| Author | Message | ||
| tcube
Junior Username: tcube Post Number: 45 Registered: 8-2007 |
Lurking on the forum, I saw pics of "Distillates" w a variety of body shapes. So what defines a Distillate if its body shape can vary? Is it the electronics? Thanks & begging pardon for waxing philosophical. | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 2727 Registered: 6-2002 |
Always a fun game, name that Alembic! The body shape can often be a source of confusion. The electronics package and the neck recipe are usually the best way to determine the model. For a standard Distillate, the neck would be maple with purpleheart laminates, and the electronics would be volume/filter/Q switch/bass & treble quick-change switches + pickup switch. The Distillate was the first more affordable model, and it was soon followed by the Spoiler, which lacks the purpleheart neck laminates, and the quick-change tone switches. So for instance, on an Exploiter the neck laminates and electronics will usually tell you if it was a built as a Distillate or a Spoiler. | ||
| serialnumber12
Senior Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 855 Registered: 12-2004 |
what defines a Distillate is how you beat It!  | ||
| white_cloud
Junior Username: white_cloud Post Number: 18 Registered: 6-2010 |
Funnily enough the Distillate has always been the bass I have lusted over most in the Alembic stable despite it being a "cheaper" model. I remember when they first became available wwwway back . I saw one in the early 80's in a guitar store window in Glasgow with a card above it which read "Yes, it is the real thing!" - I looked at the dude standing next to me also admiring it and it was Midge Ure. Do Alembic still offer the Distillate model as a custom build? Anyone? | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 2729 Registered: 6-2002 |
Of course you can still order a Distillate - no model is discontinued, and instruments are built to order. Check the Custom Quote Generator. At the bottom of the page, choose the model with the standard features that you prefer, then start playing with the custom options ... | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 529 Registered: 6-2006 |
Terry - Does the philosophical waxing help with taking out small surface blemishes?? :-D I just love seeing Keavin beating on mine! I have noticed that there is sometimes a variance in neck pickup location, some 'overseas' models only have 1 pickup, and control layouts vary; in particular the pickup selection knob can be found on the lower bout on some instruments and near the tone controls on others. I truly love mine - everyone should have one! | ||
| tcube
Junior Username: tcube Post Number: 47 Registered: 8-2007 |
Pauldo, Philosophical waxing buffs your soul, but does little for blemishes in polyurethane. | ||
| tcube
Junior Username: tcube Post Number: 48 Registered: 8-2007 |
Adriaan, Thank you for identifying the features that define a Distillate. I had concluded that the electronics was an important factor but didn't know about the M/Ph laminates. | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 1526 Registered: 6-2002 |
There is also a Distillate body shape as seen in the photo Kev posted (kinda like a small standard, but with the bottom flattened). But since you can order a bass with almost any body shape, that's not an absolute either.  Here's mine, with flame koa top:  Mike | ||
| peoplechipper
Advanced Member Username: peoplechipper Post Number: 234 Registered: 2-2009 |
I LOVE MY DISTILLATE!!! I recently tried an Elan and the Distillate just seemed so much better; I have to admit I prefer 32" scale, but I've owned and played 34" before and the Distillate just has the best feel, build, body shape, everything! the fact the neck sits at 9:00 has even changed my playing and that's fine with me...maybe one day I'll get another to contrast with my burl bubinga one...and yeah, beat on it; my Distillate seems to take my abuse(playing) very well and a lot better than many other instruments I own...granted, I've never kicked my bass(as I have a couple guitars for squeals of feedback at the end of a gig) but I haven't babied it either and it still looks better than me...Tony | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1534 Registered: 5-2009 |
Here is mine  | ||
| tcube
Member Username: tcube Post Number: 59 Registered: 8-2007 |
Sonicus, That's a very nice looking Distillate - Early export model I presume? The neck seems wider than on mine. Is it a 32" scale? | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1537 Registered: 5-2009 |
Hi. tcube. Thanks , she's 81-0325 . An "Export Model" 32" scale. The neck is great for playing Bass chords. The Dean Markley 2670 XL 40-95 sound great on this Bass. (Message edited by sonicus on January 12, 2011) | ||
| tcube
Member Username: tcube Post Number: 60 Registered: 8-2007 |
Sonicus - Thanks - I was wondering if it looked wider because it was 30" as opposed to 32". But nope. Oy, Yet another way in which Distillates can vary! Neck width. P vs J all over again! I was torn between medium vs light(ish) gauge. I went w/ medium-light Dean's (45-105). I was worried about slackness w lighter strings - but now that I've got my Dist in hand (literally) I don't think slackness would be a problem. The string brand I chose to was kind of random - I'm going to try different ones and of lighter gauge, so I shall definitely remember your endorsement of the XLs. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1539 Registered: 5-2009 |
I was worried about slackness with lighter strings as well since I like to sometimes play in staccato finger style that requires a bit more tension. When I play close to the bridge I get all the tension that I need on any of my Bass's with the Dean Markley 2670 XL . For Flat wound strings I have been using the Pyramid Gold Flat Wound strings. They are as smooth as glass. | ||
| daved
Junior Username: daved Post Number: 18 Registered: 12-2002 |
Here's my '83 Scorpion-bodied Distillate.  | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1580 Registered: 5-2009 |
Very cool ! | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 558 Registered: 6-2006 |
total sweetness! | ||
| tcube
Member Username: tcube Post Number: 69 Registered: 8-2007 |
Righteous! I love the concentric rings on the lower bout (E-string side)! Is it safe to rest the bass on the two little prongs? | ||
| charles_holmes
Intermediate Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 109 Registered: 3-2009 |
 | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1586 Registered: 5-2009 |
I like it . Series I Electronics _ Cool ! | ||
| tcube
Member Username: tcube Post Number: 70 Registered: 8-2007 |
A gorgeous bass, Charles. But wait, if it's the electronics that defines the bass (see Adriaan's post early in this thread), then wouldn't it be a Series I with a body typical of a Distillate? | ||
| charles_holmes
Intermediate Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 110 Registered: 3-2009 |
Thanks Terry!I really would like to defer to Mica regarding what actually defines a Distillate. Mine is a Series I custom Distillate. But looking at the older photos of distillates, the common characteristics (it seems for me)flat bottom, longer upper horn, from there it's like a "what your imagination calls for configuration" But then again I would really defer to the creators. Mica,are you in da house? | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 871 Registered: 10-2006 |
Is there a D in your serial number, Chalie? Peter | ||
| charles_holmes
Intermediate Member Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 112 Registered: 3-2009 |
No Peter it is... O4C13314 |
