Author Topic: 1985 Distillate (Read 1144 times)

jeffbass4 · « **on:** June 30, 2009, 08:46:36 AM »

OK so I just wanted to jump on the Distillate bandwagon. Bought mine new in 1985 and it has survived many shows with very little difficulty. I did have a problem years ago with the 4 position pickup selector switch (I broke it playing and it went to the off position at the same time) so I had Alembic send a pan pot with updated Europa electronics and it was a lot better. I am currently playing it thru a new SVT-VR (vintage reissue) all tube head and an 8x10 cab. It is a medium scale and I am tuned down 3 half steps with a drop whole step on the E string. B-F#-B-E. It sounds awesome and about as rock as it gets. No problems for me with the loose string tension.

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2009, 08:57:44 AM »

Nice shot of the bass in action! Is the picture after the upgrade?

chalie_holmes · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2009, 09:10:38 AM »

Distillates are my favorite! (probably cause I have one too!) Nice axe man!
Rock it baby!

jeffbass4 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2009, 09:27:07 AM »

Yes, that picture was taken this last April at Mulcahys in NYC (on the SnoCore Tour with Static X) and the upgrade was done probably in the late 80's. The only funny thing about the change was the 3 tone switches used to be bass, treble and Q. But because of the different way they were wired at Alembic its now treble, bass and Q, and you pull the switch up to boost. I really liked it better the way they were before. Just seems backwards to me but it wasn't that big a deal. The previous pick-up selector was the small shaft design and all it took was one good whack and away it went. The pan pot has the larger shaft and hasn't been a problem at all. Also, when I sent my electronics back to them for repair they also changed the pickups. Not really sure why but I don't know if it made any difference. Was there a color difference that indicated something about the pickups? I believe mine was the first year that they made the upper horn a little longer for better balance and they removed the little LED that was back by the volume knob. It only has the tiniest bit of neck dive but again, not a problem for me. I love it!

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2009, 10:39:56 AM »

Are the bass, treble and Q separate switches, or are they mounted together on a card? If they are separate, and if there is enough free wire, you could probably switch the placement of the bass and treble switches and turn them around so that the boost position is on the bottom.

bracheen · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2009, 10:44:32 AM »

Awesome bass! I like the Mach 1 that's on your myspace page too. In my younger years I've had a '70 and a '71, both were green.

Sam

sonicus · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2009, 10:47:23 AM »

Swell Bass !

jeffbass4 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 30, 2009, 11:21:38 AM »

I've never played a Series I or II but would like to hear the difference in the tones. Who has played both series basses and distillates? I liked the simpler controls and one volume on my bass. Here's a pic of the first day it arrived. What a happy day that was!!!

chalie_holmes · « **Reply #8 on:** June 30, 2009, 11:32:52 AM »

I wish that I was luck enough to have owned both types of Distillates but I have the Series I Distillate. I love the ability to be able to dial in exactly what I want. You can see my axe under Chalie's Distillate. For me though, it's like comparing apples and oranges, blondes, Brunettes,redheads....it's all good baby!! It's whatever flips your switch or floats your boat.
Peace!
Get Low!!!!

jeffbass4 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 30, 2009, 11:40:19 AM »

I already saw your bass and I'm jealous! :-)
Beautiful! I just love that classic Alembic look. Maybe one day I'll have another, but if I don't oh well. I have my one! I just wonder how several people have so many!?? Do they work for Microsoft or what!? :-)

chalie_holmes · « **Reply #10 on:** June 30, 2009, 12:55:28 PM »

Yeah man,
I'm feeling that too (type of job and all of those basses). I guess those guys were more focused in on their educational goals than me. (I was the party type, finally got my degree @ age 40)Anyway Jeff, I'm with you man...I have my one Alembic (thanks for the compliment), But I'm playing the Pa Lotto in hopes to get lucky and buy 2 distillates (5 string series II, and Series II four string tuned like the tenor and the Classico bass)I'll keep dreaming! (ha!)
Locked-n-Low-ded ready ta thump!!!

pauldo · « **Reply #11 on:** June 30, 2009, 08:03:45 PM »

Jeff - sweet Distillate!
I am actually on my 3rd pickup selector switch, you are correct about the assesment of the thin shaft.... or maybe we just play too darn hard!!! (one of the times it broke was my own fault - being clumsy.)

Fortunately for me the two times that the switch snapped off it was turned on to the bridge pickup so I was still able to play whilst awaiting the replacement.

Chalie you may not have the money for multiple basses but you certainly made a VERY wise investment in amplification!

chalie_holmes · « **Reply #12 on:** July 01, 2009, 10:18:20 AM »

Merci! Pauldo!

jeffbass4 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 01, 2009, 02:12:45 PM »

I 2nd that! VERY Nice rig. I still love my SVT though. :-)
My friend who owns bass NW has told me a lot about the Bag End cabs and I've listened to them in the store. I've never heard the Alembic amp stuff.
Glad to also hear I'm not the only one who has broken that selector switch! I guess sometimes the downstroke finger strums go a little crazy. :-)

chalie_holmes · « **Reply #14 on:** July 02, 2009, 05:04:39 AM »

Hey Jeff,
Are you speaking of Evan @ Bassnorthwest?
That is where I got my Distillate from as well as my Superfilter. I order my DR strings from him too, usually 3 pks of the short scale. He seems to be a great guy, but anybody that has a store dedicated to the bass has to be a marvelously astute individual!
P.S. Send photos of your bass and rig man!
Peace my low end amigo!!
Chalie