Author Topic: Elan Comparable (Read 171 times)

57basstra · « **on:** August 11, 2006, 06:38:50 PM »

When did Alembic quit making the Elan model and what model today would be comparable to the Elan: Europa or Essence, other? As always, thanks~!

(Message edited by 57basstra on August 11, 2006)

FC Bass · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2006, 06:57:21 PM »

The Elan was offered from 1985 till 1997 according to The reference pages: click here
The Europa and Elan have very similar body shapes, The Elan is a bit 'Fatter'
The electronics of the Europa bass have more tone shaping facilities.

Cheers!
F.C.

(Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 11, 2006)

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2006, 06:57:36 PM »

Elan electronics are like Essence electronics with the addition of a Q switch, except that where the Essence only has one preamp, the Elan has two.

Elan Plus electronics are, as far as I can tell, the same as Europa electronics.

The Essence and Europa both have the Comfort neck taper. I believe it is the case that the Elan has the Classic neck taper.

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2006, 07:01:09 PM »

The Body Shapes page is here. The Elan and Europa shapes are very similar.

FC Bass · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2006, 07:02:05 PM »

Sorry, off topic:
How often does this happen? (same time)

David Houck · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2006, 07:09:01 PM »

According to the Reference Pages, the Elan was offered from 1985 to 1997. However, if you wanted a new one, I would imagine that would be possible. Elan electronics and the Elan body shape are listed as options on the Quote Generator.

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2006, 07:16:05 PM »

Hah!! I hadn't even noticed your response! I was watching PBS and looking up facts on Elans at the same time.

FC Bass · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2006, 07:28:35 PM »

Hahaha!

Lets celebrate with a picture of a beautiful Elan From this thread:

More Elans can be found here

(Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 11, 2006)

David Houck · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2006, 08:00:54 PM »

It is a nice body shape.

57basstra · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2006, 08:38:15 PM »

Yeah, and there really is a nice one on ebay right now. It seems to either be overshadowed by the other Alembics on there now or everyone is just laying back on it.......Thanks, guys!

bigredbass · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2006, 10:53:56 PM »

As the Elans were Susan's take on a Fender-style bass (besides the Jazz Bass look-alikes they make occasionally), I've often thought these would make the perfect companion to the more traditional ALEMBICs for those times when you just want/need something along those lines.

I have a daydream of an Elan Five with a P/J Activator circuit in Maple over Ash built with the 'classic taper' neck to pair with the BigRedBass (SOON to be retrofitted with FatBoys).

Then I'd have a traditional Series shape with FatBoy vocals in Maple/Mahogany/PurpleHeart, then the Elan in Maple/Ash with an Alembicized-P/J boom, and both axes would have the SAME neck.
And the Maple/Ash would be the traditional bolt-on woods.

One of these days . . . . it WILL be so fine!

J o e y