i ran across this auction while surfing ebay
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-Elon-4-String-Bass_W0QQitemZ140296233996QQihZ004QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
does anyone else think this is a little...odd?

Been around before.  Everyone believes the tip of the headstock was busted and this was the non-factory repair.

wow, that was probly not a good move, should have just sent it back to get them to repair it. thanks for the info
 
~Taylor

The repair can still be done at any time.  Alembic can pop off the headstock and glue in a new paddle and such.  It's apparently not major surgery.  If you do a search here, you may find a post about it including a basic cost guesstimate.

Might make a good gig bass. You wouldn't have to worry about scratching the finish...

There was an alembic like this up for sale in the UK last year although it had a standard headstock :-).
 
I was fortunate enough to play it and it sounded and played like a dream. I didn't buy it but another member of the forum did and by all accounts he was very happy.
 
I have to say the headstock on the link you have here looks fugly.
But if you can get the bass at a good below market price it may be worth taking Bee's advice and getting Alembic to fix it up.
 
Jazzyvee

yea, i'm thinking about doing that, seeing that i don't yet own an Alembic, the person selling this prboly has the reserve pretty high, despite the headstock damage
 
~Taylor

If you do buy it, make sure they send you the missing logo too ...

good call, didn't think about that, i'll only buy it if the reserve isn't set to high, since half the headstock is gone
 
~Taylor

Looks like they put in a strat style jack too. That might not be as easy to fix.
 
Mike

I would hold off on buying this. There will be better deals out there. Does anyone remember the 5 string Elan in a purple see through finish? I beleive the seller wanted around 2100 for it.

i'm not to worried about the strat style input jack, as long as it works and sounds like an Alemic should, i'll be happy. regarding the holding off on the purchase, i probly won't be able to buy it anyways, seeing that i own 4 basses and already owe my parents money, but maybe an early birthday present

I just found a beautiful Elan 5 string with Anvil case for 1800 dollars. It is all stock with signature electronics. I can help you find a better deal on a 4 string Alembic if you dont want a 5 dont rush to buy something just because you want it now. I had to wait a long time to order my Elan to make sure it was exactley how I wanted it.
 
Here is the link.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/msg/998612228.html
 
(Message edited by BlackElan on January 21, 2009)

I like that Olympic Elon. LOL

ooohhhhhh, nice 5 string, i just don't know what my spending limit is, especially in this economy, and i have to pay my dad back every penny for him buying me music gear, you sure have all the updates on Elans, what other deals can you find?
 
Thanks,
 
~Taylor