Author Topic: My "New" '84 Distillate  (Read 683 times)

bassilisk

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My "New" '84 Distillate
« on: May 26, 2009, 02:21:26 PM »
Picked it up Friday in time to take it right out on a couple of gigs through my other new Alembic - an F-1X and I am liking it!!!
Now, it's pretty Plain Jane compared to some of the ones in here with a low A bird'seye cap, but the headstock veneers are very nice. It's a medium scale and it has a Spoiler electronics package. The previous owner(s) did take good care of it for doink prevention, but the board was in dire need of an oil soak and the rest for some overall general cleaning. The satin finish has held up very well indeed. I do still have to completely disassemble the bridge for a thorough de-gunking, polish and lube, but I'm going to play it for a bit first. It sounded huge through the F-1X but I do like a bit more mid boost and I'm addressing that with a Rane EQ now.  

3rd_ray

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My "New" '84 Distillate
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2009, 03:39:47 PM »
Nice bass Will! I wouldn't call it Plain Jane, I've always liked birdseye maple tops.
 
Mike

David Houck

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My "New" '84 Distillate
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2009, 03:48:24 PM »
Congrats!!!  Very nice!!

57basstra

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My "New" '84 Distillate
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2009, 05:17:13 PM »
yes, very nice. Congratulations

sonicus

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My "New" '84 Distillate
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2009, 06:23:53 PM »
Beautiful Bass , I share your joy !
Congratulations !   YEAH !!!!
 
(Message edited by sonicus on May 27, 2009)

Enzo

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My "New" '84 Distillate
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2009, 09:38:32 PM »
Beautiful, congratulations !
Quick question, what makes it a low A bird's eye maple ? How to distinguish it from a multiple A ?
Whats this then ? http://s212.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/enzo42/Alembic/?action=view¤t=DSC_0178.jpg

bassilisk

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My "New" '84 Distillate
« Reply #6 on: May 27, 2009, 06:27:47 AM »
Ooops - misfire.
(Message edited by bassilisk on May 27, 2009)
 
(Message edited by bassilisk on May 27, 2009)

bassilisk

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My "New" '84 Distillate
« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2009, 06:38:25 AM »
Thanks all - I am enjoying it!!
 
>>Enzo wrote:
Quick question, what makes it a low A bird's eye maple ? How to distinguish it from a multiple A ?

Enzo

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« Reply #8 on: May 27, 2009, 07:29:35 AM »
I see, thanks Will.
That headstock is really nice and so is that neck !

goop

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My "New" '84 Distillate
« Reply #9 on: May 27, 2009, 07:41:09 AM »
awesome basses. congrats!
 
why does it have different electronics from other distillates?

bassilisk

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« Reply #10 on: May 27, 2009, 09:53:19 AM »
The headstock has the same veneer on the back too. I was kind of surprised at that, but then again I'm not very familiar with where a Distillate was in the hierarchy at the time. It would've been great to have the cap out of the same wood but I'm very happy with it nonetheless.
 
As for the electronics I can only guess that it must have been a special order. I have a line on the previous owner and will ask him about that but I don't know whether he's the original purchaser. I'll come back on that after I contact him.

pauldo

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My "New" '84 Distillate
« Reply #11 on: May 27, 2009, 09:58:19 AM »
Nice bass!
I align myself with goop - why the different electronics?
Since you are not the original owner the answer may not come so easy.
 
I have always felt that getting an F-1X would be a good idea - I am curious as to what you feel it provides to your sound? thanks.

dadabass2001

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« Reply #12 on: May 27, 2009, 04:17:50 PM »
I believe that would be the Spoiler electronics package you have, bassilisk. The original owner might have ordered that way to save some bucks, or perhaps just wanted the pure filter + Q experience (conjecture on my part).
 
Mike
"The Secret of Life is enjoying the passage of Time"
 - James Taylor

bassilisk

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My "New" '84 Distillate
« Reply #13 on: May 29, 2009, 01:01:33 PM »
Yes, those are Spoiler electronics - I mention that in my first post. To make a long story short I didn't get hold of the original owner, but my buddy (who is a dealer and is the person I got it from) did acquire it from the original purchaser, so it's one owner to dealer to me. This was originally ordered this way to save some bucks, and the story goes it was a long wait between order and delivery (over a year). I don't know how true that is and at this point it's moot. It's mine now and that's all that counts.
 
Personally I find little use for the filter/Q experience, both here and on my MK. I like how they sound right out of the gate. A double tone with a blend would be nice, but I'm diggin' it as is. The EQ I just got offers a very broad tonal palette and compensates nicely.