Good deals are still out there.  I just picked up a '96 Epic 5 string with superb flame walnut top for $650 off of craigs list.  It did have one big drawback though.  It came in the biggest ugliest coffin case I've ever seen!  The bass player in my band will be buying it from me once he gets the o.k. from senior management.  
 
Bill, tgo

G_d's on this board?!?
What's His username?
(just kidding!)
 
I agree with you 95%, Doc. (Still too many laws about what we can or can't buy and sell.)
 
Who I REALLY feel sorry for is the poor, misguided individual who sold it to the first ebay seller.  He must have gotten a handful of magic beans for it.
 
So Bill, how much are you going to profit of that transaction?
 
;-)

Nada.  We've been playing more on than off for 20+ years.  I've always wanted to hear him on an Alembic.  If he get's the go ahead, he's getting it at my cost.  A big deposit in the bank account of karma.
 
Bill, tgo

Cha-Ching!
(Ommm)

I'm all for a man (or woman) making a profit.
 
Hey Bill, I'l give ya' 651.

Tempting Olie, verrrrrrrry tempting!
 
Bill, tgo

After owning a Distillate and knowing it's typical construction and recent selling prices, this one is keeping up with the current market for the others that have been recently sold. I've seen others sell on ebay for up to $2500.00 w/out original case or parts. This one does have a multi-lam body where as most Distillates only had a mahogany body w/ a top laminate. It's just a sign of the times guys that these things are going up probably because most cannot afford a new one, as well as getting one that is a med. scale which seems to be a popular choice for this brand. Somebody will buy this, I just hope it will be somebody that will actually play it and not hang it on the DAMN WALL!

Yep, I agree. The hardest part is watching these prices go up faster than inflation [or bass players' purchasing power!].
 
It's not just that the threshold is getting higher and higher for the first time buyer. It's that too many are winding up in the hands of collectors, who look at them only as an economic investment.
 
 I mean, Alembics are meant to be PLAYED! They are beautiful, but it's their SOUND that sends them to the head of the class. All too often,fine instruments languish in their cases lest they get a small ding on them that erodes their value!
 
We jail pet owners and parents for neglect, why not some of these Alembic owners?!? I mean, instruments that are not taken out at least once a week and played should be put up for adoption!!!
 
OK, rant over.  Just call me Ed Roman #2...  
 
Dr. J

...I mean, Alembics are meant to be PLAYED! They are beautiful, but it's their SOUND that sends them to the head of the class. All too often,fine instruments languish in their cases lest they get a small ding on them that erodes their value! ...
 
+1
 
some people think i'm nuts for taking the collection that i have with me to gigs.  but it's a rush to play 'em for an appreciative crowd....

I'm with you guys.  When people find out the history behind my Series II (which I play all the time on every gig), they're like Man that thing should be in a glass case.  It's history, it should be preserved.  
 
Forget that man.  This thing was made to be played.  And played it shall be.

Hey I'm with you on that,i play old #12 six nights a week three weeks out of the month on the road,im currently @ the atlantis hotel/casino all this week in reno & i get bassplayers telling me the same thing that this bass belongs in museum! to Hell with that!,,,,,this machine was meant to be played & played it will Be!