Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Showcase => Distillate Basses and Guitars => Topic started by: Albert Amato (spliffy) on April 04, 2003, 11:05:50 AM

Title: My 'new' 82 Distillate
Post by: Albert Amato (spliffy) on April 04, 2003, 11:05:50 AM

Picked this up off of Ebay. paid too much, but I have had Alembic G.A.S. for years. I love the headstock shape. She plays well, but could use a tune up. The wood is in excellent condition for it's age, but the brass is rusting in spots. I love this thing. Here are some pictures. I have polished her since these photos, so she looks sexier!!!  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/4205.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/4206.jpg)

Title: My 'new' 82 Distillate
Post by: spliffy on May 17, 2006, 05:11:37 AM

New pictures. After clean up and some gigging!  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/28186.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/28187.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/28188.jpg)
  (Message edited by davehouck on May 18, 2006)

Title: My 'new' 82 Distillate
Post by: spliffy on May 17, 2006, 05:19:31 AM

a few more.... : )
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/28193.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/28194.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/28195.jpg)
  (Message edited by davehouck on May 18, 2006)

Title: My 'new' 82 Distillate
Post by: richbass939 on May 21, 2006, 12:51:14 PM

Those are some great shots.  What can you tell me about Distillate electronics?  I don't know what the switches and knobs do. Thanks.
Rich

Title: My 'new' 82 Distillate
Post by: dadabass2001 on May 21, 2006, 03:14:55 PM

Rich,
Go to this link (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=232) in FAQs and Must Reads for a discussion of Distillate controls.
Mike

Title: My 'new' 82 Distillate
Post by: olieoliver on May 21, 2006, 06:37:51 PM

Now that you've had it a few weeks Spiffy , how do you like it? It looks great.

Title: My 'new' 82 Distillate
Post by: spliffy on May 23, 2006, 05:13:46 AM

Thanks Olie, I've actualy had her for a few years now, it is just that for the past year she has sat in her case only to be taken out a few times. I took her out recently for an oiling and cleaning, so thought it was a good time to photograph her and show the better pictures to everyone. I also decided to find out the wood types, and Mica supplied those to me (http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/27154.html?1147867601 (http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=6259))  The electronics package is amazing, I am over-whelmed by all the tonal possibilities, but I love it too. I sent the electronics back to Alembic some time ago as I was picking up radio transmissions. When I got them back I no longer had to worry about that, so that was a great relief.  
I find myself in horrible place where I love the tone and flexibility of the bass, but I feel more comfortable playing my Fender American Jazz Deluxe - I favour the thinner neck, and the fender rests more comfortably when sitting compared to the widerDistillate neck and the strange body. So now that I am no longer in a band, tone is less important to me than comfort and I play the Jazz more often. This is a weird feeling because the Distillate is by far a more superior instrument in every way! So now I think that this is the point where I need to go to Mica and purchase a custom bass, but this is also the point where I have to figure out how much a kidney is worth as I cannot justify the expense at this point.  
If I could get the electronics into a more user friendly (for me) body and neck, I would be in heaven!

Title: My 'new' 82 Distillate
Post by: olieoliver on May 23, 2006, 06:00:10 AM

I hear ya on the comfort. I cut my teeth on a Jazz bass. I have a 3/4 body MK that is an extra good fit for me. My Balance K body is pretty good too. I plan on ordering a custom in the near future and am leaning to one of these bodies for it.
 
(Message edited by olieoliver on May 23, 2006)

Title: My 'new' 82 Distillate
Post by: spliffy on May 23, 2006, 12:36:41 PM

I keep thinking that the Balance K body would be the most comfortable, but I have reasoning behind this thought!  
I will be watching the Factory to Customer threads for you new custom : )

Title: My 'new' 82 Distillate
Post by: that_sustain on May 23, 2013, 01:52:34 PM

I (really) like this one.