If you think Alembic purchasers are picky, read the questions asked to the seller of this Carl Thompson bass.
http://cgi.ebay.com/carl-thompson-bass_W0QQitemZ7393859981QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Eh..the guy is kinda mixed up. He had originally started bidding around $18,500. And just for trivia, it's not the only 8 string Carl ever made; I know of at least 2 others. The price should be about 70% of what it is now at best.

Things that make you go,HMMMMMMM.

just curious... does anyone around here have a carl thompson? or has anyone played one? ive always been curious if they actually live up to their almost myth-like status. some of them are positively gorgeous instruments, though. i mean.. they're no alembics.

If its good enough for Les Claypool, its good.  He stated that he saw the bass(His first Carl Thompson) in a pawn shop, and said his first thought is that it was the ugliest bass that he had ever seen.  Then he picked it up, and said that it was the best feeling bass that he had ever held and had to have it.