Author Topic: 5 string Distillate (Read 483 times)

tradarch7 · « **on:** February 29, 2004, 06:00:25 PM »

Hello everyone. I bought a new Distillate in 81 and have owned it ever since. At the time I owned a Rickenbacker 4001, a Fender Precision and a Precision fretless. After I played the Alembic at Metro Music in Atlanta, I sold all three to buy it. At some point in the eary 90's I think, the electronics fried. I still dont know why. I sent it back to Alembic to have them fixed and while it was ther got the wild idea to see if they would convert it to a 5 string. They thought that would be cool so now I have what may be the only 5 string Distillate out there? I used to be a finger player but changed to a pick in the last couple of years. This works much better with the rather close string spacing and, I think, sounds much better with the tone. At first, I used the fifth string for a low B but last year switched to a high C since I'm playing more melodically now. In case you're wondering where we put the fifth tuning key on a square peg head, It goes straight out the top. Looks really cool and just fits in the guitar case! I'll post a picture when I get time if anyone is interested.

eastcoastepic · « **Reply #1 on:** February 29, 2004, 07:05:59 PM »

Yes, sir, pictures please....and HURRY! One can never have enough pics of a custom Alembic......

bassman10096 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2004, 06:23:54 AM »

Gary: First, welcome to the Club. Second, being a guy with short fingers, I can't comfortably play most standard 5 string neck widths. I'm really interested in how a 4 string-sized neck (I'm assuming Alembic's classic taper - 1.75 at the nut and 2.25 at the 24th fret)looks and plays. Hope you can post some pictures soon. We'd all like to see your bass. I'd also like to hear about your experience with 5 strings on a narrow (comparatively) neck.

Welcome.
Bill

tradarch7 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2004, 08:31:20 AM »

Here are some pix of the bass. Front view and close ups of the head and body. When I first had this done I was a finger player and it took me about three months to stop tripping over the strings! Suddenly I had strings where I had spaces and space where I had strings. I got used to it. I never was a slap funk player so the fact that you can't get between the strings so good wasn't an issue. I tend to be more melodic anyway. I switched to pick with my new band, I'm still not sure why and it plays and sounds much better. I think this is a great setup for a pick player. More of a guitar feel. When I decided to opt for the high C instead of the low B I started playing chords which work well with the clarity of this bass. No mud at all. Sounds really cool with a Chorus. I use only round wound strings with a very light gauge. This takes some of the strain off the narrow neck and it's much easier to play. This thing plays like silk. There's nothing like an Alembic.

tradarch7 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2004, 08:37:34 AM »

I forgot, The neck is the classic taper. !.75 to 2.25 , Gary

bassman10096 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2004, 09:03:04 AM »

Very pretty bass, Gary. What's the top wood? The string spacing doesn't look bad at all, for fingers or pick (I can see why slapping would not be as easy - But I don't slap very much.). Is your scale length medium (32) or full (34)? How did the low B sound when you were using it?

Anyway, thanks for the pictures. Your bass looks great and the top tuner really doesn't look out of place. I guess it sounds odd - but definitely does not look that way. Just another unique Alembic!

Enjoy and don't be a stranger. This is a really positive group on the Club, not at all prone to the kind of unfriendly garbage members have seen elsewhere.

Bill

tradarch7 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2004, 09:19:31 AM »

Bill, the top wood is Koa. The scale measures 32.5 from the nut to the centerline of the bridge. I guess that would make it a 32? BTW, what unfriendliness goes on, where, and what should I avoid? Thanks! Gary

palembic · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2004, 09:21:32 AM »

Brother Gary!!!!

Now THAT is what I call an original bass: somebody asked for the crown-peghead??? NOw this IS what I call crowned!!!

I have to admit that I would be completeley LOST on your neck.
I ad a picture of Bonnie to make that clear.

Ain't this a beautiful world: what I can't handle is your thing, what I play is not handable for you!
So welcome to this club of the most friendliest people of the world. Believen me : you'll enjoying your baby twice as much now as a member.

Paul the bad one

lembic76450 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2004, 10:11:00 AM »

Gary, I just have to ask, about how much was the changeover to a 5-string? That is a very interesting idea.
Also, welcome to the club. It is a fine place to hang out

elzie · « **Reply #9 on:** March 01, 2004, 10:46:37 AM »

Hey Gary!

Welcome to the support group;) I would bet you get a fair amount of questions about that fifth peghead. Kind of like the fifth Beatle story!

Paul the good one

effclef · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2004, 10:55:52 AM »

Gary, the scale length is found by measuring from the nut to the 12th fret, and then doubling that number. So try measuring that way. I am not sure how that became the way to do it, but it is! So a 34 scale length bass would measure 17 from nut to 12th fret, 30.5 short scale would measure 15.25, and a 32 medium scale would measure 16.

EffClef

bassman10096 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2004, 10:56:53 AM »

Gary: Thanks for the info. As for unfriendliness, I've experienced none personally because this is really the first chat board I've spent any time following. However, other members have mentioned what sounds like pretty unpleasant behavior (flaming, etc) on other boards. The members of this Club are (my opinion) extremely respectful of each other's opinions and viewpoints. That was my point, more than criticizing other discussions.

Thanks again for the info and welcome.

Bill

tradarch7 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 01, 2004, 11:03:12 AM »

I'mm looking at the estimate sheet from 10-19-92 and it says $175 for the 5 string bridge, $85 for the 5 string standard bird tail peice, $36 for the new nut and $200 for the peg head conversion. I don't see an item price for the tuner so I guess it was in the $200. That's $496 in 92. I already had it out in SF for the electronics repair so I didn't count the shipping.
Badpaul, is it customary to name your Alembic? Bonnie looks great. Appears a bit more high end than mine price wise. I'd be lost with all your knobs! Gary

tradarch7 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2004, 11:11:36 AM »

The scale is medium since it measures 16 from the nut to the 12th fret. Also, to answer a question, the low B sounded OK but was a little thin. I'm not sure the pickup was really up to those frequencies. I recorded with it and it sounded good but live it was a bit lost. That's another reason I went to the high C.
I have a question. Where on this site can I ask for the build record of my bass? Thanks! Gary

bracheen · « **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2004, 12:37:41 PM »

Hello Gary and again welcome to the club. I think that I read somewhere Jack Bruce was looking for that guitar feel with his Fender VI.

This is a friendly bunch. I may have seen some slight feather ruffling on occasion but it's always smoothed over quickly with no hurt feelings or lingering anomosities. In fact, Paul The Bad One has invited everyone over to his house for beer and chocolate next spring. I think he said we could all have a go at Bonnie.

Sam