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bungalowbill
New
Username: bungalowbill

Post Number: 6
Registered: 1-2009
Posted on Monday, August 31, 2009 - 1:41 pm:   Edit Post

Hi all,

I'm in Vancouver, Canada, and after playing the same Elias bass for over twenty years, I figured it was time to upgrade. So I had been looking for an Essence for about 18 months, combing the Alembic forum, Craigslist, eBay, etc. I was looking for a five-string, but was ok with a four-string if it was the right one.

I found a lovely four-string koa Essence in Florida, about as far away as it could be and still be in North America. I bought it, had it shipped up, and within two weeks of receiving it at the end of July, its five-string koa sister popped up on Craigslist, not a half-hour drive from my house.

It was listed as a 1992, but when I went to check it out, I found that it was a 1993, and in fact, the serial number (93K7699) was only 31 away from my four string! It's identical in every way that I can see, except for the gold hardware on the four-string.

Turns out that they were born one day apart! April 7 and April 8, 1993. I'm guessing they're from the same tree... even if they're not, it's a good story :-)

So I started out looking for one, and now have two... I guess the obvious question is:

Does anyone have a six-string koa Essence made in the first week of April 1993 for sale? Or maybe a three-string? :-)

Anyway, these are beautiful instruments; they're everything I had hoped they would be, and I'm looking forward to playing them for decades to come.

Brian

koaessences
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8680
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, August 31, 2009 - 1:54 pm:   Edit Post

Congrats again! Cool story, and very nice twin Alembics!
bungalowbill
New
Username: bungalowbill

Post Number: 7
Registered: 1-2009
Posted on Monday, August 31, 2009 - 2:00 pm:   Edit Post

Thank you! Sorry for the duplication... I thought I should post an intro in the appropriate place, rather than leaving it as part of the "Serial Number requests" discussion.

(Message edited by bungalowbill on August 31, 2009)
pauldo
Advanced Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 261
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Monday, August 31, 2009 - 6:15 pm:   Edit Post

That's really cool that they are a day apart.
I can see where a 3 string and a 6 string would really complete the family. :-D
peoplechipper
Intermediate Member
Username: peoplechipper

Post Number: 151
Registered: 2-2009
Posted on Monday, August 31, 2009 - 9:53 pm:   Edit Post

Hello from Vancouver!

Koa is so pretty, what a lovely pair of basses...

Enjoy and welcome to the club! Tony
mario_farufyno
Advanced Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 258
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 4:41 am:   Edit Post

Nice couple, love this body shape...
toma_hawk01
Intermediate Member
Username: toma_hawk01

Post Number: 163
Registered: 7-2009
Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 9:12 am:   Edit Post

You are very lucky to have a 5-string and a 4-string together and from the same era and wood too?

Man, that is wonderful, and what are the odds of this happening?

No doubt, that is a great thing for you to look back on, when life has it's moments of difficulties.
funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member
Username: funkyjazzjunky

Post Number: 476
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 - 8:06 am:   Edit Post

Koa is king


I love them both

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