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mike1762
New
Username: mike1762

Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2008 - 12:45 pm:   Edit Post

As a kid I always wanted an Alembic bass. Although my playing these days is limited to my home studio, I finally satisfied those old desires and bought myself this 96 Spoiler:

When I first picked it up, it was strung/tuned as a piccolo. Apparently Stanley Clarke had borrowed the bass while he was in town and used it for that purpose. After re-stringing it, the first thing I noticed was how much more "substantial" it felt when compared to my other basses. The tonal possibilities seem endless. I really feel like this bass will make me a better player since it is unforgiving of sloppy technique (fretted notes sing out whether you ment them to or not and the "effective" R hand playing area for slap/pop is only about 3-4cm). I look forward to learning to play this instrument.

I had an interesting experience purchasing the Spoiler. It was in the shop on consignment but they had several new Alembics "on the wall". I asked to play one of the new basses and the guy looked at me like I had asked to "test drive" his wife. I was informed that no one was allowed to play the SC Brown bass and that I could only finger-pick the Rogue (no slap/pop). I understand they don't want kids wandering in and abusing the instruments, but I am a middle-aged guy with a bank account. I had driven 4 hrs to make a purchase, so I let it slide and bought the Spoiler. The owner of the shop might be interested to know that I was prepared to purchase several basses had I been treated like a customer rather than a nuisance. Before I judge the establishment too harshly, I wonder if a "DON'T TOUCH IT!!!" policy (ala Nigel Tufnel)is common among Alembic dealers.
speicky
Advanced Member
Username: speicky

Post Number: 245
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2008 - 1:42 pm:   Edit Post

Hi, Mike,

great buy, congrats, I LOVE that top grain ! Nice report about the purchase also, I had the same experience... doesn't matter if you're a kid or middle-aged, willing to buy one or five Alembics at once, shop owners ARE suspicious... They must love them Alembics just like we do ! LOL

Knoxville, TN... There may be another Alembician freak just around the block...

congrats again, Christian
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 6006
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2008 - 2:27 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Mike; congrats and welcome! I love the top on that Spoiler!
2400wattman
Senior Member
Username: 2400wattman

Post Number: 493
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2008 - 3:09 pm:   Edit Post

Well, that bass had been haunting me for months after I checked it out prior to hitting the Rush concert over the summer. It was my first time to go to Atlanta Bass Gallery myself, although I did'nt ask to try out anything uber pricey(that Spoiler & a red 5 string Essence were the only Alembics there) I picked up just about anything that peaked my curiosity with no confrontation/suspicion from the owner. He was very cool with me and even though I really did'nt need anything I bought a couple of sets of strings(D'addario's for my fretless)to help support the cause the only way I could at the time, besides I loved the fact that I was in "Bass Heaven"!
I also did visit Will Gunn's place to try out a Signature bass and he politely asked if I would wash my hands before handling the bass, no problem in my opinion as these are very expensive/luxury items and they should be treated as such until they're sold. Hey, maybe the owner of the Gallery would've rather you test drove his wife! heheehheee....wooooooooooo!
Oh and by the way (Christian knows this), I'm the other Alembic freak around the block in our neck of the woods. Enjoy the Spoiler it's a beauty.
mike1762
New
Username: mike1762

Post Number: 2
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2008 - 6:02 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks for the feedback. I agree that ABG is a "must see to believe" for anyone appreciative of fine instruments. I have never seen that much quality under one roof. It sounds like "no buy/no play" may be a common policy; therefore, I have no hard feelings. That being said, I would never buy a bass I hadn't put through its paces. I'll continue to scour the used market for my next Alembic and let someone else take the depreciation!!! Thanks again.
pinbacking
Junior
Username: pinbacking

Post Number: 45
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 2:59 pm:   Edit Post

Sweet dude, check out your basses brother
http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/28469.html?1150739043

We're bass buddies! :-) Enjoy playing it
mike1762
Member
Username: mike1762

Post Number: 54
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 7:14 am:   Edit Post

DSC02908.jpg
DSC02912.jpg
My Spoiler at home
mike1762
Advanced Member
Username: mike1762

