| Author | Message | ||
| bassman8416
Intermediate Member Username: bassman8416 Post Number: 176 Registered: 5-2012 |
I recently owned a Spoiler that i regretfully sold. I have an opportunity to purchase a Distillate that's in very good condition., 32" scale. What is the difference between the two. Electronics? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8518 Registered: 6-2000 |
Very similar electronics, build on the same preamp. Distillate adds a bass and treble cut/flat/boost switch that in the flat position will behave exactly like a Spoiler. The Distillate body shape is a little different, with a flattened bottom, but a similar length upper horn. Both are standard 32" medium scale. Unless you had a solid Koa Spoiler, they should have more in common than not. | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Advanced Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 357 Registered: 6-2014 |
Very similar electronics. In addition to standard Spoiler package, Distillate has boost/flat/cut switches for bass and treble. Distillate: http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/24726.html?1138816475 Spoiler: http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/16327.html?1107554623 Someone on this board once pointed out to me, Distillate is very close to modern-day East-Meets-West electronics. Good luck... I know you hated to let that Spoiler go. Hope this one works out. | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Advanced Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 358 Registered: 6-2014 |
Mica is 2 minutes quicker, and far better sourced... =) | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 703 Registered: 9-2009 |
The Distillate is a great bass and my introduction to Alembic. There appear to be both a standard Distillate body as well as more than a few that were made with longer upper horns. I know some people have talked about the standard Distillate being a little neck heavy but the body type with the longer upper horn that I had was perfectly balanced for me. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4187 Registered: 5-2009 |
I have an 81 Distillate , the older type. She is truly a sweet little Devil with her single pickup and always seems to get compliments where ever she speaks . | ||
| gearhed289
Junior Username: gearhed289 Post Number: 45 Registered: 5-2004 |
Distillate has some nice, higher end features than the Spoiler - purpleheart neck laminates, brass block under the bridge, crown headstock, and the bass and treble boost/flat/cut switches mentioned. The longer upper horn came in '85 or '86 I believe. I have a beautiful 34'' long scale '86. | ||
| gearhed289
Junior Username: gearhed289 Post Number: 46 Registered: 5-2004 |
Distillate has some nice, higher end features than the Spoiler - purpleheart neck laminates, brass block under the bridge, crown headstock, and the bass and treble boost/flat/cut switches mentioned. The longer upper horn came in '85 or '86 I believe. I have a beautiful 34'' long scale '86. | ||
| bassman8416
Intermediate Member Username: bassman8416 Post Number: 179 Registered: 5-2012 |
Here is a pic of the bass I might be buying. Is there a knob missing? Any thoughts on the bass itself?  | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4193 Registered: 5-2009 |
Where would there be a knob missing ? Nice Bass! It Looks complete externally . Nice find. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8520 Registered: 6-2000 |
No missing knob... looks like volume and filter with a rotary pickup selector on the upper horn. The row of three switches looks normal. This is an early 2-pickup one with an LED (may or may not be hooked up). Nice looker! Probably will need the electronics RF upgraded - it's not as spendy as the Series I/II but it does cost something as these are completely handwired, even the board isn't printed. | ||
| bassman8416
Intermediate Member Username: bassman8416 Post Number: 180 Registered: 5-2012 |
Thank you so much Sonicus and Mica...I am going to get it. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4194 Registered: 5-2009 |
You are very welcome. Congratulations ! Wolf | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8521 Registered: 6-2000 |
One thing to note is the truss rod cover is not recessed and there isn't a ton of room between the end of the fingerboard and the bass pickup. That's good - it will have a deeper bass tone for its position, but, some people need more room to play there for their style. Just a heads up there. | ||
| bassman8416
Intermediate Member Username: bassman8416 Post Number: 181 Registered: 5-2012 |
Good point Mica....I will be using this for a Grateful Dead tribute...using a pic. I can make it happen. Eventually I will get the Series. Oh, as far as the upgrade is that something a really good luthier can do...one that is great with wiring? | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8522 Registered: 6-2000 |
No - you need to send the electronics to us. These are too hard to direct a remote operator to do the work. Plus, we test the result in our "worst place in the world for guitars" so it will even be quiet in Toronto. Sorry, Toronto, but you are awash in RF. | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Advanced Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 359 Registered: 6-2014 |
Good Call Craig - Congrats! Love the slab-cut zebrawood top. The first Alembic experience I ever had was a cocobolo-topped Distillate from about this same time... this nice fella I ran into while on the road had it, and was nice enough to let me check it out. I'd never played anything quite like it before or since... but that was a defining moment. It took many more years before I got one. Again, congratulations. | ||
| gearhed289
Junior Username: gearhed289 Post Number: 47 Registered: 5-2004 |
For comparison - my "long horn". Also note the lack of LED, and re-located pickup selector.  | ||
| mtjam
Advanced Member Username: mtjam Post Number: 307 Registered: 11-2011 |
Nice looking Distillate, Bassman! No knob missing there. It looks very much like my first Alembic (which I traded towards my Series 1), but mine had a jack repair. My Distillate was the one that set me on the Alembic path I have been on ever since trying it out for the first time. If the price is right, you should definitely go for it! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1724 Registered: 5-2006 |
Possibly this one?  (pic stolen from a facebook discussion) The "standard" Distillate also has Purpleheart neck lams, Spoiler neck is 3 piece Maple (+ walnut veneers from the 90's and up) | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 704 Registered: 9-2009 |
Tom: That long-horn looks more than vaguely familiar. Hope it's been treating you well and wondering if it has led to the same degree of LembicLust in you as it did in me? | ||
| mtjam
Advanced Member Username: mtjam Post Number: 308 Registered: 11-2011 |
Here's the Distillate that began my Alembic journey: http://alembic.com/club/messages/395/113648.html?1319066783 | ||
| gearhed289
Junior Username: gearhed289 Post Number: 48 Registered: 5-2004 |
Brian - it's been great, and yes, addictive! I still prefer the playability and look of my main Ric, but the TONE of the Distillate is ridiculous! It's the sound I hear in my head, effortlessly. It's got all the qualities I like from my Rics and Gibsons, but more refined and controllable. I've been THIS CLOSE to calling Mica about some Alembic pickups and electronics for the Ric... | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 1501 Registered: 6-2006 |
Can't say anything bad about a Distillate. It was 'my first' also. http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/41664.html?1329696239 | ||
| flpete1uw
Senior Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 489 Registered: 11-2011 |
Huge fan of my Distillate, add an SF-2 and she really pops! So yes you can't go wrong. IMHO ;) Pete | ||
| hammer
Senior Member Username: hammer Post Number: 706 Registered: 9-2009 |
Craig. Did you end up purchasing that Distillate? If it was the one listed in Craigslist in Central Valley NY. you got a VERY Nice deal | ||
| bassman8416
Intermediate Member Username: bassman8416 Post Number: 190 Registered: 5-2012 |
Update folks, I had to hold off buying this due to financial problems. So I sold a Modulus Q6 and now have the funds...problem is the seller just bumped up the the price $200. He wants $1900, still seems like a solid deal....any thoughts? Also regarding electronics, Mica was mentioning an upgrade in which I would send the electronics in themselves? So I wouldn't have to send the bass? Just wondering how long of a turn around are we looking at and how much would it cost? thank you all so much |
