Author Topic: Newbie 83 spoiler question (Read 581 times)

elzie · « **Reply #15 on:** August 02, 2003, 05:52:01 AM »

You know Dave, I honestly don't know. I bought the bass used a few years back and the owner didn't tell me much.

I learned more from Rami

If someone is good with determining wood from a picture, I would gladly snap some more.

Paul, The Next Generation

kipknee · « **Reply #16 on:** August 02, 2003, 07:40:32 AM »

DuckMauler,

A couple of comments here. First, on the Spoiler, make sure that you're running a good battery. Make sure your strings are not dead. Make sure you're running good amps/cabinets. Also, as Mica said, play around with the tone/filter controls to get a feel for the different sounds this bass will produce. The Spoiler is a great instrument. I bought mine used in 1984 or 1985 (I forget now) it's been my go to bass for almost 20 years. Even now that I own a Series I bass, I still grab the Spoiler for most gigs.

All that being said, you also must know that the Spoiler is NOT a Jazz bass. The tones they produce are totally different. Because of the bolt-on neck and single-coil pickups, the short sustain on the Jazz bass often gets interpreted/described as punchy. It's definitely a specific sound. I occasionally get calls for a gig that simply require that traditional Jazz bass sound. For those gigs, I keep an actual Fender Jazz bass tucked away in my closet.

I hope this helps. Whatever you do, don't yank the pickups on the Spoiler, you'll end up creating more problems than you solve. Worst case scenario: sell the Spoiler and buy another Jazz bass.

mattheus · « **Reply #17 on:** August 02, 2003, 10:32:38 AM »

Hi there.
Problems with a Spoiler? I own a Spoiler since '87. It's been my 'workhorse' ever since. I've also owned a Series 2, but I always ended up using my Spoiler. Like Mica suggested, try different positions of the tone control. It's amazing. A very simple and easy control, to get very various bass-sounds. As for the compressed sound you get; perhaps a low battery? Or, sometimes a cable. Try monster cables. They are expensive, but suddenly you get a wall of sound! Do you use a wireless set-up? If so, every wireless system compresses your sound. Simple to test, compare a wireless system next to a (good) cable; you won't believe your ears. Perhaps something in backline isn't working properly. Remember you're using an active bass. Try another input on your amp (Sometimes amps have different inputs for activ and non-activ basses). I hope you can solve your problem. With my Spoiler I only get complaints that it sounds too dynamic. (Tech guys, what do they know about basses ; ) )
Good luck, and bass along

Mattheus tDo

duckmauler · « **Reply #18 on:** August 02, 2003, 10:36:07 AM »

wow guys this is a real treasure chest of knowlegde here and i appreciate all the help. I have owned the bass for about a year, i play thru 2 Hartke systems one is a 4 12 cabinet and the other is a 15 and 2 10's. i mainly play small clubs and rely on stage volume as i am not mixed into the PA. The action is very low and the pickups are less the 1/4 inch away from the strings. The tone has not seemed to me to change over the period i have owned the bass, and yes in the begining being a Fender man i ran everything wide open but i did see the benefit in using the Q sweep and tone knob in fact a get a very nice quasi-fretless sound by manipulating the tone. Maybe i should also tell you all what type of music i play i am in a varierty band which means everything from Patsy Cline to Talking Heads to Bob Marley and Gatemouth Brown so a wide range of sounds is something i need to have. I think Elzie might be on track when he mentioned i could stand to update the electronics, i know the previous owner of the bass and lets just say the Spoiler is in a much happier home now. How do i go about getting the electronics updated and where can i find cost and specs for that type of job? I really like the way this bass handles and feels and plays, it a lot easier to play then my Jazz, and i would like to make it my workhorse providing i can get that ever elusive perfect tone And just a word to everyone out there i really appreciate the info and insight you are providing, i have been a working musician for the last 23 years (i am 40 now)and like someone once said there is no substitute for experience and everybody here seems to have a lot of that. Thanks again and i will let you know how things work out

elzie · « **Reply #19 on:** August 02, 2003, 11:11:54 AM »

As for the electronics, first figure out what you want, stock replacement or something different.

I think a stock replacement may do very well for you. You should e-mail Mica with your serial number and other information and ask her real nice if she would provide you with a price quote for the new electronics. And be patient, as they are a very busy group of people at Alembic!

It sounds as you have already been through everything else; battery, pickup hieght, etc.... I also use Hartke equipment, so I know you should be getting some hefty presence from your setups!

Paul

duckmauler · « **Reply #20 on:** August 02, 2003, 11:48:22 AM »

ok stop the presses i have been tweaking on the bass for about 45 min and then it came!!! the perfect combination of pickup height (super raised to within a whisker of the string for the bridge pickup and bout 1/4 in away from the string for the neck pu) then went in back and adjusted the balance and BOOM i found the growl i have been looking for!!
Honestly it sounds like a whole new instrument i can't wait to get to the gig tonight and try it on my 15 and 2 10 hartke set up also fyi i went into the passive input on the amp i find i get a lil more gain that way and i am using no compression and have the eq switch turned off, running everything else essentially flat so its all the tone of the Alembic. Color me converted

duckmauler · « **Reply #21 on:** August 03, 2003, 10:33:10 AM »

ok it is now the next day and i played it last night and noticed something a lil funny. first off i installed a new battery and had a new guitar cable, when i initally pluged up it sounded nice and crisp good tone all was well. then about 45 min or so into the set i noticed i seemed to lose a lil high end the sound got duller for lack of a better term. ok then break time i unplug the bass so as to save battery, then come back in about 15 20 min and sounds good again and as i got into the set it went dull. Any thoughts or ideas as to why? perhaps the electronics are a bit old and as i said the previous owner was not the best for care. I welcome anyones ideas. I feel like i am so close lol please .let me know what you all think
thanks

duckmauler · « **Reply #22 on:** August 03, 2003, 10:36:20 AM »

ok it is now the next day and i played it last night and noticed something a lil funny. first off i installed a new battery and had a new guitar cable, when i initally pluged up it sounded nice and crisp good tone all was well. then about 45 min or so into the set i noticed i seemed to lose a lil high end the sound got duller for lack of a better term. ok then break time i unplug the bass so as to save battery, then come back in about 15 20 min and sounds good again and as i got into the set it went dull. Any thoughts or ideas as to why? perhaps the electronics are a bit old and as i said the previous owner was not the best for care. I welcome anyones ideas. I feel like i am so close lol please .let me know what you all think
thanks

dnburgess · « **Reply #23 on:** August 03, 2003, 04:11:19 PM »

Duck, sounds kinda like a problem I had a while back which turned out to be due to some dodgy capacitors. Turned out to be a fairly minor repair - assuming you have access to a tech that really knows their business.