Author Topic: Wanted: Europa 4 String (Read 711 times)

studiorecluse · « **on:** November 06, 2005, 04:49:17 PM »

I am looking for the deal of the century on a 4 string Europa. Can show wear if it's all there functionally, and must have a mahogany core. I promise to give it a good home. Thanks.

bob · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2005, 09:42:43 PM »

Welcome!

Perhaps you could say a few more words about what you're looking for (besides a great deal). For instance, 4 strings and mahogany core are fairly clear, but why specifically a Europa? In particular, are you fixated on the shape, or assuming a specific set of electronics, or something else?

It seems to me that used Europa's aren't all that common, and most of the ones I recall seeing had 5 or 6 strings - but I don't have any statistics, and might be wrong about this.

Depending on what you're looking for, there may be some good alternatives.
-Bob

studiorecluse · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2005, 07:28:26 AM »

Hi Bob.
Where do I begin? My love affair began about 6 or 7 seven years ago when my son bought a 6-string fretless Europa (yes, he is a real man). It reigns as the finest of the fine IMHO. That got me hooked, but isn?t reason enough to buy one- although it defines what a bass should be in so many ways. I want neck through, so that limits things, I really love the maple/purple heart combination but that isn?t a show stopper. I have played some of the series basses, and just don?t like the way the body feels on my lap, nor the wider neck width (my present bass is a Fender Jazz at 1.5inches), nor the price tag. The Fender probably pre-disposes me toward the Europa body, and the horn on the Rogue looks too big to me.

The Essences look like the big sleeper deal, but I fear that the small body is a balance issue. I realize that I need to go play some to know for sure, but that isn?t easy in the section of North Carolina where I live. I don?t know, the Europa has evolved into my dream bass. I suspect the lack of them on the used market is because people keep them. I have heard about the balanced k, but don?t know much about it.

Regarding the electronics, his Europa is perfect, just perfect. Live, DI for recording, you name it.
This probably explains a lot, but doesn?t open up many substitutions. Thanks for your help and interest.
Cary

keith_h · « **Reply #3 on:** November 07, 2005, 07:50:04 AM »

Cary,
Don't know where you are in regards to Raleigh. There was a used Essence hanging at Conn Music a month or so ago. Conn Music is located in the City Market. It would give you a chance to see what one is like.

Keith

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** November 07, 2005, 07:54:29 AM »

Hi Cary, welcome to the group. So where in North Carolina do you live?

studiorecluse · « **Reply #5 on:** November 07, 2005, 08:17:32 AM »

Hickory

gbarchus · « **Reply #6 on:** November 16, 2005, 03:30:09 AM »

Hey Cary!

I understand you completely. If you run across a 5 stringer, please let me know.

Gale

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** November 16, 2005, 06:24:36 AM »

Cary; I don't own a Europa, and my Essence 4 is in Santa Rosa at the moment. But when it returns, you are welcome to come by and see if you think an Essence will balance well for you.

mikedm · « **Reply #8 on:** November 16, 2005, 06:27:33 AM »

Gale,

Here's an unusual five-stringer. Extra's make this a bit pricey, but they've had this in stock for some time now, maybe they'd deal a little better than the advertised price. I believe a club member or two have dealt with Guitar Resurection and have been pleased with the experience.
Upgrades to the wood and side LEDs make it more expensive compared to what you'd expect to pay for a used Europa, but as mentioned previously, you just don't see too many used ones on the market. They have other attractive Alembics as well in stock.

http://www.guitarrez.com/index.html

Mike

(Message edited by groovelines on November 16, 2005)

ajdover · « **Reply #9 on:** November 16, 2005, 06:32:25 AM »

Cary,

Welcome to the club! I own both a Europa 4 and an Essence 4, and live in Fayetteville. We've talked a bit here about doing the 2nd Annual NC Mini Alembic Convention (Keith and I held the first one in May), so if there is any interest, perhaps we could all meet up somewhere where we could A/B the Essence and Europa. Keith has played mine and might be able to give you a few insights. I will tell you, though, that there is no problem balance-wise with an Essence. I played it at a jam this weekend and it was perfect.

My Europa can be seen the the showcase section under Al's Europa. Its got a quilt maple top over Mahogany, with a wineburst finish. It is an 03, and is in mint condition. My Essence is a 92, with a bird's eye maple top, walnut accent, and maple body and neck.

ajdover · « **Reply #10 on:** November 16, 2005, 06:39:23 AM »

BTW, the Essence Keith is referring to? I purchased it. You can see a pic in the introductions section in No. 4 for Alan or something like that.

studiorecluse · « **Reply #11 on:** November 16, 2005, 10:03:42 AM »

ajdover,
What a wonderful offer; yeah, I would live to come play them when they are together again. Please cut me an email when the time is ripe.
Your bases do pose another topic- I see that you have a maple Essence. I see a lot of them around, but have avoided them because of an imagined brightness as compared to mahogany. How would you characterise the difference in wood sound between your two basses, or between a mahogany and an otherwise similar maple body?
Thanks again for the offer.

ajdover · « **Reply #12 on:** November 16, 2005, 11:07:48 AM »

Cary,

Both of mine are together. I think you're mistaking me for Dave.

As far as the difference in sound, the Europa has a Q switch, low pass filter, and treble/bass boost/cut switches. The Essence has volume, blend, and filter. I do not find the Essence overly bright. The Europa is a bit more versatile due to its electronics package - I can go very bright with the Q switch engaged, or cut freqs when required with the boost/cut switches.

I think you'll find that on a neck through instrument that the construction of the neck has more to do with the tonal characteristics than the body does. All of the parts involved in reproducing the sound of the strings are located in the neck, e.g., bridge, bridge block, tailpiece, tuners, nut, etc. My advice is to worry less about the core and more about the neck. Now, in a set or bolt on neck, more of the tone comes from the body from what I understand. If anyone knows better feel free to pipe in as I am surely not an expert on this.

A lot of the tone comes from one's fingers as well. Don't believe me? Give your bass to someone else to play and see how it sounds. I've done that a few times and these individuals coax sounds out of them that I never could. Same goes for the Essence. It just sounded so ... right.

You would do well with either bass. I really like the small body on the Essence and the simplicity of the controls. Like you, I grew up playing Jazz basses (and Ricks) so I'm a bit put off by the larger necks you find on some of the other Alembic models (although the fine people in Santa Rosa will make you anything you want when ordering a custom from them). I find that the Europa and Essence fit what I like. The Essence is especially comfortable to me.

Hope this helps,

Alan

studiorecluse · « **Reply #13 on:** November 16, 2005, 11:28:50 AM »

Oops, I meshed the two NC'ers together in my brain, appologies.
Dave, take what I said about loving to come and play them, and apply them to yourself.
ajdover, thanks for the info on woods and body size.

keith_h · « **Reply #14 on:** November 16, 2005, 12:06:17 PM »

Cary,
Yes, I have played Alan's Europa. I did not find it having any balance problems. I do like the Europa electronics. They are more versitile than the Essence but are easy to use and set. I like the simplicity of the single filter and switches for live playing. If I had the money I would order a custom one for myself.

I have three Alembics myself and have never noticed any problems with balance or neck dive. I have two Orions (more or less the Europa body in a set neck) and a short scale Brown Bass. On my 5 string Orion I have the Essence electronics with a Q switch. I find it more than adequate for tone control and again great for using live where quick tone changes are required.

I really don't think you can go wrong with either the Essence or the Europa. They can both give you that Alembic sound. You can always start with an Essence and get the Europa later. If you've lurked here very long you will have noticed many of the folks own more than one Alembic.

Keith