Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Showcase => Distillate Basses and Guitars => Topic started by: gregduboc on February 25, 2009, 07:35:26 AM

Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on February 25, 2009, 07:35:26 AM: This is my most recent Alembic:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/61787.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/61788.jpg)
It has its dings and scratches, but it is one brave warrior!
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on February 25, 2009, 07:40:49 AM: Here is some info from Mica:

Distillate Serial Number: 81 1904
top: Walnut
accent: not recorded (likely no accent laminate)
body: Mahogany
neck: Maple, 30.75 short scale
fingerboard: Ebony, inlays not recorded
pickups: AXY
controls: volume, filter, Q switch, bass cut/flat/boost, treble cut/flat/boost, mono output
originally made for: Vic Zinn Music, Indiana
birthday: August 21, 1981 (Happy Belated Birthday!)

Original owner was in England, registered in August of 1981.

(Message edited by gregduboc on February 25, 2009)
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: funkyjazzjunky on February 25, 2009, 09:01:36 AM: Beautiful bass. I love the top
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: David Houck on February 25, 2009, 09:04:36 AM: Very nice early Distillate!
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on March 04, 2009, 12:39:14 PM: More pictures, with details:
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/62147.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/62148.jpg)
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on March 04, 2009, 12:40:57 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/62152.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/62153.jpg)
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on March 04, 2009, 12:43:00 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/62157.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/62158.jpg)
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on March 04, 2009, 12:44:50 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/62162.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/62163.jpg)
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: David Houck on March 04, 2009, 12:46:01 PM: Classic!
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on March 04, 2009, 12:46:35 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/62167.jpg)

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/62168.jpg)
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on March 04, 2009, 12:48:11 PM: (http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/62171.jpg)
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on March 04, 2009, 12:51:39 PM: Thanks Dave!
I must say, it sure gives me some good times...
It has never been baptized, though... Can anyone think of a name to it?
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: funkyjazzjunky on March 04, 2009, 02:15:58 PM: 'Chocolate mama'

'Value Pack'
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: cozmik_cowboy on March 04, 2009, 04:02:46 PM: How about Peter's Birthday Present?
Very nice.

Peter
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: southpaw on March 04, 2009, 06:09:01 PM: Very cool! I too have a road worn Distillate, mine is from 1986, I love it. This Distillate has a couple of features that mine does not; the scallop nut, slotted screws in the tailpiece, LED for the jack. Also I noticed that I am not the only one who believes Alembic saddles are too tall: noticed how deeply cut the saddles are to bring the action down. Someday I will send the saddles back to be filed down. Great bass, play it in good health.
Southpaw
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: southpaw on March 04, 2009, 06:14:02 PM: Oh yeah, one more difference: the shorter upper horn from the early 80's. I believe the upper horn was extended in '85 for better balance. My '86 has the longer horn and balances very well but I like the look of the shorter horn.
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on March 05, 2009, 06:23:47 AM: I gotta say, 'Chocolate Mama' sounds better than 'Peter's Birthday Present'... Sorry Peter!! But who knows, maybe in the future YOU can give me an Alembic for MY birthday and I'll be honored to call it Peter's Birthday Present!! Sounds good? Do we have a deal?
Greg
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on March 05, 2009, 06:33:03 AM: Southpaw, I'm glad you liked my bass. Yes, I like my strings pretty close to the neck... I'm not the one who did this to the bass (perhaps the last owner, I don't know), but it fits me perfectly! I think you should send them in, you will be impressed!
The short horn gives me a balance at more or less 3 o'clock... I'm more of a 2 o'clock guy, but somehow, it just doesn't bother me at all. I also like the looks of the shorter horn.
Do you have pictures of your saddles? I'm interested to know how they were originally! Thanks
Greg
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: adriaan on March 05, 2009, 07:12:10 AM: Hm - the bridge is riding much higher on the E string side than on the G string side, so the saddles were cut perhaps a bit too deep. But as long as it plays well, I wouldn't complain. That's a nice chunk o'cacao you've got there!

Much prefer the looks of the short horn over the extended one, too.
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on March 05, 2009, 07:46:52 AM: Here is a close up, for a better inspection!

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/62212.jpg)
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: southpaw on March 05, 2009, 07:04:24 PM: I do not have a picture of my bridge saddles (photographically challenged) but if you look at some basses in the Showcase section or monthly featured section, you will see the saddles have a small groove for the strings to sit in, not very deep at all. If it plays well, leave it alone! It took me years to learn that...
I love my Alembics, the saddles are a minor detail, not a big deal at all. Greg, you have a beautiful bass, may you have many great years with it.
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on March 06, 2009, 09:30:01 AM: Southpaw, your advice will be remembered, don't worry! I'll never put a finger down there on the saddles... It suits me great and I'll leave it alone! Thanks for the nice comments on the bass, I really appreciate those.
Greg
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: goop on March 12, 2009, 06:46:18 AM: Greg I am curious. When and where did you find this beauty? I have been looking for a similar bass for almost a year. Pretty hard to find.

