I´m looking for an Exploiter Bass (4-String, Longscale) perferably in Europe.

This one is in Italy:

https://reverb.com/item/85315649-alembic-exploiter-1983-natural

It's a bit overpriced in the US market but maybe not in the EU.

Long scale may be hard to find unless you buy a Spyder or someone else's custom job. The majority of Exploiters are Spoilers with a very small number of Distillates. Both those models come standard as 32'' medium scale, but you never know. Alembic is a true custom shop.

Quote from: gearhed289 on August 27, 2026, 12:05:41 PMLong scale may be hard to find unless you buy a Spyder or someone else's custom job. The majority of Exploiters are Spoilers with a very small number of Distillates. Both those models come standard as 32'' medium scale, but you never know. Alembic is a true custom shop.

This is the guy to talk Exploiter with.  Yup.  That one on Reverb is 32".  If you find a Spyder - expect to pay Double the Reverb price for that one.  Last Spyder (in Japan) went for $14K.  Last US one was a little north of $15K.  I'm watching the market too as I want a 4 with Cone headstock.

Quote from: garyhead on August 27, 2026, 09:24:44 AMThis one is in Italy:

https://reverb.com/item/85315649-alembic-exploiter-1983-natural

It's a bit overpriced in the US market but maybe not in the EU.

thanks for your reply.

Quote from: gearhed289 on August 27, 2026, 12:05:41 PMLong scale may be hard to find unless you buy a Spyder or someone else's custom job. The majority of Exploiters are Spoilers with a very small number of Distillates. Both those models come standard as 32'' medium scale, but you never know. Alembic is a true custom shop.

thanks for this Info!

Quote from: garyhead on August 27, 2026, 12:28:43 PM

Quote from: gearhed289 on August 27, 2026, 12:05:41 PMLong scale may be hard to find unless you buy a Spyder or someone else's custom job. The majority of Exploiters are Spoilers with a very small number of Distillates. Both those models come standard as 32'' medium scale, but you never know. Alembic is a true custom shop.

This is the guy to talk Exploiter with.  Yup.  That one on Reverb is 32".  If you find a Spyder - expect to pay Double the Reverb price for that one.  Last Spyder (in Japan) went for $14K.  Last US one was a little north of $15K.  I'm watching the market too as I want a 4 with Cone headstock.

Thanks, these are rare beauties!

got a little bored over breakfast.  went thru my ended listings.  the last spyder i've seen listed on rereververbb was over 3 years ago.    there's been a few exploiters here and then.  coupla dragonwings.  the good news is that they're not as rare as the fabled 5-string long scale unlined series fretless with LEDs of which i can't recall the last time i saw one up for sale.  my advice:  put a big lump o'cash where you can access it immediately.  search the world over.  maybe you'll find true love.  be ready to wait a lonnnng time and then pull the trigger at a moment's notice.  good luck to all!

obtw a dragonwing hangs on a strap and plays like a spyder just in case you were curious.

"The waiting is the hardest part..."

Yeah, I stalked this beauty since it appeared online around 2016 in pretty rough shape. The buyer sent it back to Alembic where it got a complete overhaul. Then it ended up in BeenDown's hands. He didn't bond with the medium scale, and I was able to purchase it in 2022. TOTALLY worth it!

Not in Europe, but if you feel froggy, good time to hop. 

https://reverb.com/item/101352137-alembic-series-1-exploiter-1981-mint-like-new

Quote from: edwardofhuncote on Today at 03:43:26 AMNot in Europe, but if you feel froggy, good time to hop.

https://reverb.com/item/101352137-alembic-series-1-exploiter-1981-mint-like-new

thanks! Really nice! I'll have to add 19% VAT, that`s over my budget!

Quote from: edwardofhuncote on Today at 03:43:26 AMNot in Europe, but if you feel froggy, good time to hop.

https://reverb.com/item/101352137-alembic-series-1-exploiter-1981-mint-like-new

Wow, that's really nice!  If I ever had the urge to get one of these, it would be something like that one.

Here is a more reasonably priced one, but not in Europe...

https://reverb.com/item/101189830-alembic-spoiler-exploiter-80-s

QuoteHere is a more reasonably priced one, but not in Europe...

kinda surprised this one hasn't gotten more chitter-chatter on the wisecracker line.  that's a poorly applied decal underneath the clear coat so it's gonna look that way until someone strips it.  medium scale.. kinda beat condition overall.  $4500 USD. good luck with that, sir!
i'm gonna guess that SI exploiter is also medium scale and i can tell ya from bitter experience if yer a long scale kinda guy, yer never gonna get used to it no matter how much ya want to.  especially if all the other bassesses in yer stable are long scale. body shape notwithstanding.  $14k USD.  that's a lotta scratch in any denomination.  said the guy who just bought a dragonwing.  good luck to all!