My First (New to Me) Alembic Essence...

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Author Message bassman4 New Username: bassman4 Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2009 Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 8:53 am:    Purchased 12/06/2008 with great trepidation on Ebay...Sounds GREAT! Has just a couple of dings; and needs a new Volume pot, but is an absolute "BLAST" to Play! THANKS ALEMBIC!! (Message edited by bassman4 on March 03, 2009) keith_h Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1234 Registered: 2-2005 Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 8:58 am:    Congratulations on the new bass. If the volume pot is noisy you should not have to replace it. Alembic uses sealed self cleaning pots. To clean them turn them back and forth for the full amount. 20-30 times usually does it. Keith davehouck Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7675 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 9:00 am:    Wow! That's a great Essence! Beautiful top; Europa electronics. Congrats and welcome to the club! Why do you think you need a new volume pot? bassman4 New Username: bassman4 Post Number: 2 Registered: 3-2009 Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 9:03 am:    Serial 99K12189 USA. I should add that I have always wanted an Alembic Bass; just from hearing the "tone" generated by every one I have ever heard! Playability on this axe is excellent! I thought I would have to do all of the usual "tweaks" necessary to set up a "new" bass for my (hack) playing style; but this beauty came out of the case so close to perfect, I haven't had the nerve to even try to adjust it yet! Absolutely KILLER tone! I finally have something in hand that actually does my Eden rig(s) justice! I have a collection of Peavey and Ibanez Basses, but they are not going to get much use from now on...anyone want to buy some good used basses?! Thanks again Alembic for being here and for the great Discussion Forum! I will be visiting here often! bassman4 New Username: bassman4 Post Number: 3 Registered: 3-2009 Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 9:13 am:    Wow! You guys are FAST!! ;-} Thanks Keith! The vol pot is "loose" in operation, and just a bit scratchy; (no up and down motion, but easily leaps around the post rather than the smooth graduated feel you would expect)...It feels like somebody tried to pry it off and perhaps loosened the guts up some inside...the other pots are firm and smooth in operation and noiseless. I have read the thread on pots and also replacement of knobs etc.; so I think the described type of damage that can occur when someone assumes that the knobs just slide off of the pot shaft is what has happened here. Everything else on this axe works pristinely... bassman4 New Username: bassman4 Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2009 Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 9:25 am:    Thanks Dave! It IS a great axe! I really cannot believe that I was able to get this so reasonably and with the Europa Electronics AND LED's; it was just a sure sign of a "Higher Power" working continually to look out for "fools and babies"... I had been looking over the offerings on Ebay and craigslist for awhile; but just could never bring myself to "trust" the cheaper sales, and absolutely could not afford the "legit" sales I saw... Yes, I still have "GAS" for a Mark King, Coco Bolo 5 Deluxe!! But I guess I can survive until this economy turns around somewhat! olieoliver Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2153 Registered: 2-2006 Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 9:48 am:    Thats a great looking bass, congrats! OO funkyjazzjunky Advanced Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 374 Registered: 5-2007 Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 10:06 am:    You have a wonderful beauty bassman4 New Username: bassman4 Post Number: 5 Registered: 3-2009 Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 10:41 am:    Thanks olieoliver and funkyjazzjunky! Here's a pic of the new Lady with her somewhat now disenfranchised playmates and "Da Rig(s)"... olieoliver Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2154 Registered: 2-2006 Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 11:38 am:    Holy Smokes, Open the windows before you crank that big monster rig up beyond 4. Wouldn't want to shatter any glass. LOL NICE family picture. OO bassman4 New Username: bassman4 Post Number: 6 Registered: 3-2009 Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 1:01 pm:    You are right OlieOliver; I have been known to loose some ceiling tiles and wall hangings on occassion... Da "Line-up"... Alembic Essence-5 W/Europa Electronics and LED's, Peavey Cirrus-5 Tiger Active, Peavey Grind-6 Bubinga Passive, Peavey Grind-5 Walnut Passive, Peavey Millienium 4 Passive; Ibanez AEB-305 Active, Ibanez Phantom 4 Solid Body Bolt-on Passive, X2 Wireless (3); dBX 160A Mono Compressor; dBX 166XL Stereo Compressor; Peavey Bassfex; Lexicon 550 Multi-FX; Antares AVP-1 FX; Roland SRV 3030 Multi-FX; Line6 Bass Pod Pro FX & Modeling Pre-amp; Eden Navigator WP 100 Pre-amp , BBE BMax Pre-amp; Eden WTX 260, Eden WT800-Upgraded, Eden WT-1000, Crown XLS- 402, Crown xS 1200, Eden D210XST at 4 ohms, D212XLT at 4, Eden D210T at (now) 4 -- (loaded with XST Drivers 500W), Eden D115T at 8 -- (Loaded w Emininence 400W) I really have to start selling off some gear! (Message edited by bassman4 on March 03, 2009)