Ken,
I've actually played an Elan (as have a lot of others in the club here), and I own a Europa and a Spyder 4. Previously, I owned a Spoiler-Exploiter.
As far as the Elan goes, I personally put in the same category as an Epic or an Excel. They are the least expensive Alembics, and have fewer features (if you can call less features in an Alembic a bad thing!) than other, higher content Alembics. It does, however, have the superlative craftsmanship and attention to detail that Alembic is rightfully famous for.
As I said, I played one once. It was on Ebay, but was being sold through a music store in the Washington D.C. area several months ago. I was living there at the time, so I figured I'd check it out. I was looking to get another Alembic, but more with a Jazz Bass feel and construction (I grew up playing a Jazz, and like the neck). The Elan is like that - thinner neck, Jazz like body, etc. Sound is fairly similar, but with more tonal variations due to the electronics in it. The reason I didn't bid on it was it was beat up a bit, and I felt what I thought they would want ($1100-$1300) was too much given the condition it was in and what it would take to clean it up.
In the end, I purchased a Europa from superbass.net, via Steve Frank. I haven't been disappointed. It gives me that Jazz Bass feel with the quality and tonal possibilities that only an Alembic can. My particular Europa has a wineburst finish over 3A quilted maple. You can see it at superbass.net (it will be listed as sold, but that's my bass). If you don't find an Elan to your liking, you might want to keep an eye out for a used Europa, or, if your wallet can stand the stress, a new one.
Regards,
Alan
