Author Topic: 1995 Series I Europa Body (Read 3679 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** February 10, 2013, 04:37:43 PM »

I've just bought this Series I bass from a collector in Hamburg, Germany. It's on it's way over and it should arrive here on Tuesday Here are some photo's from when it was on sale at Station-Music in Germany. It's strange how things work out. I'd seen this on the Station-Music site not long after buying "The Other Twin" last year. Later on in the year after being taken in by the series II, I procrastinated too long about buying this Series I bass, then when I called the shop to make an offer, it had gone. Thankfully a keen eyed member of the forum, chrisalembic, found it on bassmarkt.de and posted the message here and bingo I was on to it. After speaking at length to the current owner it appears that the bass was ordered by the Alembic Dealer in Switzerland, (I was able to confirm that with a call to Alembic), and sold to a non playing collector. The person I bought it off bought the bass in 2004 and is also a non player and has had it in storage with his other collectable basses. So, it seems it has not been played to any extent since it was made. The seller says it still has the original strings that were on the bass when it was delivered which are showing signs of tarnishing but other than that the bass is in absolute mint condition. I think it looks stunning, but then I'm a sucker for Europa basses. Let's hope it is all

Jazzyvee (Message edited by jazzyvee on February 10, 2013)

sonicus · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2013, 05:11:44 PM »

Very nice! Are those ebony neck laminates ?

wishbass · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2013, 05:17:08 PM »

JEALOUS..... as usual. Great buy Jazzyvee!

pierreyves · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2013, 05:28:55 PM »

Nice bass... swiss import is already working with Alembic ?

oddmetersam · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2013, 05:29:57 PM »

Yes. STUNNING is the word I'd use! Congrats.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2013, 05:51:26 PM »

I think they are regular purple heart neck laminates Sonicus. Maybe the tint is making them look darker than normal. Mica informs me, with a smile, that there are 100 in front of me in the serial number/history list so I guess I'll find out sometime what the exact construction of the bass is.

Jazzyvee

sonicus · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2013, 05:58:53 PM »

Congratulations Jazzyvee on a very fine catch !

JuancarlinBass · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2013, 06:41:19 PM »

Stunned cannot even try to describe how this left me. It is an amazing piece of art. Congratulations on such fantastic catch, Jazzyvee, play it in good health to make the best music it has been born to make!

bigredbass · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2013, 11:21:30 PM »

Very nice, JV, I really like the light pinstripe with this color combination.

I don't know who orders the Alembics at Station Music, but to me they always have the most interesting, 'gee I'd have never thought of that' axes of anyone. Good Stuff !

J o e y

jazzyvee · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2013, 01:03:52 AM »

Thanks for the comments guys, Yeah there have been some really interesting Alembics at Station Music although their prices are far too high for me to consider a new purchase. However If I was in that part of Germany I would try to make a visit there.

And good news is that the UPS tracking now says it's arriving sometime today.

Jazzyvee

that_sustain · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2013, 06:07:22 AM »

Oh dude the top on that Europa is a story all it's own. Wow man.

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2013, 11:05:42 AM »

Thank you for rescuing that from the oblivion of a collector's vault; it deserves - nay, requires - to be played!

Peter

jazzyvee · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2013, 06:42:59 AM »

Just to let you know, the bass has just been delivered to me at work and in true alembic fashion, it looks soooooo much more gorgeous in the flesh.
It's incredible looking, there is not a mark,fingerprint, smudge or anything that would indicate that it has been played. I will check it out tonight once it has aclimatised to the temperature as it's still pretty cold to the touch after it's journey.

Anyway I better get back to work and look forward to getting home, which will be late as I have my radio programme to do this evening.

Thanks again for your inspiring comments.
Jazzyvee

chrisalembic · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2013, 11:19:38 AM »

Sounds great! I saw your vids on the tube, and knew this bass would be in good hands. Make sure to post some with this beauty as well

jazzyvee · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2013, 01:51:45 PM »

Not long got home and have been quickly checking this baby out before dinner. On first hearing, it sounds just as impressive as the Series II. Clearly there is not the same sound shaping possibilities but man this thing can kick out some sound!!!!

The thing I immediately noticed is that it seems to have a more pronounced bottom end than the SII. I presume that is mainly due to the neck pickup being closer to the end of the fretboard. In fact it's right up against the truss rod cover.

1, 2 to the bass.... :-)

Jazzyvee