Interesting Distillate-ing....

[crazyboy]

wad ya'll make O this.....?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190311562568&indexURL=3#ebayphotohosting

[jacko]

It looks like a very nice buy Rob. If it had another string I'd be in there.
 
Graeme
 
By the way, interesting to see a fellow Northumbrian on the forum. Don't be fooled by my location, I was born and brought up in Blyth ;-)

[crazyboy]

GOOD GRIEF - BLYTH!!!
I'm an Ashington lad myself (does it say that on the profile?), I see you're in Edinburgh, v. nice and a proper decent bass yer got there too!!!
not a bad bass at all that Distillate, holding out for a long scale though, just can't get used to the 'feel' of the medium scale, I find it deadens the tone of attack too, you know, not as much 'movement' in the string, the feel is stiffer - of course 'custom' is the way forward but then have you seen my bank balance lately?
its a small world after all..........
buy for now
 
crazyboy

[David Houck]

One of the switches doesn't look right.

[chalkie]

I bought this one :-)
 
Dave, you're right; one of the switches isn't right. I think it should be a 3-position bass cut/straight/boost, but it seems to be just a straight/boost 2-position switch.
Also, the wiring on the Q-switch seems a bit odd; the switch appears to be a single-pole double-throw, but the centre lug has no electrical connection to it! (and toggling it makes no discernible difference) Looks like someone has had some fun electrically with this guitar in the past.  I'd like to get it back to standard :-)
 
I'll start getting busy with my camera, and I hope that the Alembic chaps can supply a replacement switch and some details of the standard wiring once we've figured out what's going on.
 
The rest of the guitar seems largely ok. A couple of the brass inserts which the backplate screws screw into have pulled loose, so does anyone have advice on the best way to reattach them?
 
Also, the brass tail looks like it is laquered, but this has worn over time, and it looks like there is a little surface corrosion creeping in underneath.  Maybe I should leave it, or maybe disassemble and clean-up..  Any advice?
 
So many questions..
 
BTW, I think the serial is 82D2131, but that's just from memory.

[southpaw]

Congrats Charlie!  Please post some pictures of the electronics when you have a chance, as many of the Club members are very familiar with the wiring and may share pictures of their  electronics to help you.  I am sure Mica & Co. will help you too.  
Regarding the loose brass inserts, my suggestion is to unscrew the insert and add a drop of wood glue underneath (and sawdust if it is really loose)... Just a thought, Mica will confirm the correct method.
The brass parts can be cleaned with a good polish such as Flitz.  Play it in good health Charlie.
Southpaw
 
(Message edited by southpaw on June 15, 2009)

[David Houck]

Hi Charlie, welcome to the board, and congrats on a very nice Distillate!  You'll want to post pictures of the wiring and a description of the issues in our Troubleshooting section.  And yes, you can order a replacement switch from Mica; and she may be able to send you a wiring diagram as well.

[elwoodblue]

Is the LED that indicates a connection at the jack stock or was that added maybe when someone got 'creative'?  
 
congrats on your purchase.
cheers,
kris

[sonicus]

I have an 81 Distillate that has that same indicator LED. I think mine is stock.

[keith_h]

The power LED was standard for that era.  
 
Keith

[chalkie]

I believe its stock, but I've read that some people disconnected them in the belief that the LED would drain the battery. The previous owner reckoned that a battery for him would last 6 months with maybe 8 hours of usage per week, in which case I doubt the battery drain theory. I'll put some piccies of the electronics here