The Essence

[Rami Sourour (rami)]

Hmmm....I'll have to think about that one.
All my Alembics are posted except one (a really cute '92 Essence in Koa that I picked up from a shop in St. Paul MN).  That comes to a total of 18.
 
5 Essences, 9 Excels, 3 Rogues (including Dark Prince and Evil Twin), Burl Walnut Series II.  I think that's about it!
 
Surprisingly, I don't display them.  I have a large walk in closet where they're all lined up nicely.  To see my place, you'd never know what a total Bass-Head I really am.  I also have quite a large collection of Vintage Fender Jazz Basses and other collectable basses.  I know...I need treatment for my obsession!
 

[rami]

This is my '93 Essence in Koa.  Very sweet sounding Bass. Plays like a dream too.
 

 
Notice the old style body shape.

[palembic]

Well Rami ...I like the wood, obsolutely. I can be mistaken but don't you think that this is more than plain Koa? Kinda burl??? Or flamed???
I have a friend Dutch friend who has a Essence 5 with the Europa/Rogue electronics. I like the electronics but I can't get used to the small body (well ...compared to the huge Bonnie-dimensions). Kind of habit I guess.
Doesn't it bother when you switch basses, I mean the body dimension difference??
 
Paul TBO

[bracheen]

Is there much difference in dimension between the Essence, Rogue, and Exel?  I know the Series II is much larger.  I think that switching between 4, 5, & 6 strings would cause me more problems.
 
Sam

[rami]

Hey Paul,
 
That's the beauty of Alembic Basses - they're all so easy to play.  With their slim necks and ultra low action, the only differences I ever really notice are the weight and the number of strings.
 
I'm not sure exactly what kind of Koa this is, but it's sure pretty to look at in person.
 
I really like the Essence for it's small body - very easy to take to a jam/gig.  Very beautiful dainty Bass. Sort of like a girlfriend!
 
Rami

[palembic]

Brother Rami,
 
now THAT's the beautiful thing in all this: differences. I don't have really large hands but am a tall and stout person. Bonnie really fits me well. You like small bodies ...my pleasure. A good girlfriend? Fine ...we can't fall all in love with the same girl no ;-)
 
Paul TBO

[David Houck]

Rami, you mentioned the old style body shape; I had never previously noticed a difference in Essence body shapes.  My Essence 4 is a '90, so I guess it must be the old style.  I've been going back and forth between the pics of your Essences and though it seems there is a diffence I can't quite put my finger on it.  So what was the change in body style and what year was the change made?
 
Sam; I believe the Essence is the smallest body style.

[lembic76450]

Rami, I was just poking around and was wondering if we have seen your Series II? Is there a pic around here somewhere?

[rami]

Hey Kenn,
 
It's in the Showcase section / Series II Basses under a thread called The Walnut Bad Boy.  Mica came up with that name!
 
Dave, if you'll notice in the pics, The '93's body is slightly elongated in comparison to the others.
 
Rami

[adriaan]

Rami, nice to see you can still appreciate low-profile Alembics!
 
This type of koa is referred to as watermark koa. Mica described it something like this: It looks as if water has evaporated off the surface. It's somewhat similar to bird's eye maple.
 
In the Spoiler showcase, you can see my 88 Spoiler with watermark koa and my 94 Epic with flame koa - the woods certainly look very different.
 
You can also see the difference in body size of the 'old-fashioned' Spoiler and the 'modern' Epic. The Epic body is about a .25 thicker (required by the neck construction, I think) than the Spoiler, and I don't think there's much difference in weight.

[David Houck]

Thanks Rami; I see it now.  It's most evident in the distance from the tailpiece to the strap button.

[David Houck]

Mica, Val, or anyone; when was the Essence body changed from the old style to the new style?