Author Topic: New forum guy/Elan owner (Read 216 times)

vbob · « **on:** December 25, 2010, 12:01:18 PM »

Greetings,

Long time bassist here who now owns a 1991 Elan fretless.

I am thrilled as Santa was pretty amazing, but am trying to figure out exactly what came stock on this beast... The pickups mainly - it has Bartolinis.

Also I am not sure what all the knobs and switches do or if this has been customized. The store where it was purchased is researching the instrument but thought this would be a great place to learn more about this particular bass and Alembics in general.

There are 2 basic knobs: most forward is a center detent, the other is standard; three mini switches: (2) two position and (1) three position, along with a stacked knob in the most rear position.

This thing plays like an absolute dream and I hope someone might be willing to reply with some info.

Cheers!

terryc · « **Reply #1 on:** December 25, 2010, 12:16:28 PM »

Merry Christmas and welcome vbob
Pics and serial number would be helpful, you could go to the section 'Owning an Alembic' then to 'Serial Number' requests and put the info there for Mica
The S/N is usually stamped in the control cavity.

vbob · « **Reply #2 on:** December 25, 2010, 12:36:19 PM »

Thanks terryc for the quick reply! I will get the info/pic on the forum shortly for Mica. I also just registered the bass with the site.

Merry Christmas to you too!

mike1762 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 25, 2010, 01:01:18 PM »

Since you have the Barts the following doesn't apply, but the stock electronics would have been: Volume, Pan, Filter, and Q switch. If it was an Elan Plus, it would have had Bass and Treble boost/cut switches as well. If you're interested in restoring the electronics, Mica can hook you up.

(Message edited by mike1762 on December 25, 2010)

vbob · « **Reply #4 on:** December 25, 2010, 01:21:37 PM »

I just posted some pics and serial in recommended section. Thanks!

bigredbass · « **Reply #5 on:** December 25, 2010, 02:41:10 PM »

Saw the pictures in the other post, nice axe. I'm afraid we'll all be guessing somewhat since its been retrofitted with Barts(!), but at least it doesn't appear to have been re-routed, so you could probably go back to the Alembic pickups/circuits one day if you like.

But Elans are great basses in a traditional offset cutaway style. Congratultions.

If you hang out enough here, there's plenty of us who'd be glad to help, and Alembic themselves you'll find are unlike any other guitar company you've ever dealt with. The Wickershams really do view their instruments and their owners as family whether you bought new OR used. I began with a used Spoiler, and they treated me like I'd spent a hundred grand with them. I can not say enough about Susan and Mica and Mary. And this is an exceptional forum. Welcome !

J o e y

vbob · « **Reply #6 on:** December 25, 2010, 03:46:20 PM »

Thanks Joey,

I visit lots of forums regularly and the response to posts I made just a few hours ago has been unusual in a great way, very welcoming... It really seems like a family here.

I am thrilled to own one of these fine instruments and look forward to learning as much as I can about it, and, the company it came from. Instruments like this do not come around this part of (central) Minnesota very often; this one had been on the rack for at least six months before my awesome wife gave it to me for Christmas this morning. What a gal...

I am a Fender guy, having played the same 2 custom P-Basses for 28 years, but am incredibly excited about plugging this bad boy into my Mesa-Boogie tonight.

Now to the Barts(!). When I first played the bass in the store I noticed there was some work done as the p/u's are smaller than the space. But as you pointed out, there is no more routing than what was done when it was built. Though they have a great sound I do look forward to hearing about my options on restoration and in the future, being able to get that tone.

I am also missing some screws on the cavity cover but plan to open it up later and post a couple pics.

Thanks again for the warm welcome and Merry Christmas!

Paul

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** December 25, 2010, 04:15:15 PM »

Hi Paul; welcome to the forum and congrats on the Elan! Yeah, that Santa Claus woman seems pretty cool. As mentioned, some pics of the control cavity will be helpful in determining what you've got. Elans are great basses, and yours has a really nice top! Oh, and plate screws can be ordered here.

ajdover · « **Reply #8 on:** December 25, 2010, 05:14:04 PM »

Paul - if you need some plate screws, I've got some. I can send you a few if you wish.

Alan

vbob · « **Reply #9 on:** December 25, 2010, 06:27:50 PM »

Alan,

I certainly will take you up on that offer - I am missing three. Email me if you like and I will send my address. I can send you a self addressed stamped envelope if you wish. Let me know and thank you!

Paul

ajdover · « **Reply #10 on:** December 25, 2010, 06:35:40 PM »

Paul,

Not a problem. No worries about the envelope either - anything to help out an Alembic brother.

Alan

vbob · « **Reply #11 on:** December 25, 2010, 08:08:02 PM »

email sent and thanks again!

Paul

skyboltone · « **Reply #12 on:** December 25, 2010, 08:58:03 PM »

Hey Paul:
New Elan owner here too. I bought mine at the end of last month but was hiding it from my beloved until the right time to spill the beans. Anyway, this AM we woke up about the same time, I said Merry Christmas honey, took her hand in mine, looked into her beautiful brown eyes and said: Honey, I bought another guitar. But this one is different; it's a bass guitar And so this wonderful creature says to me; what's a bass guitar? and I was home free. Been noodling around in drop D this evening and didn't even get yelled at. Wow. What extraordinary wimins we got eh? And I ordered a neotech strap on Wednesday and it got here yesterday. Wow I know you're happy 'cause I am.

Welcome to you and would love to see some pics!
Dan

vbob · « **Reply #13 on:** December 25, 2010, 09:11:22 PM »

great story Dan - this one was all her idea. We were at the local music store buying a thinline tele for our singer/songwriter daughter and I joked with the store owner about him throwing in the Elan just to make it a good deal for us - she heard me and saw a twinkle in my eye when I was talking about the bass - she picked it up the next day and managed to hide it from me for a week.

I posted some pics here:
http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/92436.html?1293330202

It's a real beauty and while I will install some OEM pickups, I absolutely love this bass. I have been cradling it all day!

It gave her great joy to see me so happy.

enjoy!

sonicus · « **Reply #14 on:** December 26, 2010, 02:03:26 AM »

Welcome to our Alembic world. That looks nice a swell fretless. You will be making a good choice to restore your Alembic Bass to it's 100% Alembic status. Congratulations !