What model Alembic is this?

smcd · #1 08-05-2010, 11:22 AM

Anyone know what model this is? -

A few years back I sold this for a friend of mine. I remember liking it a lot, and if it were a right-hand model, I'd have bought it off him.

MTMTEX · #2 08-05-2010, 11:38 AM

That would be a left handed Distillate.

edit: Strung upside down?

P_bass · #3 08-05-2010, 11:39 AM

+1 and it looks like a nice Cocobolo over mahogany. Very nice.

Rickett Customs · #4 08-05-2010, 11:41 AM

Yes, it is a distillate. If I had the money, i'd buy it my damn self...

MTMTEX · #5 08-05-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickett Customs

Yes, it is a distillate. If I had the money, i'd buy it my damn self...

Its wrong-handed.

bassclef112 · #6 08-05-2010, 11:43 AM

It's like a Distillate with a Spoiler upper bout.

The lefty is a Spoiler, and the other is my '84 Distillate (with Spoiler electronics).

RickC · #7 08-05-2010, 11:49 AM

you could always play it "Jimi style"

MTMTEX · #8 08-05-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassclef112

It's like a Distillate with a Spoiler upper bout.

The lefty is a Spoiler, and the other is my '84 Distillate (with Spoiler electronics).

Well since you showed me yours.

bassman10096 · #9 08-05-2010, 11:52 AM

It's a Distillate. Very nice bass - playable, controls are a little easier to get used to than some of the Alembic electronics, but still allow for a world of different sounds in one bass. Can't tell from your pic but most Distillates were made with 32" scales and a neck that tapers less in width than a Fender neck. A lot of folks find that neck ultra comfortable. Controls are volume, pickup selector switch, low pass filter (a really cool variation on tone circuits), Q switch (works with the filter), bass boost/cut switch, treble boost/cut switch. The rotary switch on the horn has 4 settings:

1. standby
2. neck pickup only
3. both pickups
4. bridge pickup only

Distillates aren't commonly built any more, but there are quite a few that show up used. Alembic would still build you one if you decided to build from scratch.

This one looks like it might be a twin to (or even the same bass as?) your friend's: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411...tml?1263403396

MTMTEX · #10 08-05-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickC

you could always play it "Jimi style"

Man I think this is a lefty strung righty. Or am I smoking crack?

Rickett Customs · #11 08-05-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTMTEX

Its wrong-handed.

Nope it's "right" handed for this lefty

MTMTEX · #12 08-05-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman10096

This one looks like it might be a twin to (or even the same bass as?) your friend's: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411...tml?1263403396

DING! DING! DING!
HOLD ALL CALLS! IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A WINNER!

TolerancEJ · #13 08-05-2010, 12:26 PM

Both Alembic pics are beauties. Thanks for sharing & thanks for the GAS. lol

Hoover · #14 08-05-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smcd

Wow, your friend's not afraid to beat on his instruments, is he?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassclef112

It's like a Distillate with a Spoiler upper bout.

The first Distillate I ever came across was an Explorer (Exploiter?) shape...I didn't realize there was a "standard" body shape for Distillates.

smcd · #15 08-05-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman10096

It's a Distillate. Very nice bass - playable, controls are a little easier to get used to than some of the Alembic electronics, but still allow for a world of different sounds in one bass. Can't tell from your pic but most Distillates were made with 32" scales and a neck that tapers less in width than a Fender neck. A lot of folks find that neck ultra comfortable. Controls are volume, pickup selector switch, low pass filter (a really cool variation on tone circuits), Q switch (works with the filter), bass boost/cut switch, treble boost/cut switch. The rotary switch on the horn has 4 settings:

1. standby
2. neck pickup only
3. both pickups
4. bridge pickup only

Distillates aren't commonly built any more, but there are quite a few that show up used. Alembic would still build you one if you decided to build from scratch.

This one looks like it might be a twin to (or even the same bass as?) your friend's: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411...tml?1263403396

That photo sure does look like it. And as I recall, that was pretty close to the price it sold for. I wonder how many left hand coco bolo Distillates there are out there.

smcd · #16 08-05-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTMTEX

That would be a left handed Distillate.

edit: Strung upside down?

Yes. The former owner was right handed, and played this bass upside down.