Here's the latest addition to my arsenal:  
[img">http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/411/18569.jpg[/img]
  And a closer look at the koa's awesome grain:  

  And one of the posterior, just for the heck of it:  

  It plays and sounds fantastic, and it's surprisingly light.  Definitely a welcome addition, and an easy transition from my 'regular' '82 Distillate.  My http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/411/15708.html?1105922046 target=_blank]custom Excel has definitely got some competition!  This bass can actually be seen in another thread in this folder, as I bought the bass from Danny (club member diptixon).  The bass is in impeccable shape (especially considering it's older than I am) and the price was an amazing deal, IMO.  I couldn't really afford it, but I REALLY couldn't afford to pass it up.  Make sense?  Hope so.  Adam

Adam,
Beautiful bass.  A great addition to your quite impressive collection.  Couldn't afford to pass it up?  That makes perfect sense.  Money goes in and out of our hands regularly.  Great instruments don't become available every day.  As you said, especially older ones that are in such good condition.  I still look at the Epic you sold me and marvel that it is in perfect shape.  Enjoy your stable of instruments.
Rich

That is a great bass Adam. Nice Choice! Surprisingly, my 83' Distillate Exploiter is light weight as well. (I hear the Spyders are very heavy).

Rich & Clay,
 
Thanks for the kind words!  Aside from needing a new set of strings, I've got no complaints at all about this bass.  It's yet another testament to the amazing work done by the artisans in Santa Rosa.  
 
Rich, I'm glad you're pleased with that Epic 5.  I barely had her long enough to get to know her, but it's great to see that she's found a loving home.
 
I'm now starting to feel the itch for a Series bass, but I haven't a clue how I can afford one.  I don't think I can stand to part with any of my 'vintage' gear, so the Ibanez (with Jagermeister logo in glow-in-the-dark paint) will probably be the only thing to hit the auction block.  That'll get me about 10% of the way to a used Series... Hey, it's a start!
 
Adam