| Author | Message | ||
| jphilauren
New Username: jphilauren Post Number: 1 Registered: 5-2008 |
looking to buy my first Alembic bass, wanted recommendations between Epic, Essence and Distillate. Looking on the used market and ebay. Noticed a couple of Distillate approx $1500.00, can buy Epic for approx $1300.00 all 4 string | ||
| pauldo
Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 51 Registered: 6-2006 |
For obvious reasons (see profile) I will steer you towards a Distillate. Wide tonal range, comfortable and looks good too! ;-) good luck shopping! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6601 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi John, welcome to the board! As a gross generalization, the desirability of those three models would be ranked Distillate, then Essence, and then Epic. These general rankings are reflected in their cost new, their average used market price, and their electronics packages. But of course there are other considerations such as condition, scale length, neck taper, woods used, and other options that can come into play. These models differ in other ways besides electronics packages. Unless they were custom ordered, generally the Epic has a set neck with a Comfort taper, the Essence is a neck through with a Comfort taper, and the Distillate is a neck through with Classic taper. The Epic and Essence are generally 34" scale length, and I believe the Distillate was generally 32" scale length. Later Distillates have a longer upper horn than earlier Distillates. And the body shape on the earliest Essences was also a little different than later Essences. | ||
| oujeebass
Intermediate Member Username: oujeebass Post Number: 120 Registered: 10-2002 |
The Epic is the most wood dependant of the Alembics when it comes to tone. That being said I wouldn't go for an Epic without being able to play it first. The thru-necks are more desirable, in that you can expect the Alembic hi-fi sound, with a smiley face EQ curve built in and with that you can tailor your sound more. The standard Epic electronics help tame the inherent sound with the non-filter based high/low EQ, but you will have a wood dependent tone. Darker woods dark... Lighter woods Bright. with all the variations in between. (Message edited by oujeebass on May 27, 2008) | ||
| jbybj
Intermediate Member Username: jbybj Post Number: 163 Registered: 6-2006 |
I think you should get all three!! You only live once. Good luck, James | ||
| keurosix
Advanced Member Username: keurosix Post Number: 312 Registered: 10-2005 |
Hi John, Welcome to the club! Tell us more about your playing style, and instrument preferences. Do you play jazz, blues, or rock, etc.? Any particular bass sound you like or dislike? Any specific set up that is necessary to your playing - for instance drop-tuning, slap or tapping styles? Play with fingers or pick or both? Looking for fretted or fretless? What string spacing do you prefer? ("Classic" is a narrow spacing, while "Comfort" is wider). Do you need your new Alembic to perform live and in the studio too? What type strig do you use - gage and construction. These considerations will help narrow down a good fit. For the classic Alembic sound, I would lean toward one with the low-pass filter electronics. The Epic has bass and treble boost, but can be modified with a kit from Alembic to the filter & Q switch at additional cost. The Essence has the filter but with a fixed Q. The Distillate has the most flexible electronics package, but with a medium scale, so it may not fit your needs for certain styles. Happy hunting. Hope we can help you to decide which one is for you. Kris | ||
| keurosix
Advanced Member Username: keurosix Post Number: 313 Registered: 10-2005 |
John, A nice Europa is for sale on Ebay: http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/52194.html?1211910792 Price may be a little higher than what you are looking to pay, but it is a beauty! Europa electronics are similar to Distillate. Kris | ||
| danny_bryant
Member Username: danny_bryant Post Number: 63 Registered: 9-2007 |
Hello and welcome to the board. I have owned an Epic and have played a Distillate bass. If it were me I would lean towards the Disillate. The tone is excellent and the resell value is better if you ever want to sell or upgrade in the future. | ||
| bassjigga
Advanced Member Username: bassjigga Post Number: 328 Registered: 8-2005 |
I can't tell you about the Epic or Distillate but I own an Essence 4 and a 5 string fretless Europa. Even with just the pickup blend and filter the Essence is very versatile. I can get anything from upright tones to the Jaco sound, to a really punchy tone and most things in between. The Europa is even more versatile with the bass and treble switches as well as the 3 position Q switch I have. | ||
| keurosix
Advanced Member Username: keurosix Post Number: 316 Registered: 10-2005 |
John, In case your interest is piqued for the Europa bass for sale, here is a link to the Europa controls: http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/16370.html?1107721317 The bass & treble boost switches really add tremendous control, and can make up for insufficient cabinets or power by boosting or subtracting in either area. They also work in conjunction with the filter and Q switch to give you alot more tonal combinations. Worth a consideration. Kris | ||
