| Author | Message | ||
| guineapig
New Username: guineapig Post Number: 1 Registered: 9-2005 |
Hello guys! Bought a Spoiler today at a really good price. This thing was never sold (so they tell me, and I believe them because it really is 'mint'), it was part of the stock of some shop over here that doesn't exist anymore. Another shop took over the stock and, of course, the spoiler. I think this was the bass-deal of my life. I play it through an Eden WT-600 (with 410XLT or 210XLT) and the sound is amazing! This really is the bass I was looking for! I'm so happy and enthousiastic about it, that I think I won't be able to sleep tonight! This is it:  I already registered the bass and I'll be looking at this forum regularly from now on. About me: I live in Belgium, I play bass since 16 years. Currently, I play in a metal/hardcore band but I won't be using the alembic for that (I need a 5-string bass for this band). I play lots of other styles at home and after owning this bass for only a day, I already know that this is gonna be my main 4-string. Cheers! (Message edited by guineapig on September 03, 2005) | ||
| the_mule
Senior Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 548 Registered: 1-2004 |
Congratulations Tom, a very nice Spoiler, I love the swirling grain on the top! Welcome to the Club from a Northern neighbour. Enjoy! Wilfred | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 800 Registered: 11-2003 |
Welcome and congratulations Tom. That is a beautiful bass indead. I know you'll enjoy it. Watch out for some of the other Belgians here. Often the discussions turn to beer. Paul TBO should be showing up soon to say hello. Sam | ||
| richbass939
Advanced Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 381 Registered: 11-2004 |
Welcome to the club and congrats on a beautiful bass. Rich | ||
| series_iii
New Username: series_iii Post Number: 10 Registered: 8-2005 |
Awesome bass! | ||
| hasadari
Member Username: hasadari Post Number: 69 Registered: 6-2005 |
Great bass. Welcome. | ||
| guineapig
New Username: guineapig Post Number: 6 Registered: 9-2005 |
@bracheen: I checked Paul's profile. Turns out he lives within a 10 km range from where my parents live and where I grew up! Small world... And about the discussions on beer. You're not going to tell me that beer is not a worthy subject for a good discussion, are you? As long as you don't forget drinking it while discussing, you're fine. And of course, we are quite spoiled when it comes to beer here in Belgium! We do not only have some of the best beers in the world, we also have quite a lot of the best beer drinkers in the world! :-) | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 454 Registered: 6-2002 |
Welcome. This is another beautiful instrument. Play her in good health and enjoy yourself! Mike | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 805 Registered: 11-2003 |
Tom, I never said beer wasn't worthy. I've heard great things about the beers of Belgium.  One of the things I enjoy most about this community is the diversity of cultures and backgrounds. Sometimes online humor gets lost in the translation when one can't hear inflections or see expressions but generally speaking it can be very interesting, educational, and a lot of fun. If you do decide to gig with the Spoiler please put up some photos of it in action. Sam | ||
| guineapig
New Username: guineapig Post Number: 7 Registered: 9-2005 |
Lol, I did see the humor in your first remark about beer and I wanted to reply accordingly. But you're right of course about humor sometimes getting lost... A gig with the spoiler is unlikely at the moment. I need a 5-string for the band I'm in now. But I like the spoiler so much that I think I'm going to look out for a decently priced used Alembic 5-string to replace my current Ibanez K5. | ||
| guineapig
Junior Username: guineapig Post Number: 14 Registered: 9-2005 |
So, I liked the spoiler so much (love at first sight, isn't that beautifull) that I went looking for a second alembic on the web. A 5 string this time. I just made a deal with another club member on a Spoiler 5, also with a maple top! They'll make a great pair! Can't wait 'till it gets here! | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2081 Registered: 9-2002 |
Y'see ...it's THAT simple to get your instruments together! Isn't this a good club with all healthy addicts spoiling each other with spoilers. Now ...about that beer thing? Another round on this table, we're about a 1100 I guess! Paul TOBO Oh ...euh ...you're paying Tom!!!! | ||
| guineapig
Junior Username: guineapig Post Number: 15 Registered: 9-2005 |
Ah, well... How many club members in Belgium? | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 610 Registered: 6-2002 |
Awel, zunne - about as many as members in the Netherlands, I think. I think Dave Houck posted some membership statistics a few months back, though it may have been just about the number of posts. Also, not all members have entered their location ... | ||
| guineapig
Junior Username: guineapig Post Number: 16 Registered: 9-2005 |
