Quite possibly the Laziest attempt to hide a few blemishes in the finish.
https://lowendbassshop.com/product/alembic-distillate-4-string-koa/
Ok Greg.....Here is an obvious candidate for a rescue!
I've been wondering about that one for a while — I'm guessing something terrible happened under the whiteburst.
That shop has had a number of Alembic basses pass through it. All of them get that same awful paint job. It's like that guy wants to put his signature all over someone else's work. None of them have looked good and all of them left me wondering what he was trying to hide.
Quote from: briant on August 01, 2026, 10:09:06 AMThat shop has had a number of Alembic basses pass through it. All of them get that same awful paint job. It's like that guy wants to put his signature all over someone else's work. None of them have looked good and all of them left me wondering what he was trying to hide.
Well.....looking at the output jack....I'm assuming it's been ripped out at one point.
Quote from: garyhead on August 01, 2026, 10:28:19 AMWell.....looking at the output jack....I'm assuming it's been ripped out at one point.
Yes
I think that's the same one... https://club.alembicguitars.com/seen-on-craigslist-ebay-and-elsewhere/distillate-with-a-slight-finish-touch-up/msg291260/#msg291260
My feelings haven't changed. Under that hideous outfit is a really hot girl. 😍
There is a beautiful, nearly mint koa Persuader in North Carolina for almost the same price.
:-X
Isn't there some international court somewhere for Crimes Against Luthiery? ;D
Actually, a new thread could be started with that title....I'm sure a lot of you have photos of these crimes!
Such an action of daft debauchery hast no excuse.
Whereas in mine estimation, making the proper restoration process for a qualified skilled craftsman even more involved.
Please correct me if I am wrong in that there is little that can be done at this point other than a total refinish, stripping it all down. Unless the white paint used can be wiped off with the correct solvent.
My honest guess; anyone lazy enough to do that job didn't do much of any prep first, which might be the save.
Of course you'd have to pull all the hardware and electronics out first. I would then try to wet-sand the white painted areas off down to the original clear, starting with 600-grit or so. If it was working, I'd continue until I got to like 1200-grit, then buff out. Depending upon what it looked like, I'd then decide whether or not to overspray any clear. While at it, might as well go on and fix that jack tear-out.
It would be a giant, messy, pita, but worth doing if the bass were priced in any real-world way. It's been there at LowEnd for at least two years with no takers.
Yes that is fugly.
Isn't that a Spoiler? Advertised as a Persuader.