Author Topic: Spoiler with interchangeable fretted, fretless, stainless fingerboards (Read 323 times)

ed_zeppelin · « **on:** August 29, 2015, 08:57:47 AM »

This is an odd one, a '99 Alembic Spoiler (beautiful quilted maple top) with interchangeable fingerboards: one fretted, one fretless and a stainless steel fretless board.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alembic-Spoiler-4-String-Bass-Fretted-Fretless-Stainless-Steel-Fingerboards-/151762982718?hash=item2355c7573e

sonicus · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2015, 10:15:31 AM »

He has been trying to sell that bass for a long time .

rstueckle · « **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2015, 01:09:01 AM »

I'm the original owner of that bass. It's actually a mid 80s bass (not a 1999). I bought it in 1984 and had the fingerboards put on in 1985. They were made by a short-lived company called Novatone. It played well for about 6 years, but then in began to warp and the fingerboards started to separate. It really was mostly a gimmick and didn't do well. I don't suspect it plays well at all now, but they did assure me that it was the only Alembic they did before they went out of business.

edwardofhuncote · « **Reply #3 on:** October 10, 2015, 11:05:50 AM »

Welcome Ron! We've been wondering about that one for a while now...

It must have finally been sold, so hopefully it will turn up here, possibly for restoration. Beautiful maple top on that one.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #4 on:** October 10, 2015, 12:11:43 PM »

I'm not surprised it started warp I guess that the original fretboard glued in place would be part of the design to gives the neck it's stiffness so with that removed and relying on the magnets holding the interchangeable fretboards in place, I doubt they would provide any support to the neck at all. Lovely looking bass though.

JuancarlinBass · « **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2015, 07:19:05 PM »

If I could, I?d buy it and send it to the Mothership to have a nice -fixed- fretboard (be it fretted or fretless, but one and for all) put in, and give it new life. It is a beautiful instrument indeed...

rstueckle · « **Reply #6 on:** November 14, 2015, 04:03:09 PM »

Thanks for the warm welcome. It seems like it's been for sale by the same shop in San Diego for a while. I'm down there often, so I may see if I can find it. It would be fun to play it again, since it holds some sentimental value for me. I seriously don't suspect it would be worth restoring, since they would probably have to completely replace the neck. Although I'm not a luthier, so I don't know. I'd love to know where it ends up. I do have a fondness for it (but clearly not enough for me to keep from trading it in). It was a sturdy and great sounding bass. Even though it's just a Spoiler.

sonicus · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2015, 04:26:36 PM »

Hello , welcome to our domain . Your input surely is pure gold to any prospective investors to who are interested to the re-entry of this instrument into the world of musical contribution .
Wolf

FC Bass · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2015, 08:01:18 PM »

Looks like the sacrificial strip (walnut?) is still there, so a new fretboard might be an option...

I think for around $800 I would be tempted to rescue this puppy, no way near the current asking price...

Pretty sure it must be '84, most Alembics before '84 had the smaller truss rods cover (pickup closer to the neck)

(Message edited by fc_spoiler on November 14, 2015)