2002 SERIES II Europa on Reverb

[YamatoJJ]

Gorgeous, but what do you all think: it’s a 20 year old bass no matter how impeccable, so this price is a bit surprising to me…

https://reverb.com/item/52468941-2002-alembic-custom-one-off-europa-w-series-ii-electronics-cocobolo-top-near-mint-w-calton-case?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=52468941

[jagerphan84]

Stunning bass - ambitious price.

[YamatoJJ]

Gorgeous, gorgeous bass…but the tag on that makes me only admire.

[cozmik_cowboy]

Beautiful bass (from the nut down); cut the price in half, then knock off another $4K or so for the conehead, and you'd be getting close.

Peter

[mica]

The price isn't that crazy considering this is Quilted Cocobolo - there isn't any more available in widths big enough for basses. We couldn't make another one for any price. We've only known one tree in all our years that yielded any significant amount of this figure, and we bought all the lumber the supplier milled from it.

[jazzyvee]

This is one we saw here in October 2021. A forum member Russ bought it so I wonder why it's up for sale so soon.
https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=26569.0

[keith_h]

That was one of Steve Wood's basses wasn't it?

[Russ]

I am the one who is selling and did just recently purchase her...

I got my Europa back from being repaired (from Alembic) and I am in the process of having another Series instrument built - so I know this one is going to end up being wall art for me. She is perfect, outside of that little scratch - which I can't even tell if it's a scratch or a little crack in the wood under the surface of the varnish. The Europa I had made is built to my specs, and while it doesn't have Series electronics - the sentimental value of having it built for me outweighs that

I purchased a Calton Case for her and really wasn't thinking about selling her, so I'm basically banking on the fact that she won't sell for a while - and maybe she'll never sell. But if someone comes along and feels the way I did about her, I guess the right offer will be made and I'll have to part ways.

[YamatoJJ]

I’m sorry folks: I did it again, posting and not checking an old thread! Thank you all for being patient! Geez, the embarrassment, but MAN OH MAN that’s nice! Lol

[tkotmk42]

I really Really REALLY like this bass. 

Anyone know if this bass has the hollow body like all other series instruments??
Serial number looks to be 02"C", which means it is a pure custom... what does that mean??

I am curious.... is this a Series bass without the back laminates (and other decorative features) or is this an Europa with Series electronics???

[BeenDown139]

if it had 5 strings, it would be mine.  unfortunately, id have to sell my 3 fretted basses to make the numbers work.

not that i haven't done that before 🙄

[hammer]

It looks to be pure custom series II. I too wondered about the neck recipe and lack of a back laminate. Weight concerns maybe on the part of the original owner or Alembic didn’t have sufficient cocobolo to match a back to the beautiful front. Mica did indicate this wood was quite limited. I have to say that overall I’m not that big a fan of cocobolo but this one is special.

[Russ]

Unfortunately, it didn't come with the build sheet when I purchased it - I asked the original owner if he had it and he mentioned that he thought he provided it to the company that sold it to me (they said they didn't have it), so the world may never know. Mica is probably the only one who could say one way or the other.

I think Series bases can be in any style, I have them making me a Series I bass right now that is based on the Essence body - again Mica would be the source of truth as usual

[jazzyvee]

if it had 5 strings, it would be mine.  unfortunately, id have to sell my 3 fretted basses to make the numbers work.

not that i haven't done that before 🙄

There was a five string  version also on reverb with the same wood. And i agonised over whether to take the leap, but felt i would need to hear it and a significant difference in tone to make it a sensible purchase since it was way more expensively priced compared to my series II europa plus the cost of getting it to the UK, shipping taxes and duty.

[BeenDown139]

And i agonised over whether to take the leap, but felt i would need to hear it and

i fantasized over that one but at the time i didn't have the funds available.  of course, now that it's gone, i'm flush with cash 🤬

but on the other hand, i've still got 4 killer basses gracing my music room so i guess i should just STFU and play the dickens outta them.  to paraphrase one of the fabulous furry freak brothers ( might've been freddy but I'm not sure):
basses will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no basses.

and we're off to catch the morning buzz, dontcha know, laddie 💂