1985 Custom Distillate (fretless)

[edwardofhuncote]

Beautiful.  Just beautiful.  A couple quick questions, though - One:  Are those individual bridge pieces turned around backwards?  I'm sure it doesn't matter one bit if they are, just curious.  And Two:  How did you ever find such an immaculate condition 33 year old ANYthing?!!!

Yep, as far as I know they are [oriented correctly] Growly. One thing that does look odd... to intonate properly on the bronze side-dots, the G saddle had to be pulled way back... and I'm not quite sure why. Different strings didn't seem to matter. Possibly the nut slot depth could be affecting it, but I wouldn't have thought that much. Could be my left hand technique too. It just looks weird.

Initially, it was for sale on Reverb, but then the seller had second thoughts and a pile of low-ball offers, some he said, pretty silly. I had communicated with him earlier in the year about the bass, but promised not to bother him until I was serious. When the time came, I took a chance he might be interested in a private sale. He was, and we came to an equitable agreement both of us could live with. We've stayed in touch. (matter of fact, I emailed him today... )

The bass when it came, was as perfect as he'd described it to me. I still don't know how one could have such an amazing bass and not play it. Doc tells me he had other Alembics, and just couldn't bear to see this one scuffed up at a gig. I'll accept that! 

[growlypants]

Thanks, Greg.  And Edwin:  After looking at my own bridge set up, I quickly realized I was wrong about the orientation of those individual bridge pieces.  I should have looked first!  Thanks again for the clarification.  DOH!

[elwoodblue]

... the G saddle had to be pulled way back... and I'm not quite sure why. Different strings didn't seem to matter. Possibly the nut slot depth could be affecting it, but I wouldn't have thought that much. Could be my left hand technique too. It just looks weird. 

 Next time you change strings, it might be interesting to put the G string in the D string
slots to see if it behaves different with a different nut slot, or maybe just the stiffness of 
some G strings isn't in line with the others....I've seen that before with G strings
(I'm sure you have too)   

[edwardofhuncote]

That's worth a try, for curiosities' sake, Elwood.

I just didn't see that coming on a fretless... I mean... why?! I tried Pyramids, Chromes, and finally settled on T-I JF's and all three pretty much intonate the same. That G absolutely will not note true unless the saddle is moved well behind the D. Which is fine... that's why they make them adjustable, but still... man, that's just odd!

[edwardofhuncote]

Showcase Thread update for 85D 3696...

34 years ago today, this Custom fretless Distillate began the journey. After a good going-over for annual maintenance, it was time for some new pictures. Some quality plugged-in time is coming this weekend. 

[rv_bass]

Very nice bass! 

[pauldo]

Jeepers!
That bass looks like it is brand new.
The extended upper horn and point are extra special touches.

[sonicus]

This is such a beautiful instrument !   I love this shape with the point .

[edwardofhuncote]

"Doc" is 35 years old today. Hoping very much to play a few tunes this evening with my fretless Distillate Custom. Later this year, this bass is getting a pair of AXY FatBoys installed for an experiment... "Doc" has a really special midrange growl and this indescribable timbre in the mid-lows, but I've always felt the extreme low end needed a push. Maybe it's the Bubinga on Mahogany, or more likely I think, the pickup placement... which is somewhat different from my older fretted Distillate. Anyway, we're going to have some fun finding out what happens when those tubbies go in! 

With deference to Mica, here's the maroon sheet shot for 2020. It's the best I can do with my limited resources and know-how. 

[rv_bass]

I was thinking about this bass the other day, it’s a nice one!  Once you install the Fatboy, I’ll be interested to hear what you think about a Fatboy in the neck position.

[sonicus]

This bass speaks " PLAY ME " .  I love it

[edwardofhuncote]

36. Wow, I remember the Summer of '85 like it was last week... I had yet to take up playing bass, but it was in me that I wanted to by the time 85D 3696 rolled out. We didn't get to play much this past year, but "Doc" did make it to a couple stages this gig season. The AXY Fatboys that had been surrogate pickups for my Series bass for a while are permanent equipment here... no turning back now, you just can't un-hear that sound.

Unfortunately, just too tired to play tonight, but I did get to spend some quality plugged-in time this past weekend.

*also pictured, the Persuader 5-string, my first Alembic... we don't really know for sure what the actual 'Birthday' is, just sometime in late-August; close enough!

[rv_bass]

Cool bass, love the wood grain! 

[edwardofhuncote]

Weird how things time out sometimes... 5 years to the day after 85D-3696 came to me, its headed to a new home. I'll be playing a few last tunes on this bass over the weekend before packing it up tight for a trip up North.

I've had a series of conversations with the new custodian about the bass and what their expectations were. I was relieved to learn they are an avid fretless player, unconcerned about the sparse side markers, and excited because this one will be their first Alembic. I went into a lot of detail about how the electronics worked, and how they compared to other models too. Learned they've been a Stanley Clarke fan for life also. It really couldn't have worked out better. Hopefully they'll register and join us here.

But I guess it's So Long for now.

[pauldo]

Hearing that makes me smile!   The new owner will be thrilled with what that instrument is capable of!