Colin
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on March 12, 2009, 07:52:57 AM: Colin, it is quite a funny story...
Somewhere around august last year, I purchased a 78 Jazz Bass here in Brazil. It was an absolutely awesome bass, with so much punch... But, don't ask me how, it brought me some weird moments... I don't know why, but it simply did. I loved to play it, but a lot of stuff happened in my life that I didn't want. And that scared me! I honestly don't think the bass stole my luck, but I didn't want to risk it. So I decided to sell it. I put it up for sale on Mercado Livre (a sort of a brazilian EBAY).
Everybody wanted it, it was amazing. Until one day, a guy came and offered me a 81 Alembic. When he did so, I was on the process of getting myself a brand new Alembic, so I needed the money. I wasn't considering taking a bass as part of the payment. But unfortunately, I wasn't able to get myself the brand new one. I went back to the guy and I found out he was selling his Alembic just to buy my Jazz Bass. And as a fair trade, I went to his house and we exchanged basses! Simple like that. And the happy thing is, we could be happier with our new basses. He got what he was looking for, and so did I.
I don't know with you are aware of this, but Alembic basses are very, very rare in Brazil. And I consider myself pretty lucky now. I knew very few things about this amazing basses, as here in Brazil they are more expensive than everything. Just so you can have an idea, this Distillate cost me about US$4000, which is a bargain here for such thing here, believe me or not.
I hope you get to find one, they are simple (compared to S-I, S-II) but they sure know how to sound good.

Greg
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: jorge_s on March 12, 2009, 12:31:03 PM: I know what you are talking about Greg. I have a close cousin to yours. Mine is 81 1883. The Distillate is simple compared to the Series basses but it sounds so good!! I've become quite attached to mine.
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on March 13, 2009, 03:56:43 PM: Jorge,
How come I can't find your bass under the showcase thread??? I'm curious to see it now... Families should stick together, let my bass meet his cousin!!!
Greg
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: goop on April 01, 2009, 07:14:25 PM: Greg, can you believe it...I just purchased
81 1855. It should be here on Friday. It is beautiful and I can't wait to get my hands on it and show you some pics.
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on April 02, 2009, 03:21:11 AM: Congratulations Colin!!!
Man, isn't it such a great feeling to finally get your hands on what you want???
I'm very happy for you indeed! Can't wait for pictures...!
What is the top?

Greg
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: keavin on April 02, 2009, 05:59:05 AM: Lovely!!!(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/63180.gif)
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: keavin on April 02, 2009, 06:00:16 AM: Lovley!!!(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/63183.gif)
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: goop on April 02, 2009, 10:35:18 AM: I am not sure what the top is. Some members advise it is likely koa. not sure if it is a solid body. i am waiting for the serial number look up and will let you know.
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on April 03, 2009, 02:58:01 AM: Can't wait to see some nice pictures!
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: pauldo on April 05, 2009, 02:07:27 PM: Love those Distillate's !!!
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: peoplechipper on April 07, 2009, 01:09:53 AM: Mine is 81 1975, and I will put pics up soon...top is Bubinga, and I prefer the short horn too...Tony.
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on April 07, 2009, 06:33:38 AM: I'm love them too Paul!!
Hey Tony, I wasn't aware you had such a close cousin of mine.
Time to share some family pictures, right?

Greg
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on April 07, 2009, 06:35:48 AM: Double post, sorry

Greg

(Message edited by gregduboc on April 07, 2009)
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: peoplechipper on April 12, 2009, 11:05:01 PM: Sure, maybe tomorrow...I'm a real gimp at computer stuff, so we'll see how successful I am...Tony.
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: charles_holmes on April 21, 2009, 06:48:43 PM: That is one groovy bass! I just love Distillates!! Probably cause I have one too!
Hang low brother!

Chalie Holmes
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on April 21, 2009, 08:09:51 PM: Charles, thanks on the comment!! Impossible not to love Distillates!
I guess you gotta have one to understand it, right?

Greg
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: Enzo on April 21, 2009, 08:28:25 PM: Hey guys, the difference between the Distillate and the Spoiler are only those 2 switches ( cut/boost trebble/bass ) or there is more ?
I mean besides optical differences.

Enzo
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: adriaan on April 21, 2009, 11:34:20 PM: As far as electronics go, that's correct. The LED is only on the earlier Distillates - IIRC, they would drain the battery real quick.

As to construction, a standard Distillate will have the purpleheart laminates in the neck while a standard Spoiler will have a three-piece maple neck.
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: gregduboc on April 22, 2009, 06:15:25 AM: Enzo, sorry I can't help...
I know very little about the technical stuff on my bass. As you can see, when my bass was made, I was a single cell hanging around...!

Greg
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: tcube on December 28, 2010, 03:35:53 PM: I see that the pickups don't have Alembic engraved/painted on them. Is that the case with all Alembics of that vintage?
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: that_sustain on August 08, 2012, 10:30:07 PM: Under the bridge, there seems to be an extension. Is this one of the rare Alembic's with 2 sustain blocks?
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: wfmandmusic on August 09, 2012, 12:34:35 PM: nice bass! Im enjoying mine very much.
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: pauldo on August 09, 2012, 05:23:33 PM: Daniel,
My 84 made for the US market has a brass piece under the bridge like Greg's.
I believe it is standard.

(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/137341.jpg)
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: mica on August 09, 2012, 05:38:08 PM: I think the Distillate in the beginning of this thread has an extra large sustain block.
Title: 81 Distillate in Walnut
Post by: that_sustain on August 09, 2012, 05:48:09 PM: Thank you both. Two very nice basses, btw.

Greg..I lost my truss plate screw, too. lol