I saw this bass on Nevada City Craigslist last week for $3200 . It was described as a 2006 Alembic Stanley Clarke Fretless. I called the seller yesterday to tell him that this bass has Essence Electronics with a small standard body and a cone head stock and is not really a Stanley Clarke. He told me that the bass was already sold.  
 
      Now this SAME bass has appeared on eBay for $3995 from a different seller !  This seller has the same description that seems incorrect to me . Am I wrong ?  What do you all think ?
 
  This seller also has a bunch of really nice Alembics for sale on eBay!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2006-Alembic-Stanley-Clarke-Clark-Fretless-4-String-Bass-Guitar-/180873065766?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a1cdff526#ht_42896wt_1139

They show a pic of the Alembic paperwork that even  describes the electronics as Essence , yet in title and auction description it is described as Stanley Clarke.

Looking at the seller's other auctions, you could assume the seller flips a lot of used gear. Accuracy may not be that crucial, or may simply not know what he/she is selling. The only detail that is Clarkish is the body. Even then, Alembic refers to this as the small standard body shape. It wouldn't take much research on the sellers part to verify. An educated buyer is a great defense against fraud whether malicious, or unintentional.
 
Nice bass, but not at that price.

According to the picture of the build record, it's neither an Essence nor an SC; the model is listed as Custom, which the C in the serial number confirms.
 
But yes; big difference between Essence and Signature electronics.

Dave,  
        Yes , Custom , I noticed that in the build record as well . It is my opinion that the current eBay seller would do the public a fair service by listing the instrument  in title and description language pursuant to the build record. They are of course disclosing the build record but a correction on the auction page  language would be nice I think  to  Custom Fretless Alembic Bass.

This is the same guy in this auction, as well as the 8-string distillate from before.

But Mom, I still want it!! :-) Which would you consider to be fair price to it?

Some real gems have been gone through this seller .
 
(Message edited by sonicus on May 01, 2012)

A fair price ?   Same as a used Essence perhaps ?    Would you think balance/neck dive would be an issue with this bass ?  I do not think this is short scale  . There is a way  to avoid that problem with the right forearm of the plucking hand however it is an acquired technique that takes time to get used to.

Oh, I've had my fair share of neck dive myself with a (somewhat Alembic-y) beloved P-P Hondo Neck-thru which sounds awesome (couple DiMarzio P's from more than 20 years ago that were already there when I got it) but is real awkward to play in standing position. Had to move the horn strap pin to the same position this bass has it, and the bottom pin about three inches up the body contour to help with it a little... and wear it real high, but still the neck tends to project away to the front a little...  
 
I think I don't want it that much anymore, mom....

It's certainly a short scale, and it will balance just the same as a Stanley Clarke model, maybe better since the peghead is a tad smaller.  
 
The dealer who originally sold these also referred to them as Stanley Clarke models, and we had to ask them to rephrase it. They are the least expensive way to get the Small Standard body and short scale combination starting at an Essence configuration.  
 
It's everyone's faaaaavorite game: Name That Alembic!

Thanks for the clarification  Mica. That is valuable information for all of us.

It says model: CSB4 on the wood card, so is it actually 30.75?!?

CSB4 = custom scale bass 4?
 
(Message edited by Pace on May 02, 2012)

Custom Short scale Bass 4