| Author | Message | ||
| pauldo
Junior Username: pauldo Post Number: 18 Registered: 6-2006 |
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 |
Cool pic! Nice grain pattern on the top! | ||
| bigbadbill
Advanced Member Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 355 Registered: 10-2003 |
Wow! I really love those Distillates, and that one is gorgeous! | ||
| bigbadbill
Advanced Member Username: bigbadbill Post Number: 356 Registered: 10-2003 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Cheers Peter, I'll check that out. One for the future maybe... | ||
| pauldo
Junior Username: pauldo Post Number: 20 Registered: 6-2006 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
I was inspired by Bill and stripped down my bass and did a thorough cleaning.   Bridge before cleaning  Bridge after cleaning    | ||
| chalie_holmes
Intermediate Member Username: chalie_holmes Post Number: 141 Registered: 3-2009 |
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 |
Stunning figuring on that top. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4290 Registered: 7-2004 |
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 |
She's ready to go out on a date! ;^) Keep thumpin' bro. Mike | ||
| nnek
Junior Username: nnek Post Number: 21 Registered: 8-2009 |
Now that Zebra wood really does look like a Zebra! | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 406 Registered: 6-2006 |
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 |
Nice clean up ! I know the feeling too ! | ||
| enzo
Intermediate Member Username: enzo Post Number: 180 Registered: 4-2009 |
Great job Paul, I love those pics ! ...especially the back one  | ||
| peoplechipper
Advanced Member Username: peoplechipper Post Number: 206 Registered: 2-2009 |
That's areally nice one! Love the top! Tony | ||
| rjmsteel
Junior Username: rjmsteel Post Number: 33 Registered: 7-2008 |
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 |
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 |
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.  |
