Author Topic: Persuader PJ and Epic (Read 131 times)

lg71 · « **on:** March 15, 2006, 05:54:17 PM »

The shop were I bought my Persuader still have the Epic that I passed on, and I might be able to do a deal... Is anyone able to explain the difference in sound between the AXY and MXY pickups as well as the tonal difference between the Epic and a Persuader PJ? I turned down the epic once because I always had the Aria for an alternative to long scale/wider neck... Obviously, the best thing to do for me is to go in the shop and try it, but I value your advice as you have greater experience than me with Alembics, and might me save the trip t the shop. Thanks, LG

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2006, 06:50:22 PM »

It is my understanding that the AXYs and the MXYs sound the same; the only difference is the size of the casing, thus they only look different.

The Epic is a set neck bass, the Persuader is neck through. The difference between a set neck and a neck through is significant. On a neck through instrument, the neck woods play a much more important role than the body woods in the overall tone of the instrument. In a set neck, the effect of the body woods is increased. Most set neck players posting to this forum have reported that the set neck basses have more growl or low-mid punch. Some folks posting to this forum have suggested that the set neck basses get them closer to a Fender Jazz tone.

The Epic has volume, pan, bass and treble controls. The Persuader has volume, volume, and filter controls. The pallet of tones provided by the bass and treble controls differs significantly from the pallet provided by the filter control. Further descriptions of the filter control can be found in the FAQ section.

The Persuader has P/J pickups, which do differ in sound from the MXYs. However, other than the fact that there is a difference, I don't know much about that difference.

And finally of course there are the woods. Your Persuader has a Coco Bolo top; and Coco Bolo does add to the overall tone.

All this is to say that the Epic will sound significantly different. I don't know anything about Arias. My guess is that you'll like the Epic a lot.

lg71 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2006, 07:27:11 PM »

Thanks for your valuable input again. I did read on this forum about set neck vs thru ones, I didn't know about the bass/treble vs filter but I can imagine roughly. I also just read that the MXY are similar to AXY, so that is one less to wonder about.

Well, what I am curious about is the overall sonic difference between those two basses, I am aware that the Persuader has got a medium scale and narrower neck, but I guess, if can't get too enough replies/comparisons I will go and check it out myself then.

Incidentally, would you know if the Epic (which is nearly new but with standard would) should be cheaper then my Persuader which is older with few dings (none on the top though, just on one side)? I know it might not be easy to answer but, just a rough idea would help me to get prepared, in case I like it thanks.

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2006, 07:44:46 PM »

I don't know what nearly new means. But generally, a used Persuader is worth a few hundred dollars more than a used Epic. And that beautiful Coco Bolo top on yours adds much more. I suppose being nearly new may make this Epic different from a used one; so perhaps my comparison doesn't hold in this case. I think your Persuader is really nice. Eventually someone in the club will be looking for a nice Persuader; so be patient and keep your thread active.

lg71 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2006, 08:13:10 PM »

Thanks for the advice on keeping the thread active;)

Nearly new, it is what the shop is saying, I enclose the link so you can see it, they have Orions as well as a Mark King.
You might be a bit shocked by the price though:
http://www.thebassgallery.com/alembic.html

bsee · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2006, 08:39:02 PM »

That looks like a pretty reasonable price for a mint Epic from a dealer in Europe. Dealers need to make money on every transaction. I suspect it would cost you at least 300? to trade your Persuader for the Epic, maybe more. They will probably then turn around and offer the Persuader for 1000-1200?. You will almost universally be better off with private sales on used instruments.

Over here, Epics on eBay regularly sell for $800-1000 and Persuaders are in the same range, maybe just a few dollars higher. Dealers will ask $1000-1500 for used Epics, but Persuaders are rarely found in shops. Another factor is that most of the Persuaders are significantly older than the Epics on the market. There is a corresponding difference in condition that impacts the prices. I believe, also, that Alembic was making general improvements in construction quality such that the newer Epics look and feel more solid than some of the older Spoiler/Persuader models.

The old Persuaders are very similar in specification to the current Essence basses. Given the choice between a Persuader and an Epic, I would take the Persuader hands down, but that's a matter of personal preference.

Good luck!

lg71 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2006, 08:55:42 PM »

Thanks for checking the link and shedding some light regarding pricing and popularity. I wish my persuader had soap bar pickups, then I would just keep it. At time when I got it, I traded it against a Jaydee Supernatural, and they didn't have a soap bar pickup version so I took this PJ, it was a good trade in deal and I went for it. By curiosity, I will check this Epic and see what happen, although it is not my dream bass, but who knows, I might prefer it over the Persuader PJ. Whatever happen, I'll give some feedback.

lg71 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2006, 04:24:12 PM »

Well, some feedback then... I went to the shop today and tried the Epic... I didn't like it as much as the Persuader with the PJ pickups, I am glad I tried. The Epic had a larger neck (no so good for me), and the tone didn't impressed me much, I much prefer the Filter on the persuader, which goes from low/muffled to bright/cutting, I found it more versatile. This is just my personal opinion, I don't mean to say that one Bass is better than an other... I think it is the same with everything else, it's all about personal taste. I like old porsches 911s (I don't have one though), some like Ferraris, and some like bicycles (I use to love my BMX) I have tried the MK Standard as well, and I still preferred the Persuader, that is really strange... one thing is that the action wasn't set to my taste as well, and that itself is an important factor I think. Anyway, that's it, I still have my persuader.