Author Topic: Lefty left-handed spoiler?  (Read 86 times)

fideidefensor

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Lefty left-handed spoiler?
« on: February 15, 2025, 12:36:55 AM »
Hi all,

I've been in the market for a lefty Spoiler for almost 15 years. Had the chance to buy one on Reverb but it got snapped up right before me unfortunately. Anyone have a lefty they'd be willing to part with?

Second question: I could buy a right handed Spoiler near to me. Would it be possible to flip the nut and string it upside down so I could play it lefty? Or would that require proper left-handed hardware (for example if the tailpiece/bridge saddles etc wouldn't fit that way...).

edwardofhuncote

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Re: Lefty left-handed spoiler?
« Reply #1 on: February 15, 2025, 02:56:08 AM »
Hi and Welcome,

Wow, that is narrow and specific,  but I'm sure there are a few left-oriented Spoilers out there. I have a pretty good memory for stuff like this, so I'll file it away and keep an eye out. Too bad that one got away.

To answer your other question, assuming you could deal with A.) The controls in your way when playing, and B.) The body offset on the wrong side creating a bit of a balance issue...

...then yes, theoretically you could swap out the nut, not just flip it around. Disassemble and reverse the bridge saddles, or at worst, cut new bridge saddles. These are available from Alembic, as well as a new nut blank. You may also need to file out the slots in the tailpiece a bit for the larger strings. This is no big deal if you're a handy DIY'r. On the other hand, if you have to pay someone to do the work it adds cost to an already pretty expensive bass.

Good luck hunting, we'll try to help out. I had this same idea in reverse a few years ago and bailed out. It woulda' been fun though. https://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=23984.msg240132#msg240132 Ultimately, this bass got completed (as a lefty) with full Anniversary electronics, and ended up in the U.K. I believe.
« Last Edit: February 15, 2025, 03:06:06 AM by edwardofhuncote »

fideidefensor

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Re: Lefty left-handed spoiler?
« Reply #2 on: February 15, 2025, 05:23:14 AM »
Thanks, I appreciate that, Edward. There are specific lefty websites (lefty bass.com and leftybassist.com) but spoilers hardly show up there...the hunt continues  :)