Alembic in Bay Area Craigslist

Post any sweet lefty finds on ebay, in your local stores or for sale online here.
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Brett Zeppelin
Posts: 99
Joined: May 2nd, 2013, 1:26 pm
Location: Santa Cruz, California

Alembic in Bay Area Craigslist

Post by Brett Zeppelin »

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/msg/4815392893.html

The body shape doesn't do it for me, but in case anyone is interested I thought I would post it here.

It looks to be highly customized, too. Not sure if that's for better or for worse when it comes to value — resale or otherwise.
Pete Gossett
Posts: 82
Joined: July 28th, 2014, 5:39 pm
Location: Illinois

Re: Alembic in Bay Area Craigslist

Post by Pete Gossett »

I've spoken to the seller, Smitty, on the phone. Nice guy and based on that phone call I'd be ok buying from him - if it wasn't a 34" scale.

He's a drummer, but good friends with an employee at Alembic. Apparently, back in the good-ol'-days, they used to allow their employees to build 1-instrument per-year for themselves. The guy built this one, but never really played it, and Smitty bought it from him several years ago when the guy was hurting for cash.

As I told Smitty on the phone, I think overall the color - and just the fact it's a solid-color finish - hurt the value, as most people associate Alembics with their highly figured & exotic woods. I'd have bought this in a heartbeat if it were 2" shorter, but I know I wouldn't really be able to play it, and it would spend even more time in the closet than it already has. I'd be ok with that as an investment, but I don't think such a unique/unusual Alembic like this would make the best investment either.
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pjmuck
Posts: 3964
Joined: March 9th, 2008, 7:46 am
Location: West Orange, NJ

Re: Alembic in Bay Area Craigslist

Post by pjmuck »

Indeed that is strange to see on an Alembic. Not crazy about the reverse headstock either. Not a bad asking price though.
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