Alembic Europa 4

Completed 27 Aug 03, Santa Rosa, CA. 24 Frets. 3A Quilted Maple Top, Wineburst polyester finish. Purpleheart and Maple Accent woods. Mahogany body, Ebony Fretboard with Mother of Pearl Oval inlays. Maple Veneers, Europa active electronics. Neck of maple and purpleheart (five piece), neck through. Alembic MXY pickups, treble and bass boost/cut switches, volume control, pickup pan control. Amber LEDs on side of neck. Solid brass "bird" tailpiece and bridge. Brass adjustable nut. Gold Schaller tuners, four string. Long Scale. Alembic body style (close to Jazz Bass). Comes with hard case, case keys, certificates, and tools.

This bass fits what I play perfectly (classic rock and classic art rock a la Rush, Genesis, King Crimson, Yes, Frank Zappa, etc.), with extremely high quality. I have other basses (to include a '73 Fender Jazz) that have their qualities, but this one, like the other Alembics I own, can do it all. I'd been looking for an Alembic with a Jazz feel and Alembic quality, and I found it here. I can get every tone I want and then some.

The guy I bought it from set it up with light gauge strings (which I prefer and asked him to do), but there was still some buzz low down. I've adjusted the truss rods since, and it's no problem. Pickups were fine, and there were absolutely no flaws with the finish and fit at all. However, the pan pot didn't work. I contacted Alembic about this, and they're sending me new electronics at no charge. If they hadn't done this, I'd have been a bit angry, but these guys stand behind their stuff. You get what you pay for, as they always say.

Like all Alembics I've owned, this is a tank. You have to make truss rod adjustments if you change gauge of strings, but this is no different from any other make of bass. And I've used it without a backup - it's that solid. Finish will last till the day I die (or sell it, which will be never). Strap buttons are locking Schallers.

When I had the problem with the pan pot, Alembic contacted me within a day. That's what separates these guys from others - they're connected to every instrument that leaves their shop. Try that with Fender, Gibson, Musicman, etc. Warranty is for 12 months from date of purchase.

I've been playing 27 years. I own a '73 Fender Jazz Bass, a '94 Fender Jazz Bass, a '79 Musicman Stingray, a '74 Gibson Ripper, an '87 Gibson Thunderbird, a '76 Rickenbacker 4001, an '84 Alembic Spoiler-Exploiter, a 2003 Alembic Spyder, and my Europa. If it were stolen, I'd be heartbroken, and buy another one. I chose this bass because it's the closest Alembic comes to a Jazz Bass (my main bass before I got the Europa). The only thing I wish it had are separate volume controls for each pickup (a la Jazz Bass). Other than that, it's perfect.

Built in 1993. Mahogany body with thin veneers of maple and purpleheart with a beautful koa top. 2 Alembic active pickups. Master volume, pickup blend pot w/center detent, "Q" pot(tone control on steriods!). Bass boost/cut, treble boost/cut mini switches. "Q" activator mini switch. Solid brass tailpiece and bridge, brass sustain block under the bridge.5 piece neck maple with 2 purpleheart stringers. A thin walnut veneer separates the ebony fingerboard from the maple/purpleheart neck. Schaller straplocks. LED side markers activated by a mini switch on the face of the body. Gold Gotoh style tuning gears, adjustable brass nut. High gloss polyester finish. Dual trussrods. Neck- through construction.

I've played many styles, I'm confident this bass is capable of any tone required. From a very defined harpsicord type sound to a subdub pant-leg-rattler bottom dweller and everything between. The bass had a slight hissing sound when I first bought it. Alembic shipped some silver conductive sheilding paint. I painted the pickup routs- problem solved. Equally impressive on stage or in the studio. It's such a beautiful instrument I'm afraid to use it on small stages-I take an Ernie Ball Musicman Sterling for most live gigs out of fear of my "dream bass" getting damaged.

This bass sat many years at a local music store before I bought it. Very little adjustments were needed. I'm still trying to get the hang of making neck relief adjustments. I find dual trussrods somewhat tricky. The fit and finish are flawless.

This is a very well constructed bass and I'm sure it's very durable. As I mentioned earlier, I'm paranoid to use it live. I'd hate to have it hit by a guitar headstock,etc.

Alembic is a very small company. Mica, Ron,& Susan are very nice people to work with. I took the factory tour and was amazed with their "cozy" shop. I do have one complaint: After a few years my neck developed severe buzzing. The bass had to be de-fretted, the fingerboard had to be trued and then refretted. I was amazed that I was charged for this($350.00)! They also have been forgetful and they're not the most prompt company I've dealt with.

I've been playing since 1976. I own 8 other basses besides my 3 Alembics. If my Europa were stolen I'd be heartbroken. It's such a responsive instrument, playing it is effortless compared to my modified Fenders and Rickenbacker. As far as the "designer" basses are concerned, Alembic is the ultimate. I would like to add that for live playing I use and totally love my Ernie Ball Musicman basses; they're very roadworthy and sound fantastic. Plus, I can afford to replace a Musicman.