Relative value of different models?

[David Houck]

Val; thanks for the answer on the inlay question!!

[spliffy]

Valvil, my 82 Distillate has one. Serial #92D2384!
 
Thanks
Al

[bigredbass]

I'm with bsee:
 
There's no way I'd send my money off into the vacuum of EBAY and then besides that, have a luthier (the most overused term in the english language) I don't know work on a bass I haven't seen (you'll STILL see those idiot initials in ebony even IF it's a first rate job).
 
In the words of my friend palembic:
 
there will always be another one
there will always be another one
there will always be another one
 
J o e y

[lbpesq]

Or you could just change your name to Hiram Goldblatt, Henry Goodfellow, Hubert Gross, or something else with the HG initials.  Problem solved!!!!  
 
(Personally I'm, with Joey and Paul, tbo:  There will always be another one)
 
Bill, tgo

[the_8_string_king]

I think Joey's right Curt, you should probably wait.
 
You know, I was fishing around and saw this bass for sale months ago, some other place on the site, either in the showcase or swap shop sections.  I think a club member was selling it, perhaps with some others.  It has the initials.  I just saw this yesterday, but was on pain-killers, so I don't recall exactly where.

[valvil]

Hello Al,  
 
the adjustable nut was introduced in the early 80s; even so not all instruments had it; some people did not want it. A record of which instruments had it was not kept, however.  What's likely in your case is that one of the previous owners had the adjustable nut added later, just like I did with mine.  
Later on, as customers got more familiar with the idea, it became a standard.
 
Valentino

[the_8_string_king]

Huh, I couldn't find it.  Maybe I was wrong or just goofy.  I thought I saw some old(er) ebay ad of the HG Distillate for same, but now I'm not sure.
 
Anyway, I'd hold off for another.
 
Also, keep your eyes open for Elan Plus models, as well as Essense models upgraded with the Europa electronics.  These'll probably tend to be less common and perhaps a litte higher priced than Distillates, and make it a point when comparing to note whether any particular bass has the brass sustain block and/or purpleheart neck lams.  I think Distillates usually have both, and I think a Distillate with the sustain block and purpleheart lams is better than an Elan Plus or Essense with Europa electronics that DOESN'T have these features -even though the pan/balance is more versatile.
 
Of course, if you buy a Distillate, you can also have Alembic retro-upgrade the selector switch to a pan...
 
But, yeah, the purpleheart neck lams and the sustain block are a big part of the Alembic sound, even more crucial than a pan vs. a selector switch -if you had to choose.

[csissom]

Well... gee whiz guys...
 
I was about convinced to put a bid on this Distillate, but now you have me second guessing myself again!
 
Seriously, I appreciate all the help everyone is giving me here, and I take it all very seriously.  But in my normal confused state, I am still not sure why I should hold off on this one.
 
Here is where my thinking had led me until this last round of input:
 
1) First of all, with guidance from all of you, and a lot of research on this site over the last few days, I have really narrowed in on what I want in the next bass I buy.  In fact, I am starting to be rather particular about what I want.  And considering the whole package; neck construction, electronics, scale length, body style, price range, etc etc, the one perfect bass for me right now, is a Distillate.  I can go into more detail about what I want and why, but suffice to say, any thing else would likely be missing something I like about the Distillate.
 
2) So given that, I think the only thing really wrong with this particular Distillate, is the stupid HG inlays (and a few minor marks on the back).  Is someone seeing something else wrong with this I am missing?
 
3) Valentino said the repair would not be difficult, and that any competent luthier could handle it easily.  Now, based on everything I am led to believe about the Alembic staff, I assume if this type of repair were bad for the bass, he would have said so.  If the repair were tricky, or if I was likely to not like the results, I think Val would have said so.  Val, if I am making the wrong assumption here, please let me know.
 
4) So, as I said before, my thinking is to negotiate with the seller, to cover the cost of the work within whatever I pay on the eBay auction.  And that seemed like a good idea at the time.
 
5) So in pursuit of that, the seller took the bass to a local luthier to get an estimate.  I got the luthier's number and spoke to him at length on the phone.  He does seem competent and reliable, and has been in business in that same place for 25 or so years.  He confirmed what Val said, that it would be an easy repair, and he assured me there would be no sign of the seams which could be seen without a magnifying glass.
 
6) Yes, he is a luthier I don't know, but any luthier would be one I don't know, since, well, I don't happen to know any luthiers personally.
 
7) Ummmm... what am I missing here?
 
Given all this, is it still such a bad deal?
 
