There is a great looking Distillate on Ebay.I'm wondering if it can be converted to a series?
Any ideas Mica? The serial number is 90D5883 and The Model # is DMSB-5B. I'll buy it and have it converted if it's feasible

The series instrument bodies are thicker than non series instruments. They are also hollowed to out to support the PC board, longer pots, etc. Unless this Distillate has been pre made series ready I highly doubt it is doable.

What I mean is it may make more sense to consider getting an upgrade ready series or a simply a Series with all the series goodies already in place.

I always thought that it would be a Kool on a  Distillate to have two completely discrete sets of electronics with a master volume control .  You would be able to go stereo with complete control. However you would have  about 6 knobs with 6 switches . But so what ! It would work for me swell . Electronics front loaded on a brass plate ! Like my single pickup Distillate . 2 batteries as well as the addition of an Alembic 5 pin with power option of power supply or battery. Is this my manifesto of a custom build  ? ________ mmmmmm  
 
Another retro-custom design ___Big old style Raytheon (hat) knobs to boot ___

Chalie,
 
I am in agreement on the body thickness issue for most non-series basses.  Traditionally, they are not build deep enough for the series electronics.  
 
Wolf,  
Sounds like a total head bender for me.  I'm a pan control guy and have bought and consequently sold every Jazz bass, T-40 or any other dual V/V bass I've ever had.  It just doesn't work with my brain for whatever reason.  
 
If I had the money to build a custom, it'd be a Series bass with Master volume and pan (ala SWood's custom series basses!)

Chalie,  
 If I remember correctly don't you have a Distillate with Series electronics in them? If so was this Bass ordered by you?  
I would suggest that you take a width measurement of your Bass with the Series guts. If you like I could post of send the same measurements of my 85 Distillate for comparison.
Pete

Toby I have a pan on my Essence , that works for me too. I like them both. Either works for me. My above description just reflects my personality to have something different . I tend to think out side the box of norms and have seemingly lived my 58 years as a non conformist in many parameters.  A stereo distillate with discrete controls seems rather novel indeed .    
 
        The 5 String on ebay and this thread is very nice. The last 5 string that I had , was set up with a high C instead of a low 5 by me, just like a non conformist ___   I  just really think like a trumpet player who fakes it on Bass .

Hey Pete,
I'll get right on it.The Distillate I have was previously owned. I Haven't been on line due to some computer glitch that my wife fixed. (She's the computer wizard. Anyway I'll take some measurements today and post em'

Hey Pete, here's the thickness of my Distillate: 1&1/2 (1.5)

Chalie,
  My 85 Distillate from top wood to back at the electronic controls total is the same 1 1/2. My 75 Series 1 same measurement is 1 3/4. So there is some thing more going on here. Of course there a ton of other measurements not accounted for  such as the cavity size and the like.  
  Being that the Series Distillate you have is a custom job (I never seen another Series Distillate)the size of the electronics and pot lengths could have been compensated at the time of construction to fit a stock Distillate cavity or the cavity is different.  
  It might be time to defer to the experts of the Mother ship. Heck, any excuse to speak with these fine folks is a good one.
 Let me know if I can help with other measurements.
Peace,
Pete

I'd also love to get that info as to how Series electronics were fit in to Charlie's custom Distillate. My 86 Distillate is also 1.5 The girl does however have quite large a rump area that could be hollowed out so I could see that with some modifications series electronics might fit.

Brian; they used a really big .. uh .. hammer.
 

I guess I set myself up for that one!

Thumbs Up for the LEDs too. =)
 
(Message edited by edwardofhuncote on June 24, 2014)

I've seen this one up before... it really is a beauty, especially with the cocobolo top.