NBD - Alembic Distillate Exploiter

[gearHed289]

So, as I mentioned in my last NBD post, the 5 string Elan is out. And I managed to swing getting this amazing Distillate Exploiter (Distillate is the model, Exploiter is the Explorer body style). It's an '83 that was sent back to the factory around 2018 for a full re-finish, re-fret, and some other TLC. Then the guy mysteriously sold it. It went through a dealer or two and ended up with another member at the Alembic message board. Him and I worked out a deal, and I am super happy with the results. This thing is as amazing as it looks. It's "Entwistle '77" all day long!

32'' medium scale
5-piece maple/purpleheart neck
ebony fingerboard
mahogany body
flame koa top
vol/filter/pickup selector knobs
Q, bass cut/flat/boost, treble cut/flat/boost switches

Here's some pics from my first gig with a Who tribute band - Who's Who.

[morrow]

Nice bass!

[Dave W]

Looks good on you!

[ilan]

Awesome.

[slinkp]

Dang! How does it sound?
That era of Entwistle tone was very distinctive - I quite liked it personally.

[gearHed289]

Dang! How does it sound?
That era of Entwistle tone was very distinctive - I quite liked it personally.

It sounds almost identical to my first Alembic, which was also a Distillate, but with the traditional body and long scale. It can nail that live '77 Entwistle tone with some extra grind from a SansAmp. It can do the Stanley thing. And I can get in the neighborhood of my Rickenbacker as well.

[slinkp]

It sounded nasty in '82 too!  I wish they'd release the whole Toronto 82 concert video remixed like this.

[gearHed289]

Absolutely. Mostly the same gear, though I think he switched to some kind of German preamp at some point. I get to sing the Pete tunes, including that one and Long Live Rock so far. Also John's My Wife, which is a lot of fun.

[BTL]

Beautiful bass, congratulations!

[godofthunder]

 Absolutely beautiful! Doing JAE proud!