Neck-through Epic/Essence/Rogue?

[gearhed289]

Here's one I've never seen. Listed as an Essence ordered with an Epic body, but it's got Rogue/Europa electronics. Oh, and a P/MXY combo. Unique!
https://reverb.com/item/58254935-alembic-epic-custom-1998-gloss-natural

[BeenDown139]

Kinda reminds me of the jackalopes that used to live in wyoming when I was a kid

[Songdog]

This thing looks sexy! Does anyone have any insight, experience, or opinion on the "P" pickup? Would it sound like an Alembic, or more like a F****r?

It's far enough away from me to be inconvenient to just go check it out, so I thought I'd ask here first.

[hammer]

At that price it would not be worth the effort of driving more that 2-3 miles. IMHO way overpriced.

[Songdog]

What would be a reasonable price, considering it's an Epic only in body shape; neck-through and the electronics make it more like a Europa. OHSC included, and from the pictures it looks to be in pretty nice condition.

I've been watching this shop because they share space with another shop where I have a generous gift certificate; and the owner of that other shop has indicated a possibility of working out a deal.

I've been hoping a short or medium scale (SC Sig or Distillate) would show up there, but no luck after a year....

[gearhed289]

No inlays or purpleheart, and the moon tailpiece all say Essence with Rogue/Europa electronics upgrade and Epic body. Hard to put a price on something like this. It comes down to what it's worth to the potential buyer, but I would think under $4K.

[Songdog]

I got confirmation today that I can use my gift certificate towards this bass, so I went and checked it out.

Very first impression: it's small! For some reason, it looks HUUUUGE to me in the pictures. It's actually small and graceful compared to my Jazz bass.

The shop kindly removed the covers so I could inspect the electronics (including battery compartment) and truss rods. I'm no Alembic electronics expert, but it looked genuine - a tidy little circuit board, modular connectors, no cheap CTS pots. The truss rod nuts turn, the neck has reasonable relief on both sides, so I'm assuming everything is working fine there.

I played it for a while. The filter took just a little getting used to, but with that and the quick bass/treble switches I was able to find some good tones quickly. Lots to explore there! It was set up decently, although I'd probably want to tweak it to my taste.

I noticed one thing that I'm hoping someone can give me some perspective on. The neck is three pieces of maple separated by thin veneers of some dark wood. I was surprised I could feel these seams through the finish. Is this normal or is it a cause for concern? It felt very uniform the entire length of the neck beam.

Because I was only able to get to the shop about an hour before their closing time, I didn't feel like I'd had enough time with it to commit to buying it. I told them I'd sleep on it.

Thoughts? I'm inclined to buy it (unless someone tells me the neck is probably coming apart), on the theory that any Alembic in my hands (even if it's not exactly the one I thought I was looking for) is better than a thousand pictures of beautiful but ridiculously overpriced Alembics on Reverb.

[edwardofhuncote]

That bass was custom ordered on an Essence 'chassis' - neck should be maple with walnut pinstripes. If the joints are felt, it's probably just because the wood has contracted or expanded at a different rate. I wouldn't let that detail stop you if this one speaks your language.

[BeenDown139]

Looks like somebody bought it.  Will the mystery buyer please sign in?

[Songdog]

That bass was custom ordered on an Essence 'chassis' - neck should be maple with walnut pinstripes. If the joints are felt, it's probably just because the wood has contracted or expanded at a different rate. I wouldn't let that detail stop you if this one speaks your language.

Ahh - that's what I was hoping for, an answer from someone who knows Alembics and knows wood. Thanks for the reassurance.

Looks like somebody bought it.  Will the mystery buyer please sign in?

The shop took the listing down as a courtesy so it wouldn't sell while I was driving into Seattle. That drive was a nightmare, afternoon traffic, unfamiliar roads, and detours because the West Seattle Bridge is closed for repairs. It would have been a real drag to get there and find it sold.

[StephenR]

Interesting bass but it kind of sounds like you are more into buying this one because it is available and you are tired of waiting. I may be wrong about that but your post about playing the bass doesn't have the ring of someone who picks up an Alembic, is blown away, and and knows they have to own it. If the price in the Reverb ad is still the asking price IMO it is way too high. Shame that it is so hard for you to get to the shop because at the very least I would recommend spending more time playing it before making a final decision. If you buy at the listed price and decide you made a mistake it wlll be difficult to get your money back.

My experience with selling or trading in an instrument to a music store is that they will offer you about 50% of what they plan to resell it for. That should give you a better idea of the markup on this bass and the room for negotiation. But, if it wasn't traded in to the store and is on consignment for another customer the seller may not be willing to drop the price yet.

[Songdog]

Words of wisdom for sure! I'll take your advice and go back to the shop tomorrow morning (can't make it today) and play it some more through a variety of amps (they have plenty there).

[BeenDown139]

The shop took the listing down as a courtesy so it wouldn't sell while I was driving into Seattle. That drive was a nightmare, afternoon traffic, unfamiliar roads, and detours because the West Seattle Bridge is closed for repairs. It would have been a real drag to get there and find it sold.

i used to live in seattle and shop bass northwest back in the late 90s - early 00s.  getting to that shop was kind of a nightmare even if you were familiar with seattle.  i'm pretty sure the shop your bass is at is staffed by a lot of former BNW employees.  i dropped a lot of coin there back in the day.  those guys were always straight up and accomidating with me so i highly recommend them.  hope your purchase works out.

[mica]

Shrinkage along the glue joints isn't uncommon after several years. This bass is 24 years old, and has probably most of the shrinking it will do. It's highly unlikely that the neck is falling apart.

[Songdog]

Thanks, Mica! Now the only question I have left is - will I bond with this bass when I spend some more time with it tomorrow?

i used to live in seattle and shop bass northwest back in the late 90s - early 00s.  getting to that shop was kind of a nightmare even if you were familiar with seattle.  i'm pretty sure the shop your bass is at is staffed by a lot of former BNW employees.  i dropped a lot of coin there back in the day.  those guys were always straight up and accomidating with me so i highly recommend them.  hope your purchase works out.

I miss Bass Northwest! I bought an amp and speaker there twenty years ago, I'll be gigging with that rig tonight. The people in this shop were super nice and very helpful yesterday.