Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Showcase => Custom Basses => Topic started by: s_wood on February 20, 2006, 09:41:38 AM

Title: 97 Series I w/ Europa Body (Quilted Maple) SN 97C10619
Post by: s_wood on February 20, 2006, 09:41:38 AM

My all-time favorite Alembic combination: Series Electronics (with a pan control instead of a pickup selector), Europa body and a killer quilt maple top!    
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/25331.jpg)
  The amber tint in the finish really makes the quilt squeal!  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/25332.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/25333.jpg)
  ..and it sounds better than it looks!

Title: 97 Series I w/ Europa Body (Quilted Maple) SN 97C10619
Post by: palembic on February 20, 2006, 03:00:53 PM

Hi Steve,  
 
I LOVE these models!
Bookmatch to center would be great here too!
The inly inconvenient is that I am not a pointed headstock fan.
But ...that will not the famous sound as you point out!
Nice ...really!
 
Paul TBO

Title: 97 Series I w/ Europa Body (Quilted Maple) SN 97C10619
Post by: David Houck on February 20, 2006, 03:19:32 PM

This is a wonderful bass!  And Paul, the cone headstocks actually sound much better than the other designs.

Title: 97 Series I w/ Europa Body (Quilted Maple) SN 97C10619
Post by: keurosix on February 20, 2006, 07:04:33 PM

Wow!
I love the tobacco Burly-Quilt top! Two wood types for the price of one El Dorado! I see that the Burly-Quilt Maple is also on the peg head veneer - Awesome! This is an Amazing Bass!  
Enjoy it!
Kris

Title: 97 Series I w/ Europa Body (Quilted Maple) SN 97C10619
Post by: bonesrad on February 27, 2006, 12:16:51 PM

That's a beautiful bass you have on your hands there.  I'm right there with you on the combination.  The Europa body style has always been my favorite and the Series I electronics give the bass ultimate tonal flexibility.  Also factor in the way the instrument balances and you have a right tidy little package.
 
Best Wishes and have fun.
 
Bones

Title: 97 Series I w/ Europa Body (Quilted Maple) SN 97C10619
Post by: georgie_boy on July 19, 2006, 03:20:11 AM

Beautiful!!
BUT---how does a series bass with this body shape compare to say-my Series 1 with theseries shape??
Does this bass have the hollow sections as well?. If so, then this could be nigh on the ultimate design IMO.

Title: 97 Series I w/ Europa Body (Quilted Maple) SN 97C10619
Post by: s_wood on July 24, 2006, 08:22:23 AM

George:
 
I have Series basses with solid mahagony bodies and quilted maple tops with both Europa and standard Series bodies (like yours), so I am familiar with the tone of each.  The Europa and standard Series basses sound very, very similar to each other, although I can't say that they are identical.  The standard body  bass weighs about 2 lbs more than the Europa Series bass, and one would expect that the extra mass would affect the tone by increasing sustain and the fundamental frequencies just a bit - which is exactly what I hear.  The difference is quite subtle, and not audible in the context of a mix, be it live or in the studio.  Even if I preferred the tone of the standard-bodied Series bass (and I don't think that I do), IMHO the significantly improved ergonomics afforded by the Europa body style are well worth it.  The proof is in the playing - I find myself playing the Series Europa basses much more often than the standard Series basses.
 
My Series Europa basses have solid bodies.  I have never encountered a hollow-bodied Europa, but I am sure that Alembic could build one if that were your preference.  There is a noticable difference in tone between solid-bodied and hollow-bodied Series basses, and if the hollow body tone is what you prefer I would strongly recommend pursuing the hollow-bodied Europa option.
 
(Message edited by s_wood on July 24, 2006)

Title: 97 Series I w/ Europa Body (Quilted Maple) SN 97C10619
Post by: georgie_boy on July 24, 2006, 08:30:54 AM

Thanks steve
That clears up a lot. I just assumed that all basses with Series electronics would incorporate the hollow upper part of the body. I personally like the tone produced by the hollow, as it seems to add sweetness and character to the sound---just my personal opinion however!
Are there any solid bodied standard Series basses?? I thought they all had the hollow, but as usual, could be wrong again.
Love your bass
 
G

Title: 97 Series I w/ Europa Body (Quilted Maple) SN 97C10619
Post by: s_wood on July 25, 2006, 05:53:16 AM

AFAIK, some Series basses are hollow and some aren't. I don't know which would be considered normal. I know that when I ordered standard body Seires basses in the past Mica or Susan asked me whether I preferred a solid or hollow core.

Title: 97 Series I w/ Europa Body (Quilted Maple) SN 97C10619
Post by: jseitang on July 25, 2006, 01:08:07 PM

georgie_boy
my custom series II is a solidbody!!!!

Title: 97 Series I w/ Europa Body (Quilted Maple) SN 97C10619
Post by: jags on February 12, 2007, 06:43:40 PM

yes it is a beauty. though i hate to critsize someone's love,you missed out on the new craze! exotic neck laminates, an ebony pece or two is all that its missing.  please do yourself a favour though.  get some brasso and polish that bridge up before it gets too corroded,that would be a shame. keep her shiny!!

Title: 97 Series I w/ Europa Body (Quilted Maple) SN 97C10619
Post by: jags on February 12, 2007, 06:45:13 PM

p.s. dont forget the nut it looks a bit scruffy too! have fun!!