It looks like Althea is for sale on ebay. Starting bid 18k. See here
 
Todd.

Um, that price is a little more than ambitious, given that the direct price from Alembic for a stock Tribute is only $14,900 (not including the potential for a significant discount if purchased from a dealer).  And, the seller has zero feedback.  I would be extremely cautious here.
 
(Message edited by hydrargyrum on April 07, 2011)

The pics are all from the COTM page on Althea.  The entire description is also directly lifted from the Alembic page.  Can anyone say red flag?  
 
Bill, tgo

...Your friends are getting most concerned
Loose with the truth baby, it?s your fire
Baby, I hope you don?t get burned...

weighted instead of waited even though the selling location is in the US.  
Just adding to the flags.

Mica may have more on this later, but unfortunately, it's been confirmed that the auction is legitimate.

Jim has advised me he will not have to sell this guitar, some other funds have come through for him and he is quite relieved. I think I'll go remind him to take the listing down.

I'm sorry I contributed to undue suspicion for the seller.  I'm also glad he will be keeping his guitar.  I've had to sell some guitars in the past due to finances, and it's never easy.

I've never sold an instrument due to financial constraints without later regretting it.  I always felt that when I found myself with no money and an instrument, if I sold the guitar, I'd have money for a little while, then I'd have no money again, but this time with no instrument and I'd have to figure something else out.  So I always seemed to figure something else out without sacrificing the guitar to merely delay the inevitable.  I think it's great that Jim is able to hang on to Althea as it really is a beautiful guitar that has some wonderful personal touches.
 
Bill, tgo

You said it Bill.  The money never seems to last long enough, and the memory of the instrument never fades.  Thankfully, that isn't a worry for me and my family at this time.

It's been re-listed on eBay and has one bid of $16,500.

In my youth & ignorance, I sold my 1st Alembic, a Series 1, because I though I needed the money more than I needed the bass. I regretted it ever since! I agree with Bill, once you sell it, you have no Alembic & eventually the money is gone too. For many people, an Alembic is a once in a lifetime purchase & it should never be sold, unless it's to buy another Alembic!

Rusty you are so right.  I went through some truly terrible times 2-4 years ago but I never considered selling my Alembic.  
 
I did sell a 1970 Hiwatt head that was too valuable to take out and play anymore, at least according to the insane price I got for it on EBay, and someone with more money than sense actually paid me $900 for an original Maestro Bass Brassmaster that I thought might get a $75 bid.  
 
But the Alembic? Never.  And when I go, any Alembics I own are going back home to the Mothership.

Selling your assets is like burning down your own house. You loose things that are irreplaceable! There are other ways to raise money besides giving up the things we cherish the most!