Author Topic: New Club Member - Old Alembic Player (Read 510 times)

keurosix · « **on:** November 01, 2005, 05:31:28 PM »

Hello Fellows, as the subject says, I'm new here, but have played Alembics for over 2 Decades now. Started on a crazy double-neck, went to a series 1, then side-stepped to a Modulus Quantum 5 string neck-thru with bartolini's. I couldn't get used to the sound so I Activated it with a custom Alembic kit. Just recently I went to six strings with the Europa.
I'll try to post some pics ASAP, however, it's still on the web in the recently sold section at G-Guitars in New Haven, CT. This Club is pretty cool, so I'll drop lines in where I can.

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #1 on:** November 01, 2005, 07:26:50 PM »

What a purdy Europa! It reminds me a little of my 6-string Elan plus (Europa electronics).

'Course, my main beast is my 8-string custom bocate Europa (C.o.T.M. -June 1999).

I find the Elans and Europas to be extremely aesthetically pleasing; they look great, and are equally functional/easy to play...

I think they offer the best of the Fenderesque body shape... with the legendary and unsurpassed... well, hey, let's not mince words... UNEQUALLED/UNRIVALED Alembic electronics!

THAT'S THE FACT, JACK!

keurosix · « **Reply #2 on:** November 01, 2005, 08:15:00 PM »

Hey Mark,
Your 8 string is totally Bizarre! Does that have a low F#? What do you use to amplify that? The only cab that comes to my mind would have to be an Accugroove El Whappo Grande 24 sub. Please let me know what rig you have. I also agree with your statement about the ease of playing & functionality in the Europa model. Compared to my old Series 1's they're a breeze. The Series 1 narrow string spacing is very easy to play, but the neck feel is rather substantial, being almost chunky front to back. Even though, better than most other basses on the market. I find the 6 string wide comfort neck easier on my hand allowing faster playing.

jacko · « **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2005, 04:33:29 AM »

Hi Kris and welcome to the club. That's a really nice Europa and in fact, it's the second 6 string I've seen recently - another of my Edinburgh brothers has recently bought himself a coco-bolo topped one - the sound is incredible but it weighs about twice my 5 string rogue. If you have pics of your old double neck get them posted!

Graeme

keurosix · « **Reply #4 on:** November 02, 2005, 05:04:49 AM »

Hello Graeme,
The weight of the Europa is less than a Series 1 or more or less equal. I don't have my Series 1-4 string anymore, but remember my aching back. However, the doubleneck was murder. It weighed over 18 pounds but felt like 50!. I made a custom wide leather strap that went from my neck out to my shoulder to distribute the weight, but it only helped a little. My left arm would start to fall asleep after about 20 minutes, then I would have to sit down, which of course would put my leg to sleep too! It was a real looker, but only for a quick number or two. Great in the studio as well.
There's another thread for it here at the club. The John Judge model, 4 string fretless on top, 8 string octave on the bottom. Series 2 body with Series 1/2 custome electronics. Zebrawood top, Dragon inlay, 2 necks of red LEDs. Really bizarre!
You can see it at the G-Guitars web site. They have it for sale at $9,995.00 USD. Well worth it at today's prices. When I got a Modulus Quantum 5 string, I added Alembic electronics and finally got a break for my back. That's when I let my old Alembics go.

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 02, 2005, 05:10:57 AM »

That is a beautiful instrument Kris. I'm another fan of Europa electronics, and the side mount jack is sweet as well, leaving as much exposed top wood as possible.
Welcome to the club.
Mike

bracheen · « **Reply #6 on:** November 02, 2005, 06:13:30 AM »

Hi Kris, that is a beautiful Europa, congratulations. I'm with Mike on the side mount jack. Aesthetically it's great.
Finally some bit of history on the John Judge bass! Do you know if you were the second owner? The elusive Mr. Judge remains a mystery. That may be how he wants it. There have been a few threads on that bass. If I remember right Mica talked about the inlays on one of them.

