Author Topic: Nice '81 Distillate, eBay, $1500 to start, $1950 B-I-N (Read 194 times)

effclef · « **on:** March 26, 2009, 07:03:29 AM »

http://cgi.ebay.com/Alembic-Distillate-4-string-1981-Excellent-Condition_W0QQitemZ130296253791QQihZ003QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Looks like a schedua top.

FC Bass · « **Reply #1 on:** March 26, 2009, 09:28:12 AM »

Nice!

I'll put my money on Koa, maybe even a solid body (like the early Spoilers)

speicky · « **Reply #2 on:** March 26, 2009, 01:44:00 PM »

exactly what I thought, Flip ! must be koa wings, looks a lot like Bridget... of course, the trick of the light may fool us, but I vote for koa also

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** March 26, 2009, 04:28:06 PM »

I'll go with Koa on Mahogany.

I didn't see a mention about a case.

effclef · « **Reply #4 on:** March 27, 2009, 08:12:00 AM »

Silly me! Yes, that does look like koa on mahogany. Even better!

goop · « **Reply #5 on:** April 01, 2009, 07:27:18 PM »

I could not resist this beauty and now have my first Alembic. It should be here on Friday. I decided the early Distillate was going to be my first and knew, the moment I saw it, that this was the bass I had to have. I can't wait to see it and play it.

How can you tell it is a mahogany body when you cant see any veneers? If it is Koa, is that a desirable wood?

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** April 01, 2009, 07:54:30 PM »

Congrats!!!

In the second picture, look at the bottom horn (right side). I'm thinking that I'm seeing the line between the top laminate and the body.

Also, the top has a lot of flaming going on, where the back does not, suggesting two different pieces of wood.

There are a bunch of folks in this club that own Koa topped Alembics, and they love 'em. I used to have a Koa topped Spoiler, and I loved the way that top looked. It was sad boxing that one up knowing I wouldn't get to see it any more.

(Message edited by davehouck on April 01, 2009)

effclef · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2009, 06:20:54 AM »

Koa comes from Hawaii. It's not common, and they do have regulations about how much can be cut down, I believe. The Distillate has a nice piece, if that's what it is, and we're all pretty sure. Even me, though I was wrong in the inital post.

Mahogany has a distinctive pore pattern to the grain. The back looks to be a very blonde piece of it. Some pieces come out more tawny. I don't think Alembic ever used an ugly piece of wood!

At the very least, it's a great Distillate and I am sure you'll love the sound!
EffClef

Mike Monsalve · « **Reply #8 on:** April 03, 2009, 02:09:06 PM »

Congrats, indeed.

I won an '86 Distillate on Ebay in 2002 (my second Alembic), which led to me to having Alembic build me a custom one in 2003. The Distillate is my favorite and the most comfortable body style of any bass I've ever played. It just fits

bsee · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2009, 02:21:28 PM »

Contrary to the seller's claims, the bass is almost certainly 32 scale. He claims the 34 is from nut to tailpiece, not nut to bridge.

-bob