Author Topic: 86 Distillate (Read 507 times)

hammer · « **on:** November 06, 2009, 12:43:25 PM »

My one and only, but hopefully, she won't be lonely for much longer.

I've had her for only 3-months, but it was love at first touch.

She came will all the documents: walnut top with maple and purple heart.

She's not a custom in any sense, but after playing a lot of other instruments over the years - I've found her to be one amazing bass.

The tone is versatile to say the least and the action a lot faster than anything else I've played.

Although I'm hesisitant to sell my 73 EB-3, there's a Quilted Maple Spoiler that I know is going to become available next month and I'm not sure I'll be able to resist. I think I've caught Alembicitism, the musician's equivalent of H1N1.

My only question now, is whether I need to hide my Distillate when my son comes home from College for the holidays. Although he's a guitarist, I know that once he plays the Distillate he's going to be on the Alembic site perusing Furthers, Little Darlings, and Tributes. Unfortuntely for me, I just can't seem to resist buying him better gear as he demonstrates mastery over his instrument.

tbrannon · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2009, 01:10:23 PM »

Interesting apparatus you have for the extended strap button on the top horn. It looks pretty substantial. Did you install that or did it come like that?

I love the exaggerated top horn on this- really nice bass.

sonicus · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2009, 01:24:33 PM »

I saw this Bass on ebay a short time ago. I had emailed the seller for some extra pics of the rod in the horn , I was interested to see how it was attached.

hammer · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2009, 01:27:12 PM »

I was told that the extended strap button was installed at the factory in order to improve the balance and avoid the dreaded next dives that my old Gibson T-Bird used to make. But...since I'm owner #3, I'm just going on what Owner #2 reported to me. Whatever the source the installation looks to be well done. IMHO, however, it detracts a bit from the looks.

sonicus · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2009, 01:45:18 PM »

Nice Bass. I like Distillattes! I have an 81 as well.

jameso9 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2009, 08:07:20 PM »

A beautiful bass! I think I saw this one too, and read that the extended strap button was done at Alembic, which made me think about doing it on mine too. But I have been used to unbalanced basses, my first bass was an old '61 EB-O I bought for $150 in the mid seventies.

Congrats hammer!

pauldo · « **Reply #6 on:** November 07, 2009, 07:34:32 AM »

Real nice!
You got a hipshot D-tuner on it as well.

I understand your concern with your son - he will be amazed at the versatility of the tone and the easy playability. He may even become a bass player! :-D

hammer · « **Reply #7 on:** November 07, 2009, 10:45:06 PM »

Thanks for compliments on the bass. There is really nothing one can say to adequately describe what it's like to play an Alembic until you actually get to play one.

As far as my son taking up the bass...that would probably be the most unfortunate circumstance that could occur. Then my stubby fingers would need to go back to playing the guitar in order for us to play together. It's amazing what music has done to bring us together.

Flying out to S.F. on New Years eve in order to attend the Furthur concernt with him. He says he wants to hear Bob Weir & Phil Lesh live before they aren't. Man does that make me feel ancient.

peoplechipper · « **Reply #8 on:** November 08, 2009, 12:33:57 AM »

Nice bass, congrats! I have an 81 myself with the short horn and I don't have neck dive problems, it just sits about 3:00 and I've grown to like it sitting there...now if it was a 34 scale and I used a nylon strap I might have a problem...Tony