Author Topic: My ?lan is 20! (Read 1540 times)

esa · « **on:** December 02, 2010, 04:51:43 PM »

Hello, fellow alembic lovers! My Alembic ?lan is 20 years on December 5th. I put the order in with Alembic in August of 1990, and I picked her up from The Bass Centre (L.A.) on December 05, 1990. Here are some specs: Maple body core, walnut and quilted maple top Maple and purple heart 5-piece neck, brass nut, dual truss rods Macassar ebony fingerboard, oval mother-of-pearl inlays, side LEDs, first fret marker, 26 frets Stanley Clarke signature electronics, side mount jack, brass sustain block

She's been my main bass at some 200 gigs, and she's one of the best basses I've ever had the privilege of playing. She a solid, reliable workhorse that looks like a beauty queen and sounds like the creation of the universe. 20 years... wow. Thanks, Alembic! ~esa

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** December 02, 2010, 05:08:56 PM »

Hi Esa, welcome to the board; and happy birthday to your beautiful and quite unique Elan! Love the 26 frets, and the signature electronics in the Elan body shape.

sonicus · « **Reply #2 on:** December 02, 2010, 05:29:29 PM »

Nice , Congratulations and Happy Birthday!

I like the Signature electronics idea .

rjmsteel · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2010, 07:09:12 PM »

Happy Birthday is right, fellow Elan owner.
(My Elan: a six string is an \89 that I\ve owned 21 yrs).

Great setup with the quilt, 26 frets and Sig. Electronics package.
Good thinking on the side jack too!

-Rich

artswork99 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2010, 07:44:35 PM »

What a beauty! Welcome to the forum Esa!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #5 on:** December 02, 2010, 11:41:34 PM »

Very seriously and excruciatingly awesomely beautiful......... at the risk of saying something out of order can I simply suggest you give me a call if you ever decide that she is not for you.

Man... that is just classy!!!!!

Jazzyvee

jazzyvee · « **Reply #6 on:** December 02, 2010, 11:45:35 PM »

Just noticed the neck pickup is close to the bottom of the neck as in some of the older Alembic Series Basses.
Is it a 34 scale bass also?

Still having unsavory thoughts about that bass.

eflat · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2010, 06:29:02 AM »

The woods blend so well, she sure is beautiful and has many more years of enjoyment I am sure.

FC Bass · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2010, 07:51:32 AM »

Awesome bass!
Welcome to the club :-)

Jazzy: Did you notice the 26 frets?

esa · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2010, 09:52:07 AM »

Hey, Everyone! Thanks for the kind welcome! I'm glad you're all digging the bass; it's always good to get some love on your birthday. :-) @rjmsteel: Got any pics of that '89 sixer? Thanks for mentioning the side jack - I completely for got to post some photos of it (see below). @jazzyvee: In the event that she and I ever break up, I'll be sure to contact you - lol The neck pickup is very close to the fingerboard due to the 26 frets and the 34" scale (as fc_spoiler alluded to) - makes for some great slap (or Entwistle "typewriter-method") tones! So, here are some pics of the side jack:

As I recall, it was a somewhat unique feature for an ?lan... maybe the first one? Maybe Mica knows, but there was something about that part of the order (perhaps the beveled brass plate?) that took a little extra planning. I'm very happy I got it, though. Thanks again for all the great posts! ~esa (Message edited by mica on December 06, 2010)

skyboltone · « **Reply #10 on:** December 03, 2010, 11:20:03 AM »

Stunning in every way. I'm in the Elan club as well but mine is in transit due to arrive today. I won't see it for two weeks unfortunately as I'm on vacation. (tears form in eyes). Anyway, way good on the birthday and I hope I enjoy my '89 for as long as you've had yours!
Dan

rjmsteel · « **Reply #11 on:** December 03, 2010, 05:48:51 PM »

Very unique design of the beveled brass jack plate. Keeps the core wood intact and adds rigidity to 1/4 jack insertion point.

And yep I\m still working on getting around to post my\89 sixer in the showcase. It\s your normal Maple core with a quilt like Bubinga top, 11 pc. Lam neck and regular Elan electronics, (I hope this does not constitute as thread hijacking), which is just why having the Sig Electronic package is SO cool.

By the way great job on the photo taking.

-Rich

esa · « **Reply #12 on:** April 03, 2013, 03:19:41 PM »

Hi, everyone. :-)

My old band just posted a video on YouTube. The bass in this thread is the bass on the track and in the video.

For the audio recording, my Trace Elliot rig was mic'ed, so it's a pretty accurate representation of the tone I was getting back then (early '90s).

Anyway, if any of you would like to see/hear this ?lan in action (albeit many moons ago), here's the link:

http://youtu.be/kRzzXi0eMUg
Play it loud!

Thanks!

~esa

charles_holmes · « **Reply #13 on:** April 03, 2013, 04:12:24 PM »

That S##t was slamming yo! I was digging those groovy tones commin' out of that Elan!!!
That was some seriously groovy stuff!!
I'd love to get my hands on an Elan 5 string series.
I played it loud too!!
Solid!
From Chalie Holmes

esa · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2013, 08:15:04 AM »

Thanks, CH!

I have to admit, that's a pretty slammin' tone!

I'm just glad that some of the old music has finally seen the light of day, and I'm really glad you dug it - thanks, again!