[moderator's edit: Chris has asked that I edit his original post (time to edit had expired) to reflect that the instrument is no longer available for sale or trade as he has decided to keep it.]
 
 
I really enjoy this bass, and it plays very, very nicely, but I've got the 5/6 string bug really badly, and so I'm tentatively putting it up for trade.
 
http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/411/43601.html?1214017024
 
I'd love to find a 5-string Europa or something similar, although my interests aren't necessarily limited to Alembics. If you've got something interesting from another maker, I'd consider it. If the bass has 5 or 6 strings, that's the only requirement, really. I prefer 17mm string spacing.
 
I'm looking to trade for a bass of roughly equivalent value, which I guess would be in the $3000 to $3500 range. Basses of lesser value plus cash are cool too.  
 
Thanks for looking.
 
I have perfect feedback on EBay and Talkbass if you're looking for references.
 
(Message edited by 82Daion on July 16, 2008)
 
(Message edited by davehouck on August 22, 2008)

There's a five-string Rogue on eBay, currently at $1525 with the auction ending soon. Keep the Series, man.

That Rogue 5 on eBay is the 8th most watched bass auction right now.  
There is going to be some serious sniper action on that thing.

Trade plus cash? You are a gentleman sir! I would be surprised if you are not inundated with potential suiters!
 
A great chance for someone here to get a classic series IMHO
 
John.

I agree with KFS- keep the Series.  Scratch and claw together some funds for a 5 or 6, but keep that Series bass.

yooou'll regret it............

This is by no means a certain thing, and it would take a very special bass to separate me from this particular instrument. I would scrounge and save to try and add another bass to the arsenal, but as a student, I don't really have the means to do that. I'm not really an instant-gratification kind of guy, so if nothing comes up, I will be perfectly happy to hold on to this instrument and save what I can. I'd just like to be able to play some of the things that this bass doesn't allow me to due to range limitations.
 
I'm sure that you, as musicians who play Alembics, can relate to wanting not to be limited by your tools.
 
-Chris
 
PS: The non-Alembics that would get my attention include Modulus TBX's, Ken Smiths (especially the BT and BMT variety), and Zon Legacies.
 
(Message edited by 82Daion on July 17, 2008)

That's good to hear. Trust me, you'd almost certainly never get a hold of another.
When I was a poor college student a decade ago -- admittedly, during a much more prosperous time -- I managed to accumulate several world-class basses for short money through a lot of serious hunting and hard bargaining.
E-mail me your budget, and I'll start feeding you tips when I come across a potentially good deal.

I have a Tune Kingbass 5 string, with all of the electronics updated by Mike Lull, to Barts. I got cash also. If this bass interests you get back to me.

I have a Tune Kingbass 5 string, with all of the electronics updated by Mike Lull, to Barts. I got cash also. If this bass interests you get back to me.

Hi Chris,  
I can offer a 5-string Excel with a great cocobolo top plus cash or a Ken Smith BT Elite 5-string. I got it for $ 3500.- from Brian @ The Lowend some month ago.  
Regards from Germany
Uli

Have you ever played a 5- or 6-string before? I have been playing 4-string basses for around 20 years, and got bit by the 6-string bug last year. I figured, hey, if I'm going to jump in, then maybe I should get the best bass I can, and started looking at Ken Smiths, Alembics, etc. But I finally picked up an Ibanez SR-506 for maybe around $600. Discovered that I just don't need that low-B! And even if I did decide to go for a high-end 6-string, I have a better idea now what I want.
 
I think that an instrument's limitations are part of its charm. Whether it's a cheap instrument or only 4 strings or only 20 frets, those limitations can be a part of what makes that instrument unique.
 
Just my 2 cents! (Well, more like 4 cents) Do what you need to do!

When I ventured into the >4 string world some years back, I first purchased a very cheap (

I agree with what Loch has to say- I just sold him a 5 string Rogue because after playing 5's for the last 4 years I'm realizing that 4 stringers are really home for me.  
 
Get yourself a cheap 5 to play for awhile- you're active on Talkbass, you could easily pick up a used 5 there for cheap.

To be absolutely clear-I am not 100% committed to trading this bass. I am seeing if there are other Alembics out there with which I might be happier. If such a bass surfaces, excellent-if not, I will have no qualms about keeping this bass. I understand completely the implications of trading or selling it, and since I have grown somewhat attached to it, I would not make such a decision lightly.  
 
Shawn, I appreciate your generous offer, especially since you seem to own the divining rod for bass deals. However, I have zero spare cash right now, so unless I were to sell this or my other basses, I cannot take advantage of it. I might be interested in the SII 6 if it's not to your tastes, however...;-)
 
The Tune isn't really my thing. Uli, I appreciate your offer, but I'd like to stay domestic due to the cost of shipping on both ends.
 
I'll probably leave this ad up for a couple weeks and see if anything surfaces. If not, as I have said before, I will not be disappointed.
 
I didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition....;-)