Huh, wat heb ik nou aan mijn fiets hangen? I have to pay for the Dutch members too? Why doesn't that surprise me? :-) | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 611 Registered: 6-2002 |
Well, it's the famous Belgian hospitality that makes you pay the round. Cheap, me? At least I can get by by living up to my fellow countrymen's reputation ... ;) | ||
| guineapig
Junior Username: guineapig Post Number: 17 Registered: 9-2005 |
Ok, you got me... But if the Dutch know about free beer, I'll have to sell my Spoiler again? :-0 Or I could give them some dishwasher water and tell them it's Heineken... (Oh! So evil!) No offence of course. Just having fun with the ol' cliché's about the dutch. I already know that most of them aren't true... | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 612 Registered: 6-2002 |
From my wild years, I seem to remember Stella Artois was the "beer" to avoid at all times. Heineken was pure nectar compared to that! ... coming from someone who loves Leffe, Verboden Vrucht, DAS, Palm ... | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 830 Registered: 11-2003 |
Free beer? Paul, save me a seat! Do you have Guinness in Leuven? I tried Stella Artois and can't remember any flavor although it seems to be the latest trendy beer in Jacksonville. They still make Heineken? Why? Sam | ||
| guineapig
Junior Username: guineapig Post Number: 18 Registered: 9-2005 |
They have Guinness in Leuven... There's an Irish pub. And don't say bad things about Stella to someone who's from Leuven. It hurts! | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 832 Registered: 11-2003 |
Sorry, is it ok about Heineken? If it helps I don't like Budweiser either and it's brewed here in Jacksonville. | ||
| guineapig
Junior Username: guineapig Post Number: 19 Registered: 9-2005 |
You can say whatever you want about Heineken! :-) | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2082 Registered: 9-2002 |
Yep ...in the US is Stella Artois a premium beer. Honest? I really LIKE Stella. Dunno why but ...I really do! My all time favorite is Duvel and will stay Duvel! Sam ....If I remember well your voyage to Belgium started ...eu ...3 years ago. Are you swimming?????? HA! Tom is talking about The Stapleton and YOU KNOW THAT BAR!!! You have been there (virtually) on some St.Patrick days I think. So this time ...OK when??? How long?? Is the missus coming too?? You prefer a Hotel or the simple "stay-at-ones-house-in-a-small-village" approach???? Paul the old bad one | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 833 Registered: 11-2003 |
That's what the coasters say "Premium Lager Beer" also "Belgium's Original Beer" Yeah, still swimming. The last couple of hurricane seasons slowed me way down along with some budget setbacks. How about we meet halfway? I'm still working on putting it together and with the missus. I like the land at the airport, rent a car and see where you end up approach. B&Bs are a great way to visit other countries. Sam | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2381 Registered: 5-2002 |
Paul; I was only able to generate posting statistics. | ||
| guineapig
Junior Username: guineapig Post Number: 20 Registered: 9-2005 |
Well, there's another pub on the Ladeuzeplein. It used to be the Tir na N'og. It was renewed some time ago but I can't recall the new name. It's pretty modern now though,... Big place, but the guinness is ok... And I really like Stella too, by the way... But I guess you all figured that one out! | ||
| richbass939
Senior Member Username: richbass939 Post Number: 403 Registered: 11-2004 |
Reading about the different perceptions of local beers reminds me of when an in-law of mine was in NE Australia for a couple of months four years ago. I asked if he drank any Foster's Lager while he was there. He said it was a big joke to the locals (you Aussies can jump in and confirm or contest the truth of this). They told him that they consider FL to be the crap beer that they sell to the Americans. "Australian for beer, mate!" Haaahh! Rich | ||
| keith_h
Intermediate Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 188 Registered: 2-2005 |
Tir na N'og must be a common name as we have an Irish Pub here in Raleigh, NC with the same name. I've had Stella and liked it. I have never have cared for Heineken. I don't understand what people see in it. Currently my favorite drink is Chimay Grande Reserve followed by their Premiere. Keith | ||
| guineapig
Junior Username: guineapig Post Number: 21 Registered: 9-2005 |
Stella - Heineken 4 - 1 ! | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 834 Registered: 11-2003 |
Tir na N'Og is from Irish mythology. It's a land under the sea where one stays young forever. Oisin the son of Finn McCool was lured there by Niamh. She came to him riding a white horse. After a period of years, hundreds or thousands no one knows for sure, Oisin wanted to see his father and companions again. He left Tir na N'Og on the same white horse. The problem was when he dismounted the years would catch up with him. It's not that's it's a common name just a beloved story. Sam (Message edited by bracheen on September 19, 2005) | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2083 Registered: 9-2002 |
