Author Topic: I need info on a 1989 Alembic Elan (Read 250 times)

xhawk4 · « **on:** July 05, 2004, 03:20:56 PM »

Hi All,
Just regestered and am considering my first Alembic.
It's a toss up between a '93 Epic, a newer Essence and an '89 Elan.
My question is about the Elan.
Does anyone have any good info about the Elan model. As of right now, I'm leaning toward the Epic because of the Mahogany. The Elan has a Maple body and the Essence is Ash with a Maple cap.
I like the warmth of the Mahogany. All the basses are similar in price.
I have Carpal tunnel syndrome and NEED an easy player for the long gigs. This is why I like Alembic. Played a very expensive few at a guitar show last year and have been saving ever since.
Any help on the Elan, or any of these three, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks alot,
Hawk

essencetimestwo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 05, 2004, 05:19:04 PM »

By any chance are you looking at the ones listed on Ebay right now. I am the proud owner of an Essence bass and a recovering C.T. sufferer. The Essence has never caused me any problems. I would imagine that any Alembic will treat you right since they are all so easy to play. The Elan is probably worth the most with the Essence second and the Epic coming in third. My vote would be to wait for a mahogany Essence to come along, but that is just my 2 cents.

88persuader · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2004, 09:57:22 PM »

I own an Epic, a Persuader (almost the same as an Elan) and a Stanley Clark Signature. Personally I'd go with either the Elan or Essence depending on who gives you the better price. Set neck models are OK but the through neck models like the Elan and Essence are more high end and give you more of that Alembic sound and feel.

88persuader · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2004, 10:07:05 PM »

BTW ... if you have a hard time because of Carpal tunnel you may want the neck length to make the decision for you. My Epic is a 5 string long scale and is not a FAST bass. It has a huge neck. My Persuader (almost the same as an Elan) has a thin FAST easy to play neck because it's a medium scale neck. I'd stay with the Elan or Essence but in your case would go for the smallest neck. If one has a medium or short scale neck go for that one. Just my 2 cents! Good luck!
Ray

Manfred · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2004, 01:21:59 AM »

I own an Elan like the one on ebay, I think it's an easy to play, good sounding bass. I bought it just because I was curious about the sound and feel of the bass. It's a fast bass to play. The only minor thing I can think of are the electronics but that's a personal matter, I prefer two volume or volume pan pots and separate tone control for each pickup. The balance is great, the weight is good, sound is good. But I don't know if I will keep it but that's not because of a quality/sound reason.

Manfred

88persuader · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2004, 02:12:50 AM »

Manfred,
If you lower the the P pickup and raise the J pickup they balance off real nicely. In a nut shell the electronic setup is exactly the same as a stock Essence except the Eseence has two soapbar pickups and the Elan on E-Bay has a Fender type P J setup. Make no mistake ... it's all Alembic. And my Persuader (same as the Elan on e-bay) has much more of the Alembic sound and feel than my Epic. ...... just my opinion but owning three Alembics gives me a good basis to judge them on.

Manfred · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2004, 03:14:51 AM »

Good point Ray, actually the P on my Elan has been lowered already but maybe a little bit more will do the job. I'm not comparing it to my other basses though, I judge a bass just the way it is. I'm still having an old Lado wich also had a P/J combination, I've had that changed to J/J. My all white Moon Larry Graham bass also has J/J p.u. and my series I/II doesn't but that bass just sounds good, always does. I think I'm used to a certain sound. I'll try lowering the pickup first. Thanks.

Manfred

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2004, 05:07:56 AM »

If your talking about the Essence on Ebay, it has a Maple top on a Maple body. That's the way they were originally made, which is why I figured this is probably a '90. It has the original Essence body style and looks exactly like my '90 (before mine was modified), except the Maple top on this one looks even nicer than mine. The seller seems to be over-hyping, including the list price which is not what is listed on the Alembic site. From the pictures, it looks like the brass has not been polished in a while. I love my Essence, and would recommend it; but from the pictures, this one appears to be in good condition but it's hard to tell, some better pictures would be helpful. One advantage the Elan has over the Essence is the addition of the Q switch; but you can order one from Alembic with installation instructions.

kmh364 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2004, 06:29:41 AM »

The Elan on Ebay is decent, but appears to not be worth what he wants for the thing, IMHO. This is at least the fourth auction for this bass, and despite a $100 reduction in starting bid and buy it now price, it has not garnered one SINGLE bid.

bracheen · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2004, 08:53:20 AM »

Hi Lawrence
since you're not that far from Bass Central have you thought of going there and trying what they have to see what works for you? I'm an Epic owner and love it but can't help with a comparison as I haven't played the other two models.
BTW it's nice to have a neighbor on board now. I'm just up the road in Jacksonville.

Sam