1983 Alembic distillate

[mg1125]

question about the 1983 alembic distillate posted in craiglist recently. can someone tell me about the features and if the price is right. really loved it and seems to be my candidate for my taste.thanks..

[bsee]

I believe you're talking about the maple topped bass tagged at $3800. In general terms, that's very high for an old Distillate. I would expect a four string Distillate to be closer to $2K. Looking at the pictures, this bass appears to have an upgrade or two and looks to be in very nice condition, but I'm not sure it has that much added value upgrade on it. Alembic values have been up, but that's a pretty big jump.
 
For $3800, there's a fair chance you could locate a Signature bass if you're patient. When you say you really loved it, does that mean you saw it in person and played it?
 
The decision is up to you and it has to be based upon the value of the instrument to you. Again, I'll say that you need to review the content of the FAQs section of this forum for information about features, and also to review For Sale listings to see what other Distillates have been sold for as well as what other instruments have been offered for $3500-4000.
 
-bob

[slammin]

Call me a sucker, and maybe I am, but I paid $2100 for a 1987 Persuader from ebay that the dealer, after talking to him, assured me was in the condition stated.  It was.  I have no regrets.
 
And to that end, my entire style of playing has changed.  I can now do things, make sounds, that I have never done on any other bass.  Really, this instrument has opened a door for creativity that I could not attain on any of the other basses I have.
 
Bottom line, I could have gotten a cheaper Persuader and experienced the same thing.  But I am glad I got this one. It must have been cased always, and unplayed.  I am also glad for what it has done for my playing and the enjoyment I get from playing it.  For me, my bass is priceless.  Hearing harmonics, sounds, tones that you've never heard come from your fingers.  Amazing instrument.

[mg1125]

hey  Bob I really really appreciate your advice Ill be comparing, checking, and totally asking for an advice until I can find what I'm looking for at a fair price. thanks bob for the middle and neutral opinion..

[bsee]

What Ivan says is dead on. On the other hand, if Ivan found the bass uncomfortable or the tone didn't speak to him, then he might have had to sell the Persuader for something in the $1200-1600 range and been a lot less happy about it. If he keeps the bass and bonds with it, the extra money doesn't matter as long as he can afford it. Are you the type to find an instrument and stick with it for several years, or do you turn them over?  
 
With some models, like old Spoilers and Persuaders, there are a lot of similar instruments with minimal differentiation other than condition and the occasional unusual wood recipe. With the newer instruments, or higher end models where more custom orders take place, it's very hard to generalize on a price based simply on model name. Additionally, the relative uniqueness of the instruments means that they can be priceless to the right person. If you're looking for a particular non-standard set of options, there may not be many of them in existence and you have to compare the asking price to what you'd have to pay for new, or decide to settle for a configuration that isn't right for you. A price at or below typical market makes the decision a lot easier. So does actually playing the instrument prior to purchase.
 
Best of luck!
-bob