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Alembic Club

Connecting => Swap Shop and Wish Lists => Seen on craigslist, eBay, and elsewhere => Topic started by: gtrguy on July 03, 2026, 07:00:26 AM

Title: Nice Elan 5
Post by: gtrguy on July 03, 2026, 07:00:26 AM
Nice Elan 5 with upgrades at GC eugene OR

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Alembic/Used-2020-Alembic-Elan-5-String-California-Walnut-Electric-Bass-Guitar.gc?algoliaQueryID=c6b6d71fb10b0dbfe4b601fc9de2edfa&algoliaIndexName=guitarcenter
Title: Re: Nice Elan 5
Post by: BeenDown139 on July 03, 2026, 07:36:33 AM
see?  i knew it.  soon as i pull the trigger on that dragonwing a higher-end 5-string fretless pops up.. no stereo and neck LEDs, tho.  at that price i might just snap it up anyways.  good luck to all!
Title: Re: Nice Elan 5
Post by: Nova Constellatio on July 03, 2026, 08:24:39 AM
The moment I saw it, I thought of you.
Title: Re: Nice Elan 5
Post by: BeenDown139 on July 03, 2026, 10:11:25 AM
well that didn't last long. somebody got a nice bass! saved me some serious heartburn, GAS and another big dent in my bass budget.
Title: Re: Nice Elan 5
Post by: The Sandman on July 03, 2026, 10:39:05 AM
I was looking at it as well. FWIW, that's was no "2020 Elan" ... it was an early Europa.
Title: Re: Nice Elan 5
Post by: FC Bass on July 03, 2026, 11:42:25 AM
Serial number looks about right for 2020 and has the U for Europa indeed. :-) U14780
The string obscures the 1, 4780 would have the two digits for the year (88X4780) and it would be on the fretboard.

Bodyshape is distinct Elan, incl the straight line elbow cut. EMW electronics, absolutely fantastic for fretless! 
Title: Re: Nice Elan 5
Post by: The Sandman on July 03, 2026, 11:44:52 AM
It has the correct neck laminations for Europa, not Elan, as well.
Title: Re: Nice Elan 5
Post by: FC Bass on July 03, 2026, 12:23:15 PM
Yep :-) Though my Elan also has those neck lams, distinct Europa feature is the Mahogany body (though my Europa has a Maple body) :-) 
Can het confusing with Alembics  :D In the end it's the features that matter, serial number just tells what the base model was.
Title: Re: Nice Elan 5
Post by: BeenDown139 on July 03, 2026, 01:50:42 PM
picture's been taken down and everything.  obtw for those of you keeping track, that was the first fretless 5'er i've seen with a 2+3 headstock.  happy 4th, y'all!
Title: Re: Nice Elan 5
Post by: edwardofhuncote on July 05, 2026, 05:00:13 AM
Quote from: FC Bass on July 03, 2026, 12:23:15 PMYep :-) Though my Elan also has those neck lams, distinct Europa feature is the Mahogany body (though my Europa has a Maple body) :-)
Can het confusing with Alembics  :D In the end it's the features that matter, serial number just tells what the base model was.
Uh-huh. C14588 was ordered as an Essence base model. I guess if you squint? 😆 Well, technically the electronics started as Essence, then expanded to East-Meets-West. Then the Q-switch got switched to a 3-position one with different values. So many things to decide about a Custom. You remember helpin' me sort out what headstock to go with? 3+2, or 2+3, or... and we ended up with... 
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