Upgrading a Spoiler

[mauibassplayer]

Aloha, I have a Spoiler and I have been reading a lot of posts, can I send my Spoiler back to Alembic and get upgrades on it?  I am interested in finding out what type of upgrades are possible on a Spoiler.  I will be going to the mainland on vacation in October, so I can can take it with me and drop it off there at Alembic, and maybe see some the shop there.

[adriaan]

Electronics can be upgraded without having to send the whole instrument!
 
(1) Remove the backplate.
 
(2) Disconnect the pickup wires from the pre-amp board - they are snap-on connectors, check the FAQ section of the Club.
 
(3) Remove the knobs - you will need the proper tools for this, so ask Mica if you need the details.
 
(4) Loosen the pots, the switches and the jack, from the top - this releases the whole electronics package, so make sure it doesn't drop.
 
I had the pickup selector on my Spoiler replaced with a blend pot, and the two-position 0/8 dB Q switch with a 0/3/6 dB one. You might prefer a second volume over a blend, or a 0/4/8 or 0/6/9 Q switch, but any one of these would be an upgrade.
 
If it's an older Spoiler, the existing pots may have narrow shafts - the pickup switch certainly does, so you may need to drill out the holes to accommodate the new pots. Make sure you discuss the exact details with Mica.
 
(Message edited by adriaan on May 15, 2007)

[tbrannon]

Sometimes rather than teaching an old dog a new trick, you just need to get a new puppy to give the old boy some life.
 
Translation: Get yourself another Alembic.  Something different. Grab a set neck, grab a different model of neck thru?
 
If the Spoiler works for you, why change it? If your looking for something fresh try picking up a different model.  
 
Sorry for the suggestion, but since it's not my money I'm spending I figured 'why not?'  =)

[adriaan]

Toby, I nearly did not buy the Spoiler because it did not have a blend, only the pickup switch and one volume. Replacing it with a blend has unlocked a whole range of sounds that the switch just won't let you have.
 
Another point is that you should let the mothership take care of modifications. You'll be surprised at the low cost.

[jags]

if you have half the chane to make it to the shop go.  its the chance of a lifetiime for those who dont live so close. everyone is so wonderful.  and there is a homey,/ full cirlce feeling when you get to the birthplace of you little baby(s). a tour is great, to see the shop and exotic woods laying arond is great.  plus they may let you play a dragon wing or seriesII.
 
let alone meeting the family

[adriaan]

... that's halfway across the globe for some of us. ;-)
 
(Message edited by adriaan on May 15, 2007)

[mauibassplayer]

Aloha, excellent, replacing the pickup switch with a blend sounds interesting,  I usually have my switxh on the bridge pickup, every now and then on the middle position, and never on the neck pickup.  We have a cabin up out of grass valley on a little lake.  I would love to see the store and meet the family.

[mauibassplayer]

I was wondering after seeing someone elses new Alembic about a new logo.  What does is cost to have a new logo put on? Maybe silver with black mother of pearl.  That one looked incredible.

[bigredbass]

Quickest d-i-y Spoiler upgrade:  GET yourself some FatBoys to replace the AXY's.  Simple. Unplug the old pickups, plug in the new ones.
 
Like dropping a crate motor in your current car!
 
Be sure and specify how many strings and your neck width to get the right ones.
 
I replaced the AXY4's in the BigRedBass about a year ago and have never been sorry.  Big tone, big sound, big notes.  Yes!
 
J o e y