Author Topic: 81 Distillate in Walnut (Read 3094 times)

southpaw · « **Reply #15 on:** March 04, 2009, 06:14:02 PM »

Oh yeah, one more difference: the shorter upper horn from the early 80's. I believe the upper horn was extended in '85 for better balance. My '86 has the longer horn and balances very well but I like the look of the shorter horn.

gregduboc · « **Reply #16 on:** March 05, 2009, 06:23:47 AM »

I gotta say, 'Chocolate Mama' sounds better than 'Peter's Birthday Present'... Sorry Peter!! But who knows, maybe in the future YOU can give me an Alembic for MY birthday and I'll be honored to call it Peter's Birthday Present!! Sounds good? Do we have a deal?
Greg

gregduboc · « **Reply #17 on:** March 05, 2009, 06:33:03 AM »

Southpaw, I'm glad you liked my bass. Yes, I like my strings pretty close to the neck... I'm not the one who did this to the bass (perhaps the last owner, I don't know), but it fits me perfectly! I think you should send them in, you will be impressed!
The short horn gives me a balance at more or less 3 o'clock... I'm more of a 2 o'clock guy, but somehow, it just doesn't bother me at all. I also like the looks of the shorter horn.
Do you have pictures of your saddles? I'm interested to know how they were originally! Thanks
Greg

adriaan · « **Reply #18 on:** March 05, 2009, 07:12:10 AM »

Hm - the bridge is riding much higher on the E string side than on the G string side, so the saddles were cut perhaps a bit too deep. But as long as it plays well, I wouldn't complain. That's a nice chunk o'cacao you've got there!

Much prefer the looks of the short horn over the extended one, too.

gregduboc · « **Reply #19 on:** March 05, 2009, 07:46:52 AM »

Here is a close up, for a better inspection!

southpaw · « **Reply #20 on:** March 05, 2009, 07:04:24 PM »

I do not have a picture of my bridge saddles (photographically challenged) but if you look at some basses in the Showcase section or monthly featured section, you will see the saddles have a small groove for the strings to sit in, not very deep at all. If it plays well, leave it alone! It took me years to learn that...
I love my Alembics, the saddles are a minor detail, not a big deal at all. Greg, you have a beautiful bass, may you have many great years with it.

gregduboc · « **Reply #21 on:** March 06, 2009, 09:30:01 AM »

Southpaw, your advice will be remembered, don't worry! I'll never put a finger down there on the saddles... It suits me great and I'll leave it alone! Thanks for the nice comments on the bass, I really appreciate those.
Greg

goop · « **Reply #22 on:** March 12, 2009, 06:46:18 AM »

Greg I am curious. When and where did you find this beauty? I have been looking for a similar bass for almost a year. Pretty hard to find.

Colin

gregduboc · « **Reply #23 on:** March 12, 2009, 07:52:57 AM »

Colin, it is quite a funny story...
Somewhere around august last year, I purchased a 78 Jazz Bass here in Brazil. It was an absolutely awesome bass, with so much punch... But, don't ask me how, it brought me some weird moments... I don't know why, but it simply did. I loved to play it, but a lot of stuff happened in my life that I didn't want. And that scared me! I honestly don't think the bass stole my luck, but I didn't want to risk it. So I decided to sell it. I put it up for sale on Mercado Livre (a sort of a brazilian EBAY).
Everybody wanted it, it was amazing. Until one day, a guy came and offered me a 81 Alembic. When he did so, I was on the process of getting myself a brand new Alembic, so I needed the money. I wasn't considering taking a bass as part of the payment. But unfortunately, I wasn't able to get myself the brand new one. I went back to the guy and I found out he was selling his Alembic just to buy my Jazz Bass. And as a fair trade, I went to his house and we exchanged basses! Simple like that. And the happy thing is, we could be happier with our new basses. He got what he was looking for, and so did I.
I don't know with you are aware of this, but Alembic basses are very, very rare in Brazil. And I consider myself pretty lucky now. I knew very few things about this amazing basses, as here in Brazil they are more expensive than everything. Just so you can have an idea, this Distillate cost me about US$4000, which is a bargain here for such thing here, believe me or not.
I hope you get to find one, they are simple (compared to S-I, S-II) but they sure know how to sound good.

Greg

jorge_s · « **Reply #24 on:** March 12, 2009, 12:31:03 PM »

I know what you are talking about Greg. I have a close cousin to yours. Mine is 81 1883. The Distillate is simple compared to the Series basses but it sounds so good!! I've become quite attached to mine.

gregduboc · « **Reply #25 on:** March 13, 2009, 03:56:43 PM »

Jorge,
How come I can't find your bass under the showcase thread??? I'm curious to see it now... Families should stick together, let my bass meet his cousin!!!
Greg

goop · « **Reply #26 on:** April 01, 2009, 07:14:25 PM »

Greg, can you believe it...I just purchased
81 1855. It should be here on Friday. It is beautiful and I can't wait to get my hands on it and show you some pics.

gregduboc · « **Reply #27 on:** April 02, 2009, 03:21:11 AM »

Congratulations Colin!!!
Man, isn't it such a great feeling to finally get your hands on what you want???
I'm very happy for you indeed! Can't wait for pictures...!
What is the top?

Greg

keavin · « **Reply #28 on:** April 02, 2009, 05:59:05 AM »

Lovely!!!

keavin · « **Reply #29 on:** April 02, 2009, 06:00:16 AM »

Lovley!!!