| Author | Message | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 102 Registered: 5-2006 |
Oh boy, me is a very happy guy. Got this Spoiler yesterday, the sound is stunning (even compared with my other Spoiler!) I'm speechless so here are some pictures:         Now that's a happy guy! Next goal: Elan Specs. for this bass: 83S2674 SMB4 Spoiler Bass body: solid Koa neck: Maple, 32" medium scale fingerboard: Ebony peghead veneers: Koa originally made for: Musik Instrumenté birthday: May 17, 1983 Note: "peghead veneers: Koa" is a understatement, should say beautiful flamed Koa! Cheers! F.C. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 109 Registered: 5-2006 |
Another happy guy picture:  | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 4075 Registered: 5-2002 |
Congrats!! | ||
| 57basstra
Intermediate Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 164 Registered: 4-2005 |
Looks like a double handful of firepower! (I also have a Gibson Ripper, not a fretless, that I think is a cool bass.) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 112 Registered: 5-2006 |
Thanx Dave and Dave! (Sorry David) The Ripper is amazing, 30 years old and still going strong. Very nice setup, super low action and I love the tone. But when I play the Ripper and then go back to the Spoiler.... I'm blown away by that firepower you're talking about! On wednesday I'm the regular bassplayer @ the jammsessions in our local Bluescafe. The previous owner of this Spoiler came to the Jam sessions to try my Jazz Bass (and I was able to try the Spoiler) before we made the exchange. I was sitting on the terrace when my buddy Brad played the Alembic, the bass tones comming from inside were nothing short of amazing. The Fender is now owned by a Fender lover and the Alembic by a Alembic lover, as it should be! Strictly speaking I'm beyond loving Alembic, I see Alembic as part of my Life. I can't wait to go custom! (Sadly, my bank can...) Cheers! F.C. | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 623 Registered: 6-2002 |
Congrats FC, Two beauties! I've got one also and two Epics. What are you stringing them with? I notice also a different placement of the neck pickups between the pair. Alembic is part of all our lives, if not by owning - then by enjoying their sounds on fav recordings. Mike (Message edited by dadabass2001 on July 14, 2006) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 118 Registered: 5-2006 |
Hello and thanx! The truss rod cover is half the size of the current covers, I think this is tipical for pre 1984 Alembics? I've owned a '83 spoiler before and it had the same cover. Currently the CB Spoiler has D'addario's (don't like them) and the koa has Elixirs on it. I've used R.Cocco strings for years, great strings but hard to get (At least in Holland) I'm gonna try Dean Markley skullbusters soon, signature strings of Jerry Only (Misfits) with a 106 E string. Since the scale of these basses is 32" and I'm playing some songs in D I must have a heavy gauge. Somehow almost every store in Holland seem to offer 100 as the heaviest gauge... I've had 110 R.Cocco's and I love 'em (if only they were available) Cheers! F.C.  and a link to the cocco website: click here (Message edited by fc_spoiler on July 14, 2006) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 119 Registered: 5-2006 |
Had to look for a R.Cocco picture... here it is:  Cheers! F.C. | ||
| bob
Senior Member Username: bob Post Number: 681 Registered: 11-2002 |
I used Coccos for several years, a long while back, and really liked them, but I don't think I've seen anyone else mention them here. They used to be distributed by Pedulla (at least in the US), then Pedulla started "making their own" and you couldn't find Coccos anymore. A few years ago they found a new distributor over here, but by then I was hooked on TI's. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 130 Registered: 5-2006 |
I remember the Pedulla ad's, it said "Sooner or later you'll wind up with us" The R.Cocco site isn't helpfull in findig a dealer, but I sure would love to put them on my Spoilers. I forgot to post this one:  | ||
| joram
Junior Username: joram Post Number: 47 Registered: 5-2004 |
Maybe you should give the Rotosound BS66-set a try. These are Sheehan's signature strings, with a 110 E (43,56,85,110). Cocco's are distributed thru Wils, here in Holland. Although they're (Wils, that is) not the easiest to work with (as I've been told), maybe they can help. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Intermediate Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 131 Registered: 5-2006 |
Thanx I'll try them. Back in 1998 I ordered a box of R.Cocco's at Tonika ended up with DR since they couldn't deliver the Cocco's. I hated the DR's The E strings in the first two sets broke instantly... before they were in tune. Tonika refused to give me a refund, saying I should check my bass. Well there was nothing wrong with the bass, I have never had a broken string since those damn DR's and the Alembic is my main bass! First I'm gonna try the Skullbusters, see if I like them better than the Cocco's... Cheers! F.C. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 980 Registered: 6-2002 |
If you contact Wils, and the bass person is still Jeroen, say hi from me. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 981 Registered: 6-2002 |
... as far as strings go, have you tried good old d'Addario XL? I love them on my Spoiler, and they're much cheaper than DR. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Advanced Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 207 Registered: 5-2006 |
Contacted Wils through email, got reply from K Hofman... He asured me the R. Cocco's are available in all gauges for EUR 30/40. I'm gonna try the Markley's and try to fit them on my Gibson with a 34 1/2'scale and strings through body. The Cocco's don't fit, can hook them on the bridge (it's a two option type) but of course prefer STB. Thanx! (Message edited by fc_spoiler on July 30, 2006) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 402 Registered: 5-2006 |
