Alembic Guitars Club

Alembic products => Showcase => Distillate Basses and Guitars => Topic started by: matthew90046 on January 03, 2005, 10:56:48 PM

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: matthew90046 on January 03, 2005, 10:56:48 PM

This Distillate was built by one of the technicians at the factory for himself.  Therefore this Distillate has no serial number and is not considered an Alembic instrument by the factory.  I brought this beauty back to the factory around 1990 to meet the maker.  He was pleased to see the instrument again.    
 
This Distillate has some unique features.  The pickup selector is placed close to the EQ switches.  The cover for the trust rods is a continuous wood cover.  The neck is made of multiple laminates of purple hart and maple.  The top is burl bubinga.  
 
I love this bass...  
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/15632.jpg)
 
(Message edited by matthew90046 on January 03, 2005)

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: marcm on January 04, 2005, 04:48:20 AM

hi matthew
 
what a beautiful bass!  i've never seen burl bubinga before.  it looks like your bass has a back and body-accent laminates, as well as that great top; what are the other woods?  any chance you could post a photo of the 'hippie sandwich'?
 
marc

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: David Houck on January 04, 2005, 06:01:39 AM

Matthew, congrats and welcome!  I really like that neck!  The back wood looks really nice too.

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: keavin on January 04, 2005, 06:32:28 AM

very nice (alembic?)i'm trying to figure out,ok it's an employee project and was born @ alembic but it's not considered an alembic (maybe cause there's no s/n),but in all essence it is truly an alembic in my opinion, and a very beautiful bass indeed  

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: lowlife on January 04, 2005, 07:32:36 AM

Matthew, welcome to the club.  I hope I'm around if your new bass ever goes up for sale.  S/N or no S/N, I agree with Keavin, that it's truly an Alembic.  Enjoy!!
 
Ellery (Lowlife)

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: bsee on January 04, 2005, 08:24:18 AM

Yep, I think there might be a bidding war if that one ever goes for sale.  I love the look of that neck!  The whole bass looks so organic and well-integrated.
 
-Bob

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: matthew90046 on January 04, 2005, 12:23:06 PM

The body of the bass is mahogany with a thin strip of maple.  The peghead also has multiple layers of purple heart and maple.
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/15649.jpg)

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: marcm on January 04, 2005, 01:43:16 PM

thanks for the additional photos!
 
it's one of the most elegant, understated basses i've seen, even if the factory doesn't consider it a true alembic.  the neck is very cool, and the woods have aged beautifully
 
 
marc

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: palembic on January 04, 2005, 02:21:41 PM

Wooooops
 
man ...some bass you got there.
Now friends you see why some instruments are what you call timeless design.
VERY impressive and tastefull combination of woods.
 
Paul the bad one

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: bsee on January 04, 2005, 03:08:40 PM

The bass has also aged beautifully.  I bet it sounds fabulous, what a special instrument!

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: exploiterplayer on May 04, 2005, 01:58:42 PM

Is that a 32 scale bass? If it is...I must have that instrument! Hand it over.....please. ;~)

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: matthew90046 on May 06, 2005, 11:17:01 PM

I have made a promise to myself to never sell this bass.  This instrument means more to me than any other possession I own.  I am in love.  I use this bass every day for recording and live performances.  I have other basses, but I rarely ever use them.

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: serialnumber12 on May 07, 2005, 06:30:23 AM

I heard that man, all of my other basses dont  even leave the house,i take old #12 with me every where i go play!

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: exploiterplayer on May 07, 2005, 07:08:17 AM

That is one awesome bass you got there Matt. I can understand why you dont play anything else. I am the same way with my 83' Distillate Exploiter.
 
(Message edited by exploiterplayer on May 07, 2005)

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: 811952 on November 21, 2005, 07:42:19 AM

I really like that neck.
John

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: zaandammer on August 07, 2008, 10:44:10 AM

I have no other words for this bass other than... wow!
 
One of the nicest looking Distillates I have ever seen.
 
Dave

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: matthew90046 on January 31, 2009, 07:12:11 PM

Some new photos, I thought I should share them with the club.
 
Cheers,
 
 
 
 
 
 

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: artswork99 on February 01, 2009, 08:22:26 AM

Matthew,
Really nice!  I had not spotted this before. Play it Healthy!
Best, Art

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: tbrannon on February 01, 2009, 08:26:15 AM

I love it- those neck lams are a really nice visual combination.  
 
Is the truss rod cover held on by a magnet?

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: bassfingers on February 01, 2009, 09:05:40 AM

Beautiful.

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: jet_powers on February 01, 2009, 09:19:10 AM

What's that little dot near the jack?

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: matthew90046 on February 01, 2009, 02:47:26 PM

Hey guys,
 
- Yes, the truss rod cover is held in by a magnet (next to the pickup). I'm not sure if this feature is on any other Alembics, but it is nifty.  
- The dot next to the jack is a red LED that lights up when plugged in.

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: David Houck on February 01, 2009, 04:41:19 PM

The new pics are great!

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: pauldo on February 02, 2009, 07:44:00 PM

.... ..... wowweeeeee
I am really envious.  
That is drop dead gorgeous.
I like the idea of the PU selector set back by the other controls.

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: matthew90046 on February 06, 2009, 07:03:37 PM

All the photos got deleted so this is a repost.  
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/60911.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/60912.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/60913.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/60914.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/60915.jpg)
 
(http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/60916.jpg)

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: rjmsteel on July 14, 2009, 11:39:04 AM

I see someone else had cracking around that 1/4 jack of the veener; OUCH!

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: georgie_boy on July 15, 2009, 08:22:46 AM

Just love that bass!!!
So.......who made it??????
 
G

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: matthew90046 on July 15, 2009, 02:48:17 PM

I do not remember the name of the employee who had it made.  He was working in  the factory's final test and polish room.  Just a guess, but I think that he ordered this instrument internally and it went through the normal building process and since it was not sold through a retailer it was never stamped with a serial number.

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: David Houck on July 15, 2009, 08:19:50 PM

It's nice to stop in and view this bass again!

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: mario_farufyno on July 19, 2009, 06:53:36 AM

Oh, great looking Bass, Mathew!
 
I simply love Mahogany's tone and it really matched that Top. Very neat pallete. Congrats!

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: sonicus on July 19, 2009, 07:04:36 AM

This looks like a s SWELL Distillate  ! NICE . Awesome neck laminations . I have an 81 that also has the power on  LED like yours .

Title: Custom Distillate
Post by: peoplechipper on November 08, 2009, 12:39:19 AM

Nice bass! mine has a burl bubinga top as well, but normal neck laminates...I love my bass...Tony