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pered
New
Username: pered

Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Thursday, November 30, 2006 - 5:20 am:   Edit Post

Hi, you guys. I purchased my Europa 6 93U7775 the summer of '94, and I just wonder if it was indeed made for Europe? Also interested in knowing the specs.

Thanks, Per Elias
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 3838
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 8:02 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Per,

Here's what I found in the file for your bass:

93U7775 ULB6 Europa 6-string bass

top: Wuilted Maple
accent: Walnut and Maple veneers
body: Mahogany
neck: 11-piece Maple and Purpleheart laminates, 34" long scale
fingerboard: Ebony with pearloid oval inlays
pickups: MXY56
controls: volume, pan, filter, Q switch, bass cut/flat/boost switch, treble cut/flat/boost switch, mono side output
originally made for: Guitar Workshop, Oslo
birthday: June 10, 1993

We haven't heard from this bass since it was made.

Europas are named after my dad's favorite car: Lotus Europa. He used to have a 1969 one, but when my mom was pregnant with me, she couldn't get in and out of it!
bob
Senior Member
Username: bob

Post Number: 766
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 10:07 pm:   Edit Post

Wow, thanks for that great little nugget of history, Mica!

I still vividly remember this time when I was a kid, still years away from being old enough for a license (so we must be talking at least 35 years now). I was walking out of a parking garage somewhere in Chicago with my family, and they had parked someone's Lotus in a prime spot right at the entrance. My guess is it might have been an Esprit rather than a Europa, but I'm not really up on the models or when they were introduced (it was definitely a mid-engine, if that helps).

Anyway, my eyes turned to saucers, and apparently the parking attendant noticed this. So he says something like, "hey, I think this would look good on you, want to give it a try?"

Here I am, this somewhat shy little kid about 13, and I'm politely protesting, but he eventually convinces me (right :-) to get into the driver's seat and see how it fits.

It fit just fine (I was tall for my age), and I will never forget it. It was orange.

Nowadays, even if I had that much truly disposable income, I would not be able to justify spending it on an automobile. But still, I'm almost tempted to organize a fund drive to buy Ron a Tesla, in the spirit of Old and New Dreams (slipping in a Charlie Haden reference for your dad's sake).

Yet another insight into the spirit and passion that goes into these instruments and related gear. Thanks.
-Bob

(sorry for going off topic, couldn't resist - congratulations on your Europa, Per Elias)

(Message edited by bob on December 13, 2006)
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 4632
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 4:52 pm:   Edit Post

I'm guessing Mica meant Quilted Maple rather than Wuilted Maple; however I'm no expert on wood, so there does exist the possibility that this is something I've never heard of.

Is Ron a Charlie Haden fan? I love that bit in Ken Burns' Jazz where Haden talks about playing with Ornette for the first time. It's one of my favorite descriptions of playing music.
pered
New
Username: pered

Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 3:32 pm:   Edit Post

Well, Wuilted Maple is a very common find here in Norway, so the bass feels really at home! Cococolo is also easy to spot here - but mostly in the south, though!

Per Elias
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 1907
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 4:27 pm:   Edit Post

Bob:

My son and I saw the Tesla at the S.F. autoshow last month. WOW. Gorgeous, sexy, and non-polluting to boot! When you hit the lottery, after you buy one for Ron, think about me. I'll be your best friend. LOL By the way, I believe that initially Alembic named all their instruments beginning with the letter "E" as an homage to Lotus.

Bill, tgo
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 4647
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 5:17 pm:   Edit Post

The Tesla is a fascinating concept!
bob
Senior Member
Username: bob

Post Number: 780
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2006 - 10:52 pm:   Edit Post

Yeah, apparently the company hq is just a few miles from where I live. Haven't seen one in person, but love the concept... keep wondering if they might have any job openings :-)

An article in the San Jose Mercury last week said they plan at least two more models over the next few years, coming a little closer to the consumer level, if all goes well. I'm wishing them luck.

(and I still think the "Old and New Dreams" reference was unusually clever for me)

(Message edited by bob on December 19, 2006)

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