Finally got my order in For the Newst... Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive through January 07, 2011 » Archive: 2009 » Archive through March 07, 2009 » Finally got my order in For the Newsted Elan 5 string!!! « Previous Next »

Author Message
blackelan
New
Username: blackelan

Post Number: 5
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Friday, January 02, 2009 - 10:43 pm:   Edit Post

I had been spec'ing this guitar for years and always something came up at the last second to cause me not to go through with the order.

I just dropped off the cash deposit for my order at Guitar Showcase in San Jose California today.

It took me a long time to decide what specs to go with. It was going to either be the Stock Elan from 89-91 or the Series modified Elan post 91.

I went with the 89 J-P-J electronic Elan with gold hardware. I am even specing the correct half circle truss rod cover and Alembic logo by the nut.

Through my years of research and Alembics help Jason's original Elan 5 was modified in 91 to contain Series 2 electronics and at the same time the red LEDs were installed in the fretboard. It appeared to not have LEDs before 91. I also beleive some of the hardware was changed to a black color in 91.

Bottom line is I went with the original unmodified 89 Elan even got the correct control layout for it, by double checking photos and live concert DVDs.

-Jason
alembicfan
Junior
Username: alembicfan

Post Number: 14
Registered: 10-2007
Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2009 - 4:02 am:   Edit Post

Hy Jason!
Congratulation! Think that that`s one of the most beautiful basse`s ever.
My bass got some spec`s of it.

Markus
eligilam
Intermediate Member
Username: eligilam

Post Number: 144
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2009 - 9:07 am:   Edit Post

I've always loved that bass...it's the one the Newsted "action figure" I have is holding. Any plans to jam out "Blackened" after you receive this prize?
blackelan
New
Username: blackelan

Post Number: 7
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2009 - 3:33 pm:   Edit Post

Just so everyone knows its the Elan he uses here in this exact same configuration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjOiYT1_KOo

Hey Markus I saw your order earlier on the customshop forum. Did you get Red LEDs?

If I ever have the money in the future I was going to order the Europa 6 with Series II electronics, black hardware and LEDs like Newsted's "Sad but True" bass he uses here.

Warning some foul language in this link NSFW.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cfTUipdWRs

and yes I will jam out to the all the Metallica live DVDs from that era.LOL
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 782
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2009 - 4:33 pm:   Edit Post

All right and congrats!

I'm also seriously considering ordering a Black Elan 5 this year, looking forward to see your FTC thread.
Have you seen alembicfan's FTC thread? Gonna be awesome to!

I guess you've seen the Jason thread, it's on the bottom of the "Alembic Basses & Guitars" section
blackelan
New
Username: blackelan

Post Number: 8
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2009 - 5:05 pm:   Edit Post

One other thing I would like to add according to a conversation I had with Susan years ago that at Day on the Green in 91 was the day Alembic prestened Jason with his new and upgraded Alembics.

One thing I was never 100% clear on was the Elan 5 string made with LEDs back in 88 or 89 I know after 91 it had LEDs. I was never a 100% if in 89 he just never used them or they were not in his bass yet.

I could never find any shots of his Elan with the LEDs on in 89. Judging by the switches my best guess was they were put in after 91.

and yes I have read and seen every post made about Jason's Alembics on this forum and elsewhere... I am just than anal about getting all the specs as close to correct as possible LOL.

(Message edited by BlackElan on January 03, 2009)
alembicfan
Junior
Username: alembicfan

Post Number: 15
Registered: 10-2007
Posted on Sunday, January 04, 2009 - 8:32 am:   Edit Post

Hi Jason,

yes,i got red LED`s. I`m not sure if newsted
got them on his early elan,but i think so.
Anyway,i made it because i think that that`s
one of the coolest thing`s on a bass.
Man,a black bass with red side LED`s. Awesome :-)
dannobasso
Senior Member
Username: dannobasso

Post Number: 936
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Sunday, January 04, 2009 - 10:32 am:   Edit Post

In my experience the led's are a must but to each his own. All my black custom Excels, 1 Essence and Skylark have them. Congrats on your order and try to be patient because they won't release it until the bass and the paint is perfect. Black finishes are unforgiving.
blackelan
New
Username: blackelan

Post Number: 9
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Sunday, January 04, 2009 - 3:26 pm:   Edit Post

Regarding the LEDs the reason I ended up not going with them was I want to make the most accurate reproduction of the 89era Newsted Elan. If I knew a 100% it had LEDs in 89 I would order them. There are plenty of overhead shots of Jason from the 89-91 concerts and he did have LEDs on his basses and he used them but the 89 Elan I just never saw them in 89.

The control layout looks like a standard J-P Elan configuration with a additional knob for the additional J pickup. I did not notice a additional switch for the LED circuit from 89.
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 783
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Sunday, January 04, 2009 - 3:34 pm:   Edit Post

I'm pretty sure the controls are: Volume, volume, volume and filter + Q switch

Did this one also had the see through finish? (before the series II transformation)
blackelan
New
Username: blackelan

Post Number: 10
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Sunday, January 04, 2009 - 3:58 pm:   Edit Post

I am almost 100% it had the see through finish in 89 but it is almost impossible to tell. I had freeze framed some videos and it looks like you can see some flamed maple but then again it could be some smudges. The 89 was a custom to begin with so I can see it being a see though finish.
blackelan
Junior
Username: blackelan

Post Number: 11
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Sunday, January 04, 2009 - 9:37 pm:   Edit Post

Here is really good video of the Europa 6 notice the black MOP inlays.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2A1eX20mkw&feature=related
blackelan
Junior
Username: blackelan

Post Number: 14
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 - 5:46 pm:   Edit Post

Video of the Europa 5 string with Series II electronics. NSFW some foul language at the very start of the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzQfWVWnwj0

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration