Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Owning an Alembic => Serial Number / History Requests => Topic started by: chuen_monkey on November 12, 2009, 03:28:14 PM

Title: (x) 83D2434 Distillate 4
Post by: chuen_monkey on November 12, 2009, 03:28:14 PM: Hi i just bought this lovely bass and would love to know more. The pick ups don't have Alembic written on them ,is this normal? The guy i bought it from said it was an 88 Distillate. Its ma dream bass ever since i discovered Stanley Clarke (20 years ago). Thank you for making such a beautiful instrument.
All the best
Greg
Title: (x) 83D2434 Distillate 4
Post by: pauldo on November 12, 2009, 03:58:57 PM: Gregory - Welcome to the club and congrads on the Distillate! They are one of my favorites :-D

I may be mistaken but I always thought that the first two digits designated the year - so yours should be an 83. Alembic 'embossed' on the pickups is normal.

Please - PLEASE post some pictures so that we can ogle your newly prized possesion.
Title: (x) 83D2434 Distillate 4
Post by: FC Bass on November 12, 2009, 08:42:19 PM: Welcome!
'83 indeed and the blank pickups (no Alembic on it) are normal for that period ;-)

I used to own a very close relative of your bass: 83S2433 (was finished January 10, 1983)
Title: (x) 83D2434 Distillate 4
Post by: mica on February 05, 2010, 08:00:33 PM: Hi Greg,

Here's the details from the instrument file:

DMB4 Distillate Bass

top: Coco Bolo
body: Mahogany
neck: Maple and Purpleheart
scale: 32 medium
fingerboard: Ebony
inlays: mother of pearl
originally made for: Music World, ID
birthday: Jan 10, 1983

Flip is correct about the pickup description.
Title: (x) 83D2434 Distillate 4
Post by: chuen_monkey on February 14, 2010, 08:39:50 AM: Thanks Miica,will get some photos up soon.
Ive got a problem with the balance (top heavy)and was wonderin if i should move the front strap button to the rear (just under the base of the neck).Kinda looks like Stanley Clarke did this (School Days Vid on youtube).Im scared of doin any damage if it dont work.Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks again
All the best
Greg
Title: (x) 83D2434 Distillate 4
Post by: chuen_monkey on February 14, 2010, 09:35:09 AM: DMB4 Distillate Bass photos(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/76428.jpg)
Title: (x) 83D2434 Distillate 4
Post by: sonicus on February 14, 2010, 09:53:45 AM: Nice Distillate
Title: (x) 83D2434 Distillate 4
Post by: chuen_monkey on February 14, 2010, 09:58:02 AM: DMB4 Distillate Bass photos2
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/76434.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/76435.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/76436.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/76437.jpg)
Title: (x) 83D2434 Distillate 4
Post by: pauldo on February 14, 2010, 10:00:04 AM: Greg,
I had trouble with neck dive on my Distillate also. I was going to move the front strap button as you described but the local music shop suggested that I do the back one like this (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=9082) (scroll down for detailed pics).

It is not perfectly balanced but it did help alot.

Good Luck
Title: (x) 83D2434 Distillate 4
Post by: chuen_monkey on February 14, 2010, 10:43:15 AM: Thanks
Pauldo,this could be the answer but im still intrigued by the Stanley Vid.
All the best
Greg
Title: (x) 83D2434 Distillate 4
Post by: keith_h on February 14, 2010, 12:35:11 PM: Greg,
A note on Stanley's strap attatchment locations. This is the standard location for a small body bass.

Make sure you are using a 3- 4 strap as it improves control of the neck considerably. I would also suggest that the inside of the strap be suede leather to add additional friction.

Keith
Title: (x) 83D2434 Distillate 4
Post by: pauldo on February 19, 2010, 08:12:03 PM: Greg,
Another consideration in moving the strap from the upper horn to the middle of the neck.

The strap will now be attached to the body several inches further away from the headstock. This will actually create more imbalance.

Keith is right about a wide strap - wide is good.

good luck
Title: (x) 83D2434 Distillate 4
Post by: chuen_monkey on April 01, 2010, 03:05:40 PM: Hey Guys
Thanks for the advice,i got myself a wide strap and its loads better.Ive gigged with this bass a few times now and its great fun to play and sounds incredible.I have had a few bass players freaking when they see it coz Alembics are rare as hens teeth in Scotland.Sorry i took so long to reply,to many bairns(kids) in ma hoose.
all the best
greg