My new family picture:  And a better version of the "two Alembics" pic listed above:  | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 861 Registered: 2-2006 |
Your own mini "wall-of sound" there Flip. I bet you can make some ears bleed with that rig. "If it's too loud, your too old." | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 403 Registered: 5-2006 |
Oh boy.... I guess I'm too old  I've tried my ©mini "wall-of sound" with both amps at 50% and it's LOUD! Btw: Mesa amp is on it's way, I'm selling the Ampeg and then I'm gonna buy meself a Strategy 400. 2 x 200 Watt full tube rackmount head.  | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 862 Registered: 2-2006 |
I never crank my rig beyond 25%....NOT! Can you feel the bass!? Thats' what I'm talik'n 'bout! | ||
| lg71
Advanced Member Username: lg71 Post Number: 233 Registered: 3-2006 |
Really nice family picture, I never played through big stuff like that, I imagine the huge sound you must have... Congratulations on the family expansion... :-) PS: I still use my headphones ;( | ||
| jags
Member Username: jags Post Number: 78 Registered: 12-2006 |
hey flip thanks for the old catalogue pics in the "wish list section". i have some advice. if you are looking at dean markleys. check out dean markley superwounds. "sr2000" type. my favourite string is the "sr2000 Will Lee" edition. you may have to do some hunting. but if you find them scoop as many as you can get. trust me.  | ||
| jags
Member Username: jags Post Number: 79 Registered: 12-2006 |
i forgot the e string is .107,a string .087, d string,.067, g string .047. its called the "sr2000 Will Lee balanced gauge". they are on the dean markley website also,thogh theres not a lot of info. keep flippin!! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 446 Registered: 5-2006 |
Thanx and you're welcome! But I've got a steady supply of Cocco's again... Got me a new family picture today :  | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 454 Registered: 5-2006 |
Counter almost at two and a half Alembics! Behold my "  ":   Soon to be fitted with Alembic electronics: Volume, Filter and Q switch. Switched with a 3-way "Les Paul" type switch and a volume trimpot for the P pickup between the pickups and the electronics. (Message edited by fc_spoiler on March 18, 2007) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 463 Registered: 5-2006 |
Pictures of the Alembic guts in this bass are posted on my site: WWW.FCBASS.COM I got a .com domain to get rid of the TK popups :-) Direct link to the Alembicguts on this bass: Click here I'm working on sound samples, an a/b comparison between the Koa Spoiler and the Fender. (Message edited by fc_spoiler on April 08, 2007) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 477 Registered: 5-2006 |
Sound clips! Not best quality (Audio and skills) But to give an idea: Bass 1 Bass 2 I'm sure my Alembic friends hear the difference between the Fender and the ('83)Alembic.  Electronics are almost the same, also same strings (R.Cocco) | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 533 Registered: 3-2004 |
I prefer the bass 1 clip. Nice quality through my Bose media system. Nice clean technique. Glad you liked my Spoiler "Dragon" pic. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 481 Registered: 5-2006 |
Thanx! I would advise you to put Activators in your Fenders ;-) Clip 1 is the "Fembic" Clip 2 the Koa Spoiler. No bass on ...and justice for all? : Listen again... Sorry for the mistakes... Recorderd with the Koa Spoiler. (please don't tell Lars...  ) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 512 Registered: 5-2006 |
Part two: Ehhhh... part one More sounds on my site: www.fcbass.com (Message edited by fc_spoiler on June 10, 2007) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 587 Registered: 5-2006 |
She's been refinished now. The finish was in pretty bad shape and getting worse by the day... So I decided it was time for a refinish :-) Though the Koa is beautiful, I've painted her black, like my greatest influences Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted had. She turned out pretty well (did it myself) and must say: She looks much better now :-). I left the back of the neck and headstock Blank, So there's still a tiny bit Koa showing through the finish. I haven't got a Digicam, but will post some new pictures ASAP | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 601 Registered: 5-2006 |
Hah! New pictures :-)      And of course, with a black cat:  Click here for a few huge Alembic pics (to huge to post here) (Message edited by fc_spoiler on August 03, 2007) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 922 Registered: 6-2002 |
Just a question about your mesa cab FC. Is the cab with the 4x10 and 1x15, a stereo cab? can it be biamped? Jazzyee | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 610 Registered: 5-2006 |
There were two seperate 8 ohm inputs for the 15 and the 10's, (as well as a mono 4 ohm full range input) But i've replaced them with a single Speakon connector since I like the full range sounds better. I'm not sure if the "new style" cabs has the seperate inputs though... on the Mesa site the inputs section looks like:  I guess it won't be much of a problem to rewire the Speakons Here's the diagram I got from Mesa:  To be sure shoot an email to Mesa, they reply real quick ;-) | ||
| hieronymous
Intermediate Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 171 Registered: 1-2005 |
Nice - the black bass looks great!!! My black cat likes my (not-black) doubleneck:  | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 615 Registered: 3-2004 |
