Author Topic: Looking for an Epic 5 or Essence 5 (Read 658 times)

claudio · « **on:** April 26, 2005, 01:34:48 AM »

Hello...I'm Claudio.
New in the Club...Old with the Alembic family.
I own a Distillate'83 from 0 miles and now after 22 years I decided to get a 5 strings.
Without knowing much about the differences between models, I think that for now i can afford either an Epic or an Essence.
Now a question for You the experts considering that I'm use to hear a lovely sound from my Distillate, wich one would you recommend me that will be the closest to it sounds?
Any imputs will be really appreciated!
Thanks!

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** April 26, 2005, 07:20:17 AM »

Welcome to the group!

Between the Epic and the Essence, the Essence will be more like your Distillate. Like the Distillate, the Essence has a filter control where the Epic has bass and treble controls; and the Essence is a neck through where the Epic has a set neck. If your ordering a new bass and decide to go with the Essence, then get a Q switch to go with the filter control; that will make it a little more closer to the Distillate.

One thing you may want to do, since you say that you don't know much about the differences between models is take your time before making a decision. If you hang out here in this club and read new and past posts, you'll learn a lot about Alembics and will be able to make a more informed choice.

claudio · « **Reply #2 on:** April 26, 2005, 09:19:53 AM »

Thanks Dave!!
Bassicaly you answered my question about the differences between the 2 models.
I dont want to get a bass with 5 and missing the sound that i been listening for the past 22 years (wich for me is the closest to the perfection on the Alembic sound ..(as per SC records of the 70's)
I'll be hanging out around here often now...
Thanks again for your valuable imputs!!
Claudio

keith_h · « **Reply #3 on:** April 26, 2005, 09:44:17 AM »

Another thing to consider with a set neck or neck through are the woods. The body woods used in an Epic will have a much more pronounced effect on tone than on the Essence (the neck woods are more important here).

To muddy the waters a bit. I own a 5 string Orion (set neck) that was upgraded to Essence electronics when it was built. I have just added the Q switch and boy has it been worth it. I have been very happy with the bass and its sound. In some ways I like it better than my Brown Bass with Anniversary Electronics.

Your best bet is to see if you have a local dealer that stocks the various models and go try them out. This way you should be able to determine which is the best fit for you.

Keith

(Message edited by keith_h on April 26, 2005)

claudio · « **Reply #4 on:** April 26, 2005, 10:12:08 AM »

Hey Keith...
Thanks ....
So then do you think that for example getting a nice Epic and upgrading it to the Essence electronics w/the Q switch will be worth it or should i move directly to the Essence?
Sounds like you been in my spot at one point, haven't you?

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** April 26, 2005, 10:31:01 AM »

Most of the players that have both set neck and neck through Alembics say that there is a substantial difference in sound. So, I would think that if you went with a set neck bass you would be moving away from the sound of your Distillate. Maybe some other club members will notice this thread and can give a description of the sound they get from a set neck. If I recall correctly, I'm thinking the set neck gives a more pronounced mid range growl. Some of those who have been looking to come closer to the sound of a Fender Jazz have opted for set necks.

keith_h · « **Reply #6 on:** April 26, 2005, 11:19:35 AM »

Claudio,
This is where things get really subjective. I hesitate to recommend one over the other never having played either. I am sure you could be happy with either as all Alembic instruments are of high quality. That said, I will leave it to other more experienced folks here to iterate their opinions on the subject.

I started my Alembic collection with the Orion (if you can call two a collection).:-) I had been playing non-Alembics for years, had always wanted one, covetted other peoples in the past and was looking at expanding into a 5 string. At the time several dealers had Orions in stock with standard electronics. One had them with upgraded Essence electronics. They were all offering the same price so I took a gamble and went with the upgraded electronics, unheard. I do not regret the decision to go with the Essence electronics. I like the neck on it as the 1st four strings spacing is very close to the Jazz Bass I've been playing for the past 30 years. This made it easier to transition to it. I also like the simplified controls as they allow me to make tone changes quickly. The Q switch enhances this aspect even more. One last item that effected my decision was body shape. I just preferred the Orion shape over the other two.
Then ......
Ealier this year I ended up with a case of GAS and my wife agreed it should be treated. The result was a Brown Bass (ie Stanley's Bass). It's a short scale, neck through and has Anniverary electronics. It seems to have better sustain than the Orion and a wider tonal range. I am told it sounds warmer than models that use purple heart or ebony neck laminates. Compared to my other basses it is also extremely fast. The only drawback to me, but becoming less of an issue the more I play it, is the wide tonal capabilities also make it harder to quickly change from one tone to another. This is due to the multiple tone and volume controls for each pickup. Since I tend to blend both pickups it is hard to dial in each setting quickly.

I have been very satisifed with both basses. One day down the road when money becomes available I intend to go with a custom built Series bass. For now that has to wait while I put another child through college.

