| Author | Message | ||
| charles_holmes
Advanced Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 333 Registered: 3-2009 |
There is a great looking Distillate on Ebay.I'm wondering if it can be converted to a series? Any ideas Mica? The serial number is 90D5883 and The Model # is DMSB-5B. I'll buy it and have it converted if it's feasible | ||
| moongerm
Junior Username: moongerm Post Number: 19 Registered: 8-2013 |
The series instrument bodies are thicker than non series instruments. They are also hollowed to out to support the PC board, longer pots, etc. Unless this Distillate has been pre made series ready I highly doubt it is doable. | ||
| moongerm
Junior Username: moongerm Post Number: 20 Registered: 8-2013 |
What I mean is it may make more sense to consider getting an upgrade ready series or a simply a Series with all the series goodies already in place.  | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3452 Registered: 5-2009 |
I always thought that it would be a Kool on a Distillate to have two completely discrete sets of electronics with a master volume control . You would be able to go stereo with complete control. However you would have about 6 knobs with 6 switches . But so what ! It would work for me swell . Electronics front loaded on a brass plate ! Like my single pickup Distillate . 2 batteries as well as the addition of an Alembic 5 pin with power option of power supply or battery. Is this my manifesto of a custom build ? ________ mmmmmm Another retro-custom design ___Big old style Raytheon (hat) knobs to boot ___ | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1636 Registered: 11-2004 |
Chalie, I am in agreement on the body thickness issue for most non-series basses. Traditionally, they are not build deep enough for the series electronics. Wolf, Sounds like a total head bender for me. I'm a pan control guy and have bought and consequently sold every Jazz bass, T-40 or any other dual V/V bass I've ever had. It just doesn't work with my brain for whatever reason. If I had the money to build a custom, it'd be a Series bass with Master volume and pan (ala SWood's custom series basses!) | ||
| flpete1uw
Advanced Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 316 Registered: 11-2011 |
Chalie, If I remember correctly don't you have a Distillate with Series electronics in them? If so was this Bass ordered by you? I would suggest that you take a width measurement of your Bass with the Series guts. If you like I could post of send the same measurements of my 85 Distillate for comparison. Pete | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3453 Registered: 5-2009 |
Toby I have a pan on my Essence , that works for me too. I like them both. Either works for me. My above description just reflects my personality to have something different . I tend to think out side the box of norms and have seemingly lived my 58 years as a non conformist in many parameters. A stereo distillate with discrete controls seems rather novel indeed . The 5 String on ebay and this thread is very nice. The last 5 string that I had , was set up with a high C instead of a low 5 by me, just like a non conformist ___ I just really think like a trumpet player who fakes it on Bass . | ||
| charles_holmes
Advanced Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 335 Registered: 3-2009 |
Hey Pete, I'll get right on it.The Distillate I have was previously owned. I Haven't been on line due to some computer glitch that my wife fixed. (She's the computer wizard. Anyway I'll take some measurements today and post em' | ||
| charles_holmes
Advanced Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 336 Registered: 3-2009 |
Hey Pete, here's the thickness of my Distillate: 1&1/2" (1.5") | ||
| flpete1uw
Advanced Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 319 Registered: 11-2011 |
Chalie, My 85 Distillate from top wood to back at the electronic controls total is the same 1 1/2". My 75 Series 1 same measurement is 1 3/4". So there is some thing more going on here. Of course there a ton of other measurements not accounted for such as the cavity size and the like. Being that the Series Distillate you have is a custom job (I never seen another Series Distillate)the size of the electronics and pot lengths could have been compensated at the time of construction to fit a stock Distillate cavity or the cavity is different. It might be time to defer to the experts of the Mother ship. Heck, any excuse to speak with these fine folks is a good one. Let me know if I can help with other measurements. Peace, Pete | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 507 Registered: 9-2009 |
I'd also love to get that info as to how Series electronics were fit in to Charlie's custom Distillate. My 86 Distillate is also 1.5" The girl does however have quite large a "rump" area that could be hollowed out so I could see that with some modifications series electronics might fit. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11371 Registered: 5-2002 |
Brian; they used a really big .. uh .. hammer. | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 511 Registered: 9-2009 |
I guess I set myself up for that one! | ||
| edwardofhuncote
New Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2014 |
Thumbs Up for the LEDs too. =) (Message edited by edwardofhuncote on June 24, 2014) | ||
| edwardofhuncote
New Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 2 Registered: 6-2014 |
I've seen this one up before... it really is a beauty, especially with the cocobolo top. | ||
| charles_holmes
Advanced Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 340 Registered: 3-2009 |
So, is this possible to convert? | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1543 Registered: 5-2006 |
There's a topic somewhere on this club where Mica (or Susan) talks about the conversions they did for Jason Newsted, the comment was something like: It was lots of work and we will never do it again... I was close to putting Series I electronics in my '88 Spoiler, but it came to the same conclusion: Lots of work and many irreversible mods were needed, I ended up selling the electronics to a fellow member here (they will be installed in a stunning '76 fretless) :-) The best option I could think of was "scallop" the knobs area from the inside, so they sit deeper in the cavity and to raise the backplate a bit. Maybe Mica could give us some insight into how they did it with Newsteds basses? :-) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4084 Registered: 6-2002 |
That would be this one I think. http://alembic.com/club/messages/402/62124.html?1249252576 Jazzyvee | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Junior Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 12 Registered: 6-2014 |
This one finally sold... | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8215 Registered: 6-2000 |
Well, it's likely that Chalie's bass is 1.65 inches thick, which is the minimum for regular Series I/II electronics. Distillates (and all non-Series neck through basses and guitars we make) are usually 1.55 inches thick. It is possible to use the filter pots from the Signature and Distillate basses instead of the mega thick ones we use on the Series I/II basses. However, they do feel different (though no difference in tone). They are also a little shorter life span. So possible, but slightly strange. I think on Jason's we did two different things - one was a very thin top on the first conversion. The next one we built up the backplate shelf to be suitable for brass (that gains 1/16 of an inch) and did less thinning on the front. You don't want the top too thin, because it becomes overly fragile. |
