the Month June 1999: http://www.alembic.com/info/8string.html

artswork99 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 16, 2007, 04:59:11 AM »

Thanks for the information Mark! Nice bass!

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #5 on:** August 16, 2007, 12:45:38 PM »

My pleasure, Art!

Oh yeah, one other piece of critical information -if you're thinking about ordering a new custom- is to look at the SPECIAL OF THE MONTH (look on the main/1st page). It changes every month (usually NOT on the 1st of the month). It offers varying options for free or at discounted rates. Savvy Alembic buyers know it's a crucial part of ordering stratedgy.

You can look at previous specials for several months and years back. Sometimes they offer free Coco Bolo and/or other exotic wood as a free or discounted upgrade; sometimes they offer free LEDs; last months special offered 50% off (almost) any 2 options (including big stuff like Series electronics and Ebony neck laminates); this months special offers 15% of the price of an instrument applied to (almost any) custom options.

If you DO order a new Alembic, you simply must take this into account, and take advantage of it.

Take care, and welcome again!

artswork99 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 16, 2007, 04:56:42 PM »

Great info Mark,

I, at this point, want to take on my first Alembic bass. It will probably be something used... you may have seen I am trying to trade a Hyak guitar. If I can't trade it I will probably sell it to help fund this first Alembic. I definitely know the ramifications behind the number in the statement first Alembic as I would love to someday have the Alembic crew build one for me. Thanks.

Best, Art

BTW, I browsed the Custom Basses area today... ahhh, the workmanship!

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #7 on:** August 16, 2007, 10:13:03 PM »

Oh, yes, just one more thing, sir -as Lt. Columbo would say.

I seem to recall hearing or reading that Chuck Levins' WASHINGTON MUSIC CENTER (in Wheaton, Maryland -you can find their number on the main page under ALEMBIC DEALERS MAY have a few NEW Alembics available that are SEVERAL YEARS OLD (and thus have great prices).

I spoke to Todd Elliot, the saleman from whom I did my 8-String Europa purchase through -he's a great guy- before ordering my 6-String Custom-in-progress, and at that time they DID have some older 4 and 5 strings there.

Now this information may (at the least) be out of date; and I don't know what you're looking for, or what your budget is.

But it MAY (or may not) be worth looking into; it's possible you might be able to get a really killer deal on a brand new Alembic.

Every once and a while, that happens here... someone scores a brand new one that's been just lying in a back room for several years, and ends up getting it for about the same price (or just a little more) as a new one. This is the result of several recent price increases in the past several years. Dealers currently have to abide by a maximum 25% discount off list/retail price; but some of the instruments that have been sitting around for a while can be sold at that years price. And some have special features (when you can find them) that took advantage of the Special of the Month.

Okay, I'll leave you alone now!

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #8 on:** August 16, 2007, 10:15:41 PM »

P.S. Their website shows little to no Alembics. If you want info, call 'em, and ask Todd personally what they have in stock. Specify your interested/could only consider old new stock that's for sale at old prices. You can use the Custom Quote Generator to see what new/current prices are.

Good luck getting you first Alembic, whatever it is, whenever you get it!

artswork99 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 17, 2007, 05:36:42 AM »

Mark, Your help is really appreciated! I will give Todd a call today and see if there is any NOS available.
Thanks for all the pointers and good wishes.

chuck · « **Reply #10 on:** August 17, 2007, 06:38:22 AM »

Art.
It was me that saw the Alembic's at Washington Music.Two Rouges and a essence. this was in late June. The sales person told me they were old stock at the old price.

Chuck

artswork99 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 17, 2007, 07:51:25 AM »

Thanks Chuck,

I called them this morning and talked with guitar dept (Todd wasn't in so I spoke to Paul - nice cat). They have a 4 and 5 string Rogue as NOS. Brown bass as new. Pricing is good but haven't quite made up the mind to take the plunge on new.

Art

chuck · « **Reply #12 on:** August 17, 2007, 08:11:55 AM »

Art.
These folks will deal with you so don't accept the first price.They have a lot of room to haggel .Talk with Todd,he can give you the best deal
The Brown Bass sounds good,what are the details? price? ect.

Chuck

artswork99 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 17, 2007, 08:20:33 AM »

Appreciate the additional info... will talk to Todd.

Didn't get details on the brown bass... it just came in and he said it's pricey.

(Message edited by artswork99 on August 17, 2007)

keith_h · « **Reply #14 on:** August 17, 2007, 09:04:49 AM »

The price list shows a basic Brown Bass with an MSRP of $8500. Under the current rules the largest discount would be 25% of the MSRP. So yes a Brown Bass could be quite pricey depending upon your cash flow.

Keith

(Message edited by keith_h on August 17, 2007)