Author Topic: (x) 82D2026 Exploiter 8-String (Read 406 times)

qualloyd · « **on:** September 22, 2008, 08:03:55 PM »

Hi There,
I bought my Exploiter new over a quarter of a century ago but never received a Birth Certificate. I was wondering what the records might show. I seem to recall being told that Alembic had two versions of the Entwistle style and mine was the nicer of the two, due in part to the Distillate electronics. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I'll post the results on my thread I started in Showcase under Distillate basses titled '82 Exploiter 8-String.

Thanks in advance,
Lloyd

mica · « **Reply #1 on:** March 19, 2009, 05:35:44 PM »

Hi Lloyd,

Here's the details from the file:

DMB8X Distillate Exploiter 8-string bass 82D2026

top: Walnut
body: Mahogany
neck: Maple and Purpleheart
scale: 32 medium
fingerboard: Ebony
inlays: Mother of pearl ovals
side markers: inlaid bronze dots
body shape: Exploiter
peghead shape: The Bishop
pickups: AXY
controls: Distillate volume, filter, Q switch, bass cut/flat/boost, treble c/f/b, 4-position rotary pickup selector switch mono output
birthday: January 29, 1982
originally made for: Make'n Music

The original owner was from Illinois.
(sorry! the bass is an 8-string - I was on auto pilot)

(Message edited by mica on March 20, 2009)

mica · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2009, 05:40:18 PM »

The Exploiter body shape has been an optional shape for any model since it was introduced. The first ones were made for Entwistle, but these were Series II models. In the music stores, you were likely to find Distillates and Spoilers in the Exploiter shape. The Distillate was the more expensive version of the two.

adriaan · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2009, 01:44:28 AM »

Ah, the cat's out of the bag on the name of that peghead shape - The Bishop, as in a bishop's mitre.

qualloyd · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2009, 10:12:20 AM »

I've never lived in Illinois.

:-(

Lloyd

mica · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2009, 10:44:39 AM »

Where did you purchase the bass?

qualloyd · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2009, 11:10:34 AM »

I'll try this posting area!

I bought it from Make'n Music in Illinois, South of Chicago, near Indiana State Line.

Lloyd

hieronymous · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2009, 11:18:43 AM »

Was it converted to an 8-string or did you buy it that way?

qualloyd · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2009, 11:26:51 AM »

I bought it that way. I was told it was a new bass. This was before the WWW and the resources now available that informed me of the Certificate of Birth, which it didn't have. I assumed (I KNOW what it means to assume!) the dealership sent in the warranty card, but I didn't even think about it. At the time, I knew Alembic was good. John Entwistle had one, that was good enough for me! I didn't realize HOW EXCELLENT they were until I researched decades later on the web.
Thanks for the interest,
Lloyd

hieronymous · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2009, 11:29:22 AM »

Cool - I love Exploiters (had one for a while) and I love 8-strings! An Alembic 8-string is one of my dream basses.

I just thought it was odd that the build card says it's a 4-string. Looking forward to photos in the Showcase section!

qualloyd · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2009, 11:30:14 AM »

This is the link to it.

My baby. Even if I'm not the Birth-Father!

http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/56408.html?1237568981

hieronymous · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2009, 11:40:21 AM »

I wouldn't worry about it - I bet that they just reported that it was sold to someone from Illinois, since that's where the store was. Hey, the string count isn't even correct on the card, so I wouldn't let it get you down. Where did you live when you bought it?

Oh, and now I remember the pics of your bass - I commented on the thread when you originally posted it - it's a beauty!

qualloyd · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2009, 11:46:16 AM »

I lived across the state line in Indiana when I bought her.

I was SO IMPRESSED with the quality, I bought an '86 Spoiler, a few years later from the same place.

LL

mica · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2009, 12:41:43 PM »

Sorry about the autopilot on the string number - it was originally built as an 8-string.

There's a different original owner registered (if your name in your profile is your real name - if it's different, you can email me). The actual registration card is in the file, so unless there's another duplicate number, it's possible this bass was briefly owned by someone in Illinois, then returned and sold to you. It wasn't common practice back then, but now with some stores, you never know how many 30 day return guarantees your equipment has gone through before you get it.