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Alembic Europa Six String!

#8
JKwo said:
I think it's a discontinued style..
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In the world of Alembic, there is no such thing as "discontinued". De-emphasized, yeah. But as long as they have or can make the template they'll build whatever you want. If they've ever built it, they'll build it again if you ask (and pay mucho dinero).

Notable exceptions would be....

  • Small body bass with anything longer than 32" scale
  • Bass with a maple board. They'd probably build it, but they'd try very very VERY hard to change your mind on that one.

Peace,

James
 
#9
It doesn't have the Europa/Rogue electronics package- Looks to be the Essence electronics (vol/pan/filter, w/out Q switch).

Like others have said, it's not a standard Europa body shape and it also has the bar tailpiece and cone headstock- whereas Europas come standard with the bird and a more 'fender-esque' headstock.

It's a beautful top- but it's a downgrade from your standard Europa in terms of the electronics package.
 
#11
malthumb said:
In the world of Alembic, there is no such thing as "discontinued". De-emphasized, yeah. But as long as they have or can make the template they'll build whatever you want. If they've ever built it, they'll build it again if you ask (and pay mucho dinero).

Notable exceptions would be....

  • Small body bass with anything longer than 32" scale
  • Bass with a maple board. They'd probably build it, but they'd try very very VERY hard to change your mind on that one.

Peace,

James
Click to expand...
Interesting. What makes them so stubborn about the maple boards?
 
#12
The_Owl said:
Is the price reasonable? How much do these usually go for, pre-owned?
Click to expand...
tough to say- I think you can pretty much classify this as a Custom Essence.

Essentially it's an essence- although it has a custom body shape and the LED's. You just don't see many Essence 6's hitting the market, let alone semi-custom ones. 4 & 5 string Essences have been going anywhere between $1200-nearly $2000 lately on eBay. How much more, if at all, should you expect to pay for a 6?

Add in the custom body shape, the beautiful top and the LED's....it's a guessing game really. How much is it worth to you?

No bids @ $2700.... personally, I wouldn't pay that much for it, but I'm not a six string player. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised to see him get bids and for it to sell for $3K+

It really comes down to whether or not the bass speaks to you. I've owned my share of Fender basses, plus a few G&L's, 2 Tobias', a MM Sterling and I wouldn't trade my used Alembic for any of them. I LOVE the Alembic tone and I'd be surprised if you can find anything built better or that can beat it in terms of playability.
 
#13
I did a custom quote using the online calculator. Here's roughly how it would break down

6 string Essence: $6000
5 Purpleheart neck laminates: $1000
Side LEDs in red: $1100
Flame walnut top: $600
Europa body shape (not really a Europa but I figured that was the closest thing: $400
Tummy and elbow contour: $200
Total: $9300

Best monthly special would probably be free LEDs.

Adjusted retail: $8200
*0.75 = $6150.

So is it worth $2700? If you want an Alembic 6, I would say so. The body looks large enough to upgrade the electronics to Europa or Signature if one wanted. Even with that it would probably be a good deal.
 
#15
JKwo said:
Interesting. What makes them so stubborn about the maple boards?
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In their opinion, the sonic difference between the ebony boards they use on almost all their instruments and maple boards is indistinguishable. That brings us to aesthetics. Their opinion is that over time, maple builds up a lot of oils and dirt and finger marks that would be very visible, whereas with ebony, not so much.

To get it straight from Alembic, go to the Alembic Club (link available on Alembics home page) and search on "maple fingerboard".

Peace,

James
 
#16
tbrannon said:
tough to say- I think you can pretty much classify this as a Custom Essence.

Essentially it's an essence- although it has a custom body shape and the LED's. You just don't see many Essence 6's hitting the market, let alone semi-custom ones. 4 & 5 string Essences have been going anywhere between $1200-nearly $2000 lately on eBay. How much more, if at all, should you expect to pay for a 6?

Add in the custom body shape, the beautiful top and the LED's....it's a guessing game really. How much is it worth to you?

No bids @ $2700.... personally, I wouldn't pay that much for it, but I'm not a six string player. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised to see him get bids and for it to sell for $3K+

It really comes down to whether or not the bass speaks to you. I've owned my share of Fender basses, plus a few G&L's, 2 Tobias', a MM Sterling and I wouldn't trade my used Alembic for any of them. I LOVE the Alembic tone and I'd be surprised if you can find anything built better or that can beat it in terms of playability.
Click to expand...

I noticed the Essence electronics, and that would be fine with me. I like simpler electronics if the bassic tone is fine, and I have a decent amp. That bass just looks like a real show piece and a real player. That, IMO, is the ultimate combination.:bassist:
 
#17
Dr. Cheese said:
I noticed the Essence electronics, and that would be fine with me. I like simpler electronics if the bassic tone is fine, and I have a decent amp. That bass just looks like a real show piece and a real player. That, IMO, is the ultimate combination.:bassist:
Click to expand...

I played a series 1 on friday and it just had too many darn knobs. It had some good sounds, but it didn't sound any better to my ears than a more basic model they had with fewer knobs, and the one with fewer knobs involves less futzing.
 
#18
Dr. Cheese said:
I noticed the Essence electronics, and that would be fine with me. I like simpler electronics if the bassic tone is fine, and I have a decent amp. That bass just looks like a real show piece and a real player. That, IMO, is the ultimate combination.:bassist:
Click to expand...
Fair enough- and it is a stunner.

If you end up pulling the trigger I'm sure you won't be disappoined.

buy-buy-buy-buy. :D
 

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