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pauldo
Junior
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 18
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 10:05 am:   Edit Post

My first Alembic,, I used to have a Zebrawood Exploiter, she had to go :-(


Here we are at 'work' helping out on the C.J. Topes cd.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 5205
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 11:00 am:   Edit Post

Cool pic!

Nice grain pattern on the top!
bigbadbill
Advanced Member
Username: bigbadbill

Post Number: 355
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Sunday, July 01, 2007 - 6:35 am:   Edit Post

Wow! I really love those Distillates, and that one is gorgeous!
bigbadbill
Advanced Member
Username: bigbadbill

Post Number: 356
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, July 02, 2007 - 4:27 am:   Edit Post

BTW how is the balance on that? I'm quite intrigued by the thought of a medium (or even short scale) Distillate, but can't deal with Small Standard (i.e. SC) style neck dive.
pauldo
Junior
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 19
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Monday, July 02, 2007 - 10:02 am:   Edit Post

Big Bad Bill - thanks for the compliments.
The bass does neck dive a little - I have relocated the strap button to help a bit. If you look at the 'end' of the body you can see that the strap is attached just above where the neck wood comes through, it used to be located in the center of the neck.
southpaw
Intermediate Member
Username: southpaw

Post Number: 172
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Monday, July 02, 2007 - 10:38 am:   Edit Post

That's a great looking bass Paul, congrats! I too am enjoying an '86 Distillate these days.
Bill, the Distillate has a larger body than the small standards. Also Distillates made in 1985 and later have a longer upper horn for better balance. My '86 balances beautifully.
dannobasso
Senior Member
Username: dannobasso

Post Number: 590
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Monday, July 02, 2007 - 11:57 am:   Edit Post

My 89 fiver also balances beautifully. Medium scale is extremely comfortable and easy to get around on.
bigbadbill
Advanced Member
Username: bigbadbill

Post Number: 357
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 4:09 am:   Edit Post

Cool, thanks guys. Food for thought.....

I wonder how much a new Distillate would be, as they're not shown on the Custom Quote Generator?
cozmik_cowboy
Intermediate Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 163
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 4:20 am:   Edit Post

As the electronics are the same as a Europa, and, while the generator doesn't list the Distillate body, the Spoiler body, which is close, is no upcharge, I'd think you could get a new Distillate for the same price as a new Europa.

Peter
bigbadbill
Advanced Member
Username: bigbadbill

Post Number: 358
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 4:37 am:   Edit Post

Cheers Peter, I'll check that out. One for the future maybe...
pauldo
Junior
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 20
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 6:14 am:   Edit Post

thanks for the props Paul ;-)
I suppose I should have mentioned that mine is an 84 Distillate - I would like to see a picture of your 86.
southpaw
Intermediate Member
Username: southpaw

Post Number: 173
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 8:23 am:   Edit Post

Lots of Paul's on this site... I'm a lefty so my basses are always ass-half backwards! I will post a picture as soon as I figure out how to do it, my computer skills are lacking. You did mention that it is an 84 in the title of the thread. '81 -'84 had shorter upper horns and an LED next to the jack. 85 & later had the longer upper horn and no LED. Peter is correct, Distillate & Euorpa controls are almost identical so I'm sure Mica & Co. can build you a Distillate if need be. Again a beautiful bass Paul, welcome aboard.
southpaw
Intermediate Member
Username: southpaw

Post Number: 174
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 8:33 am:   Edit Post

Pauldo, I forgot to mention that my lefty Distillate is already posted as the last thread here in the Distillate Showcase section ('86 lefty Distillate cocobolo). I bought it from fellow board member JL Picard. I sent it to the factory for a little restoration work so I will need to post more current pictures, but it is truly the darkest coco bolo ever, it almost looks ebony. Hands down though it is my favorite bass, just a pleasure to play.
pauldo
Junior
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 21
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 - 10:56 am:   Edit Post

Paul - ;-)
That truely is a dark coco.
I agree with your statement about ",,, just a pleasure to play". I have a fretless pieced together 'frankenstein' bass that I like to play, but when I strap on the Distillate it's like a cruise control - no worries, everything is where it should be, the tone selection can suit any situation, there are never any surprises ,,, ahh it is a good thing!
pauldo
Senior Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 404
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 5:18 pm:   Edit Post

I was inspired by Bill and stripped down my bass and did a thorough cleaning.
84 Distillate
Logo
Bridge before cleaning
Bridge Before
Bridge after cleaning
Bridge After
Top
Back
chalie_holmes
Intermediate Member
Username: chalie_holmes

Post Number: 141
Registered: 3-2009
Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 5:50 am:   Edit Post

Yo Pauldo!
Nice photos man! Nothing like the action figure pictures! That is a slamming bass! keep it low bro!
Chalie
bassfingers
Advanced Member
Username: bassfingers

Post Number: 264
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 6:01 am:   Edit Post

Stunning figuring on that top.
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 4290
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 6:55 am:   Edit Post

Paul:

Nice job! Feels good when it's all finished, doesn't it?

Bill, tgo
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1350
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 9:22 am:   Edit Post

She's ready to go out on a date! ;^)
Keep thumpin' bro.
Mike
nnek
Junior
Username: nnek

Post Number: 21
Registered: 8-2009
Posted on Monday, January 11, 2010 - 10:14 am:   Edit Post

Now that Zebra wood really does look like a Zebra!
pauldo
Senior Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 406
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 4:41 pm:   Edit Post

It really does feel good when it is finished.

My wife gave me a real strange look when she saw me looking down at the freshly cleaned bass with so much admiration in my eyes.
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 668
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 7:08 pm:   Edit Post

Nice clean up ! I know the feeling too !
enzo
Intermediate Member
Username: enzo

Post Number: 180
Registered: 4-2009
Posted on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 8:12 pm:   Edit Post

Great job Paul, I love those pics !

...especially the back one :-)
peoplechipper
Advanced Member
Username: peoplechipper

Post Number: 206
Registered: 2-2009
Posted on Sunday, January 17, 2010 - 8:28 pm:   Edit Post

That's areally nice one! Love the top! Tony
rjmsteel
Junior
Username: rjmsteel

Post Number: 33
Registered: 7-2008
Posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 - 6:02 am:   Edit Post

Good job also, Paul
...must.....start....on....mine...;%$*;

thanks for the inspiration. Any idea on how to clean up the back plate scratches? My `81 (Distillate). has plently of them.
Also like how you offset the bottom strap pin... this helps with the neck dive for you?
pauldo
Senior Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 414
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Monday, January 18, 2010 - 4:46 pm:   Edit Post

Enzo - you know me prety well

Richard - I didn't even bother trying to clean up the scratches on mine - I suppose you could do an emery polish - start with a 320 grit and work your way up to a final polish with some 0000 steel wool. I just chalk it up as a little character on the backside. . . I hardly wear a belt (buckle) anymore, I find suspenders to be much more efficient!

The strap button relocation does help a bit with neck dive - this year when I see you at Bag End (thinking positive here) you can give her a test drive!

As far as getting it done - I just set a deadline for myself, took alot of pictures, went slowly and had it finished in two afternoons.

Good Luck and post some pics when you get it finished.
pauldo
Senior Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 777
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2012 - 4:03 pm:   Edit Post

Once again I have been inspired by fellow members.

Here is an abbreviated family shot (sans drums and acoustic guitars). Sorry about the flash washing things out.



the gang

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