My name is Peter. I'm actually from right down the road from the Alembic Factory in Sonoma, CA. I still have to take the tour one of these months. I've been an Alembic enthusiast since 1976 when I heard John Entwistle's Series I on The Who By Numbers. Over the years, I've owned 4 Spoilers, an Exploiter and a Series I. For the better part of this century, I've been in Beatles tribute bands and those certainly don't call for anything other than Hofner's and Rickenbacker's. While all my Beatles gear is authentic, it came at the expense of my Alembics. During the pandemic, I was able to find one that was affordable, a 1983 Koa Spoiler. This bass was treated poorly by the original owner and I still need to deal with some issues (heading over to the Troubleshooting section next). Being that I now in a musical position where I can actually play Alembic's again, last week I purchased a 1987 Birdseye Spoiler, which is probably the most amazing bass I have ever played. It definitely feels and sounds unlike any Spoiler I've ever owned or played. It wouldn't surprise me to find out it has custom features. I left the SN in the other forum and hopefully I can get that answered for me. Also, I don't know what the etiquette is for this, but I also have a 1976 Rickenbacker 4001 with Alembic electronics. It basically has the same setup as the Spoiler, except each pickup has a volume knob and there is no tone switch to activate the sweep. It's always engaged. Anyway, I'm thrilled to be here, if you couldn't already tell!

Pete, welcome to the camp!

Pretty sure that after you post 5 times you can attach pictures.

We like pictures.  Especially Alembics, and instruments with Alembic additions as well as instruments that members just like, and including random pictures of pets or if you have pictures of scenery, oh and music gear.... Yea pictures.  

It appears you understand the forums and their intentions, so no post away.   If there is a concern about posting in an incorrect place the Moderator(s) will gently redirect you.  No etiquette concerns.

Yeah, photos are coming. Photos of Alembics, photos of other gear, photos of dogs. All are in my wheelhouse As soon as I clear the 5 post hurdle, I'll post away!

Welcome!

Pull up a chair, there's coffee on the stove.

I was trying to post a photo of my 2 and a half Alembics, but the uploads look really weird, almost like an impressionist painting. Is that common, and does it clear up once the post goes live, or do I need to do something to make the photos compatible with the site?

No, I don't think that's common.  If I recall correctly, there's a 1,000 KB file size limit.  Were your files larger than that?

I've noticed sometimes pictures don't actually show for a few minutes after I've posted.

When posting, after you've added a picture, you can click the picture to get a pop-up menu with a blue icon to insert the picture into your message, rather than having it sit underneath the message as an attachment.

Browsers can act up funny, that's life.

Ok, thanks for the input on the photos. I'm trying again with new individual photos instead of one group shot. They're still looking a little funky, but maybe that will clear up when they are actually posted. In order from left to right, the 1983 Koa Spoiler, the 1987 Birdseye Maple Spoiler, the 1976 Rickenbacker 4001 with Alembic electronics and closeup of said electronics.