| Author | Message | ||
| undertone
New Username: undertone Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2012 |
HI - since the Elan is no longer listed among Products on the Alembic website (I presume because they're no longer made? If so, when did production stop?), can someone tell me whether the Elan falls between the Eseence & the Rogue, or elsewhere, in the Alembic product hierarchy please. I know it's subjective, but the product listing seems in increase in order of cost, quality, I don't know. Where does the Elan lie in that hirearchy? Thanks | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10942 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Andy; You can still order an Elan if you wish. It's a great combination of features; and a popular body shape. Essentially, the Elan would fall between the Essence and the Rogue/Europa. The Essence has only one preamp; the Elan had two preamps, one for each pickup, and the addition of the Q switch as standard. The Elan Plus adds the bass and treble boost/cut switches, which essentially makes it on par with the Rogue and Europa. There are of course other differences in standard wood recipes, neck dimensions, pegheads, body shapes. But I think in general the electronics differences establish a basic hierarchy. As for quality, all of the instruments are hand made to the highest standards with the best materials. An Excel may cost considerably less than a Series II, but the build quality is still the same high standard. The woods used may not be as expensive and the electronics package more basic; but those woods and electronics parts are still of the highest quality. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3216 Registered: 6-2002 |
Welcome Undertone, if you are thinking of getting an Elan, they are great basses. As Dave rightly states above you can still have one made for you. We still get confused sometimes when a bass appears that seems to sit on the fence in terms of appearing with a different body shape to that which we normally see its electronics package. if you were thinking of getting a new "Elan body shape" on a budget you could always order a lower priced bass with a basic electronics package and specify an elan body shape. Great to see another member from this side of the pond. Jazzyvee | ||
| undertone
New Username: undertone Post Number: 4 Registered: 10-2012 |
Hey - many thanks to both of you. How much (in USD) would one expect to pay for a 2nd hand 4 string Elan in good condition do we think please? Say, for the more common woods - nothing overly exotic. I've also seen them with quite a variety of pick-up. I think I'm thinking NOT of a P-J set-up, but rather, the more conventional Alembics (kind of look like flatter soapbars?) | ||
| hammer
Advanced Member Username: hammer Post Number: 277 Registered: 9-2009 |
There's an elan 5-string with the type of PUs to which you are referring on GBase right now for $2,800 which seems high even though it's a fiver. It's at Jesse Gago Guitars. A 4-string with Jazz style PUs is on Ebay for just under $2,000. From what I remember, they both have maple top lams. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 3217 Registered: 6-2002 |
There are a couple on ebay at the moment too. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alembic-USED-HLSB-2AX-/330803836333?pt=Guitar&hash=item4d0571f5ad  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1988-ALEMBIC-ELAN-32-Medium-Scale-4-String-QUILT-BIRDSEYE-MAPLE-Jazz-Persuader-/121018262639?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c2d40246f  Jazzyvee | ||
| oujeebass
Intermediate Member Username: oujeebass Post Number: 192 Registered: 10-2002 |
Sounds like a 944 to me. | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 2986 Registered: 6-2002 |
Wade - Elan, Europa, so more Lotus than Porsche. | ||
| fahrwestbass
Junior Username: fahrwestbass Post Number: 37 Registered: 9-2008 |
If you'd consider a 6 string I've got one listed at $2300.00 with the elan plus electronics, walnut top... It's an awesome bass! | ||
| undertone
New Username: undertone Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2012 |
Many thanks to all of you who posted replies. It has been so helpful. I've finally managed to purchase a '92 Elan 4 string, and at a great price, $1300. I was looking for a 5 string, but at this price, I'll play the 4 for a while & enjoy that (since I approach the 5 with some trepidation to be honest), probably sell it for near what I'll need to pay for a 5 string at some stage. First gig with it in the pit this evening. Many thanks again to all you knowledgeable people. Regards. | ||
| hankster
Advanced Member Username: hankster Post Number: 324 Registered: 6-2004 |
Let us all know how the bass perorms on the gig! | ||
| alembickoa
Intermediate Member Username: alembickoa Post Number: 143 Registered: 5-2002 |
Very nice instrument. Congrats... |
