Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: 57basstra on August 11, 2006, 06:38:50 PM

Title: Elan Comparable
Post by: 57basstra on August 11, 2006, 06:38:50 PM

When did Alembic quit making the Elan model and what model today would be comparable to the Elan: Europa or Essence, other? As always, thanks~!
 
 
 
(Message edited by 57basstra on August 11, 2006)

Title: Elan Comparable
Post by: FC Bass on August 11, 2006, 06:57:21 PM

The Elan was offered from 1985 till 1997 according to The reference pages: click here (http://www.alembic.com/support/reference.html target=_blank)
The Europa and Elan have very similar body shapes, The Elan is a bit 'Fatter'
The electronics of the Europa bass have more tone shaping facilities.
 
Cheers!
F.C.
 
(Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 11, 2006)

Title: Elan Comparable
Post by: David Houck on August 11, 2006, 06:57:36 PM

Elan electronics are like Essence electronics with the addition of a Q switch, except that where the Essence only has one preamp, the Elan has two.
 
Elan Plus electronics are, as far as I can tell, the same as Europa electronics.
 
The Essence and Europa both have the Comfort neck taper.  I believe it is the case that the Elan has the Classic neck taper.

Title: Elan Comparable
Post by: David Houck on August 11, 2006, 07:01:09 PM

The Body Shapes page is here (http://www.alembic.com/info/bodyshapes.html).  The Elan and Europa shapes are very similar.

Title: Elan Comparable
Post by: FC Bass on August 11, 2006, 07:02:05 PM

Sorry, off topic:
How often does this happen? (same time)

Title: Elan Comparable
Post by: David Houck on August 11, 2006, 07:09:01 PM

According to the Reference Pages (http://www.alembic.com/support/reference.html), the Elan was offered from 1985 to 1997.  However, if you wanted a new one, I would imagine that would be possible.  Elan electronics and the Elan body shape are listed as options on the Quote Generator.

Title: Elan Comparable
Post by: David Houck on August 11, 2006, 07:16:05 PM

Hah!!  I hadn't even noticed your response!  I was watching PBS and looking up facts on Elans at the same time.

Title: Elan Comparable
Post by: FC Bass on August 11, 2006, 07:28:35 PM

Hahaha! (http://club.alembic.com/Images/clipartrofl.gif) Lets celebrate with a picture of a beautiful Elan From this thread (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8554):  
 
 
 
 
More Elans can be found here (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/422.html?1153967479)  
 
(Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 11, 2006)

Title: Elan Comparable
Post by: David Houck on August 11, 2006, 08:00:54 PM

It is a nice body shape.

Title: Elan Comparable
Post by: 57basstra on August 11, 2006, 08:38:15 PM

Yeah, and there really is a nice one on ebay right now. It seems to either be overshadowed by the other Alembics  on there now or everyone is just laying back on it.......Thanks, guys!

Title: Elan Comparable
Post by: bigredbass on August 11, 2006, 10:53:56 PM

As the Elans were Susan's take on a Fender-style bass (besides the Jazz Bass look-alikes they make occasionally), I've often thought these would make the perfect companion to the more traditional ALEMBICs for those times when you just want/need something along those lines.
 
I have a daydream of an Elan Five with a P/J Activator circuit in Maple over Ash built with the 'classic taper' neck to pair with the BigRedBass (SOON to be retrofitted with FatBoys).
 
Then I'd have a traditional Series shape with FatBoy vocals in Maple/Mahogany/PurpleHeart, then the Elan in Maple/Ash with an Alembicized-P/J boom, and both axes would have the SAME neck.
And the Maple/Ash would be the traditional bolt-on woods.
 
One of these days . . . . it WILL be so fine!
 
J o e y