(x) History request - 83D 2473

[gearhed289]

Looking for any available info on this Distillate Exploiter that returned to the Mothership in late 2016 for some rehab work. Thanks!

[mica]

We did an extensive restoration on it in 2017 (it arrive December 29, 2016 so we didn't do too much until the new year). First the details from the file:

top: Koa
body: Koa (not marked as solid - but typically would be at the time. Easy to see!)
shape: Exploiter
neck: 3-piece Maple
scale: 32" medium
fingerboard: Ebony
inlays: Pearloid (plastic) ovals
pickups: AXY4
controls: "Spoiler" volume, filter, 2-position Q-switch, 4-position rotary pickup selector switch, mono output
originally made for: Guitar Center, San Francisco
birthday: January 18, 1983

There's 2 previous owners recorded, both in California.

OK, the restoration - we did the works... refinish, new front and back peghead veneers, refret, recess the truss rod cover, new truss rod cover, clean brass, longer bridge barrels, new bridge screws and pins, install recessed straplocks, new tuners, RF electronics upgrade, buff out pickups. It came out great and Mary and I remember this bass well. Stunning!
Did you wind up buying this bass?

[gearhed289]

Thanks as always! But that info in the file is odd. Sounds more like a Spoiler, but this is a Distillate. 5 piece maple/purpleheart neck, brass bridge block, and bass and treble switches. I assumed the body was mahogany, but koa is cool with me. Oh, also, there's a maple accent between the top and body. And it was built the day after my 19th birthday. 
I did indeed find a way to buy it. The bass is an absolute gem. This is the 4th Alembic I've owned, and the first to "beat" my original Distillate. The refin is amazing. I love the satin finish on the back of the neck, which wraps around the edges of the headstock as well, with everything else shiny. VERY Alembic!

[mica]

Ergh! Yes, it is a Distillate with Distillate electronics. I had Spoiler on the brain apparently.

The file just had the minimalist work order from the time, so the only thing it said was TOP KOA BODY KOA I've added a note about the Maple pinstripe, which actually is unusual for the time.

The satin neck is a favorite feature of mine. We did it a few different ways, but making the satin wrap around the peghead like we do now is the best in my opinion.

[gearhed289]

Cool to know about the koa body, and yeah, I thought the maple accent was unusual for '83. Maybe because of the koa on koa? It's a great touch. Thanks again!