| Author | Message | ||
| pered
New Username: pered Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2006 |
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 |
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controls: volume, pan, filter, Q switch, bass cut/flat/boost switch, treble cut/flat/boost switch, mono side output originally made for: Guitar Workshop, Oslo birthday: June 10, 1993 We haven't heard from this bass since it was made.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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
The Tesla is a fascinating concept! | ||
| bob
Senior Member Username: bob Post Number: 780 Registered: 11-2002 |
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) |
