1989 Spoiler check

[Cornelius]

Hello Everybody,

New to the forum, about to buy my first Alembic!

While looking for a Alembic Spoiler i came across a nice blue 1989 Spoiler. It looks really good but there is something unusual about it: all the hardware except for the nut is matte chrome. I have never seen a Alembic with matte chrome hardware, but i'm not an expert. Can you help me out? Curious what the experts can tell me about it!

And if somebody chromed the brass parts, would it be possible to remove the chrome again?

Thanks!

[pauldo]

Hi Cornelius,
I can’t say I have seen a matte finished chrome either.   Typically a polished chrome or brass are found on Alembics. 
It looks like original Alembic hardware but the finish is unique.

Did you ask the seller about it?   My first thought that some ‘media blasters’ used for stripping coatings / paint from metal will leave a definite matte finish. 

Others here may have more information.  If you can get the serial number from the seller and post it, there may be an available build record that could help answer this.

Paul. (who knows you would be happy with a Spoiler with or without matte finish hardware)

[mica]

To my knowledge, we have not done a matte chrome finish ever. On one Excel we did a brushed nickel finish.

So it seems that the hardware finish was done sometime after 1989 when it left the factory.

Sorry I couldn't offer any more insight into that.

[Cornelius]

Thanks for the information!

[BrusselsBass]

I understand that the translucent blue is a rare colour (all Alembic basses are rare of course). And I think the matt actually fits with the blue colour.
But does the mod on the bridge/tailpiece (could have been an electrolytic coating with nickel?) and exchange of tuners have a big impact on the resale value ?

[lbpesq]

Hi Ulrich, welcome to the club!   I don’t believe the mods you mention would have much effect on resale.  Alembics are so unique, and each one a little different.   They don’t seem to fall victim to the “everything must be original, even the frets” requirement that people impose on old Fenders and Gibsons.   While Alembics admittedly take a substantial hit in resale from the original new price, used ones hold their value quite well.   Generally you should be able to resell it for what you paid.

Bill, the guitar one

[BrusselsBass]

Thanks Bill, that's a very helpful comment. I'll hopefully see this bass early January.
Today a 2000 Essence with Europa electronics was put on the market close to me, so I'll have a look at this one first
(I may have to sacrifice a Bongo if I want both)
Is it true that Spoilers were the more entry model compared to Essence, or did they just come later?

[FC Bass]

The "standard" Spoiler has the oval inlays, bird tailpiece and double preamp + Q-switch, those are superior specs compared to the Essence.
(though these days the Essence might also come standard with the double preamp, not sure about that)

Together with the Distillate, the Spoiler was the first entry level Alembic.
IIrc current price of a spoiler is the same as the Rogue.

That's a nice one!
Could it just be dirty Chrome?