Keith

claudio · « **Reply #7 on:** April 26, 2005, 05:21:47 PM »

Dave & Keith...
Thanks so much you guys for taking the time to write me and so extensively, about your experiences.
I was retired from the music arena for several years, since I moved to the states 17 years ago(I'm from Argentina)
So a couple years ago I re-start again and now I'm in this searching.
Definetely i'll end up with a neckthrough, so i guess my target will be the Essence 5 (if possible with the Q added)
That will make the hole package to work.
Now another thing that I was wondering if in all the 5 strings the necks are as thin as the 4 strings are.
Are they all standard size in the Alembic's neck? because i love that also in my Distillate.
Well...I think that now i have to be patient and the right one will show up.
Any other sites to check besides E-Bay? Unfortunately my budget do not allow me to be the owner of a new Alembic, instead I'll be new owner of an Alembic bass.
Thanks again..I'm enjoying just reading through the forum...

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2005, 04:59:48 AM »

Claudio,
Welcome to our favorite forum. Since you are experienced with your Distillate, you might to look for a bass with the same neck woods and Rogue electronics. This would probably get you closest to your existing sound. Several members here have Distillates and some are fives, so you might get hooked up.
Good Luck,
Mike

David Houck · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2005, 06:20:09 AM »

Claudio; the necks are not all the same. The two standard tapers are Classic (narrow) and Comfort (wide). Plus, when looking at used basses you need to check if the neck may have custom dimensions; it is not uncommon. Here are the dimensions:
4 string
Classic: nut - 1.750, 24th fret - 2.250
Comfort: nut - 1.625, 24th fret - 2.630
5 string
Classic: nut - 2.000, 24th fret - 2.500
Comfort: nut - 1.875, 24th fret - 2.930

Check your Distillate, I can't recall but I think the Distillate has the Classic taper. Essence, Rogue and Europa basses come standard with Comfort tapers. Signatures and Spoilers have Classic tapers.

If you're looking at used basses, you may want to be really patient and, as Mike suggested, see if you can stumble across a Distillate 5 string. Also, you could be watching for a Spoiler 5 string. The only problem there is that most Spoilers are 32 medium scale instead of 34 long scale. Another bass to watch for might be an Elan, although Elans come in a variety of configurations. But Mike is right, if you want to get really close to your current sound, the neck woods and Europa/Rogue or Distillate electronics are the things to look for.

As far as sites to check, the best place to start is here! And then of course Ebay. There are several others, but if you are on a tight budget and can be patient, here and Ebay are the places to start. Besides reading our forum every day, check Ebay everyday and start getting a good feel for prices.

(Edited typo; thanks Bob!)

(Message edited by davehouck on April 28, 2005)

bob · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2005, 07:29:28 AM »

Typo, Dave - 4 string comfort 24th fret is 2.630 (not 2.360).

Surprised you didn't just use a link this time :-)

claudio · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2005, 11:51:03 AM »

Mike, Dave & Bob...
Thanks so much for your suggestions and explanations...very helpfull!
You guys are getting me great tools.
I hope some day I can offer my knowledge to helping someone else here too.
My Distillate neck is Maple and Purpleheart with Ebony fingerbaord.
Now if I have to look for the Europa/Rogue electronics, do you think that will be any problems to fit them in a Essence body?
(I'm mentioning the Essence because I think that will be the more affordable neckthrough of the new generation)
And that upgrade is something that i can do myself (i'm an electronic tech) or should be done at Alembic factory?
Anyway, for now I do have alot of homework to do...
Thanks Guys again!!
Muchas Gracias!!
Claudio

claudio · « **Reply #12 on:** April 27, 2005, 12:06:15 PM »

Dave...
Almost forgot...
The size that I was wondering is the thick of the neck. If the 5 and 4 have the same neck thickness.
I didn't know that they have now 2 different standards for the wideness of the neck.
Thanks again!

David Houck · « **Reply #13 on:** April 28, 2005, 05:00:05 AM »

LOL!! Thanks Bob!

Claudio. The addition of a Q switch to standard Essence electronics is a fairly easy and inexpensive do-it-yourself upgrade (so I'm told, I haven't done it myself yet). I'm pretty sure it's the case that upgrading Essence electronics to Europa on an existing bass requires sending the bass back to the factory. On a new bass, the Europa electronics are a tight fit in an Essence body. At the moment I can't recall anybody having this kind of modification done to an existing bass; so I can't really remember if they can do it. (I can't remember much prior to this morning.) If they can, it would require some modification to the body; and I would imagine this type of project could leave you without your bass for quite a while. It also would not be inexpensive, given what you've stated about your budget. I'm guessing it would probably cost more to purchase a used Essence and ship it to Alembic for an upgrade to Europa electronics that to purchase a used Europa, Rogue or Distillate.

claudio · « **Reply #14 on:** April 28, 2005, 10:12:55 AM »

Dave,
once again, thanks for your very clear and helpfull concepts.
My feeling$ go with an Essence, with same or better neckwoods than my Distillate, with the possible upgrade to the Q swith.
If a better machine shows up in the meantime, much better
You guys will be the first to known it!!