Maple Body 5/6 string Alembic.

[StephenR]

Asking prices have certainly gone up. That is a pretty Elan, at that price it will be interesting to see if it sells or sits.

[jazzyvee]

here's a pretty girl that jsut popped up:

https://reverb.com/item/83126767-rare-1996-alembic-elan-natural-maple-walnut-purple-heart-neck-thru-ohsc

as i've said before, i've got a soft spot for maple core elans.  i had the cocobolo version of this for a coupla years a coupla years ago.  the upside:  when strung with fresh rotos, closest sound i've heard to a series II (imho, ymmv and all that rot). the downside:  one of the most uncomfortable and un-ergonomic instruments i've ever played second only to a mid-70's series I that i owned for a time.  ya gotta have long arms to reach that D-tuner.  not for crowded stages.  finally hadda sell it or have surgery on my right shoulder.  just could not find a playing position that didn't put my right shoulder in a painful position. still i kinda miss that bass

here's a shot of it.  i think i sold it for $2200 about 3 years ago which is about what i had in it.  no LEDs or fingerboard markers.  OHSC.  guess prices have gone up since 

I am really surprised you found elans to be non ergonomic. I have a 4 string thatbalances perfectly and a 5 string Europa which is all maple and pretty much the same body shape and that also balances superbly. Yes it is really heavy but i had some custom straps made that spread the weight across the shoulder better and that helps. Elans have that series bass clarity going on.

[fivestringdan]

It's also under consignment so no trades. Good looking bass for sure. Thanks for posting.

here's a pretty girl that jsut popped up:

https://reverb.com/item/83126767-rare-1996-alembic-elan-natural-maple-walnut-purple-heart-neck-thru-ohsc

as i've said before, i've got a soft spot for maple core elans.  i had the cocobolo version of this for a coupla years a coupla years ago.  the upside:  when strung with fresh rotos, closest sound i've heard to a series II (imho, ymmv and all that rot). the downside:  one of the most uncomfortable and un-ergonomic instruments i've ever played second only to a mid-70's series I that i owned for a time.  ya gotta have long arms to reach that D-tuner.  not for crowded stages.  finally hadda sell it or have surgery on my right shoulder.  just could not find a playing position that didn't put my right shoulder in a painful position. still i kinda miss that bass

here's a shot of it.  i think i sold it for $2200 about 3 years ago which is about what i had in it.  no LEDs or fingerboard markers.  OHSC.  guess prices have gone up since 

[BeenDown139]

I am really surprised you found elans to be non ergonomic. I

maybe it's just me. it wasn't a weight/strap issue necessarily but the body shape put my right arm and shoulder in a configuration that just plain hurt me after a while no matter what i did.  that 4+1 headstock didn't help.  otoh it gave me a wider perimeter for singers to steer clear of.  it hurt my brain to sell that bass.  kinda like that exploiter i let go a coupla years ago.  loved the look and sound.  but it drove me crazy so it had  to go.

[jazzyvee]

👍🏾🎶

[JDM CTTE]

A very nice one. The sound of maple is awesome.