Author Topic: Wanted: Alembic Essence 4 String (Read 310 times)

ampeglb100 · « **on:** November 22, 2004, 03:26:07 PM »

I am looking for an Essence 4 string in really nice cond., if anyone has any leads let me know.

Thanks,

Andy

afort@pacifier.com

bsee · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2004, 03:35:01 PM »

Are you willing to buy new? One of the nicest Essence basses I have seen is sitting for sale new at a dealer. The price is excellent ($2869 with case) for a new bass and the electronics are upgraded to Europa-style. It has a tulipwood top. Look here if you're interested.

http://www.guitarrez.com/inventory/alembic_inventory/alembic_essence_4_tulip.html

bsee · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2004, 03:37:44 PM »

Oh, and there's a used one at Bass NW for about $1500.

hollis · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2004, 03:40:15 PM »

I've done business with both those shops, both are class acts all the way.

bsee · « **Reply #4 on:** November 22, 2004, 03:47:35 PM »

And basspalace.com has a red one for about $1500 and there's one on eBay that appears to be at a Guitar Center in Rochester NY that is unbid upon with a start of $1399 (but no hard case per the listing).

ampeglb100 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2004, 05:35:20 PM »

Thanks for the tips...

I would rather not buy new, as money is an issue. I have been eyeing the one at Bass NW, but have something wierd against maple tops... I am waiting to hear back from the Swami. That one he has looks sweet.

Maybe I should also ask here - is the Essence the best balanced Alembic body design? I want (for example) a Stanley Clarke, but the horns are so short that I know it wouldn't fit me very well (I play very high up). Also, it seems like any bass with an upper horn that terminates above the 12th fret ends up pushing the fingerboard way out (i.e., low F on the E string is a big stretch).

Also, what is the best, most versitle electronics package? I have read great reviews on the standard Essence, but others say to get a Q switch, etc. What do you recommend? Do I really need a Rouge (for example) based on what I described, or...?

Thanks,

Andy

88persuader · « **Reply #6 on:** November 22, 2004, 08:35:57 PM »

The Stanley Clark Signature series bass doesn't use the horns for strap attachment. I have one and play it high and for me it's very balanced. The body's very small but it uses a short scale neck so the balance is good. At least that's my opinion, i have no problem with neck dive at all. Of course SC's tend to be more expensive than Essence basses however every now and then you can find one used fairly cheap. Good luck. Also another thing to consider, Signature electronics are much more flexable than Essence electronics. I don't have an Essence however I have an 88 Persuader with the same electronics as an Essence. The bass is awesome but needless to say the more flexability you have sound wise the better and the SC is MUCH more flexable. Either way ANY Alembic you end up with will play and sound awesome. Good luck!

Ray

adriaan · « **Reply #7 on:** November 23, 2004, 03:19:36 AM »

Andy,

My experience with a Spoiler, which has the Q switch, is that I found the 8dB boost annoying, so I always left it off. The standard Essence electronics have the boost always on, so for me the Q switch would be a must-have.

I've sent the Spoiler electronics in for quite a bit of modification, and found that there's only a small upcharge from adding the 2 position Q switch to adding a 3 position Q switch (standard 0/6/9dB).

1stbass · « **Reply #8 on:** November 23, 2004, 03:37:15 AM »

Andy,
The red essence at bass palace is a nice bass. I was playing it at the Philly guitar show this weekend. I have bought two basses from them and they are great to deal with. but some times hard to get a hold of.
Good luck.

godoze · « **Reply #9 on:** November 23, 2004, 07:28:34 AM »

I played the red one from Bass Palace at the guitar show the other day and it is exceptionally clean.

David Houck · « **Reply #10 on:** November 23, 2004, 07:55:30 AM »

Adriaan; could you send me an email? I have a question about your mods.

Thanks.

David Houck · « **Reply #11 on:** November 23, 2004, 08:26:41 AM »

Andy;

While there are lots of happy SC owners, posts to this forum suggest that more owners have problems with balance on SC models than with other styles.

Posts to this forum also suggest that Balance K's, Rogues, Europas and Elans are the best balanced styles. I have an Essence which I love. It probably doesn't balance as well as a Rogue (I've never played a Rogue) because of the smaller light-weight body. However, because of its lighter weight, it is easily maneuvered while playing.

For stock packages, the best, most versatile electronics package is the Series II, which is also the most expensive, followed by the Series I. The Signature, Anniversary and Europa/Rogue packages would come next. Also in this group would be the non-stock but popular East Meets West package. The Spoiler, Essence, Persuader and Epic packages would then follow those.

So, no, the Essence is not the best balanced and its electronics are not the most versatile. But there are a lot of happy Essence owners, with and without the Q switch addition.

godoze · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2004, 08:36:37 AM »

I just put a filter and a 3 way Q in my Epic and what a difference it = made !

palembic · « **Reply #13 on:** November 23, 2004, 08:41:40 AM »

BTW ....now that I think of it ...I NEVER strapped on a SC ... I always thought ...WAY too small.
That's a shame.
IFF I remember well Brother MIchael the aligator one (Dela) has a SC with a medium scale neck and said even THAT balances well.
Oh well , Alembic ...it's an attittude!

PTBO

godoze · « **Reply #14 on:** November 23, 2004, 08:50:34 AM »

I strapped on a nice SC sunday. It felt better than I expected. I = didn't experience any material balance problems.