Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Alembic Basses & Guitars => Topic started by: Zut8083 on July 13, 2018, 11:55:41 PM

Title: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: Zut8083 on July 13, 2018, 11:55:41 PM
I got a sibling for my '83 Spoiler, "Gator": a similar '83 Distillate with a Scorpion body with a black sigil, and Zebrawood laminates and headstock veneer, like Gator.  Based on the pickup spacing, I'm calling this one "Thumper" as there is a open space to pop, slap, and pick aggressively, and a pickup and a bridge for Steve Harris-style/Cliff Burton-style galloping, anchored playing.  The pickups seem wider than I expected and seem to be around the third and fourth octaves, so that is pretty cool, although I could be dead wrong about this.  That's fine, I'm rather happy with it.

In terms of sound, I'm a bit out of shape in terms of playing something fit for a battle of the bands, so it may take time to produce sound that I am willing to part with and post anywhere, but this is a welcome addition, and I will hopefully showcase it when I can play "Running With The Devil" again.  Also, now I can bask in Alembic fun while getting Gator fixed up.

Cheers,
-Zut808383 (?)
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: elwoodblue on July 14, 2018, 12:10:37 AM
Wow,
Thumper looks sweeeet...congrats!
 :-*
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: Zut8083 on July 14, 2018, 12:48:58 AM
Thanks!  Yeah, I think I was really lucky as I have been dying for a distillate and a scorpion body for about 8+ years, and I never was in the right place at the right time.  And then...boom!
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: Zut8083 on July 14, 2018, 12:50:52 AM
Thanks, adriaan!
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: rv_bass on July 14, 2018, 04:08:18 AM
Cool bass!
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: edwardofhuncote on July 14, 2018, 04:15:59 AM
Congrats, Zut. That is indeed an unusual one. Looks to be in great shape too.  :)
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: David Houck on July 14, 2018, 06:55:53 AM
Congrats!
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: jwright9 on July 14, 2018, 07:47:16 AM
That is a seriously cool bass! Congratulations.
 

Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: Zut8083 on July 14, 2018, 08:51:09 AM
Thank you, folks.  I am rather pleased with it, too.
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: StefanieJones on July 14, 2018, 09:21:03 AM
Dang, Zut. THat's a beauty!! ^5s
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: soflbass on July 14, 2018, 11:14:26 AM
Sweet looking machine! Patience is a virtue Zut. Enjoy!
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: pauldo on July 14, 2018, 02:09:35 PM
Beauty for sure.
The pickup configuration suggests a custom build?
(I guess the headstock and body shape on that Distillate also screams custom build).
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: Zut8083 on July 14, 2018, 03:14:03 PM
I could totally buy that this is a custom piece.  The engraved script on the trussrod cover reads "Alembic Scorpion S.L.", so I'm assuming then these may be the initials of the person who originally commissioned the bass.
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: gearhed289 on July 16, 2018, 07:11:49 AM
Very cool, congrats!
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: jwright9 on July 16, 2018, 07:32:42 AM
Zut, where did you get this bass?
You mention that it "finally showed up"?
Did you buy it online?

Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: Zut8083 on July 16, 2018, 08:22:27 AM
Thank you again, guys, for the kind words.

Jon-

I bought it from "Station Music" in Germany, in Burgau.

I did say that it "finally showed up", yes.  Shipping via UPS was three days, but a lot of thought and debate went into this purchase after seeing that they were legit and had good reviews when I looked for their feedback.

I did indeed buy it online, and corresponded with the shop via email, primarily.

https://www.station-musicshop.de/epages/64398533.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/64398533/Categories

https://www.station-musicshop.de/epages/64398533.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/64398533/Products/10514
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: jwright9 on July 16, 2018, 08:32:01 AM
Three days! LOL!


That is pretty fast international shipping. Wow.

Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: Zut8083 on July 16, 2018, 09:51:13 AM
Yup.

Wednesday Afternoon/Evening->Friday Morning.  It arrived Stateside on Thursday, went through the customs dance, and was on the way out here by 2AM Friday, or earlier.  Station Music did a good job in my opinion.
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: hieronymous on July 16, 2018, 10:35:53 AM
I love this bass! I personally wouldn't let genre considerations prevent me from using it with a band - I had an Exploiter for my first Alembic and ended up selling it because I wasn't playing out and felt it should go to someone who would use it and play it out - now I kind of regret it, I would totally rock it in the various groups I've been playing with the past couple of years (soul jazz/jam band).

Enjoy it!!!
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: StephenR on July 16, 2018, 10:37:20 AM
Cool bass Zut!

I am always impressed with the Station Music website and based on your experience it sounds like the customer service is really good, too. They have a number of beautiful Series five-strings in stock but unfortunately the $22,000 price tag means I will not be ordering anytime soon. As far as quick international shipping I ordered a cabinet from Barefaced in the UK recently and they ship FedEx International overnight. The cabinet was at my front door in California about 21 hours after it was shipped, pretty amazing considering it also had to clear customs and have an import fee assigned.

Enjoy your new bass!
Title: Re: '83 Scorpion Body Distillate Finally Showed Up
Post by: Zut8083 on July 16, 2018, 11:49:49 AM
Thanks, folks!  I almost went back to Station after the transaction, and wanted to work out a plan for the Series 2 graphite neck.  BUT, I am happy with Thumper and I think the new bass deserves plenty of attention now.   Besides, 12,000 Euros/$15,000+ is a lot of gyros!