By the way 8 String King, if there was another thread about this bass, I would sure like to see it.  But at your suggestion, I spent a good while tonight searching out every post on this site which refers to Distillates, and I could not find anything that referred to this particular bass.  I did however learn a lot.  I did see that Distillates pop up for sale from time to time.  But I also saw some long dry spells.  I can wait, to an extent, but I really don't want to wait several months to move on with this purchase.  (it looks like I missed out on one sweet deal in February, but oh well, I guess that was not my destiny... but other than that one, I really didn't see many deals a whole lot better than this one in the last couple of years.)
 
But, on the other hand, I do still worry about it, about things like, will those plugs pop out in the Texas heat or whatever.  
 
As for doing business on eBay in general, I understand the risks, but I am somewhat comfortable in that mode, I have done a good bit of business there, and have had pretty good luck.  I bought my first Alembic on eBay and it turned out wonderfully.  Of course the seller was also a Club member, and I realize that makes some difference.
 
So... I continue to agonize over my decision...
 
And I'm sorry for cluttering the board with this huge post, but, as always, any comments are welcome and appreciated.
 
Curt

[bob]

Curt, I want to be careful to be clear here. I'm not you, I'm not looking for a bass at all at this time, and in particular I hate disagreeing with Joey :-)
 
But based on what you've said here, I think you should proceed.
 
Personally, I would have preferred to get a reduction in price, and find a local luthier to replace the inlays. But since you've spoken to the guy and seem comfortable with it, I think that's fine. Like Val said, it's not a big deal.
 
You probably will be able to see it (even without a magnifying glass), but only if you look - and I think you'll be having too much fun playing to bother.
 
Don't worry about the length of your post. It resulted in a lot of useful, summary information in the early stages (possibly worth referencing in the FAQ section?). I would suggest that in the future, you might be a little more patient, and combine your responses into a single post rather than 2 or 3 in a row, but that's a small thing.
 
Analyze all you like (that can be worthwhile), but in the end I suggest you trust your gut instincts, and it sounds to me like they say go for it.
-Bob

[lbpesq]

Curt, you convinced me.  If you're comfortable with the bass and the price, go for it and good luck!  Heck, why not even keep the initials:  Happy Guy!  LOL
 
Bill, tgo

[csissom]

Bill,
 
The seller speculated it might be Jerry's lesser known cousin, Harry Garcia ...  
 
Curt

[David Houck]

Curt; for me, Val's post about the repair carries a lot of weight.  And in your summary post it sounds to me that you have carefully weighed all the facts and have come to a reasonable decision.
 
The one point about using a local luthier is that you could actually walk into the shop and the luthier could show you the pieces of ebony to be used for the repair, and you would be able to see how well they match up before hand.  But it sounds like you have done your homework and that you are comfortable with the luthier with whom you have discussed the repair.
 
Again, I found Val's post on the matter to be quite helpful.  I think that his statement that a competent luthier should be able to handle it easily is reassuring.

[lbpesq]

No, not Harry Garcia.  This one obviously belonged to Harry Gondorf, lead con man in The Sting.  So you didn't know Alembic was making electric basses in the 1930's?  This is a little known fact.  Perhaps people aren't aware that Alembic made instruments back then because nobody had invented the bass guitar amp yet!  
 
Bill, tgo

[the_8_string_king]

Your reasoning seems clear, and you've done your homework.  So by all means, follow your best judgement and grab the sucker if that's what you want.  Your plan seems sound, and only you can say what is best for you.
 
Again, best of wishes.
 
PS, I THOUGHT I'd seen a prior post having that bass for sale on some prior thread while I was just recently fishing around; but I tried to find it again, and I couldn't, and I'm currently doped up on painkillers, so it's possible my mental efficacy was comprimised and I blended infomation or made some error in reasoning.  At this point, I'd say either case could be the truth.
 
But hey, it's cool you did some fishing too, and found out a little more info about Distillates.
 
You'll be very happy when you score one, they're awesome, and one of the best Alembic electronics packages.  Again, the Europa/Rogue electronics are the modern version of the Distillate package, simply upgrading the pickup selector to a full pan/balance control.  This is probably Alembics most popular electronics package -due to the tremendous combined versatility of the Alembic low-pass filter and Q AND the additional flexibility/tweakability of the bass & treble quick-change boost/cut switches.  It's pretty hard to beat for a basic package; the only real upgrade is to go custom and/or Series.  The EMW package is similar, but has the improved flexibility of bass and treble KNOBS.
 
Anyway, best of luck with your quest for a Distillate, and whatever decision you come to.  A Distillate will serve you well!

[bigredbass]

And hey, it's none of my business!!
 
It truly sounds like you've done a BUNCH of homework on this deal (speaking to the principals on the phone, etc.) so if you feel good about it, GO for it, and hope it turns out to be a great deal for you.
 
Bob, you can disagree with me any time you want, I've certainly come to value your advice.
 
J o e y