I just got my first Alembic last week, an 83 Distillate, and played my first gig with it on Friday night. Looks like I have a new #1 bass! I'm really impressed with the feel and sound of this bass. Although it's a little on the heavy side, it balances pretty well with a wide strap. I still need to look inside at the electronics; maybe a little trim pot adjustment would give it a little more oomph.
 
Anyway, just here to say that I am extremely happy to be an Alembic owner!

Rob -
That is awesome!
Welcome to the club.
Distillate's are a ton of fun.
Please go here:
 
and post pictures of your new favorite thang.

Congrats on your new bass.  Well done!  You do know though that frequently one  Alembic usually leads to another.

No question about it, you always fondly remember your first love, and for me it was a Distillate.  While I still lust for and someday will eventually find an SC, I don't think I could ever sell my first Alembic (an 86' D).

Alumni: \81D.  
1st Alembic too, bought it new...

81 single pickup here ________love it too !

Congrats!

Congrats Rob and welcome to the Distillate club. I have an '86 coco bolo, I love it. Your '83 has a shorter upper horn, the upper horn was lengthened in '85 to help the balance issue. As you discovered, a wide strap will help fix that on the early ones. A little heavy yes, but what a great feel and tone range! Feel free to ask the gang here for help setting up the trim pots/electronics, we have a lots of veterans here who are happy to help. Enjoy!

Just got to play my newest bass for an extended period of time again last night, and I continue to be amazed by its sound. I did go inside the electronics cavity, and one of the trim pots is already turned up all the way. I'm not bold enough, nor do I have a steady enough hand, to do the mod to increase the output of the bass, so I guess I'll just need to turn up the volume on my amp! The output is really not all that low, I guess I just expected it would be louder.
 
Haven't had a chance to take any pics yet (it's hard to get anything done when my 2 year old daughter is so busy!), so here's a link to the bass I bought:
 
http://club.alembicguitars.net/Images/395/113648.html?1319066783
 
I really think I am now done looking for other basses, unless it's another Alembic!
 
Great to be a member of the club; enjoy the rest of the weekend!

That sure is a pretty example of zebra wood.  Enjoy it in good health.

I'm gad you're enjoying it Rob, and that it's getting the playing time I wasn't going to give it.

Thanks, Tommy! The bass is getting as much play as I can give it, and I am enjoying it a lot. Hope all is well with you.