Author |
Message |
rickbass
New Username: rickbass
Post Number: 8 Registered: 7-2010
| Posted on Monday, December 06, 2010 - 8:15 am: | |
Hi, I'm hoping you can tell me about the history of this bass - I have a chance to buy it. |
adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan
Post Number: 2708 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Monday, December 06, 2010 - 8:47 am: | |
Hi Rick. Could you check that number again - it should have just 4 digits after 82D (=1982 Distillate). IIRC, Alembic reached 5 digits only in the 1990s. Also, the serial number lookup may take some time, so if you can post some pictures we may be able to fill you in on some of the build details. You can also use Flip's excellent reference page on serial numbers. |
rickbass
New Username: rickbass
Post Number: 9 Registered: 7-2010
| Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2010 - 4:49 am: | |
Hi, adriaan, sorry about that! The serial no. is 82D2402. I have a few pics (attached). Thanks for Flip's reference page! Anything you can tell me about this bass is greatly appreciated!
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funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member Username: funkyjazzjunky
Post Number: 651 Registered: 5-2007
| Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2010 - 5:42 am: | |
I can tell you it is beautiful |
adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan
Post Number: 2711 Registered: 6-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, December 08, 2010 - 8:31 am: | |
Can't disagree with funkyjazzjunky's assessment - that's a very nice specimen you have there. Looks like a regular Distillate (description of the controls can be found here) with a distinctive coco bolo top. The classic wood recipe for Alembic! |
rickbass
New Username: rickbass
Post Number: 10 Registered: 7-2010
| Posted on Friday, December 10, 2010 - 2:55 pm: | |
Very cool, and thanks for the controls descriptions - very helpful! I'm in the process of purchasing, but am still interested in any additional info you can provide. The seller alerted me that I may need to have some neck-work done to address some minor fret buzzing. Anything special I should know about this? Curious - what should I expect in terms of "note sustain"? I played a series II recently, and the sustain was seemingly never-ending. Thanks, Rick |
davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck
Post Number: 9927 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Friday, December 10, 2010 - 3:19 pm: | |
The neck-through design and the Pupleheart neck laminates will provide significant sustain. Unless it's because of fret wear, most fret buzz issues can be addressed by your self with the dual truss rods. To add to Adriaan's description, it looks like the main body wood is Mahogany, and neck is probably Maple and Purpleheart. The fretboard appears to be Ebony. |
rickbass
Junior Username: rickbass
Post Number: 11 Registered: 7-2010
| Posted on Monday, December 13, 2010 - 7:32 am: | |
Thank you, Dave, that's helpful. I hope to have the bass within the next few weeks. Once the serial number lookup is done, I'm interested in that, too. I found the following review and was wondering if you're in agreement or have any additional comments: http://www.vguitar.com/features/brands/details.asp?AID=3564 Thanks, Rick |
davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck
Post Number: 9951 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Monday, December 13, 2010 - 7:20 pm: | |
Nice review. The "tone control" is actually a low-pass filter. A better description of the controls can be found at the link Adriaan posted above. |
rickbass
Junior Username: rickbass
Post Number: 12 Registered: 7-2010
| Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - 1:14 pm: | |
Well, I'm now the proud owner of this bass - my first Alembic. I cleaned it up and changed the strings and it sounds great! I'm still interested in its history, so when possible, please let me know what your records show. |
sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus
Post Number: 1497 Registered: 5-2009
| Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - 3:18 pm: | |
Congratulations ! That is really a gorgeous Distillate . |
davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck
Post Number: 9983 Registered: 5-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 - 3:55 pm: | |
Congrats! |
mica
Moderator Username: mica
Post Number: 7558 Registered: 6-2000
| Posted on Friday, December 30, 2011 - 11:52 am: | |
at laaaaaaast! top: Coco Bolo accent: none body: Mahogany neck: 5-piece Maple and Purpleheart scale: 32" medium sale fingerboard: Ebony inlays: mother of pearl ovals pickups: AXY controls: "Distillate" volume, filter, Q switch, bass cut/flat/boost, treble cut/flat/boost, pickup selector switch, mono output originally made for: Pied Piper birthday: December 23, 1982 Original owner (from West Virginia) purchased in April of 1983, and it was returned to us in June of 1983 for an electronics problem in the treble switch. Looks like we replaced the entire electronics harness and one pickup too. |