| Author | Message | ||
| bassman8416
Advanced Member Username: bassman8416 Post Number: 214 Registered: 5-2012 |
I have my eye on a Europa. I have owned Spoilers and a Mark King Standard 4. Just wondered if any forum folk can offer some insight into the electronic/tonal and feel differences. Thanks | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1840 Registered: 5-2006 |
The Purpleheart neck lams add fundamental sustain, quite impressive :-) The electronics are not extremely different, with the Europa set you can boost/cut the highs and lows on the sound you're familiar with. | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 801 Registered: 9-2009 |
I'd agree with Flip and the degree of that sustain is more evident the more purple heart lams you have in the neck. My 6-string has five PH lams and the sustain is amazing. | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 313 Registered: 8-2013 |
The Spoilers typically do not have a brass sustain block which does make a difference in the tone and sustain. My Spoiler 5 has 3 Purple heart laminates but has less tonal flexibility than my first Alembic, a Distillate (same Europa electronics). Another thing to point out is that the pickup placement (neck pickup being as close as a 1/2" away from the 24th fret as opposed to 1"or more, has something to do with tonality (1/2" away from the neck tends to produce more bass I feel). Neither of those electronics packages have seperate LP filters per pickup so flexibility is limited as comparitively to the Signature/Anniversary models. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 2320 Registered: 2-2005 |
Like all of the Alembic electronic packages I've heard and had a chance to play the Europa package sounds like an Alembic. To me the Europa electronics make a very good, maybe Alembics best, performance package if you are the type that needs to make quick changes on a regular basis. The single filter and pan simplifies tone and blending of the pickups. The cut/boost treble and bass switches and Q-switch allow for very fast changes in the tonal characteristics. Even though I have Series 1 and EMW electronics in basses I would seriously consider a Europa if I still gigged regularly. Keith | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 699 Registered: 6-2014 |
If you think about it, Europa electronics are very much like the old Distillate controls. A single filter w/Q-switch, bass & treble boost/cut switches combined with a neck-through with purpleheart lams should get you pretty darn close to a classic Alembic sound. A bit more options than with Spoiler electronics. | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 700 Registered: 6-2014 |
Ha! Brian beat me to it! | ||
| bassman8416
Advanced Member Username: bassman8416 Post Number: 215 Registered: 5-2012 |
Thanks guys | ||
| bassman8416
Advanced Member Username: bassman8416 Post Number: 216 Registered: 5-2012 |
Its a choice now between the Europa and a Distillate I have been looking at (Message edited by Bassman8416 on December 06, 2015) | ||
| bassman8416
Advanced Member Username: bassman8416 Post Number: 217 Registered: 5-2012 |
Just pulled the trigger: | ||
| bassman8416
Advanced Member Username: bassman8416 Post Number: 218 Registered: 5-2012 |
 | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 317 Registered: 8-2013 |
A most excellent choice, play it well and often! | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 810 Registered: 9-2009 |
I was hoping a member would grab that one, it's quite nice. Would love to hear how you like it once it is received. | ||
| bassman8416
Advanced Member Username: bassman8416 Post Number: 219 Registered: 5-2012 |
I will keep you kind folks posted. I also purchased the SF2 that was for sale here on the forum, so I should be good to go !!!! | ||
| flpete1uw
Senior Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 590 Registered: 11-2011 |
Craig, You most certainly will be. Congrats on both purchases! Pete | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4802 Registered: 6-2002 |
I commend you on your excellent choice sir. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 2148 Registered: 5-2002 |
Nice! Should be a great combo with the SF-2! | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 709 Registered: 6-2014 |
Congratulations & Compliments Craig... welcome back to Alembia with that fine looking instrument there! I was guessing you'd go with the Distillate. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4632 Registered: 5-2009 |
Congratulations ! | ||
| bassman8416
Advanced Member Username: bassman8416 Post Number: 220 Registered: 5-2012 |
Hey Edwin, when you said, "A single filter w/Q-switch, bass & treble boost/cut switches combined with a neck-through with purpleheart lams should get you pretty darn close to a classic Alembic sound. A bit more options than with Spoiler electronics." That helped in my decision as well as Keith saying, "Even though I have Series 1 and EMW electronics in basses I would seriously consider a Europa if I still gigged regularly." Can't wait for it to arrive. | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 811 Registered: 9-2009 |
A single filter w/Q-switch, bass & treble boost/cut switches combined with a neck-through with purpleheart lams ALONG WITH AN SF-2 should not only get you pretty darn close to a classic Alembic sound but just about any sound you desire. You are going to have a difficult time deciding which to experiment with first. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4803 Registered: 6-2002 |
I've had an Europa for 10 years now and in terms of the controls it's the easiest alembic that I've found for using live. Being able to use the quick tone change switches and single filter makes things more convenient and repeatable than turning multiple knobs. I might add that if you want to find similar sounds to other non alembic basses this bass up is the closest I've found to doing that. Adding an SF-2 is basically plugging the bass into a series II plus some more. Hope you find your tonal heaven with your new gear. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 2326 Registered: 2-2005 |
Thanks Craig. Blame me will you. ;) I'm sure it will work out for you. Keith | ||
| bassman8416
Advanced Member Username: bassman8416 Post Number: 221 Registered: 5-2012 |
Just an update my friends....the Europa is an amazing bass...I actually recently used it on a performance with Bob Weir in San Francisco. Unfortunately a problem with arthritis with my left pinky is leading me to probably use 32" or 30" basses. Having pain and tightness when playing in the lower register. So I will be putting the bass up on the block and will either go for a Distillate or save for a Series 32". Thank you everybody for all your help. | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 746 Registered: 6-2014 |
Tough break Craig... hate to hear the Europa isn't working out. Not sure if you're still in N.Y., but here's a zebrawood Distillate you may check out: http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/msg/5356995126.html |
