| Author | Message | ||
| gregduboc
New Username: gregduboc Post Number: 6 Registered: 11-2008 |
This is my most recent Alembic:   It has its dings and scratches, but it is one brave warrior! | ||
| gregduboc
New Username: gregduboc Post Number: 7 Registered: 11-2008 |
Here is some info from Mica: Distillate Serial Number: 81 1904 top: Walnut accent: not recorded (likely no accent laminate) body: Mahogany neck: Maple, 30.75" short scale fingerboard: Ebony, inlays not recorded pickups: AXY controls: volume, filter, Q switch, bass cut/flat/boost, treble cut/flat/boost, mono output originally made for: Vic Zinn Music, Indiana birthday: August 21, 1981 (Happy Belated Birthday!) Original owner was in England, registered in August of 1981. (Message edited by gregduboc on February 25, 2009) | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Advanced Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 358 Registered: 5-2007 |
Beautiful bass. I love the top | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7635 Registered: 5-2002 |
Very nice early Distillate! | ||
| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2008 |
More pictures, with details:   | ||
| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 13 Registered: 11-2008 |
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| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 14 Registered: 11-2008 |
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| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 15 Registered: 11-2008 |
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| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7681 Registered: 5-2002 |
Classic! | ||
| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 16 Registered: 11-2008 |
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| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 17 Registered: 11-2008 |
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| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 18 Registered: 11-2008 |
Thanks Dave! I must say, it sure gives me some good times... It has never been baptized, though... Can anyone think of a name to it? | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Advanced Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 376 Registered: 5-2007 |
'Chocolate mama' 'Value Pack' | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 424 Registered: 10-2006 |
How about "Peter's Birthday Present"?  Very nice. Peter | ||
| southpaw
Advanced Member Username: southpaw Post Number: 206 Registered: 12-2004 |
Very cool! I too have a "road worn" Distillate, mine is from 1986, I love it. This Distillate has a couple of features that mine does not; the scallop nut, slotted screws in the tailpiece, LED for the jack. Also I noticed that I am not the only one who believes Alembic saddles are too tall: noticed how deeply cut the saddles are to bring the action down. Someday I will send the saddles back to be filed down. Great bass, play it in good health. Southpaw | ||
| southpaw
Advanced Member Username: southpaw Post Number: 207 Registered: 12-2004 |
Oh yeah, one more difference: the shorter upper horn from the early 80's. I believe the upper horn was extended in '85 for better balance. My '86 has the longer horn and balances very well but I like the look of the shorter horn. | ||
| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 19 Registered: 11-2008 |
I gotta say, 'Chocolate Mama' sounds better than 'Peter's Birthday Present'... Sorry Peter!! But who knows, maybe in the future YOU can give me an Alembic for MY birthday and I'll be honored to call it "Peter's Birthday Present"!! Sounds good? Do we have a deal? Greg | ||
| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 20 Registered: 11-2008 |
Southpaw, I'm glad you liked my bass. Yes, I like my strings pretty close to the neck... I'm not the one who did this to the bass (perhaps the last owner, I don't know), but it fits me perfectly! I think you should send them in, you will be impressed! The short horn gives me a balance at more or less 3 o'clock... I'm more of a 2 o'clock guy, but somehow, it just doesn't bother me at all. I also like the looks of the shorter horn. Do you have pictures of your saddles? I'm interested to know how they were originally! Thanks Greg | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 2129 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hm - the bridge is riding much higher on the E string side than on the G string side, so the saddles were cut perhaps a bit too deep. But as long as it plays well, I wouldn't complain. That's a nice chunk o'cacao you've got there! Much prefer the looks of the short horn over the extended one, too. | ||
| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 22 Registered: 11-2008 |
Here is a close up, for a better inspection!  | ||
| southpaw
Advanced Member Username: southpaw Post Number: 209 Registered: 12-2004 |
I do not have a picture of my bridge saddles (photographically challenged) but if you look at some basses in the Showcase section or monthly featured section, you will see the saddles have a small groove for the strings to sit in, not very deep at all. If it plays well, leave it alone! It took me years to learn that... I love my Alembics, the saddles are a minor detail, not a big deal at all. Greg, you have a beautiful bass, may you have many great years with it. | ||
| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 23 Registered: 11-2008 |
Southpaw, your advice will be remembered, don't worry! I'll never put a finger down there on the saddles... It suits me great and I'll leave it alone! Thanks for the nice comments on the bass, I really appreciate those. Greg | ||
| goop
Junior Username: goop Post Number: 19 Registered: 7-2008 |
Greg I am curious. When and where did you find this beauty? I have been looking for a similar bass for almost a year. Pretty hard to find. Colin | ||
| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 29 Registered: 11-2008 |
