Author Topic: Something doesn't look right? (Read 186 times)

lg71 · « **on:** March 12, 2006, 11:35:37 AM »

Hi,

Could someone explain why the part of the neck where the serial number should be, looks rather strange, and it looks like a fourth knob was added, unless it is a Spoiler?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7397825456&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3APIC&rd=1

I am interested in this bass as I am in the UK, it would be much cheaper than buying one from the States...

If you read my very first post, I have a Persuader with PJ pickups, and the one on ebay has the soap bar type, which is what I am looking for.

Any help or advice appreciated,

Thanks,
LG

essencetimestwo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2006, 12:00:25 PM »

Looks like part of the fingerboard was removed to make it easier for slapping. Spoilers have very little room in front of the neck pickup for popping. I would be a little concerned about the electronics. Spoilers should have two knobs, a four way pickup selector and a Q switch. I would ask the buyer for a picture of the electronics cavity to see if they are still Alembic or have been changed. Also see if the serial number is available and then mica or Val can see if there were any custom options added at the factory.

speicky · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2006, 12:22:47 PM »

I noticed two different knob styles, the one closest the the bridge may be original (the hat knob), the other three appear like cylinders. Also, there seems to be a switch between bird's tail and output jack. I do not think that has been done at the mothership, I believe that has been done after the fact.

Owning a Spoiler myself, it really hurts to see the cutout on the fingerboard. Maybe it's easier to slap (well, most probably), but you cannot do that to an instrument with such a gorgeous zebrawood top.

The S/N may be a victim of the fingerboard surgery, and if so, the asking price might be a bit too high. Best of luck anyway,

Christian (the faker)

lg71 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2006, 12:29:24 PM »

Thanks for you reply. I was concerned about the bass being dodgy/stolen because of the missing serial number, but you have a good point regarding the slap/pop issue. I have already emailed the seller and I am waiting for an answer. The knobs issues i an other one, and thanks for the suggestion in asking for pictures of the cavity. Well, if everything is fine then that could be the right bass for me, I don't mind the look of the missing frets if it is to help slapping/popping and I don't mind if the electronic is properly upgraded. Will see...

lg71 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2006, 02:23:39 PM »

Hi Christian,
I see what you mean about the knobs, it is rather not easy to understand what is going on really, without hearing from the seller.

I agree about the cutout, it does not look nice and I wouldn't do it if it was my Alembic, but the fact that it is already there and that Alembics are so expensive in Europe, you know... Most of the Alembic I saw lately are in the States, and by the time you pay shipping, insurance + export taxes... you may as well buy it new.

My budget is really small as well, so that limits the choice further. I also agree that it is expensive for its overall condition. Well, what can I say, maybe one day I get richer, or get a job in the States on move over there;) What I like about this one is that it is a medium scale, narrow neck with soap bar pickup, all I need really. Will see what happen... Thanks, LG

speicky · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2006, 03:05:43 PM »

Hi, Louis,

brother Paul TBO hit it right on the nose with his mantra: there will always be another, there will always be another, there will always be another... I have got a '83 Spoiler, and I bought it via eBay, and it was expensive ! Well, I thought there will never come an occasion like this again anymore ! I am glad to own the Spoiler though, I just HAD TO HAVE THIS ONE ! I did not know about Paul's mantra these days...

I notice there are a few basses for sale on eBay at the moment, an '88 Elan that Jogi used to own (I will check that bass on Tuesday), some Spyders that Oliver wants to part with (not really, I guess, but...), a Rogue, an Essence an so on and so on. There will always be another...

Easily said, I don't know if it helps you, Louis, but I would pass THIS occasion by... I may be totally wrong, but got burned heavily last year.

Christian (the faker)

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2006, 04:32:31 PM »

I would be real concerned that the electronics have been removed and replaced with something non-Alembic; especially since the seller can't say much about this bass.

lg71 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2006, 04:36:44 PM »

Hi Christian,

You are right about what you say, I agree with all of it.

The little problem for me is that there are few Alembics that I wouldn't consider, when I got my Persuader, the shop had a brand new Epic and two Orions, they were more expensive than the persuader, and I didn't want any of these.

I mean, if I had the budget I wouldn't mind an Alembic with wider neck and full length scale as well, but because I have to choose one and only Alembic, it will have to be a medium/short scale with narrow neck and bigger pickups, that is the reason, and when you add to that, that most Basses seen on ebay are in the States. For a more standard Bass, I am very happy sticking with Aria SBs, they have full length neck, come with wide or narrow neck (depends on the models) and have nice pickups/sound + affordable.

But I think that I am probably going to pass on that strange Spoiler seen on ebay, now that I have posted pictures of my Persuader, I might be able to find someone interested. I have posted the pictures over there:
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/26131.html?1142208253

Thanks, Louis

lg71 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2006, 04:00:57 PM »

Well, the seller still hasn't reply... not surprised thought, I'll definitely pass on it. I'll wait, and wait, and wait, and maybe get a bit more lucky soon or later;) LG