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matthew90046
New
Username: matthew90046

Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Monday, January 03, 2005 - 10:56 pm:   Edit Post

This Distillate was built by one of the technicians at the factory for himself. Therefore this Distillate has no serial number and is not considered an Alembic instrument by the factory. I brought this beauty back to the factory around 1990 to meet the maker. He was pleased to see the instrument again.

This Distillate has some unique features. The pickup selector is placed close to the EQ switches. The cover for the trust rods is a continuous wood cover. The neck is made of multiple laminates of purple hart and maple. The top is burl bubinga.

I love this bass...

picture

(Message edited by matthew90046 on January 03, 2005)
marcm
Member
Username: marcm

Post Number: 66
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 4:48 am:   Edit Post

hi matthew

what a beautiful bass! i've never seen burl bubinga before. it looks like your bass has a back and body-accent laminates, as well as that great top; what are the other woods? any chance you could post a photo of the 'hippie sandwich'?

marc
davehouck
Senior Member
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 1148
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 6:01 am:   Edit Post

Matthew, congrats and welcome! I really like that neck! The back wood looks really nice too.
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 541
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 6:32 am:   Edit Post

very nice (alembic?)i'm trying to figure out,ok it's an employee project and was born @ alembic but it's not considered an alembic (maybe cause there's no s/n),but in all essence it is truly an alembic in my opinion, and a very beautiful bass indeed
lowlife
Intermediate Member
Username: lowlife

Post Number: 160
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 7:32 am:   Edit Post

Matthew, welcome to the club. I hope I'm around if your new bass ever goes up for sale. S/N or no S/N, I agree with Keavin, that it's truly an Alembic. Enjoy!!

Ellery (Lowlife)
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 654
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 8:24 am:   Edit Post

Yep, I think there might be a bidding war if that one ever goes for sale. I love the look of that neck! The whole bass looks so organic and well-integrated.

-Bob
matthew90046
New
Username: matthew90046

Post Number: 2
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 12:23 pm:   Edit Post

The body of the bass is mahogany with a thin strip of maple. The peghead also has multiple layers of purple heart and maple.

pic2
marcm
Member
Username: marcm

Post Number: 67
Registered: 12-2003
Posted on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 1:43 pm:   Edit Post

thanks for the additional photos!

it's one of the most elegant, understated basses i've seen, even if the factory doesn't consider it a true alembic. the neck is very cool, and the woods have aged beautifully


marc
palembic
Senior Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 1861
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 2:21 pm:   Edit Post

Wooooops

man ...some bass you got there.
Now friends you see why some instruments are what you call "timeless design".
VERY impressive and tastefull combination of woods.

Paul the bad one
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 660
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Tuesday, January 04, 2005 - 3:08 pm:   Edit Post

The bass has also aged beautifully. I bet it sounds fabulous, what a special instrument!
exploiterplayer
Junior
Username: exploiterplayer

Post Number: 36
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 04, 2005 - 1:58 pm:   Edit Post

Is that a 32" scale bass? If it is...I must have that instrument! Hand it over.....please. ;~)
matthew90046
New
Username: matthew90046

Post Number: 10
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Friday, May 06, 2005 - 11:17 pm:   Edit Post

I have made a promise to myself to never sell this bass. This instrument means more to me than any other possession I own. I am in love. I use this bass every day for recording and live performances. I have other basses, but I rarely ever use them.
serialnumber12
Advanced Member
Username: serialnumber12

Post Number: 209
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Saturday, May 07, 2005 - 6:30 am:   Edit Post

I heard that man, all of my other basses dont even leave the house,i take old #12 with me every where i go play!
exploiterplayer
Junior
Username: exploiterplayer

Post Number: 49
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Saturday, May 07, 2005 - 7:08 am:   Edit Post

That is one awesome bass you got there Matt. I can understand why you dont play anything else. I am the same way with my 83' Distillate Exploiter.

(Message edited by exploiterplayer on May 07, 2005)
811952
Senior Member
Username: 811952

Post Number: 574
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, November 21, 2005 - 7:42 am:   Edit Post

I really like that neck.
John
zaandammer
New
Username: zaandammer

Post Number: 8
Registered: 3-2006
Posted on Thursday, August 07, 2008 - 10:44 am:   Edit Post

I have no other words for this bass other than... wow!

One of the nicest looking Distillates I have ever seen.

Dave
matthew90046
Member
Username: matthew90046

Post Number: 58
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 7:12 pm:   Edit Post

Some new photos, I thought I should share them with the club.

Cheers,
01.JPG
02.JPG
03.JPG
04.JPG
05.JPG
06.JPG
artswork99
Senior Member
Username: artswork99

Post Number: 553
Registered: 7-2007
Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 8:22 am:   Edit Post

Matthew,
Really nice! I had not spotted this before. Play it Healthy!
Best, Art
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 973
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 8:26 am:   Edit Post

I love it- those neck lams are a really nice visual combination.

Is the truss rod cover held on by a magnet?
bassfingers
Intermediate Member
Username: bassfingers

Post Number: 172
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 9:05 am:   Edit Post

Beautiful.
jet_powers
Senior Member
Username: jet_powers

Post Number: 425
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 9:19 am:   Edit Post

What's that little dot near the jack?
matthew90046
Member
Username: matthew90046

Post Number: 59
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 2:47 pm:   Edit Post

Hey guys,

- Yes, the truss rod cover is held in by a magnet (next to the pickup). I'm not sure if this feature is on any other Alembics, but it is nifty.
- The dot next to the jack is a red LED that lights up when plugged in.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 7475
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 4:41 pm:   Edit Post

The new pics are great!
pauldo
Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 93
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Monday, February 02, 2009 - 7:44 pm:   Edit Post

.... ..... wowweeeeee
I am really envious.
That is drop dead gorgeous.
I like the idea of the PU selector set back by the other controls.
matthew90046
Member
Username: matthew90046

Post Number: 61
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 7:03 pm:   Edit Post

All the photos got deleted so this is a repost.






rjmsteel
New
Username: rjmsteel

Post Number: 4
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 - 11:39 am:   Edit Post

I see someone else had cracking around that 1/4" jack of the veener; OUCH!
georgie_boy
Senior Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 881
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 8:22 am:   Edit Post

Just love that bass!!!
So.......who made it??????

G
matthew90046
Member
Username: matthew90046

Post Number: 68
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 2:48 pm:   Edit Post

I do not remember the name of the employee who had it made. He was working in the factory's final test and polish room. Just a guess, but I think that he ordered this instrument internally and it went through the normal building process and since it was not sold through a retailer it was never stamped with a serial number.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8381
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 8:19 pm:   Edit Post

It's nice to stop in and view this bass again!
mario_farufyno
Intermediate Member
Username: mario_farufyno

Post Number: 150
Registered: 9-2008
Posted on Sunday, July 19, 2009 - 6:53 am:   Edit Post

Oh, great looking Bass, Mathew!

I simply love Mahogany's tone and it really matched that Top. Very neat pallete. Congrats!
sonicus
Intermediate Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 197
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Sunday, July 19, 2009 - 7:04 am:   Edit Post

This looks like a s SWELL Distillate ! NICE . Awesome neck laminations . I have an 81 that also has the" power on " LED like yours .
peoplechipper
Intermediate Member
Username: peoplechipper

Post Number: 156
Registered: 2-2009
Posted on Sunday, November 08, 2009 - 12:39 am:   Edit Post

Nice bass! mine has a burl bubinga top as well, but normal neck laminates...I love my bass...Tony

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