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
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originally made for: Guitar Workshop, Oslo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!
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)
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.
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
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
The Tesla is a fascinating concept!
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)