Author Topic: Alembic Europa 5-string (Read 537 times)

Bradley Young · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2006, 03:16:08 PM »

That bocate is fab-u-lous.

Brad

modulus93 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2006, 09:01:14 AM »

Thanks to all of you for your very nice compliments!!! I'm very proud to own this beautiful Alembic Europa 5-string. Yes, I have to admit...I do put in a lot of stare time with the case open ...it's a work of art!!!

Thanks again and take care!!!

Ronnie

jazzyvee · « **Reply #17 on:** January 28, 2006, 05:38:28 PM »

I'm also the owner of an Europa5 with Bocate top. I agree with all the previous comments from owners. Its a fantastic instrument in many respects, sound, balance, flexibility, weight quality. A fantastic instrument.

I also have a problem with my existing guitar stand which makes the bass sit kind of uncomfortably.

I do prefer also to keep my instruments in their cases when not around my neck especially in small venues. If you have to keep it on a stage, on a stand or otherwise, the best thing is to make sure you unplug the lead and move it away from you r instrument. Its so easy for people walking on stage to trip over your cable and send your beloved bass crashing to the floor.

Jazzyvee

jlpicard · « **Reply #18 on:** January 28, 2006, 10:57:21 PM »

I'm usually not a big fan of Bocote, but thats a really nice top, probably the nicest Bocote that I've ever seen. Mike

keurosix · « **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2006, 10:57:32 PM »

Wow!
That Bocate is top rate!
Don't feel bad, stare all you want.
She's a beauty!
Kris

modulus93 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2006, 10:15:54 AM »

Wow!!! I really appreciate all of your nice compliments. I agree with all of you...it's the nicest bocate top that I've ever seen as well. When I first got the bass, I had no idea what the top wood was, so I called Alembic, gave them my serial# and they told me what the top wood was as well as the date the bass was built, etc...great folks at Alembic!!!

I originally thought that the top wood was maybe cocobolo, etc, but Alembic told me that it was bocate. I couldn't believe it, because most of the Alembic basses that I've seen with a bocate top were still beautiful, but looked a little different than mine. I even looked in some old Alembic catalogs that I still have and the bocate wood looks different in those pictures. Anyhow, Alembic sent me a copy of the original work order when my bass was built and it clearly says...bocate top!!! Heck, maybe I have a rare piece of bocate or I just hope that the work order is 100% correct according to my serial#.

What type of wood does it look like to all of you other Alembic owners out there??? I'm just curious as to all of your thoughts on the wood and heck, I may even double check with Alembic.

Either way, it's one beautiful bass guitar and I'm really proud to be an Alembic owner and to be part of this wonderful club!!!

Thank you and take care out there!!!

Ronnie

mica · « **Reply #21 on:** February 01, 2006, 10:52:56 AM »

I'd say the top is Bocate, even if I wasn't given a clue. Of course, I've seen alot of Bocate!

The funny thing about wood, is that it can look like anything. In the USA, we're all used to Red Oak furniture, and it almost always looks the same. But that's not true of most woods. For instance, I have some Coco Bolo in stock that is so dark, it almost looks like Macassar Ebony. On the other hand, I have some Coco Bolo that is almost lacking in the dark grain patterns, and you'd swear it was Vermilion.

The top on your bass is exceptionally nice, I especially like the way the builder lined up the figuring around the bridge, like the sound it's radiating from it an influencing the figure.

george_wright · « **Reply #22 on:** February 01, 2006, 11:27:49 AM »

Some pictures of the bocate-topped Spoiler I bought from Michael Pallas are available . And I have to agree with Mica. The person who did the layout did a terrific job of matching grain to contour.

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #23 on:** February 01, 2006, 05:26:41 PM »

Ronnie, there's NO DOUBT that your bass is bocate; but it's an exceptional and IMO unsurpassed specimen. Bocate actually varies tremendously; some pieces are mainly plain, others are mainly liney, and others are mainly swirly; but more commonly bocate has combinations of these things. Yours -and mine- are examples of this.

Again, congrats, it looks absolutely fantastic, and I know it sounds every bit as good!

By the way, George, your spoiler also looks awesome, and... Jazzyvee, I'd love to see your beauty. How 'bout it, folks, lets have a bocate-fest!

modulus93 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 03, 2006, 09:57:15 AM »

Thanks again for everyone's help and for the very nice compliments about my Alembic Europa 5-string. After reading all of your wonderful responses to my question about the wood top and after talking to Mica at Alembic yesterday, I'm rest assured that my Europa has a bocate top.

What a great club this is and I'm very thankful to be a part of it as well as being a proud owner of an Alembic bass guitar!!!

Take care out there!!!

Ronnie

jazzyvee · « **Reply #25 on:** February 09, 2006, 03:25:41 PM »

there are a few pics on the site of my Europa. Here is a link to one. This was posted by a previous owner of it.
I bought it from a guy in London at the end of summer last year.

http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/3658.html?1127562453

oujeebass · « **Reply #26 on:** March 14, 2006, 09:02:07 AM »

Bocate topped epic-

Mine has a very mid ranged sound how does yours sound?

modulus93 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 24, 2006, 05:26:47 AM »

Hello Wade (oujeebass),

My Alembic Europa with a bocate top sounds great!!! The Europa has very versatile electronics...great lows, mids, and highs, and everything in between!!!

Take care,

Ronnie

diederick · « **Reply #28 on:** August 10, 2006, 03:37:05 AM »

Gee Ronnie, your bass (wood) is really really nice. I'm no expert about woods but I onw a Europe 5 as well (Walnut). I really light the definition and colours of the wood on your bass !!! Congrats & enjoy !
Diederick (The Netherlands)

modulus93 · « **Reply #29 on:** November 13, 2006, 02:57:27 PM »

Thank you very much Diederick for your nice compliments. I also like the definition and color of the wood. My keyboard player is always staring at my bass and he's always telling me that the bass is almost too pretty to be playing it. I then decided to pull a joke on him...I didn't bring the Alembic to the next gig and brought another bass. He asked me where it was and I said that it is now hanging on the wall in my house. He then almost begged me to please bring it back to the next gig, because he missed the looks and the sounds of my Alembic!!!

Take care,

Ronnie