Alpha-Dave Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 I just put together a custom quote on the Alembic website, I had no idea that their prices were that crazy! [url="http://www.alembic.com/cgi-bin/quote/quote?model=Series+II&strings=6+string&direction=Right-handed&scale=Long+scale+34+inches&necklam=3+Ebony+neck+laminates&fingerboard=Macassar+ebony+fingerboard&surface=Fretted&fngbdwidth=Comfort+fingerboard+taper+%28wide+bridge%29&inlay=Alembic+Dragon+inlay&fngfront=No+front+LEDs&fngsd=Bronze+side+dots&pegheadshape=Crown+peghead&pegheadbevel=Bevel+front+and+back+of+peghead&woodtop=Redwood+Burl+top&topmatch=Bookmatch+top+to+center&woodbody=Flame+maple+body&woodback=Redwood+Burl+back&finish=Polyester+clear+gloss+finish&bodyshape=Standard+Omega+body+shape&bodycontour=Tummy+and+elbow+contour&logotype=Recessed+silver+logo+w%2Fshell&bridgeblock=Bridge+block&tailpiece=Bird+tailpiece&trusscov=Wood+truss+rod+cover&plate=Continuous+wood+backplate+%28for+model+electronics%29&hardfin=Gold+plated+hardware+%28estimated%29&machines=Gold+Alembic+Gotoh+machine+heads&fastener=Gold+recessed+strap+locks&electronics=Anniversary+electronics"]http://www.alembic.com/cgi-bin/quote/quote...ary+electronics[/url] I mean $1200 for a redwood front and back that can't cost them more that $400 at the very outside (they'll more likely pay $150): [url="http://www.exoticwoodbrokers.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=267"]http://www.exoticwoodbrokers.com/index.php...products_id=267[/url] Has anyone ever bought one of these or know anyone that has? D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 Weird isn't it. the Elan 6 I used to have ran up a charge of about £10,000, which in comparison is a bargain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gypsymoth Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 I have a coco bolo top persuader 5 string that I bought used, $1000 or less (my limit for basses). really nice playing and sounding even though it was their production model. it was scary running up a quote for a new model. but the customs pics sure are fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcus Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 No Front Led's...... you've gone for the "poverty Model" there mate..... LOL!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha-Dave Posted May 23, 2007 Author Share Posted May 23, 2007 LOL!, initially I was trying to keep the costs down to see how it would compare to one from our side of the pond! I see that was rather pointless now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassmonster Posted May 23, 2007 Share Posted May 23, 2007 6000 grand for inlays!!, oooffftt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 [quote name='Bassmonster' post='5433' date='May 23 2007, 10:46 PM']6000 grand for inlays!!, oooffftt[/quote] 6000 grand? As in $6,000,000 - that's a lot of 0s!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha-Dave Posted May 24, 2007 Author Share Posted May 24, 2007 [quote name='The Funk' post='5682' date='May 24 2007, 12:56 PM']6000 grand? As in $6,000,000 - that's a lot of 0s!!! [/quote] You should see 'em though! They make the Mona Lisa look like a child's cartoon and Damion Hirst like a Maniac with a chain saw and half a pickled cow! The only art made by a living artist to invest in for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bushmaster Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 [quote name='Alpha-Dave' post='5208' date='May 23 2007, 05:21 PM']I mean $1200 for a redwood front and back that can't cost them more that $400 at the very outside (they'll more likely pay $150): [url="http://www.exoticwoodbrokers.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=267"]http://www.exoticwoodbrokers.com/index.php...products_id=267[/url][/quote] No doubt, you do pay for the name of Alembic, and also otherwise they aren't exactly cheap. Still I'd be careful with such statements b/c it's not just about the type of wood but also the quality. Alas this has become a tremendous problem in the last decade or so. There's all sorts of most exotic stuff to be had at seemingly sensational prices, while even once decent manufacturers/luthiers now produce instruments w/ qualities of maple and such really basic stuff that are just dreadful and harsh sounding. Not to speak of qualities of cocobolo, zebrano and such which just left me wondering what's the point of using such woods. Also bodies composed of more than 3 pieces no longer are limited to budget gear. Etc. etc. "I'm not amused." :wub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 Cocobolo and Zebrano look nice. That's basically why people love them. They sound good too but people pay a premium for them because of how they look. I don't understand why people don't use Walnut more. I want to get a custom Jazz with a Walnut body. Mmm... Walnut... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bushmaster Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 [quote name='The Funk' post='5900' date='May 24 2007, 06:11 PM']I don't understand why people don't use Walnut more. I want to get a custom Jazz with a Walnut body. Mmm... Walnut...[/quote] Absolutely! Walnut is [i]such[/i] an excellent tone wood. IIRC Warmoth should be selling replacement bodies of walnut. Well, seemingly, as Ed Roman explained on his website, most of walnut disappears into the rifle industry, and sought after woods tend to get pricey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 Warmoth do replacement bodies in Walnut. I've had my eye on a Walnut Jazz body from them for over a year now. Just need some money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urb Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 As my luthier mate told a funny little story a while back - new bloke starts at Alembic and is working on a bass and he's routing a switch or something and he messes up, and the hole ends up being too big. Worried he's now due a bollocking he calls over his senior workmate and show him the damage, the guy says, "Don't worry, we'll just stick another laminate over it..." - this was years ago and I'm sure they don't do that now - but almost 16K GBP for one of those basses, I'm looking at Fodera prices in a new light now... Though I completely agree about the comments on exotic woods - they are short supply so it's increasingly the case that if you get a piece of something very special on your bass, chances are that's the last bit you will see - ever! M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB1 Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 MB1. dont go shopping in harrods if youve only got the money for aldi. ALEMBIC are the rolls royce of the bass world not the skoda fellatio! MB1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snarf Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 You would think they would get a better website built to reflect the prices, their site is rubbish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R,5,R,5... Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 [quote name='MB1' post='6385' date='May 25 2007, 11:33 AM']MB1. dont go shopping in harrods if youve only got the money for aldi. ALEMBIC are the rolls royce of the bass world not the skoda fellatio! MB1.[/quote] HEY! Don't knock the fellatio until you try it! [quote name='Snarf' post='6407' date='May 25 2007, 12:07 PM']You would think they would get a better website built to reflect the prices, their site is rubbish![/quote] Perhaps they get enough business as it is and don't feel like they have to? And the site seems ok to me, fairly easy to understand and not too fancy -- frankly I find animations, pop ups and the like distracting, especially when I'm trying to find information about something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 If you look around you can still get a pretty good deal on new Alembics. I've just paid beaver felton at bass Central less than half the New price for a balance K signature deluxe in coco bolo. Alembic still building it though so I'll be waiting a bit longer. They're a very nice company to deal with too. More like family. One of these days I'll have saved enough to take my brood out to visit. Just have to stop buying basses ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veils Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 I tried an Alembic a lil while back and it put me off them forever. I don't believe at that price they should ever churn out a bad bass, and what I played was worse than bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 So what was about the bass you didn't like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veils Posted May 26, 2007 Share Posted May 26, 2007 The tone was completely lifeless. The craftmanship was really nice and the woods looked superb, but it's no good forking out that much money for something which looks pretty but sounds like a total piece of crap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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