NBD! '91 Elan 5 string

[gearhed289]

Just received this  '91 Alembic Elan 5 string. This will be tuned EADGC. I'm pretty happy so  far. There are more scratches than what was visible in the photos, but I'm OK with that. I don't have to worry about it like with the pristine Distillate I just sold. And I think the price was right. String spacing  at the bridge averages 17.5mm (center to center, not "in between"), which is great. Nice flat neck profile, and it feels great and balances perfect on a strap. I've realized that I didn't know a lot about the Elan before I started looking at this one. I guess they weren't produced for very long, and they kind of bridge the gap between Europa and Essence. From what I can tell, the only thing missing from the Europa recipe is the bass and treble switches and the brass bridge block. I have typically wanted a mahogany body while Alembic hunting, but the more I thought about it, I think maple might make this even more "me". Looking forward to plugging in later! Big thanks to Greg (Ed of H) for nudging me on this.

[BeenDown139]

congratulations on your acquisition!

i have a fondness for elans myself even though i no longer own one.

nothing subtle about that finish. bet it looks good on stage 🤩

[David Houck]

Cool bass!  Congrats!

[edwardofhuncote]

Enjoying my buddies' Alembic adventures, vicariously! 

[jazzyvee]

Great that you are loving that Elan, it is lovely.

[rv_bass]

Very nice, congrats! 

[gearhed289]

Well, I've got to say, this thing is a winner. It feels rock solid, but it's very slim and sexy. I think those awesome (presumably) purpleheart laminates really add to the Alembic-ness, not just in looks, but in feel and responsiveness. Bridge pickup soloed sounds virtually identical to my former Distillate. Nails the Stanley thing. I'm still working on my normal, two pickup tone. I do miss the bass boost switch. That was literally always on. Strings are shot, so I'm not realizing the full potential yet.  I only use my Alembic with my original band Nomadic Horizon, so it's going to have to wait until September 2 to make its live debut. I'll have it nicely dialed in by then. Probably going to get the frets dressed. Hard to believe this thing is 31 years old!

[edwardofhuncote]

My Gen Z trainees delight in teaching me new words... it's more like a hazing really. This week's word I think applies; used in a sentence - That bass is hawt.


Monkeys. Precious little monkeys. Just wait until they've banged their soft noggins against these rusty pipes for thirty-some-odd years. We'll see who's hawt then. 

[xlrogue6]

IIRC from my long ago days at Alembic, the first iteration of Europa electronics was called Elan Plus.

[pauldo]

The finish on that is hawt!

Paul (who uses catch phrases typically 10 years after they were vogue)

[gearhed289]

I typically post pictures using links to stuff I've posted on Facebook, but lately, they seem to be disappearing after a week or so. When I try to open the image in a new tab, I get this - "URL signature expired". Can anyone see the two pics I first posted in this thread? Posting one here again now as a test.

[adriaan]

I typically post pictures using links to stuff I've posted on Facebook, but lately, they seem to be disappearing after a week or so. When I try to open the image in a new tab, I get this - "URL signature expired". Can anyone see the two pics I first posted in this thread? Posting one here again now as a test.

Not sure where the images are hosted. If you would upload them here, they would not expire.

[pauldo]

The first post has large empty frames where a picture could be.  I ass-u-me they did hold pictures as I commented on them.  Your most recent post has a vibrant ‘hawt’ looking sunburst 5 string Elan.

[edwardofhuncote]

Interestingly, I can still see the original images as posted on my phone, but not on my desktop computer at work this afternoon.

[gearhed289]

Thanks for the feedback. I get the large empty frames as well, PC or phone. I should just sign up with a hosting service.

And since we're talking about my bass...  There are so many little details that I like about this thing. The chrome tuners, flame maple, purpleheart laminates, "big" pickups (AXY as opposed to MXY), the old "hat" knobs, and the bird tailpiece keep the Alembic vibe fully intact, even with the somewhat atypical finish. It is indeed HAWT! Honestly, it is striking to look at in person. I hate to say it, but my FireGlo Ric kind of pales in comparison (though I think they'll look great together once I swap out the white pickguard and TRC for black on the Ric).