Author Topic: Trade Essence 6 for Essence 5 (re-try) [SOLD] (Read 459 times)

tcube · « **on:** November 28, 2010, 09:14:23 AM »

I posted this topic about 6 months ago & didn't get results, but here goes again: I love the sound of Alembics and I basically traded an Essence 5 for an Essence 6, thinking an extra thing would be so much cooler. Unfortunately that 6th string just confuses me! So, hopefully, there is someone out there for whom a six is perfect!

wookie · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2010, 09:36:17 AM »

how much? condition?

sonicus · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2010, 10:11:55 AM »

Very nice , is the scale 34 ?

tcube · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2010, 10:14:43 AM »

Hi Wookie,
Condition wise: 9/10 because the previous owner (I'm #2) dinged the body (mic stand injury?) next to the lower strap button. The finish has been repaired professionally, so it's smooth & shiny.

Price wise: I was hoping to trade it for a 5-string Alembic of some sort, so I hadn't really though of how much to sell it for. I'd have to do some research in order to quote a realistic price.

I forgot to mention that it comes with its hardshell case which is also in excellent condition(no nicks or tears).

I can send more pics to those interested.

tcube · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2010, 10:26:33 AM »

Sonicus,

Thank you - ain't she a beauty?

Alembic lists it as 34. (It's roughly 34.5 from the A-string saddle to the nut.)

sonicus · « **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2010, 11:21:46 AM »

Yes, tcube, I Love my 91, 4 string Maple Essence .
Thanks for the info on scale length .

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2010, 07:15:40 PM »

Terry; scale length is determined by measuring from the nut to the 12th fret then multiplying times two. So if it's 17 from the nut to the 12th fret then it's a 34 scale length.

Very nice Bird's Eye top; beautiful bass!

crobbins · « **Reply #7 on:** November 29, 2010, 08:24:48 AM »

I still have this Orion 5, with Essence electronics I would consider trading.

tcube · « **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2010, 10:41:08 AM »

Davehouck, Thank you for the post on how scale is determined. Your way sounds much more functional than mine, which was based on how they do it with uprights.

Thank you also for your kind comments on my Essence.

tcube · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2010, 03:46:26 PM »

crobbins - Thanks for your trade offer - it's a beautiful Orion. I am interested. One of my concerns is that the Orion is set-neck whereas the Essence is neck through. In your experience (and those of others reading), is there a big difference in tonality between set necks and neck throughs *given* that they have the same pups and preamp?

afrobeat_fool · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2010, 04:41:01 PM »

Terry, I see you are in Eugene. I am in Portland and have a essence 5. Only thing is it's fretless. If you are interested we can meet. Here, there. Whatever. I am interested in a six. My bass originally had frets. But I have never played a six and would like to check one out first. I love playing guitar and the necks are so small. Has anyone set up a six bass like a guitar? E-E.

Nick

tcube · « **Reply #11 on:** November 30, 2010, 11:40:38 AM »

afrobeat - Cool, a fellow Oregonian. Thank you for your offer. I've got a fretless, so I'm after a fretted Alembic. Your Esseence would have been perfect had it been fretted.

crobbins · « **Reply #12 on:** November 30, 2010, 11:58:53 AM »

Terry, the only Alembic neck-through I've ever played was a Series I. They say you get more sustain from a neck-through, but that the body, and top wood contribute more to the tone on a set-neck. I guess there is a little trade off either way. It's to bad we dont live closer together so we tryout each others basses.

Here is a link to what they had to say when I bought my bass..

http://alembic.stores.yahoo.net/orion54.html

tcube · « **Reply #13 on:** November 30, 2010, 02:10:05 PM »

afrobeat_fool: Cool, a fellow Oregonian. Thank you for your offer. I've got a fretless, so I'm after a fretted Alembic. Your Esseence would have been perfect had it been fretted.

keurosix · « **Reply #14 on:** November 30, 2010, 07:38:54 PM »

Hi Terry,
Very nice Essence 6 string. I have a fretted 6 string Europa (thru-neck) and a fretless 5 string Epic (set neck). Both have sustain for days. The Epic actually has a hotter output based on the same amp settings. Maybe pu height has something to do with it, but string height is about the same. I find the set neck Epic has a very warm mid-range tonality, while the Europa thru-neck is very bright, but this might have to do with the different woods: Epic has mahogany body with wenge top and maple / ebony neck, while Europa has mahogany body with quilted maple top, and maple purple heart lams /ebony neck. You should let your ears be the judge. Also, the set-neck Alembics may not have the bridge block which also contributes to sustain. Anyway, an Essence thru-neck should be a little more valuable than an Epic or Orion set neck model - you might want to negotiate trade plus cash?
Happy playing.
Keurosix