Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Serial Number / History Requests => Topic started by: rickbass on December 06, 2010, 08:15:41 AM

Title: (x) 82D2402
Post by: rickbass on December 06, 2010, 08:15:41 AM

Hi, I'm hoping you can tell me about the history of this bass - I have a chance to buy it.

Title: (x) 82D2402
Post by: adriaan on December 06, 2010, 08:47:29 AM

Hi Rick. Could you check that number again - it should have just 4 digits after 82D (=1982 Distillate). IIRC, Alembic reached 5 digits only in the 1990s.
 
Also, the serial number lookup may take some time, so if you can post some pictures we may be able to fill you in on some of the build details.
 
You can also use Flip's excellent reference page on serial numbers (http://painandgrief.com/aaa/fcbasssite/alembic/10.htm target=_blank).

Title: (x) 82D2402
Post by: rickbass on December 08, 2010, 04:49:44 AM

Hi, adriaan, sorry about that!  The serial no. is 82D2402.  I have a few pics (attached). Thanks for Flip's reference page!  Anything you can tell me about this bass is greatly appreciated!  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/91115.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/91116.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/91117.jpg)

Title: (x) 82D2402
Post by: funkyjazzjunky on December 08, 2010, 05:42:09 AM

I can tell you it is beautiful

Title: (x) 82D2402
Post by: adriaan on December 08, 2010, 08:31:10 AM

Can't disagree with funkyjazzjunky's assessment - that's a very nice specimen you have there.
 
Looks like a regular Distillate (description of the controls can be found here (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=232)) with a distinctive coco bolo top. The classic wood recipe for Alembic!

Title: (x) 82D2402
Post by: rickbass on December 10, 2010, 02:55:35 PM

Very cool, and thanks for the controls descriptions - very helpful!  I'm in the process of purchasing, but am still interested in any additional info you can provide.  The seller alerted me that I may need to have some neck-work done to address some minor fret buzzing.  Anything special I should know about this?  Curious - what should I expect in terms of note sustain?  I played a series II recently, and the sustain was seemingly never-ending.
 
 
Thanks, Rick

Title: (x) 82D2402
Post by: David Houck on December 10, 2010, 03:19:12 PM

The neck-through design and the Pupleheart neck laminates will provide significant sustain.  Unless it's because of fret wear, most fret buzz issues can be addressed by your self with the dual truss rods.
 
To add to Adriaan's description, it looks like the main body wood is Mahogany, and neck is probably Maple and Purpleheart.  The fretboard appears to be Ebony.

Title: (x) 82D2402
Post by: rickbass on December 13, 2010, 07:32:41 AM

Thank you, Dave, that's helpful.  I hope to have the bass within the next few weeks.  Once the serial number lookup is done, I'm interested in that, too.  I found the following review and was wondering if you're in agreement or have any additional comments:
 
http://www.vguitar.com/features/brands/details.asp?AID=3564 (http://www.vguitar.com/features/brands/details.asp?AID=3564)
 
Thanks, Rick

Title: (x) 82D2402
Post by: David Houck on December 13, 2010, 07:20:52 PM

Nice review.  The tone control is actually a low-pass filter.  A better description of the controls can be found at the link Adriaan posted above.

Title: (x) 82D2402
Post by: rickbass on December 28, 2010, 01:14:16 PM

Well, I'm now the proud owner of this bass - my first Alembic.  I cleaned it up and changed the strings and it sounds great!  I'm still interested in its history, so when possible, please let me know what your records show.

Title: (x) 82D2402
Post by: sonicus on December 28, 2010, 03:18:56 PM

Congratulations  ! That is really a gorgeous Distillate .

Title: (x) 82D2402
Post by: David Houck on December 28, 2010, 03:55:24 PM

Congrats!

Title: (x) 82D2402
Post by: mica on December 30, 2011, 11:52:00 AM

at laaaaaaast!
 
top: Coco Bolo
accent: none
body: Mahogany
neck: 5-piece Maple and Purpleheart
scale: 32 medium sale
fingerboard: Ebony
inlays: mother of pearl ovals
pickups: AXY
controls: Distillate volume, filter, Q switch, bass cut/flat/boost, treble cut/flat/boost, pickup selector switch, mono output
originally made for: Pied Piper
birthday: December 23, 1982
 
Original owner (from West Virginia) purchased in April of 1983, and it was returned to us in June of 1983 for an electronics problem in the treble switch. Looks like we replaced the entire electronics harness and one pickup too.