Curt,
Having traveled a very similar road as the one you are on now, and being we have a LOT in common in regards to our instruments, I had to put my 2 cents in...
Too funny, my FIRST bass was a Gibson RIPPER, sure wish I still had it, and I also own a few Rickenbacker's myself. I'll be touching on a number of your posts.
I recently purchased a Distillate from a forum member who had it listed on Ebay not too long ago. I absolutely love the bass. Keep in mind that it is a MEDIUM SCALE bass. For me wasn't a big deal, but just keep that in mind. When I switch back and forth to my Rickenbacker, I have to remind myself of the change.
As far as Alembic basses go, I still own my first Alembic, an EPIC and have recently sold off my ESSENCE 5. Each Alembic I purchased (similar to a used car) needed a few things addressed. Some were cosmetic, some were not. I'm a bit OCD so I like to get my basses as close to original as possible. I was the same way when I restored cars years ago.
Anyway, I wouldn't be TOO concerned about the initials on the Distillate so long as the rest of the package is in good order. An alternative to swapping out the fingerboard is just having Alembic put an inlay in place of the initials. I had a price of $250.00 to replace all my inlays from Alembic. A future repair I will be getting done. Get a dove or a (oh I don't know, anything) in place of the initials. IF, that is, whoever did the initials, didn't do a butcher job and the finger board can't be saved. I'm SURE Alembic can do SOMETHING!
Don't be afraid to ASK the seller questions, ask for more pictures, INQUIRE as to the condition of the truss rods, frets, neck, bridge condition. Kick the tires and give it a good going over. I've been burned on two RICKENBACKER'S by not being through enough. One of them a VERY EXPENSIVE mistake, it is presently at the luthier?s having the frets pulled, the neck planed and re-finished.
I have a love/hate relationship with my Epic. Well, I shouldn't say HATE, just a minor dislike. While I love the overall tone and the feel of the Epic, I don't like the fact the SUSTAIN isn't what I would like it to be. I play in a church in two different services. The first one (more formal) I use the Alembic, the second (more contemporary) I use my RIC. During the formal service, the music is slower so I REALLY needed (wanted) more SUSTAIN for the mellow music. Enter the Distillate. PERFECT. The neck through construction combined with the Purple Heart Lams and the SUSTAIN BLOCK....WOW, now that is what I call SUSTAIN! I still can't bring myself to sell the EPIC. I've become so accustomed to it, I feel awkward when its not with me. Looks like it will never go now!
Getting back to the used car scenario, most USED items need some tweaking IMHO. I've invested about $350.00 in COSMETIC work to my Distillate. I didn't like the SATIN finish, so I had it buffed out to HIGH GLOSS. I also had some fret work done and some inlay touch ups. Check out this link for a few pictures. I also want to replace the brass back plate one of these days. Like I said, I?m a bit OCD.
http://club.alembic.com/Images/394/27446.html?1146043696 I'm not a collector, so as was mentioned earlier in this thread, I play this bass for all its worth, I want it to look good, but I'm not worried about resale price. The money I've invested and will eventually invest, I'll know I'll never get back SHOULD I decide to sell it. I hope I never have to. It's THAT GOOD! The sound package is MORE than I'll ever need. The ONLY flaw that I can note is that due to a back injury, I have to sit when I?m playing. The Distillate has a PERFECT feel when standing, but it is a little awkward when sitting. The Epic & the RIC are most comfortable when playing in this position. But, I'm still getting used to the Distillate, she will work out great.
Being we have so much in common, I'm even built like you (saw a pic on your bands web site) I'm sure you will love the Distillate.
One last comment, you had mentioned an Alembicized Ric. There was one last year that only sold for about $700.00 on Ebay. I SHOULD have bid on that one.
My DREAM ALEMBIC is what I call an ALEMRIC. WHEN I hit the lotto, or the kids move out, whichever comes first, I DREAM of having Alembic design a RIC inspired shape body (sort of a RIC shaped Spector Euro, I love those rounded bouts on the Spector), with the S body (no binding and rounded edges) with a highly figured Walnut top. Add the one Ebony and two Purple Heart stinrgers, on a bird?s eye maple 7 piece neck with an ebony fingerboard with REAL MOP triangle inlays, coupled with some kind of Europa electronics.
Whew, ok, I?m done, as I'm sure everyone will be thankful!
Whatever you decide to do Curt, best of luck to you! I hope you can land that Distallite.
Tony
(Message edited by ajish4 on April 26, 2006)
(Message edited by ajish4 on April 26, 2006)
