(x) Essence 90K6199 - Is this the first one?

[Uncle_Phife]

Hello Mica and all of the Alembic family and friends!  I have owned this Essence since approx 1994.  I bought it used from my boys, Kim and Sam at Shomaker Guitars in Burlington, NC. It is rumored that this one is the prototype or first Essence released. There is a plug on the side that was intended for the input jack that was definitely done at the factory prior to applying the clear (beautiful) red finish. I do not have the original paperwork that came with it but would love to have the details. Ser # is 90K6199. Please let me know what you can.

Thanks,
Phife

[tbrannon]

That is gorgeous!!

[Uncle_Phife]

You are too kind and also not wrong, in all modesty. She's easy on the eyes, ears, AND back. Relatively light and dreamy to play. This one has that "wong-bip-tang" sound that identifies it with traditional Alembics and it is SO comfortable. It is still in pristine condition.

[mica]

Hi Phife,

Nope, this isn't the first Essence. Here's what I found in the file:

top: Flame Maple
accent: Walnut pinstripe
body: Maple
neck: 3-piece Maple
scale: long, 34"
fingerboard: Ebony
finish: Clear Red
pickups: MXY4
controls: "Essence" volume, pan, filter, mono output
originally made for: Mesa Boogie, GmbH Germany
birthday: November 12, 1991

Weird! There is NOTHING in the file about the plug on the side of the bass, so that's completely news to me. Can you email me a larger (and perhaps focused on the plug) photo for the file? The body isn't thick enough for a side jack, so that's even more confusing.

The neck pickup position is custom on this bass - usually it doesn't touch the truss rod cover. Also, those vintage F-2B knobs are pretty dope on there!

[Uncle_Phife]

Thanks for the info, Mica. I will get some quality photos of that side plug ASAP. I am also going to check the control cavity to see if it was drilled all the way through. I haven't looked at it in a while. Maybe it was just a wood surface imperfection that was fixed. The top on my other Essence has a neat little eye-shaped plug.

Pickup placement: I have seen the neck pickup touching the truss rod plate on early Essences. I think its location is responsible for what I consider the traditional Alembic sound (I call the alembic with the MXY pickups "new-world Alembics").Seems like right around '91 or '92 the pickups started showing up about 1/2" away from the plate. I had a Europa with that placement and it sounds completely different. My Green Glow Essence is a whole pickup length away from the plate! And it sounds completely different from the other locations. It's my main axe.

Thanks for noticing the F2-B knobs. Good eye!

Stay tuned,
Phife

[Uncle_Phife]

Sorry for the delay. I was having a heck of a time getting a good picture of the plug up close and in not saying I succeeded. On both of my all-maple Essences, the "patches" they have were installed with much care and attention to detail by matching the grain and fit. Well done.

The hole was drilled all the way through! It's hard to see in the pictures but the hole is covered in silver paint.  I think there's enough room for a barrel jack.