| Author | Message | ||
| serialnumber12
Advanced Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 278 Registered: 12-2004 |
http://cgi.ebay.com/1981-Alembic-distillant-bass_W0QQitemZ7372730007QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem | ||
| precarius
New Username: precarius Post Number: 9 Registered: 11-2005 |
if anyone's interested in this bass,i e-mailed the seller and he said i could come check it out(he's only about 15 miles from me) also the s/n is 81D1949. Mike | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 432 Registered: 8-2003 |
Alas, if only it were tax time... | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2728 Registered: 5-2002 |
The zero feedback new member status of the seller will probably keep some bidders away. The picture quality and lack of much description will probably also help to keep the bids down. I've tried to adjust the picture a little to get a better idea of the top.  | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2729 Registered: 5-2002 |
The listing doesn't say anything about a case. It's hard to tell, but it kinda looks like the pickup selector switch might be missing. Crown headstock is unusual for a Spoiler. The listing also doesn't mention whether this is a medium or long scale. No reserve with a starting bid of $1,000. | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 433 Registered: 8-2003 |
Spoiler or Distillate, Dave? The latter, which this bass looks like to me, typically had crown headstocks and were medium-scale instruments, I bleeb. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 2861 Registered: 6-2000 |
I grabbed this same picture off ebay in September when it was sold before. Dave - it's a Distillate, which almost always had the Crown peghead. So many shapes, it gets confusing. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2732 Registered: 5-2002 |
Ah!! I couldn't make out the switches! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2733 Registered: 5-2002 |
Ah!! I couldn't make out the switches! | ||
| studiorecluse
Junior Username: studiorecluse Post Number: 14 Registered: 11-2005 |
I emailed the owner, and he said that he was pretty sure that it was a 34" scale. I am about 30 miles away and asked if I can come see it. I'll report what I find if that happens. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2741 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks Cary! Ask about the case too. | ||
| dibolosi
Junior Username: dibolosi Post Number: 13 Registered: 1-2004 |
When having my custom Distillate made I asked for a 34" scale. Susan told me they wouldn't put a 34" scale on a Distillate due to the neck heading towards the floor when it was released. She didn't wish to put the Alembic name on a bass that did as much. I was informed that I had to take the 32" or configure a bass with a larger body. As the distillate shape is the most comfortable bass I've ever played, I took it the 32" scale. Perhaps the philosophy was a bit different in 1981 as far as neck lengths? | ||
| valvil
Moderator Username: valvil Post Number: 803 Registered: 7-2002 |
That's likely a 32. Just about all the Spoilers and Distillates were medium scale, I do have a 34inch Distillate, but I had that done afterwards; originally it was a 32. For the record, a 34 inch scale Distillate will balance at about 3 o'clock. Valentino | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 560 Registered: 6-2002 |
Valentino - Just curious about your last post. How did the scale length grow? Was the neck replaced? That must have been a major job! Michael | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 590 Registered: 12-2002 |
Viagra???..... | ||
| kungfusheriff
Senior Member Username: kungfusheriff Post Number: 434 Registered: 8-2003 |
Val's gory details are posted here: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/2060.html?1034888704 | ||
| precarius
Junior Username: precarius Post Number: 13 Registered: 11-2005 |
Hey- The owner just called me and offered this bass to me for $1000 and I pick it up. What do you guys think?Thanks. Mike | ||
| brainiac
New Username: brainiac Post Number: 10 Registered: 8-2005 |
What do we think? That if you already have one or two Alembics, how about sharing the wealth and letting another club member--who owns ZERO alembics--buy it for $1000. Seems fair. | ||
| serialnumber12
Advanced Member Username: serialnumber12 Post Number: 298 Registered: 12-2004 |
question on the electronics on the val's tranformed 32/34 scale (japanese distillates),the:quick change bass & treble toggles :how is it ppossible with only one Pickup in those basses? ive noticed they all the same layout. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2781 Registered: 5-2002 |
Mike; Distillates in good condition generally sell for much more than $1,000. | ||
| 2400wattman
Junior Username: 2400wattman Post Number: 18 Registered: 11-2005 |
I bought mine for $1299.00 + government fees(tax) and it is in incredible condition, the store originally wanted about $1750.00. It came with paper work, new set of Alembic strings & O.H.S.C. So $1000.00 clams is a great deal! Good luck. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2798 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats Mike!! Ha! Congrats again!! (Message edited by davehouck on December 13, 2005) | ||
| mpisanek
Intermediate Member Username: mpisanek Post Number: 119 Registered: 1-2005 |
Nice job Mike!! Now, if you can only find me one for the same price??? | ||
| precarius
Junior Username: precarius Post Number: 16 Registered: 11-2005 |
Well I picked this bass up yesterday and it is great! I felt guilty, so I gave the owner $1200 and I still feel like I came out like a fat rat.It's a 32 inch scale,walnut top, 5pc. neck- through, with a tone block. The neck at the nut is about .250 width smaller than my spoiler. The only thing wrong with it is it's missing a few of the oval inlays & the LED next to the output jack is broken. Are these available from Alembic? If not, where might be a good place to look? Thanks. Mike | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2821 Registered: 5-2002 |
Give Val a call. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 683 Registered: 6-2002 |
The led was probably disconnected - I seem to remember the led would drain the battery pretty badly. | ||
| precarius
Junior Username: precarius Post Number: 17 Registered: 11-2005 |
Nah- It be broke. On the bass top, there is just a black plastic ring with a filament hanging out of it. But if it is a battery-eater, like you say, I may just leave it out. I'm no electronic whiz, but it looks like the only wires connected to it are a green wire from the preamp and a red & white striped wire from the preamp to the output jack and then to the L.E.D. OK to cut these? Thanks. Mike | ||
| dibolosi
Junior Username: dibolosi Post Number: 19 Registered: 1-2004 |
The batteries on both my distillates (one with original distillate electronics, the other with signature electronics) last just about as long as they do on my 1982 Spoiler, which is sans an LED. Personally I like the LED's. When I shut the lights down in the music room after playing they'll indicate to me that I forgot to unplug the bass. |