| jphilauren
New Username: jphilauren Post Number: 4 Registered: 5-2008 |
Thanks for all the info,getting close to making the jump into Alembics. Looking at a Distillate and a Series 1 right now. Debating with myself if jumping to a Series 1 is the right move. | ||
| pauldo
Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 52 Registered: 6-2006 |
If I had the choice back in 84' I would have went with the Series I - more $$$ but alot more tonal choices. Actually I did have a choice,,, I just didn't have the $$$. :-\ | ||
| bonesrad
Member Username: bonesrad Post Number: 57 Registered: 5-2002 |
JP, If you can financially swing the Series I, I would go for it (assuming that is used). It really is the essence of what Alembics can do and it's an amazing tonal electronics package. If it turns out it isn't your cup of tea, you shouldn't have too much trouble flipping it for what you paid for it. Happy Hunting, Bones | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 622 Registered: 11-2003 |
John, I currently own two Essences, a Stanley Clarke Signature Standard, a Dragon's Wing, and a Europa. I have a Series II custom on order. I'd offer this .... It really boils down, IMHO, to a few things ... Body Shape Electronics Package Kind of Music You're Playing The Essence is close to being the smallest Alembic body. It does not come with a Q-switch (though you can spec one on an order), and has only a filter, volume, and pan. It is a neck through, but without the thicker laminates of "higher" Alembics. I don't view this as a bad thing, merely different. I used a '91 Essence in Baghdad, Iraq from 2005 to 2006, and I can say unequivically it performed flawlessly. We played a variety of music, and the Essence handled every task. It also never failed me in the most demanding of conditions (temperatures of 100 plus degrees Fahrenheit; varying humidity; questionable voltage). I've played some Epics, but only in passing. This being said, it is a very versatile and light instrument, along with the Alembic quality. You can't go wrong here IMHO. The Distillate, on the other hand, has Europa electronics from what I understand (correct me if I'm wrong guys). It has the boost/cut treble/bass switches, a Q-switch, a filter, a volume, and a pan pot. It will give you a lot of flexibility tone wise if that is what you're looking for if my Europa is any indication. I can't speak to the body shape, but most Distillates I've seen have the neck pickup too close the neck for my tastes. Again, it all depends on what you're playing and what you'll use the instrument for. Regardless of which instrument you choose, I think you'll find, as most of us here have, that Alembic produces the finest instruments we've ever played. Best of luck, Alan | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 909 Registered: 6-2002 |
Alan, I believe most Distillates have a 4-position pickup selector switch, rather than a pan/blend control, which is standard on the Europa and Rogue. I know my '81 Distillate has the selector. You're 100% on everything else! Mike | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 623 Registered: 11-2003 |
I stand corrected! Thanks Mike. Alan | ||
| hbear
New Username: hbear Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2008 |
i have an Epic but I forget the year. It is the Zebrawood model and I must say I love it. Playing in an eighties cover band doing metal and my friends told me this bass would never cut it. However it is so versatile that I went at it as well as trying several lesser basses in my mind. The Epic blew the others away and everybody loves the tone and bottom when we play live. Problem is the younger kids have no idea what an Alembic is. Good thing as maybe they won't try to steal it. Anyway, the damn thing is plenty good and the new ones are way up there in price at least in zebra wood so I dont think you can go wrong with an Epic. | ||
| jbybj
Intermediate Member Username: jbybj Post Number: 165 Registered: 6-2006 |
Welcome Mario, I too have an Epic. I was not in the market for a bass, let alone an Alembic. I didn't know anything about the various current and past models available, I made no informed comparisons. All I knew was that Alembic was the bass that Phil Lesh played, that I couldn't afford when I was a teenager in 1976, when I bought my first bass. I simply encountered an Epic in my local used shop, and was smitten immediately, before I even knew the brand. After playing it unplugged for 15-20 seconds I found myself thinking, "this has got to be more than I can afford". I would visit it weekly, thinking each time that I must be glorifying my memory of this instrument, it couldn't be as sweet as I remembered it. Only to become more attached with each encounter. 8 months later it was mine. I can imagine the higher priced Alembics having prettier wood, different tones, and maybe someday I'll own another, but I can't imagine any one being better than my Epic. This was my long winded way of suggesting that you CAN'T GO WRONG with an Alembic. Peace, JBY | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 6628 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hi Mario; welcome to the board! |
