Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: blazer on September 23, 2009, 06:24:18 PM

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: blazer on September 23, 2009, 06:24:18 PM

Today I was at Strings and Things in Antwerp Belgium where I tried out a second hand Alembic bass which had been retrofitted with blue LEDs in the fingerboard (Not a pro job but not badly executed either) it played really nicely and it sounded downright amazing.
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/70755.jpg)
The actual bass I played.
 
The price for this bass is just a little under two grand and I'm seriously tempted to go for it.
 
So what kind of bass is this? The ultra simple lay out would suggest it's a Distillate but did they come in this shape?

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: lembic76450 on September 23, 2009, 06:36:36 PM

Looks like a Spoiler to me with an Alpha point.
Very nice.

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: tmoney61092 on September 23, 2009, 06:40:07 PM

it's got Spoiler electronics(Volume, low-pass filter, pickup selector, and a q-switch) but it looks like there is something else that i don't know what it is, but not a Distillate
 
~Taylor Watterson

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: blazer on September 23, 2009, 06:44:40 PM

That extra switch right next to the filter pot is the on-off switch for the LED's

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: tmoney61092 on September 23, 2009, 06:50:21 PM

good call, didn't think about that
 
~Taylor Watterson

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: blazer on September 23, 2009, 06:56:26 PM

Anyway, thanks for clearing up what kind of bass it is.

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: lembic76450 on September 23, 2009, 07:10:24 PM

Did you see the serial number? That would answer the question.  I have always been a sucker for the Crown headstock.

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: lembic76450 on September 23, 2009, 07:21:10 PM

Similar, but, a different top.  
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/28653.html?1149700508 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=8940)

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: sonicus on September 23, 2009, 07:54:52 PM

Might anyone have a clue as to whom might  have done   the LED work ?

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: sonicus on September 23, 2009, 08:00:36 PM

Nice bass , quite rare body style I suppose for Spoiler electronics .
 Is that right ?

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: David Houck on September 23, 2009, 08:24:31 PM

Wolf; there have been a few to show up here and on the bay, one of which I see you've already found.  I'm thinking Joey's bass is a Spoiler with a Standard Point body too, but my memory isn't highly reliable.

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: sonicus on September 24, 2009, 02:07:38 AM

Thanks for your reply Dave. I wonder what kind of a difference that the added body mass makes sound wise .I have always found the Standard point body with crown head stock to be an  attractive design.
                  Wolf .

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: terryc on September 24, 2009, 02:41:28 AM

well it looks like a standard body shape with Spoiler electronics and the LED's look like Martin Sims work in Essex who did my MK back in May.
It must be a recent retro fit as his earlier work involved routing another cavity for extra batteries with a brass plate with his name on it.
His later fits use the existing battery to power the pre amps.

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: terryc on September 24, 2009, 07:41:47 AM

Think I have found you bass on Martin SIMS site, it is in the LED gallery on page 5. This is the link
http://www.simscustom.com/html/popups/ledgallery/ (http://www.simscustom.com/html/popups/ledgallery/)
 
Fourth line down, second one from left

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: georgie_boy on September 24, 2009, 08:17:52 AM

Link's not working Tel!!

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: David Houck on September 24, 2009, 08:34:02 AM

Go here (http://www.simscustom.com/html/simsleds_gallery.htm), click on 5 for page 5, fourth line, second picture from left.

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: terryc on September 24, 2009, 09:17:13 AM

Thanks dave..I just clicked on properties and copied the link..I guess that is not the way..I must find out how do do it correctly!!!

Title: A question about the Distillate series.
Post by: David Houck on September 24, 2009, 03:47:50 PM

Terry, you didn't do it incorrectly; Sims is apparently blocking direct access of the gallery.