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Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive through October 10, 2004 » Archive: 2003 » Archive through November 20, 2003 » Alembic "Spoiler" 4-String Bass « Previous Next »

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tbishop
New
Username: tbishop

Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2003 - 12:45 pm:   Edit Post

Can anyone direct me to information on the Alembic "Spoiler" 4-String Bass? I cannot locate any information on the Alembic Web Site. Is this a model Alembic no longer makes? What is the Retail Price? The one I found appears to be a neck-thru, quilted maple, brass nut and bridge, etc. nice Bass, I just don't have any info on it.

Can you help?
davehouck
Intermediate Member
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 181
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2003 - 1:32 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Tim; the Spoiler is not a current production model, but you can special order one. Go here to see some pictures of Spoilers owned by members of the group:
http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/420.html?1063840435
Besides the unique Spoiler body shape, Spoilers came with an electronics package of volume, pickup selector, filter control and Q switch. I think they also came with the narrow neck width and I'm thinking most were medium scale, but I might be wrong about that. Generally I think they had mahogany body cores and maple necks; although early ones apparently had solid koa bodies. As far as price, I'm guessing you could use the Essence as a starting point and probably figure some additional cost for the Spoiler body and for the modifications to the electronics.
valvil
Moderator
Username: valvil

Post Number: 231
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2003 - 2:15 pm:   Edit Post

hello and welcome to the club,

as Dave pointed out, we can custom make a Spoiler for you; the retail price for a Spoiler 4 string is 4250$ which includes Mother of Pearl oval inlays; if you select premium woods or other options then the price goes up. Dave is also correct on the woods & electronics and yes, they were mostly medium scale basses.

Valentino
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1197
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2003 - 2:45 pm:   Edit Post

The last Spoiler page still exists here:

http://www.alembic.com/prod/spoiler.html

We'll be adding similar pages for all the models that aren't in the current lineup someday. Just another item on the endless to-do list.
tbishop
New
Username: tbishop

Post Number: 2
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Friday, October 31, 2003 - 11:14 pm:   Edit Post

Dave and Val, thank you very much for your response. I am considering purchasing this Bass. How much do you think I should expect to pay? Again, this Spoiler appears to be in very good to excellant condition. Is there anything I could pull off this Bass to track it (i.e. serial no, etc.) and determine it's value?

Tim B.
tbishop
New
Username: tbishop

Post Number: 3
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Saturday, November 01, 2003 - 10:19 am:   Edit Post

All,

I just checked out the "Spoiler" Bass and now I'm not sure it is a Spoiler. The Serial Number is 87P4563. The Bass has P-Bass Type P/U's at the Neck and J-Bass Type P/U at the Bridge. 2 Volume Controls (1 for each P/U) and a Tone Control.

Your Thoughts?

TB
valvil
Moderator
Username: valvil

Post Number: 235
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Saturday, November 01, 2003 - 10:26 am:   Edit Post

Hello Tim,

That's a Persuader model; same body shape as the Spoiler but with the different electronics layout which you described. It is also a discontinued model, but as with the Spoiler we can still build you one. I can look up the serial number for you on Monday when I'm back at the office.

Valentino
tbishop
New
Username: tbishop

Post Number: 4
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Saturday, November 01, 2003 - 1:56 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Val.

I will look forward to your response on Monday. I am curious what a fair price would be for this Bass. Also, I'm not sure if the machine heads and some of the other parts are original. Any information you could provide would really help me know.

Tim B.
valvil
Moderator
Username: valvil

Post Number: 241
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Monday, November 03, 2003 - 1:45 pm:   Edit Post

Hello Tim,

here's what the file says:

4 string medium scale Persuader bass
Quilted maple top & headstock
Maple Neck
Ebony Fretboard
gotoh tuners
P & J pickups

That's all we have.

Valentino
bigredbass
Intermediate Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 174
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 9:26 am:   Edit Post

tbishop:

If memory serves correctly, I've seen PERSUADERs like this in the range of $1000-$1500 range in good shape with case.

If you can try this bass out (in other words, not on eBay a 1000 miles away), check for condition, sound, and playability. If these are all good, and you're in the price range, you'd have a LOT of bass for the money. P/J is a favorite combination sound of mine, second only to my MXYs.

ALEMBICs last a LONG time because they are BUILT to LAST. But as always, buy the cleanest used example you can find.

J o e y
tbishop
New
Username: tbishop

Post Number: 5
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 12:41 pm:   Edit Post

Val and Joey,

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate your input and advice.

Tim B.

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