Sam

David Houck · « **Reply #7 on:** November 03, 2005, 07:10:42 AM »

Hi Kris, welcome to the group. That's a very nice looking Europa! As Sam mentioned, the Judge bass has been talked about a number of times here on the forum.

keurosix · « **Reply #8 on:** November 03, 2005, 07:45:25 PM »

Hey Sam and Dave,
(That sounds like a group?)
I can attest to the fact that I was the second owner. I bought it at Brian Guitars in New Haven. That's where John Judge originally ordered it. I'm positive John let it go for a variety of reasons, probabally the most important was it's weight. It has an Anvil road case bigger than a Fender rhodes keyboard! And HEAAAAVY! Bring that monster up a flight of stairs, and your fingers stay closed for minutes! John WAS very elusive. He got an endorsement from Rotosound for the superwound strings (with exposed core on bridge) on the bass, and ads were run in GuitarPlayer. It was really cool seeing a local hero in print like that. I never knew how he got the endorsement, I think it had to do with the doubleneck, Alembic's regional salesman, and Brian Cohen. There was nothing like it at the time. John wanted the most outragious guitar ever and he got it! A Little bit of Trivia: What's inscribed inside the electronics cavity? I know! Do you?

keith_h · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2005, 11:49:11 AM »

So Kris I'll bite. John WAS very elusive does this mean he is no longer elusive? Are you implying you could fill in the gap about John here? If so please do so. I'm sure number of folks would like to learn more about who was behind the John Judge bass.

Keith

the_8_string_king · « **Reply #10 on:** November 04, 2005, 06:02:01 PM »

Hey Keurosix, whaddaya mean my bass is bizarre?
Unusual, most definitely; but bizarre -I don't see it.

Anyway, the low string is the standard B. I DID consider a low F#, but was concerned over how well it would work and sound, and I ultimately chose string ranges from low B to high B flat.

It works really well. As far as amps go, I've got a cheap Peavey TNT 130... I sunk my money into the instrument.

keurosix · « **Reply #11 on:** November 04, 2005, 09:19:34 PM »

Keith,
I only met him less than five times. However, I stepped in and joined two bands he departed, becoming his Shadow. One was an original progressive rock band with influences along the lines of Genesis and Gentile Giant. The other was Legend with Kevin Nugent guitarist / songwriter. Now the late Kevin Nugent. He is surly missed by many. John Judge? Haven't a clue. He used to hang out with some family friends in NJ, but I lost touch with him. Sorry I can't really bring more light on him.

Mark, with 8 strings you could experiment with different tunings right? Is the scale length a 34 or longer? A 35 or 36 scale could easily support an ultra low tuning without sounding flappy. I would love to hear that low string tuned down to hear how low it can go! The ebony in the neck should impart a big sound down there too. For my rig I run my Europa through an old SWR SM400 into an SWR Goliath 4x10 and an SWR Big Ben 18. Both cabs full range. It's got a big full bottom. My next step would be the Accugroove cabs, but I need to audition them first. My plan is to also add the Alembic SF2 super filter to get the most preamp flexibility possible.

bob · « **Reply #12 on:** November 04, 2005, 10:47:27 PM »

Okay, I'm mildly curious to know what's inscribed inside the cavity.

keurosix · « **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2005, 07:03:48 PM »

Made for John Judge by Larry Robinson

keurosix · « **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2005, 07:17:14 PM »

Mike,
I took a look at your Epic fretless and it is real nice. It has the knobby headstock? That really complements the body shape. I agree with you that the Europa electronics are very versatile. The 3 position Bass and Treble boost switches can fill in where all sorts of bad acoustics need help. I found a nice combo where both switches are in the middle, the Q filter switch is boosted too, and the pickup balance is shifted slightly toward the bridge pickup. By fine tuning the filter, I can get a real growly bite that reminds me of one of my favorite Series 1 bass settings, back when I owned it. Of course, it's hard to beat 2 Q filters on the guitar like the Series 1. I also really appreciate the side-mount jack. It keeps the cable off the front and out of the way - more streamlined for playing concerns.