Alembic Guitars Club
Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: Bassman8416 on November 29, 2015, 11:28:12 AM
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I have my eye on a Europa. I have owned Spoilers and a Mark King Standard 4. Just wondered if any forum folk can offer some insight into the electronic/tonal and feel differences. Thanks
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The Purpleheart neck lams add fundamental sustain, quite impressive :-)
The electronics are not extremely different, with the Europa set you can boost/cut the highs and lows on the sound you're familiar with.
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I'd agree with Flip and the degree of that sustain is more evident the more purple heart lams you have in the neck. My 6-string has five PH lams and the sustain is amazing.
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The Spoilers typically do not have a brass sustain block which does make a difference in the tone and sustain. My Spoiler 5 has 3 Purple heart laminates but has less tonal flexibility than my first Alembic, a Distillate (same Europa electronics). Another thing to point out is that the pickup placement (neck pickup being as close as a 1/2 away from the 24th fret as opposed to 1or more, has something to do with tonality (1/2 away from the neck tends to produce more bass I feel). Neither of those electronics packages have seperate LP filters per pickup so flexibility is limited as comparitively to the Signature/Anniversary models.
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Like all of the Alembic electronic packages I've heard and had a chance to play the Europa package sounds like an Alembic. To me the Europa electronics make a very good, maybe Alembics best, performance package if you are the type that needs to make quick changes on a regular basis. The single filter and pan simplifies tone and blending of the pickups. The cut/boost treble and bass switches and Q-switch allow for very fast changes in the tonal characteristics. Even though I have Series 1 and EMW electronics in basses I would seriously consider a Europa if I still gigged regularly.
Keith
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If you think about it, Europa electronics are very much like the old Distillate controls. A single filter w/Q-switch, bass & treble boost/cut switches combined with a neck-through with purpleheart lams should get you pretty darn close to a classic Alembic sound. A bit more options than with Spoiler electronics.
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Ha! Brian beat me to it!
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Thanks guys
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Its a choice now between the Europa and a Distillate I have been looking at
(Message edited by Bassman8416 on December 06, 2015)
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Just pulled the trigger:
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(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/222353.jpg)
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A most excellent choice, play it well and often!
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I was hoping a member would grab that one, it's quite nice. Would love to hear how you like it once it is received.
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I will keep you kind folks posted. I also purchased the SF2 that was for sale here on the forum, so I should be good to go !!!!
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Craig,
You most certainly will be. Congrats on both purchases!
Pete
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I commend you on your excellent choice sir.
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Nice! Should be a great combo with the SF-2!
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Congratulations & Compliments Craig... welcome back to Alembia with that fine looking instrument there! I was guessing you'd go with the Distillate.
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Congratulations !
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Hey Edwin, when you said, A single filter w/Q-switch, bass & treble boost/cut switches combined with a neck-through with purpleheart lams should get you pretty darn close to a classic Alembic sound. A bit more options than with Spoiler electronics.
That helped in my decision as well as Keith saying, Even though I have Series 1 and EMW electronics in basses I would seriously consider a Europa if I still gigged regularly.
Can't wait for it to arrive.
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A single filter w/Q-switch, bass & treble boost/cut switches combined with a neck-through with purpleheart lams ALONG WITH AN SF-2 should not only get you pretty darn close to a classic Alembic sound but just about any sound you desire. You are going to have a difficult time deciding which to experiment with first.
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I've had an Europa for 10 years now and in terms of the controls it's the easiest alembic that I've found for using live. Being able to use the quick tone change switches and single filter makes things more convenient and repeatable than turning multiple knobs. I might add that if you want to find similar sounds to other non alembic basses this bass up is the closest I've found to doing that. Adding an SF-2 is basically plugging the bass into a series II plus some more. Hope you find your tonal heaven with your new gear.
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Thanks Craig. Blame me will you. ;)
I'm sure it will work out for you.
Keith
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Just an update my friends....the Europa is an amazing bass...I actually recently used it on a performance with Bob Weir in San Francisco. Unfortunately a problem with arthritis with my left pinky is leading me to probably use 32 or 30 basses. Having pain and tightness when playing in the lower register. So I will be putting the bass up on the block and will either go for a Distillate or save for a Series 32. Thank you everybody for all your help.
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Tough break Craig... hate to hear the Europa isn't working out. Not sure if you're still in N.Y., but here's a zebrawood Distillate you may check out:
http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/msg/5356995126.html (http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/msg/5356995126.html)