My '92 Europa - Mod or keep stock ?

[mb94952]

I am grateful to own a 1992 Europa. That being said, I've been reading a lot of threads on Talkbass, etc seeing other people's Series I and II basses. It's made me curious.


I used to own a Stanley Clarke back in 2008. Yes, I wish I didn't sell it but times called for it.


I am pretty sure the Series electronics don't just mean two pickups with a filter and Q for each pickup, but if I were to mod my Europa I would add a second filter and Q to make it like a Stanley Clarke with the bass/treble boost / cut toggles, so it would be ... that.


What's your opinion on doing a mod like that ? For those that have experience, not just an opinion poll. Would I be doing myself justice, or just wasting my money ?


Is there enough room in the cavity ? Does it make sense, etc ?


Thanks, Mike

[jazzyvee]

Hi Mike, i can share my experience. I have a standard Europa, an Europa with anniversary Electronics (it originally had signature electronics) and europa with series electronics.
My personal experience is that whilst the standard electronics are superb and really easy to use live, i have grown to prefer alembics with two filters and independent volumes for each pickup as that gives me a wider choice of tonal options. These days I use the standard Europa mainly for rehearsals.

You could certainly get the signature electronics in that cavity but not in the standard layout due to the location of the existing holes.
If you are really interested in regaining some of the flexibility you had with the SC bass then yes I would say the upgrade would be a great benefit, or if you want to stretch that bit further i would go for the anniversary electronics with or without the pickup switch and stereo/mono switch.

If you go signature i would also suggest getting the 3 position Q switches instead of the 2 position switches, it's probably not much different in price but will give you more tone shaping options.

Have a chat to Mica at alembic also about how to keep the bass/treble switches.  I believe they are a global setting and when on, apply to the whole bass sound. However if I was adding them I would try to have them on the neck pickup only since "my" sound is usually biased towards that pickup.

[gtrguy]

SF-2 is also a good alternative for more tone shaping.

[jazzyvee]

Indeed it is.

[mb94952]

A lot to think about. I just called Mary and left a message. It makes me wonder if I am playing with fire by modding a perfectly good, stock bass.
The SF-2 is something I never considered and without watching videos or researching it as we speak, I don't see how it would "solve" anything, not that there's a problem, blah blah blah. I already play through a Yamaha PB-1. Love it.

[StephenR]

One last thing to think about... Do you want two volume pots or a volume pan? Two volume pots has its advantages sonically, especially with two filters and Q-switches but IMO the one drawback is that it is difficult to turn the overall volume of the bass up or down while playing without destroying the balance you have set between the two pickups. I had a master volume added to my Series I bass for this reason. I didn't want to have to use a volume pedal to change overall gain quickly.

I am sure your bass sounds great already it really boils down to what you actually need. Good luck with the decision.

[sonicus]

I was ultimately pleased with the results of the addition of master volume on my 1981 Series I Bass. Mine was modified by Alembic after I had purchased the instrument used. 'Twas a stellar decision in my estimation.

[jazzyvee]

Wolf, that is good to hear as, i would still like to add the master volume on my series Europa basses as it would be so useful. Hopefully affordable too.

[hammer]

As far as an Alembic Superfilter goes, it's basically going to give you pretty much the same tonal flexibility as a Series Bass (at a lot cheaper price). You wont have the stereo option, and will need to take a few steps back to your amp rather than having the controls at your fingertips, but what you'll have is a lighter bass that you already know. It takes a while to get used to using the SF-2 to shape your tone (it wasn't intuitive to me) but once you master how it works, the tonal possibilities are unlimited.

[mb94952]

Thanks Hammer for explaining the SF-2, and everyone else.
Like I told Mica, I was trying to scratch an itch more than anything since seeing the Stanley Clarke for sale on Talkbass last week. I really love my Europa the way it is. It would be a shame to do anything to it after all.

So, I'm considering the case closed, but hopefully others can reference this thread in the future for all your responses.
Thanks,
Mike