Author Topic: New Alembic Owner (Read 442 times)

mcdonap · « **on:** February 09, 2007, 09:00:44 AM »

Hello,

My name's Pat, and I recently acquired an Essence. I was able to find the info on it in the serial number section. It's got a tulipwood top with Europa electronics. What a fantastic bass! It took me a few days to adjust to the ergonomics (I almost sold it), but now I love it.

I also just worked out a deal for the Series II currently at The Lowend. I just hope I'm not overwhelmed by the electronics.

I've been looking around this forum for the last few days, and I'm really impressed by all the information!

Glad to be here,
Patrick McDonald

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2007, 05:06:45 PM »

Hello Patrick and welcome,
Wow, freshly initiated and already moving up to series II. I'm sure you'll enjoy both. As we always say nothing says it like pics, Pics, PICS! (please)

Mike

(Message edited by dadabass2001 on February 09, 2007)

olieoliver · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2007, 05:59:31 PM »

Hi Patrick and welcome to the club.
I've never played an Essence but do own a S-2 and love it.
Post some pix when you get a chance.

kimberly · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2007, 08:47:09 PM »

Hi Patrick and welcome from another newbie.

I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself and the camaraderie you'll find here. First class instruments, first class musicians and first class people. It really doesn't get any better than this.

Enjoy and congrats on your Essence and upcoming S2. Lucky guy.

Kimberly

richbass939 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2007, 09:10:18 PM »

Patrick, welcome to the club and congrats on the Essence.
Rich

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2007, 09:24:20 PM »

Welcome aboard, and Congrats on the Tulipwood Essense! They say it sounds like Coco Bolo, which people often rave about for it's sound (which is why I've ordered one!)

mcdonap · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2007, 04:15:00 AM »

Thanks everyone!

Some pictures of both basses can be seen here:
link

The Series II is still at The Lowend. (http://www.thelowend.net/thelowend/index.htm) The bass can be seen under Used Basses. Some of you have probably already seen this one - Brian (the owner of The Lowend) recently had it refubished a bit.
I have to admit, I'm a little intimidated by all of the controls! I've been searching this site to find all of the information I can! You can bet that I'll probably be posting a lot of dumb questions when it arrives!

Thanks for the warm welcome!
Pat

(Message edited by davehouck on February 14, 2007)

olieoliver · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2007, 06:06:16 AM »

I couldn't get the Yahoo link to load but I did check out the lowend link.
I remember this bass coming up on the forum a couple of times. Once before the refurb and once after. It's a real cool bass. I love the inlay on the head.

mcdonap · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2007, 11:51:02 AM »

I think because my email id is in the middle of the yahoo link, it's not enabling the whole address... I think it would work if you pasted the whole line into the browser address window... It's a pain, but then you could see the Essence too.

I'm glad that you like the headstock inlay. I don't but it's better than what was there! It's something I can definitely live with given that it's a Series II bass, and I was actually able to get it! Makes me feel a bit better about it to hear someone say they like it.

Pat

2400wattman · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2007, 08:49:47 PM »

Pat,
I've held the bass you ordered and it is very nice. I can't even tell how they got rid of the inscription. I did not play it since it is either med. or short scale with a very skinny neck which is not my cup of tea. So I can't tell you anything of it's sound ( I doubt you'll be disappointed) but Brian did a fine job getting this beauty up to snuff. I do dig the inlay though, very very cool. Get some Flitz metal polish for the hardware because it could use a good bath of that stuff. Send out some pics and enjoy!!

mcdonap · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2007, 04:17:52 AM »

2400wattman,
Thanks for the review! That's great that you've actually seen/held it! I'm a little concerned over the scale myself. It's kind of a compromise for me: I think, given the lack of a long upper horn on the typical Series body, the reach to first position would drive me crazy. So this being a bit shorter, reach won't be an issue. I just hope the shorter scale is something I can deal with... I'm really looking forward to checking it out. When it arrives, I'll take some pictures and get them posted. Oh, and I did order a few things from the Alembic store - Flitz metal polish being one of them!
Thanks,
Pat

mcdonap · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2007, 04:45:38 AM »

Here are some pictures Essence:

Series II:

keith_h · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2007, 05:38:49 AM »

Pat,
I have no problems with the short scale. I interchange between my short scale and long scale basses quite regularly without problems. It's just getting use to each basses feel. Also remember Stanley Clark plays a short scale even up there on the small frets.

Keith

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2007, 05:57:46 PM »

Wow, what a pair!!!

They look awesome!

I love the Tulipwood -it looks awesome- and also the Series II. Bubinga, right?

I must have been having a stupid moment, 'cause somehow I spaced on the fact that'cha had Europa controls... what a combo!

So... how to they sound? I'd really like to hear the details and intricicies of their sounds.

I've got an awesome custom Europa with a Bocate top and a Maple body -since I've got a lot of Ebony neck laminates, the sound it a powerful Ebony/Maple sound.

I used to have a Maple-bodied Elan with a Quilted Maple top and Purpleheart neck laminates. That had a very (predictably) bright Maple sound.

That bass was stolen, and the replacement I ordered will have a Coco Bolo top (and back) over a Mahogany body -and a short list of options/upgrades. But I very seriously considered a Series I with a Bubinga/Mahogany sandwich -which actually would have cost about the same as what I ordered.

So I'm very curious about these two sounds... and since you happen to own these two basses, I have to ask!

mcdonap · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2007, 03:31:31 AM »

Unfortunately, I can't compare the two as I'm still waiting for the Series II to arrive.

I'm amazed by how great the Essence sounds. So clean and clear. It has great mids even without a specific mid control. I do like being able to boost or cut the bass and treble.

I've only had the bass a couple of weeks, so I'm really still trying to figure out the controls. It's easy to dial in a great sound, but there's a lot of exploring I still need to do with the Q and the tone filter.

I'll post some sort of comparison when the Series II arrives.

I'm not sure what the wood is on the Series II - could very well be bubinga. I've posted an info request on the serial number, so hopefully I'll know all about the bass soon!

Thanks,
Pat