Huhuhuhu ....let's hi-jack this thread agian. Fellow beer-drinkers all over the world. Put the volume of your computer-speakers full throttle! Click this: http://www.bigad.com.au/ then click yes in the dialogue box, than click "high" depending on your internet connection speed. And ...just enjoy! I think Aussie original?? But really good! Paul TOBO Hmmm ..i didn' taste it. | ||
| keith_h
Intermediate Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 189 Registered: 2-2005 |
Sam, Thanks for the background on the name. Keith | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 835 Registered: 11-2003 |
Paul, great ad! thanks Keith I figure when something comes along I actually know about I better jump on it. | ||
| guineapig
Junior Username: guineapig Post Number: 29 Registered: 9-2005 |
Today my second Spoiler arrived, which I bought from another club member. A 5 string from 1985. Since it's a 5 string, I can use it for the band I'm in. It's, again, a very good instrument and it's in a very good shape. See how nice they both look on my wall! :-)  | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2101 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hmmmmmm ...those beauties doesn't belong on the wall ...get out playing fellah!!! Paul the bad one | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2415 Registered: 5-2002 |
Maybe it's an optical illusion, but the five string looks like it has a string spacing that is narrower than the classic spacing that's standard on a Spoiler five. That's a nice looking pair of Maple basses! (Message edited by davehouck on September 29, 2005) | ||
| guineapig
Junior Username: guineapig Post Number: 30 Registered: 9-2005 |
Don't know about the string spacing. It is quite narrow, but I have no other Spoiler 5 to compare it to. Maybe this picture will tell you more.  | ||
| george_wright
Junior Username: george_wright Post Number: 22 Registered: 3-2005 |
That's no illusion. My Spoiler five has very narrow string spacing. (I'm at work now, so I can't measure. Day jobs!) | ||
| george_wright
Junior Username: george_wright Post Number: 23 Registered: 3-2005 |
Sorry, dual post. (Message edited by george_wright on September 29, 2005) | ||
| george_wright
Junior Username: george_wright Post Number: 24 Registered: 3-2005 |
OK, I'm home now. String spacing on five-string 87S4286, all center-to-center, left-to-right, to the nearest .25mm, as measured by 60-year-old eyeballs: At the nut: 4.5mm, 4mm, 4mm, 3.75mm At the bridge: 6mm, 5.5mm, 5.75mm, 5.25mm Total at nut, center-of-B to center-of-G: 16.5mm Total at bridge, center-of-B to center-of-G: 22.25mm | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2418 Registered: 5-2002 |
George; that doesn't seem right. 16.5mm is a little less than 2/3s of an inch. If you don't mind, measure again in inches, the nut width and the 24th fret width. The standard classic taper for a five string is 2" at the nut and 2.5" at the 24th fret. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 620 Registered: 6-2002 |
If George has been reading the imperial side of his ruler as if it were the decimal side (you're looking at just a couple of markings at close range, so an easy mistake to make) I guess his 4.5 reading would correspond to 3/8", which would be 9.25 mm. That's just over half as wide as the spacing on my Spoiler, which is 17 mm center-to-center both at the nut and the bridge - which I always thought is the classic Alembic "lack of" taper. The total width at the nut would be roughly 5 * 9.25 = 46.25 mm, which would make it slightly narrower than my 4 * 17 = 48 mm. The problem is that if you see the picture of the 4 and 5 together, the 5 does appear to have a wider nut than the 4 - not much, but still. (Message edited by adriaan on September 30, 2005) | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 621 Registered: 6-2002 |
Oops, there I go chastising George on his poor eyesight and make two stupid miscalculations all of my own making: Obviously 4*17 does not equal 48, but 68. And to calculate the total width at the nut you multiply the average string spacing with one less than the number of strings, so I should have used 3*17=51 mm. Never mind that ... For George's nut width to be wider at 5 strings than mine at 4, it must have at least 51/4=13 mm average string spacing, and that's about 0.51". Hm, did I just manage to go from 51 mm to 0.51"? Magic number time! | ||
| george_wright
Junior Username: george_wright Post Number: 26 Registered: 3-2005 |
Adriaan is exactly right, of course. I was reading a ruler with major subdivision in imperial inches and subdivisions in tenths. All my numbers are tenths of inches, not millimeters (mm). Good thing I'm not an engineer; all my bridges would fall :-(. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2420 Registered: 5-2002 |
Don't feel bad, the guys at NASA get this stuff backwards too. |
