Greetings and welcome to the Alembic Club.
I'm one of the Distillate guys, here. These models, like all Alembics...are easy to work with and set up. There are tips from club members and moderators(some of them work at the factory) on how to fix dings and dents, and how to do neck adjustments. My advice for the neck work, is to take it slow.
There is also advice from A-list professional musicians, on occasion.
Wait 'till your friend hears his Distillate thru a direct box at a gig, or recording.
Daniel