Black Alembic Spoiler (Cliff Burton-alike) on Reverb

[Clarky]

I have a hankering for replacing my long-sold black Spoiler and spotted this overnight. The bass is in Mexico. Two things put me off: the seller claims it weighs 6kg plus case (surely he means including case but I did give him the opportunity to correct this if it was a mistake); also its pretty bashed around and dinged for the price. Still someone here may want it:

https://reverb.com/item/33972935-alembic-spoiler-1984-black

[Clarky]

Wonder if anyone has any thoughts on this, if it turns out the weight is manageable? Neck pickup obviously a replacement. The jack input has cracked the paintwork around it and one of teh pickup screws is missing from the bridge pickup. That apart, it looks structurally fine to me, if pretty bashed

[Clarky]

Hi, sorry to spam the site but does anyone have any views about whether this would be a worthwhile buy *if* the weight turns out to be incorrectly stated and therefore manageable? I presume the dings could be touched up by a pro paint shop like Sims in the UK?

Thanks!!!

[edwardofhuncote]

Clarky, I would expect to pay less than $1500 USD for that bass. It is a very salvage-able Spoiler... I don't see any structural problems with it, and black would be fairly easy to touch up or just repaint. You might make a lesser offer stick, but $2000 will get you a much nicer Spoiler if you wait a bit. 

The weight I'd guess to be something between 9-10 lbs, whatever that works out to be in Kg. My Persuader 5-string doesn't even come close to 13.3 lbs, so unless they packed the electronics cavity full of tacks, I say no way... that must be a mistake. 

Nice to see you around here again!   

[Clarky]

Many thanks! Problem is I haven't seen a black 4 string Spoiler come up for years (apart from those 2 custom jobs last year with Sig electronics). So I may have to lower my standards (in truth I would prefer it yo be in much better condition)

[hieronymous]

Yeah, it definitely looks to have lived a pretty rough life.

Re: the pickups - there should actually only be two "upper" screws on opposite corners, then two "lower" screws in the opposite corners. Instructions for adjusting here. Interesting that the pickups are different - maybe one replaced at some point? Good catch on that one! Maybe use it as a bargaining chip to get the price down? Also lots of chips in the finish on the headstock. Anyone think maybe the finish isn't original?


Could you get a "natural" finish Spoiler and have it finished black?

[elwoodblue]

  Anyone think maybe the finish isn't original?


Could you get a "natural" finish Spoiler and have it finished black?

That thought crossed my mind. I think I see a reddish tint over figured wood.

[Clarky]

Thanks gents. Yes, it does look like the paint job is a refin over a natural wood finish. I recall resident Metallica expert @FC bass did the same to at least one of his Spoilers.

Having asked again, it turns out the bass weighs 4.3kg

Decisions, decisions ...

[Clarky]

OK, its on its way to me and at a decent discount to the stated price. The guitar shop said: "The pickup was not replaced, the previous owner told me it was asked like that, with lower output than the original. The paint is original. The previous owner was the original owner who bought it new in the 80's. The Q filter works great. Everything is in good condition. The double trussrod is working properly. He also said the frets are a little worn but have years left in them and the electronics are all intact and working.

Ok, I fully accept its a bit of a gamble and a fixer-upper. But I have been waiting years for a black Spoiler to come up and its (relatively) cheap. Most Spoilers in Europe are natural finish and typically around the $2500 mark.

[jazzyvee]

Glad you have found another spoiler. I think i remember you selling your previous one because of the weight so i hope this one is suitable.

[Clarky]

Thanks jazzyvee. Its 4.3kg which is OK for me. Gonna take a while to get to me, reckoning 3 oe so weeks including getting through UK import procedure

[edwardofhuncote]

Good for you Clarky - well done. I kinda' thought they'd discount that one a bit, glad it worked out. 4.3 kg (= 9.48 lbs) you say...   I guessed between 9 and 10 lbs.


Keep us updated on the restoration. 

[hieronymous]

Congrats! Looking forward to hearing about it once you get it. I'm a fan of black basses - I've diversified, but I've had black ones since my early Fender Japan basses in the '80s through my Jetglo Rickenbackers.

[Clarky]

Well it arrived today. More battered even than the pics showed. With a little black nail varnish it looks considerably better! Sounds great and just needs my Alembic strings to arrive rather than horrid Roto steels to finish setting it up perfectly to my tastes :-)

[Clarky]

Quick pic