See! Brothers of the Black Alembics unite! Nicely done my metal friend! Waiting on delivery of 2 black basses from the mothership. Maybe I should do some painting myself? | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 694 Registered: 5-2006 |
Thanx! I bet that the Mothership will do a much better "paint" yob, than manny of us here :-) Some day I will send 83S2674 back for a refinish, so Mica can enjoy that beautiful piece of Koa again. :-) (must have an original black Spoiler before that though...) Spoiler in action:  | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 850 Registered: 5-2006 |
I forgot to post this one, especialy for Dano:  "Blackened" If Mica reads this: Blackened will also be the codename for my new Custom. :-) The Flying V is a multiple years self made project of our lead guitarist, I had it @ home for a while when I was making adjustements to one of our multiple guitar stage stands (I'm a wizzard with stainless steel tubes) The Strat is a Squier Affinity I bought brand new for some recordings, relic proces started right after purchase  The Aria is an '84 SB Black 'n Gold I, the same type Cliff used in the end... I keep forgetting details on the other bass (the one on the left) I was hoping to get some info here (I think I saw some topics with a similar model on this board) The cats are: Rocky on the left (3) and his mom Spijker on the right (4) I would not go near those guitarz unless the cats know and trust you :-) Joking of course, these are the cutest and friendliest cats in the world, together with Cliff (Rocky's brother, grey striped so he did not make it through the casting of this picture) Kids: Don't try this at home, cats love climbing guitarz... This "situation" was created just for the picture ;-) | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1030 Registered: 3-2004 |
Let the legions of the opaque flourish! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 918 Registered: 5-2006 |
Let them do that indeed :-) Here's a nice action pic from last week:  | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 1164 Registered: 6-2002 |
Monstrous! just the way we like it Mike | ||
| 57basstra
Senior Member Username: 57basstra Post Number: 969 Registered: 4-2005 |
Excellent! | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8159 Registered: 5-2002 |
Tres Cool! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1028 Registered: 5-2006 |
Thanx! (better late than never) :-) I've been experimenting with a web cam and Line 6 stuff, check it out on Youtube: Click here Download version with backingtrack here (78,5 MB wmv file) Will record some other stuff with fresh strings asap. and from this corner of the board: Best wishes to all!  Edit: Direct downloadlink for better sound: here (77,3 MB wmv file) (Message edited by fc_spoiler on December 26, 2009) | ||
| alembicfan
Junior Username: alembicfan Post Number: 46 Registered: 10-2007 |
Sounds good! Love the first 5 records of Metallica,awesome stuff!! Best wishes | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1029 Registered: 5-2006 |
Thanx! Forgot this one: Click here Short clip with audio from our new promo cd. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1146 Registered: 5-2006 |
Got a "new" case this week:   (and did some serious tagging)  Now both my Spoilers can enjoy the luxury this Ken Smith cases offer. My other Spoiler came with a JustinCase, this one came with a Ken Smith case (also on this picture) If you have a Spoiler without case, I can highly recommend these cases. Great fit, nice thick + soft interior and very solid. They have a label that says "made in Canada" and I think Fodera also used/uses these. | ||
| tmoney61092
Senior Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 428 Registered: 9-2008 |
oh wow Flip, thats an awesome case! now time to get that Spoiler upgraded to a series 2 since you have the sticker already ;-) ~Taylor | ||
| jazzboy621
Junior Username: jazzboy621 Post Number: 18 Registered: 7-2011 |
Awesome, Flip!!!!! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1422 Registered: 5-2006 |
A friend of mine made me two Alembic scripts (sorry I don't take orders, one-off only)  Total picture with the new "Graffix" sticker:  The other one:  Can you see which one is the original? Will soon be on my fretless :-) (Message edited by fc_spoiler on January 28, 2013) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1502 Registered: 5-2006 |
Some new action shots:   | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 3199 Registered: 5-2009 |
Donder En Bliksem ! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1504 Registered: 5-2006 |
:-) | ||
| xero_tolerance
Junior Username: xero_tolerance Post Number: 29 Registered: 5-2014 |
Bless you friend, keep shredding brother | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1526 Registered: 5-2006 |
Thanx :-) Here's a shot from last week:  (click for ultra large version) | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1643 Registered: 5-2006 |
Teaser for the upcoming livevids: http://www.fcbass.nl/example-clip1.mp4 :-) (22mb download) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 4441 Registered: 6-2002 |
Sounds great Flip!! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1644 Registered: 5-2006 |
Thanx Jazzy! :-) Updated the link, now 131 mb download (3 min clip, featuring a part of Orion) Eventually there will be a +/-5 min promo made with this material :-) After the promo is finished, I get all the material (55Gb) and will make some complete song clips. The audio was recorded by a friend of ours and mastered in his studio, It's obvious Lars Ulrich wasn't present during that process. :-) For those who don't get the joke, Click here | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1666 Registered: 5-2006 |
Here's Orion complete, this will be deleted when the final version is done. Then it will be uploaded to our official channel: Damaged Youtube channel Orion complete: Youtube link |