Colin, it is quite a funny story... Somewhere around august last year, I purchased a 78 Jazz Bass here in Brazil. It was an absolutely awesome bass, with so much punch... But, don't ask me how, it brought me some weird moments... I don't know why, but it simply did. I loved to play it, but a lot of stuff happened in my life that I didn't want. And that scared me! I honestly don't think the bass stole my luck, but I didn't want to risk it. So I decided to sell it. I put it up for sale on Mercado Livre (a sort of a brazilian EBAY). Everybody wanted it, it was amazing. Until one day, a guy came and offered me a "81 Alembic". When he did so, I was on the process of getting myself a brand new Alembic, so I needed the money. I wasn't considering taking a bass as part of the payment. But unfortunately, I wasn't able to get myself the brand new one. I went back to the guy and I found out he was selling his Alembic just to buy my Jazz Bass. And as a fair trade, I went to his house and we exchanged basses! Simple like that. And the happy thing is, we could be happier with our new basses. He got what he was looking for, and so did I. I don't know with you are aware of this, but Alembic basses are very, very rare in Brazil. And I consider myself pretty lucky now. I knew very few things about this amazing basses, as here in Brazil they are more expensive than everything. Just so you can have an idea, this Distillate cost me about US$4000, which is a bargain here for such thing here, believe me or not. I hope you get to find one, they are "simple" (compared to S-I, S-II) but they sure know how to sound good. Greg | ||
| jorge_s
Intermediate Member Username: jorge_s Post Number: 177 Registered: 8-2002 |
I know what you are talking about Greg. I have a close cousin to yours. Mine is 81 1883. The Distillate is simple compared to the Series basses but it sounds so good!! I've become quite attached to mine. | ||
| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 34 Registered: 11-2008 |
Jorge, How come I can't find your bass under the showcase thread??? I'm curious to see it now... Families should stick together, let my bass meet his cousin!!! Greg | ||
| goop
Junior Username: goop Post Number: 24 Registered: 7-2008 |
Greg, can you believe it...I just purchased 81 1855. It should be here on Friday. It is beautiful and I can't wait to get my hands on it and show you some pics. | ||
| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 39 Registered: 11-2008 |
Congratulations Colin!!! Man, isn't it such a great feeling to finally get your hands on what you want??? I'm very happy for you indeed! Can't wait for pictures...! What is the top? Greg | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1597 Registered: 12-2002 |
Lovely!!!  | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1598 Registered: 12-2002 |
Lovley!!!  | ||
| goop
Junior Username: goop Post Number: 27 Registered: 7-2008 |
I am not sure what the top is. Some members advise it is likely koa. not sure if it is a solid body. i am waiting for the serial number look up and will let you know. | ||
| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 40 Registered: 11-2008 |
Can't wait to see some nice pictures! | ||
| pauldo
Intermediate Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 110 Registered: 6-2006 |
Love those Distillate's !!! | ||
| peoplechipper
Member Username: peoplechipper Post Number: 70 Registered: 2-2009 |
Mine is 81 1975, and I will put pics up soon...top is Bubinga, and I prefer the short horn too...Tony. | ||
| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 41 Registered: 11-2008 |
I'm love them too Paul!! Hey Tony, I wasn't aware you had such a close cousin of mine. Time to share some family pictures, right? Greg | ||
| gregduboc
Junior Username: gregduboc Post Number: 42 Registered: 11-2008 |
Double post, sorry Greg (Message edited by gregduboc on April 07, 2009) | ||
| peoplechipper
Member Username: peoplechipper Post Number: 83 Registered: 2-2009 |
Sure, maybe tomorrow...I'm a real gimp at computer stuff, so we'll see how successful I am...Tony. | ||
| charles_holmes
Junior Username: charles_holmes Post Number: 19 Registered: 3-2009 |
That is one groovy bass! I just love Distillates!! Probably cause I have one too! Hang low brother! Chalie Holmes | ||
| gregduboc
Intermediate Member Username: gregduboc Post Number: 102 Registered: 11-2008 |
Charles, thanks on the comment!! Impossible not to love Distillates! I guess you gotta have one to understand it, right? Greg | ||
| enzo
New Username: enzo Post Number: 8 Registered: 4-2009 |
Hey guys, the difference between the Distillate and the Spoiler are only those 2 switches ( cut/boost trebble/bass ) or there is more ? I mean besides optical differences. Enzo | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 2179 Registered: 6-2002 |
As far as electronics go, that's correct. The LED is only on the earlier Distillates - IIRC, they would drain the battery real quick. As to construction, a standard Distillate will have the purpleheart laminates in the neck while a standard Spoiler will have a three-piece maple neck. | ||
| gregduboc
Intermediate Member Username: gregduboc Post Number: 103 Registered: 11-2008 |
Enzo, sorry I can't help... I know very little about the technical stuff on my bass. As you can see, when my bass was made, I was a single cell hanging around...! Greg | ||
| tcube
Junior Username: tcube Post Number: 42 Registered: 8-2007 |
I see that the pickups don't have "Alembic" engraved/painted on them. Is that the case with all Alembics of that vintage? | ||
| that_sustain
New Username: that_sustain Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2012 |
Under the bridge, there seems to be an extension. Is this one of the rare Alembic's with 2 sustain blocks? | ||
| wfmandmusic
Junior Username: wfmandmusic Post Number: 27 Registered: 1-2012 |
nice bass! Im enjoying mine very much. | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 864 Registered: 6-2006 |
Daniel, My 84 made for the US market has a brass piece under the bridge like Greg's. I believe it is standard.  | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7837 Registered: 6-2000 |
I think the Distillate in the beginning of this thread has an extra large sustain block. | ||
| that_sustain
New Username: that_sustain Post Number: 6 Registered: 8-2012 |
Thank you both. Two very nice basses, btw. Greg..I lost my truss plate screw, too. lol |
