Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: tcube on January 03, 2011, 10:10:06 PM

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: tcube on January 03, 2011, 10:10:06 PM

Lurking on the forum, I saw pics of Distillates w a variety of body shapes.  So what defines a Distillate if its body shape can vary?  Is it the electronics?
 
Thanks & begging pardon for waxing philosophical.

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: adriaan on January 04, 2011, 12:00:20 AM

Always a fun game, name that Alembic!
 
The body shape can often be a source of confusion. The electronics package and the neck recipe are usually the best way to determine the model.
 
For a standard Distillate, the neck would be maple with purpleheart laminates, and the electronics would be volume/filter/Q switch/bass & treble quick-change switches + pickup switch.
 
The Distillate was the first more affordable model, and it was soon followed by the Spoiler, which lacks the purpleheart neck laminates, and the quick-change tone switches. So for instance, on an Exploiter the neck laminates and electronics will usually tell you if it was a built as a Distillate or a Spoiler.

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: serialnumber12 on January 04, 2011, 03:54:04 AM

what defines a Distillate is how you beat It!(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/93131.jpg)

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: white_cloud on January 04, 2011, 05:37:26 AM

Funnily enough the Distillate has always been the bass I have lusted over most in the Alembic stable despite it being a cheaper model.
 
I remember when they first became available wwwway back . I saw one in the early 80's in a guitar store window in Glasgow with a card above it which read Yes, it is the real thing! - I looked at the dude standing next to me also admiring it and it was Midge Ure.
 
Do Alembic still offer the Distillate model as a custom build? Anyone?

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: adriaan on January 04, 2011, 06:04:22 AM

Of course you can still order a Distillate - no model is discontinued, and instruments are built to order.
 
Check the Custom Quote Generator (http://www.alembic.com/cgi-bin/quote/quote?model=Essence target=_blank). At the bottom of the page, choose the model with the standard features that you prefer, then start playing with the custom options ...

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: pauldo on January 04, 2011, 09:22:09 AM

Terry - Does the philosophical waxing help with taking out small surface blemishes??
:-D
I just love seeing Keavin beating on mine!
 
I have noticed that there is sometimes a variance in neck pickup location, some 'overseas' models only have 1 pickup, and control layouts vary; in particular the pickup selection knob can be found on the lower bout on some instruments and near the tone controls on others.
 
I truly love mine - everyone should have one!

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: tcube on January 04, 2011, 11:18:27 AM

Pauldo, Philosophical waxing buffs your soul, but does little for blemishes in polyurethane.

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: tcube on January 04, 2011, 11:27:08 AM

Adriaan,  Thank you for identifying the features that define a Distillate.  I had concluded that the electronics was an important factor but didn't know about the M/Ph laminates.

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: dadabass2001 on January 06, 2011, 03:36:37 PM

There is also a Distillate body shape as seen in the photo Kev posted (kinda like a small standard, but with the bottom flattened). But since you can order a bass with almost any body shape, that's not an absolute either.  
Here's mine, with flame koa top:
 
 
 
Mike

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: peoplechipper on January 11, 2011, 11:17:43 PM

I LOVE MY DISTILLATE!!! I recently tried an Elan and the Distillate just seemed so much better; I have to admit I prefer 32 scale, but I've owned and played 34 before and the Distillate just has the best feel, build, body shape, everything! the fact the neck sits at 9:00 has even changed my playing and that's fine with me...maybe one day I'll get another to contrast with my burl bubinga one...and yeah, beat on it; my Distillate seems to take my abuse(playing) very well and a lot better than many other instruments I own...granted, I've never kicked my bass(as I have a couple guitars for squeals of feedback at the end of a gig) but I haven't babied it either and it still looks better than me...Tony

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: sonicus on January 12, 2011, 02:26:13 AM

Here is mine     (http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/93770.jpg)

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: tcube on January 12, 2011, 02:38:31 PM

Sonicus,
   That's a very nice looking Distillate - Early export model I presume?  The neck seems wider than on mine.  Is it a 32 scale?

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: sonicus on January 12, 2011, 04:10:28 PM

Hi. tcube.  
    Thanks , she's 81-0325 . An Export Model 32 scale.  The neck is great for playing Bass chords. The Dean Markley 2670 XL 40-95 sound great on this Bass.
 
(Message edited by sonicus on January 12, 2011)

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: tcube on January 12, 2011, 10:48:44 PM

Sonicus - Thanks - I was wondering if it looked wider because it was 30 as opposed to 32.  But nope.
 
Oy,  Yet another way in which Distillates can vary! Neck width.  P vs J all over again!
 
 
 I was torn between medium vs light(ish) gauge.  I went w/ medium-light Dean's (45-105).  I was worried about slackness w lighter strings - but now that I've got my Dist in hand (literally) I don't think slackness would be a problem.  The string brand I chose to  was kind of random - I'm going to try different ones and of lighter gauge, so I shall definitely remember your endorsement of the XLs.

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: sonicus on January 13, 2011, 01:40:49 AM

I was worried about slackness with lighter strings as well since I like to  sometimes  play in staccato finger style that requires a bit more tension. When I play close to the bridge I get all the tension that I need on any of my Bass's with the Dean Markley 2670 XL . For Flat wound strings I have been using the Pyramid Gold  Flat Wound strings. They are as smooth as glass.

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: DaveD on February 01, 2011, 09:35:20 PM

Here's my '83 Scorpion-bodied Distillate.
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/95735.jpg)

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: sonicus on February 01, 2011, 10:29:32 PM

Very cool !

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: pauldo on February 02, 2011, 11:25:24 AM

total sweetness!

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: tcube on February 02, 2011, 11:35:59 AM

Righteous!  I love the concentric rings on the lower bout (E-string side)!  
 
Is it safe to rest the bass on the two little prongs?

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: charles_holmes on February 03, 2011, 05:41:42 AM

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/95889.jpg)

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: sonicus on February 03, 2011, 07:54:03 AM

I like it .  
Series I Electronics   _ Cool !

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: tcube on February 03, 2011, 11:00:28 AM

A gorgeous bass, Charles.  But wait, if it's the electronics that defines the bass (see Adriaan's post early in this thread), then wouldn't it be a Series I with a body typical of a Distillate?

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: charles_holmes on February 03, 2011, 11:29:31 AM

Thanks Terry!I really would like to defer to Mica regarding what actually defines a Distillate. Mine is a Series I custom Distillate. But looking at the older photos of distillates, the common characteristics (it seems for me)flat bottom, longer upper horn, from there it's like a what your imagination calls for configuration But then again I would really defer to the creators. Mica,are you in da house?

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on February 03, 2011, 11:37:09 AM

Is there a D in your serial number, Chalie?
 
Peter

Title: Defining a Distillate
Post by: charles_holmes on February 03, 2011, 11:42:05 AM

No Peter it is...
 
O4C13314