I got my first one in 2002 from the Bass Centre in Birmingham UK.
It was this Stanley Clarke Signature bass which I still have and it's still my favourite.
 

 
 
 
Jazzyvee

1985 (86?) Ralph Hanzel's Music on Greenfield Avenue in Milwaukee, WI.
 
The very same Distillate I still have today :-)

Thats a beauty, Jazzyvee!!!

1983 Spoiler solid koa body, Sam Ash 48th street NYC. $900 no case. Refinished by Alembic about 10 years ago.

Just got my first one, an '83 Distillate, right before Thanksgiving 2011 from club member Bassthang. Currently trying to decide between an Essence, an Orion, or a Series 1 for my second! Any advice? Must sell some gear first...

I got my '88 Spoiler in '98:



 Still in love :-)  A few years later I got a very beat up '83 Spoiler that I foolishly traded in for a Gibson Ripper... I corrected my mistake asap and got the '83 Spoiler that's currently my favorite bass (she's so lovely)  FF some years and I got the Stormburst Elan.  Then came the time to go custom :-) But no response from Alembic :-(  To kill the time I bought the fretless Orion, because I was in love with the looks of that bass ever since it was posted on that site (UK Alembic dealer) Then came the response from Alembic :-) and the realization of my 5 string monster Elan :-) :-) :-)

I got my first one brand new in 1978.  It was serial number 78 1058.  It was a medium scale, point body, with purpleheart top and back.  Zebrawood veneers on the headstock, ebony board, and shipped with Pyramid Gold flats on it.  I do not have any pictures at all of this bass as far as I know.   I would love to see it today.
 
I traded it back to Alembic for a Small Standard.  The small standard was serial number 78 1168, and was also a purpleheart top and back instrument.  I regret parting with this one, but I went through a LOT of Alembics back then.
 
Michael

I got my first bass Alembic Distillate Bass in 1981, and I was a guitarist until then.
I cuddled this bass all through my bass life.
Because, I never want Gibson and Fender basses except my daughter's Fender Japan Mustang bass.
(But I love and own Fender and Gibson guitars. It's curious !)
 
My second Alembic was 20th Anniv. Maple version in 1990 or 91.
It was traded few years ago, but I regret it.
I love the maple sounds !
 
Afterwards, I got my 5 strigers and shorties in last 10 years.
 
Eiji

I only own one..a Mark King Signature Standard retro fitted with SIMS LED's in red
It does everything I want it to..the action is low and is so easy to play and the sound is the great.
One drawback..it is very heavy..12lbs(UK) but a comfort strapp spreads the load

i bought my 96 epic new early in 1997 from the Bass centre in birmingham when I was working for cadbury's IT dept. The shop was a subsidiary of the London bass centre and has since closed. i bought the epic when I decided I'd like to start playing 5 strings and spent at least 4 months trying out every make and model I could get my hands on. For the price, the only one that came close to the Alembic was a pre-gibson tobias 5 string at a different shop but their credit terms were extortionate. I consider myself lucky as I doubt very much whether Gibson / tobias have such a friendly and informative forum :-)
 
graeme

just read some of your thread Jacko via the link and you mention there a possible series  project in 5 years and I think that is up now. Are you still thinking along those lines?
 
 
Jazzyvee

Hah! I WAS pretty optimistic back then eh? Looking at the current quote generator I think I'd have to sell my house to afford a new series bass now. I'd maybe stand a chance if a reasonably priced 5 string series came up second hand!.
I've just booked a 3 week trip to the states in September (which is costing a fortune) during which we'll be visiting the factory. maybe I can smuggle out a new bass down a trouser leg :-)
 
Graeme

Yeah that quote generator is scary as it is without any non standard personalisation going on. So you can imagine the cost of something unique for a custom I'd have to sell my house as well then we can afford one between us with a time share arrangement 6 months each per year. haha
 
Jazzyvee

My first Alembic was my 1990 four string Essence, purchased used January 22, 1996.

1981: Make \N Music when it was in Homewood, IL.  
 
I also still have this same Distillate - in Purpleheart - today just like Pauldo has his.