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s_wood
Intermediate Member
Username: s_wood

Post Number: 183
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 9:41 am:   Edit Post

My all-time favorite Alembic combination: Series Electronics (with a pan control instead of a pickup selector), Europa body and a killer quilt maple top!

full

The amber tint in the finish really makes the quilt squeal!

closeup

headstock

..and it sounds better than it looks!
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 2293
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 3:00 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Steve,

I LOVE these models!
Bookmatch to center would be great here too!
The inly inconvenient is that I am not a pointed headstock fan.
But ...that will not the famous sound as you point out!
Nice ...really!

Paul TBO
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 3284
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 3:19 pm:   Edit Post

This is a wonderful bass! And Paul, the cone headstocks actually sound much better than the other designs. <g>
keurosix
Junior
Username: keurosix

Post Number: 36
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 7:04 pm:   Edit Post

Wow!
I love the tobacco Burly-Quilt top! Two wood types for the price of one El Dorado! I see that the Burly-Quilt Maple is also on the peg head veneer - Awesome! This is an Amazing Bass!
Enjoy it!
Kris
bonesrad
Junior
Username: bonesrad

Post Number: 43
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 12:16 pm:   Edit Post

That's a beautiful bass you have on your hands there. I'm right there with you on the combination. The Europa body style has always been my favorite and the Series I electronics give the bass ultimate tonal flexibility. Also factor in the way the instrument balances and you have a right tidy little package.

Best Wishes and have fun.

Bones
georgie_boy
Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 63
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 3:20 am:   Edit Post

Beautiful!!
BUT---how does a series bass with this body shape compare to say-my Series 1 with the"series" shape??
Does this bass have the hollow sections as well?. If so, then this could be nigh on the ultimate design IMO.
s_wood
Advanced Member
Username: s_wood

Post Number: 224
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Monday, July 24, 2006 - 8:22 am:   Edit Post

George:

I have Series basses with solid mahagony bodies and quilted maple tops with both Europa and "standard" Series bodies (like yours), so I am familiar with the tone of each. The Europa and standard Series basses sound very, very similar to each other, although I can't say that they are identical. The "standard" body bass weighs about 2 lbs more than the Europa Series bass, and one would expect that the extra mass would affect the tone by increasing sustain and the fundamental frequencies just a bit - which is exactly what I hear. The difference is quite subtle, and not audible in the context of a mix, be it live or in the studio. Even if I preferred the tone of the standard-bodied Series bass (and I don't think that I do), IMHO the significantly improved ergonomics afforded by the Europa body style are well worth it. The proof is in the playing - I find myself playing the Series Europa basses much more often than the standard Series basses.

My Series Europa basses have solid bodies. I have never encountered a hollow-bodied Europa, but I am sure that Alembic could build one if that were your preference. There is a noticable difference in tone between solid-bodied and hollow-bodied Series basses, and if the hollow body tone is what you prefer I would strongly recommend pursuing the hollow-bodied Europa option.

(Message edited by s_wood on July 24, 2006)
georgie_boy
Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 76
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Monday, July 24, 2006 - 8:30 am:   Edit Post

Thanks steve
That clears up a lot. I just assumed that all basses with Series electronics would incorporate the "hollow" upper part of the body. I personally like the tone produced by the hollow, as it seems to add sweetness and character to the sound---just my personal opinion however!
Are there any solid bodied standard Series basses?? I thought they all had the hollow, but as usual, could be wrong again.
Love your bass

G
s_wood
Advanced Member
Username: s_wood

Post Number: 225
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 5:53 am:   Edit Post

AFAIK, some Series basses are hollow and some aren't. I don't know which would be considered "normal." I know that when I ordered standard body Seires basses in the past Mica or Susan asked me whether I preferred a solid or hollow core.
jseitang
Intermediate Member
Username: jseitang

Post Number: 163
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 1:08 pm:   Edit Post

georgie_boy
my custom series II is a solidbody!!!!
jags
Junior
Username: jags

Post Number: 45
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 6:43 pm:   Edit Post

yes it is a beauty. though i hate to critsize someone's love,you missed out on the new craze! exotic neck laminates, an ebony pece or two is all that its missing. please do yourself a favour though. get some "brasso" and polish that bridge up before it gets too corroded,that would be a shame. keep her shiny!!
jags
Junior
Username: jags

Post Number: 46
Registered: 12-2006
Posted on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 6:45 pm:   Edit Post

p.s. dont forget the "nut" it looks a bit scruffy too! have fun!!

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