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bassman8416
Advanced Member
Username: bassman8416

Post Number: 214
Registered: 5-2012
Posted on Sunday, November 29, 2015 - 11:28 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, November 29, 2015 - 12:17 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, November 29, 2015 - 3:38 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, November 29, 2015 - 5:12 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, November 29, 2015 - 5:33 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, November 29, 2015 - 6:31 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, November 29, 2015 - 6:35 pm:   Edit Post

Ha! Brian beat me to it!
bassman8416
Advanced Member
Username: bassman8416

Post Number: 215
Registered: 5-2012
Posted on Sunday, December 06, 2015 - 10:16 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks guys
bassman8416
Advanced Member
Username: bassman8416

Post Number: 216
Registered: 5-2012
Posted on Sunday, December 06, 2015 - 10:21 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 - 10:22 am:   Edit Post

Just pulled the trigger:
newmember3.jpg
bassman8416
Advanced Member
Username: bassman8416

Post Number: 218
Registered: 5-2012
Posted on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 - 10:30 am:   Edit Post

moongerm
Advanced Member
Username: moongerm

Post Number: 317
Registered: 8-2013
Posted on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 - 10:33 am:   Edit Post

A most excellent choice, play it well and often!
hammer
Senior Member
Username: hammer

Post Number: 810
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 - 11:33 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 - 12:00 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 - 1:20 pm:   Edit Post

Craig,
You most certainly will be. Congrats on both purchases!
Pete
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 4802
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 - 3:01 pm:   Edit Post

I commend you on your excellent choice sir.
edwin
Senior Member
Username: edwin

Post Number: 2148
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 - 4:45 pm:   Edit Post

Nice! Should be a great combo with the SF-2!
edwardofhuncote
Senior Member
Username: edwardofhuncote

Post Number: 709
Registered: 6-2014
Posted on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 - 5:46 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 - 5:56 pm:   Edit Post

Congratulations !
bassman8416
Advanced Member
Username: bassman8416

Post Number: 220
Registered: 5-2012
Posted on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 - 7:13 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Tuesday, December 08, 2015 - 9:58 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2015 - 3:55 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2015 - 8:07 am:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, December 27, 2015 - 2:38 pm:   Edit Post

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
Posted on Sunday, December 27, 2015 - 6:03 pm:   Edit Post

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

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