'88 black Spoiler for sale in UK [SOLD]

[clarkybass]

For all you Metallica fans! Sadly I have decided to sell my Spoiler as my damaged left shoulder and back can no longer carry an 11 pound bass comfortably. Its not in perfect cosmetic condition but looks RAWK and is probably the more giggable for not being a museum piece. Looking for ?1400 posted in UK or ?1450 posted to continental Europe. Here is a link with some photos for my FS post on the UK bass forum BassChat http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=108401&st=0#entry1004229

[clarkybass]

Edit: to contact me, use my work email/blackberry address
 
mark dot clark at db dot com

[clarkybass]

This may sound silly/unlikely but if anyone has an early 80s black Spoiler (which I know were much lighter) and wants a heavier one I would happily trade. Unless you ask ....  
 
I love everything about my bass apart from its weight!

[FC Bass]

Much lighter is about 245 grams (about 0,54 p) in my case.
 
In the left corner we have a '83 Spoiler weighing  in at 4180 grams (about 9.2 p) and in the right corner a '88 Spoiler weighing  in at 4425 grams (about 9.8 p)
 
Seems like my '88 is much lighter than yours...
 
Good luck! Hope you'll find something of yer liking soon!

[adriaan]

Looking at my 88 Spoiler and 94 Epic, the thickness of the Spoiler body as a whole is about the same as that of the Epic without the top. That should account for a few pounds of difference.

[clarkybass]

I am withdrawing this from sale as - having had a session on it again yesterday evening - it plays so beautifully and sounds so good.  
 
The weight remains a serious issue but I am going to persevere with a more supportive strap. I will also keep an eye open for a lighter, early 80s lookalike - if one should come along (albeit they rarely do, as you guys all know) I will probably buy that one and put this bass up for sale again.

[clarkybass]

It's no good. Tried an extended session tonight on this bass and it's just too heavy for me (I was using a 4 inch wide padded leather Minotaur strap). I am going to find a lighter example of this bass and am selling this one. ?100 price cut too, to ?1300 posted in the UK (?50 more to mainland Europe)

[oddmetersam]

Hey, Mark
I can relate to the weight issue but I just have to ask: Is sitting down while you play out of the question? If you are otherwise satisfied with your current Alembic, why give her up -- especially since there are so many examples of other owners later regretting letting their Alembics go? And let's face it, no two are alike and you may never find another that otherwise sings to you as this one does.
 
But whatever you do, good luck!
-Sam

[clarkybass]

Hi Sam, I am in two bands, one I play double bass in and the other a punk trio. I am afraid I would get things thrown at me if I played sat down in a punk band! Thanks anyway!

[adriaan]

Mark, in the punk trio, do you jump around the stage a lot? And how low do you wear the bass?

[clarkybass]

I do try to keep things visually appealing as there's only two of us in front of the drummer! I wear the bass medium height (neither low slung nor Mark King stylee)

[adriaan]

We had quite a bit of a discussion on the subject a few years ago, it's under Owning an Alembic ? Fun Stories ? Oh my aching back....

[clarkybass]

Thanks adriaan but I am definitely selling as the alternatives (brace strap, playing seated) are not viable as far as I am concerned. I've just put the bass on ebay UK. I am going to bide my time until an early '80s black Spoiler (along the lines of FC Spoiler's) comes along and I will buy that instead, solving my problem at a stroke

[clarkybass]

This is now sold via eBay  
 
I will be keeping my eye open on the forum (and elsewhere) for a lightweight (under 10 pounds; hopefully close to 9 pounds) black Spoiler or Elan/Europa. 4 or 5 string.

[clarkybass]

(duplicate post, oops)
 
(Message edited by clarkybass on November 15, 2010)