Post Number: 377
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009 - 7:00 am:   Edit Post

96S9712 SMS4 Spoiler bass

top: Bocate
accent: Maple laminate
body: Mahogany
through body neck: 3-piece Maple with Walnut pinstripes, 32" medium scale
fingerboard: Ebony with pearloid inlays
pickups: 2 Alembic AXY
controls: "Spoiler: volume, filter, 2-positino Q-switch, 4-position rotary pickup selector switch, mono output
birthday March 15, 1996
originally made for: Musician's Friend

There's a previously registered owner in TN.
12stringwilson
Junior
Username: 12stringwilson

Post Number: 33
Registered: 12-2008
Posted on Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 7:42 am:   Edit Post

I take it you were at the ATL Bass Gallery?

Had similar experiences there. LOL
mike1762
Advanced Member
Username: mike1762

Post Number: 381
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 5:44 pm:   Edit Post

Yep, that was the place. I must admit that I have since "eaten my words" and bought a SC (via the internet) and a Series I (from a club member) without playing them.
mike1762
Senior Member
Username: mike1762

Post Number: 863
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2011 - 5:16 am:   Edit Post

SOLD!!! I loved the bass, but I've migrated towards electronics packages that are a bit more flexible.
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 2808
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2011 - 6:34 am:   Edit Post

You know that for a really measly sum of money, you could have had the electronics modified at the mothership, like changing from the pu switch to a pu blend knob, and perhaps a 3-way Q switch. That's a whole lot of flexibility that the standard Spoiler package did not have, but with the original settings still available. Plus you keep the double pre-amp, which is a bonus.
mike1762
Senior Member
Username: mike1762

Post Number: 865
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Saturday, May 28, 2011 - 6:45 am:   Edit Post

That's a good point (and I did consider upgrading it). But since I already have basses with Signature and Anniversary electronics, it was not getting any playing time. I've gotten really reluctant to alter any of my instruments after decimating the resale value on several of my non-Alembic basses. I realize that is not an issue with Alembic (as long as you stick with Alembic components), but nonetheless...
vince_klortho
New
Username: vince_klortho

Post Number: 2
Registered: 1-2013
Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2013 - 1:40 am:   Edit Post

mike1762 : funny story. A similar thing happened with me. I walked into one of the larger music stores in Portland and told a guy I wanted to look at some basses. He asked how much I could spend and I said no limit. He walked over and showed me some cheap crap made in Korea so I turned around and walked out. A week later I bought an Alembic and I am very glad that I did. By the way, that was almost 30 years ago.
wishbass
Advanced Member
Username: wishbass

Post Number: 310
Registered: 5-2011
Posted on Sunday, January 06, 2013 - 9:29 pm:   Edit Post

Looooove Spoilers!
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 1376
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Monday, January 07, 2013 - 12:04 am:   Edit Post

Oh, yeah! If they only had proper headstocks.........

Peter
wishbass
Advanced Member
Username: wishbass

Post Number: 311
Registered: 5-2011
Posted on Monday, January 07, 2013 - 3:04 am:   Edit Post

There are a few out there with crown headstocks. If and when,it's how I'd order one.
pas
Advanced Member
Username: pas

Post Number: 283
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Monday, January 07, 2013 - 5:59 am:   Edit Post

I had a fretless Spoiler made for me back in '99 with the crown headstock. The are a couple of pics of it in the Spoiler gallery...I think it's under " '99 Spoiler - Cocobolo fretless"
wishbass
Advanced Member
Username: wishbass

Post Number: 312
Registered: 5-2011
Posted on Monday, January 07, 2013 - 6:09 am:   Edit Post

I know it well! It's a beauty. My dream is a quilted maple 3/4 spoiler short scale with signature electronics, and a cocobolo series 1 reg spoiler, both w/ crown or crown omega headstocks!
that_sustain
Member
Username: that_sustain

Post Number: 92
Registered: 8-2012
Posted on Monday, January 07, 2013 - 8:15 am:   Edit Post

That's a pretty bass for sure. I love the sound of Mahogany connected to a shorter scale neck.

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