Looks pretty rough, but playability is pretty good (according to the description).


This shop is very good as well, I've dealt with them in the past on quite few highend basses, very knowledgeble and very nice people.


But again, not affiliated with the shop.


You pay 10% less when shipping outside of Japan, and with super weak JPY, this bass is about 4500 USD.


https://www.ikebe-gakki.com/Form/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?shop=0&pid=846372&bid=ec&cat=bss001009

Takeo


Takeo

Wow, nice player, nice price.

https://reverb.com/item/93921769-alembic-20th-anniversary-bass-1989-natural


Looks like it crossed the eurasian continent and ended up in UK.

A LOT of guitars are being shipped out of Japan, with super-weak yen, and even weaker guitar economy in Japan, used gear price in Japan is all-time low in currencies other than JPY.

so if i read this thread correctly, the price went from ~ $4500 USD to $7900 USD in the space of aboot 3 weeks.  i wish i had stocks that performed that well.  good luck to all!

Quote from: BeenDown139 on January 08, 2026, 02:13:38 PM
so if i read this thread correctly, the price went from ~ $4500 USD to $7900 USD in the space of aboot 3 weeks.  i wish i had stocks that performed that well.  good luck to all!

Pretty much, they are a dealer in UK so they took the chance of getting one sight unseen (maybe? unless they have someone in Japan) and put it up for sale in UK, where average price of Alembic is bit higher than Japan, especially in that condition.

In Japan, condition of the cosmetics has huge impact to the selling price. (or should I say, the seller is willing to lower the price based on the cosmetical condition)
If your market is more forgiving cosmetically, there's opportunities for financial gain

Takeo