Author Topic: 3 PU Spoiler??  (Read 415 times)

pegleg

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3 PU Spoiler??
« on: March 20, 2004, 07:39:21 PM »
I have come across a 3 (matching Alembic) pickup Spoiler #82 or 3S25??.  Has anybody seen or heard of this before?  And what would be the benefit of a 3rd one?

keavin

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3 PU Spoiler??
« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2004, 04:44:29 AM »
bigger tone ,almost like a strat, w/all 3 p/u running simotaniously,or 1,2,3-or mix em up you would need to install an additional ,vol ,or pickup selector switch

pegleg

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3 PU Spoiler??
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2004, 12:50:49 PM »
Being a strat owner and having tried many different PU combinations, I hear you.  However, isn't a bit like gilding the lily w/ Alembic PUs?  Or, are we talking about a personal taste and preference thing, cost v. benefit analysis, etc.?  Do you think this is an after-factory mod?

senmen

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3 PU Spoiler??
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2004, 12:57:31 PM »
Michael,
every time I read your synonym it reminds me of John Entwistle?s song: Peg Leg Leggy.....
 
Oliver (Spyderman)

mica

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3 PU Spoiler??
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2004, 09:00:51 AM »
Without the serial number, we won't be able to tell if it was originally made that way (doubtful though) or if it was modified later. I recall seeing a Koa Spoiler picture somewhere with three pickups, and it looked like a nice install (good routing, etc.)  
 
Obvioulsy someone thought it was needed to add a pickup. The pickup placement does change the tone. Maybe the neck pickup was too bassy for them?

effclef

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3 PU Spoiler??
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2004, 12:59:22 PM »
Pegleg, is this the one you were looking at?
 

 
If so, I would guess the three silver toggle switches are the on-off switches for the pickups. Doubt that's a factory job, though as Mica mentioned (if this is the same bass) the routing looks good. Who knows if anything's been done to the back, etc. I am curious where he patches in the third pickup if the normal Spoiler electronics has a separate preamp for each pickup (or does it simply buss them together into one preamp?).  
 
EffClef

lembic76450

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3 PU Spoiler??
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2004, 02:27:28 PM »
Andy,   where is that from???
 
Kenn

effclef

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3 PU Spoiler??
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2004, 02:44:55 PM »
Kenn, in case it is the one Pegleg is talking about (and may want to buy), I won't post where I saw it yet - if he wants to, he can. Don't want to cause someone else to see it and buy it out from under him!
 
However, that being said, it is still listed as being for sale as far as I know.
 
EffClef

pegleg

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3 PU Spoiler??
« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2004, 04:44:45 PM »
Thanks effclef for your input and consideration.  I am seriously looking at this one for my first Alembic and would be heart broken (kinda) if someone else snagged it.  Since we just met Kenn, don't make me take my leg off and come whup you wid it. ;-)

lembic76450

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3 PU Spoiler??
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2004, 05:14:24 PM »
Let me be the first to roll the red carpet right up to your first purchase. After 25 years as a Series I owner, I just bought a Spoiler about month ago. I would highly recommend the Spoiler.
Discretion is always the better part of valor.
I also add my welcome,   Kenn

pegleg

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3 PU Spoiler??
« Reply #10 on: March 22, 2004, 05:41:12 PM »
Thanks Kenn.  Question: Why would a Series I owner buy a Spoiler?...not enough toys...one for the kids/grandkids....

lembic76450

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3 PU Spoiler??
« Reply #11 on: March 22, 2004, 06:18:07 PM »
As you will soon see, some deals are too good to pass up. It also is a fantastic player.
Kenn

David Houck

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3 PU Spoiler??
« Reply #12 on: March 22, 2004, 06:41:17 PM »
Welcome to the group, Michael!  I think you will want to find out as much as you can about that modification.  On my Spoiler the pickup selector switch and the filter are on the same printed circuit board.  Since the pickup selector switch has been removed, I would be concerned about the filter.  I would suggest you get the full serial number and post it so Mica can look it up.  If possible, it would also be a good idea to get a picture of the control cavity and post it; maybe Mica and/or others would be able to tell what's been done.  If it has been done right, the three pickup idea could be really nice.  But at the moment I'm leaning toward the pessimistic side if only because of that printed circuit board and the filter control.

effclef

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3 PU Spoiler??
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2004, 05:59:28 AM »
Pegleg, you're welcome. Hopefully you are near this bass and can check it out in person? I think that's the important thing. Stock, the Spoiler should have just two pickups, the filter, Q switch, and a volume control. Who knows what the mod may have done, as Dave says. I am not sure if the circuit board of this vintage would be printed, or hard-wired perf board. At any rate, it should not look sloppy at all.  
 
So to add a third pickup, someone would have had to tie the signal in somewhere. He may have run each pickup to one silver toggle switch (Alembic used black, btw) and from there into what used to be one pickup input for the filter board. Note that all three silver toggles are part of the mod.
 
It's a huge unknown and without really checking the bass out, opening the control cover, and looking, you won't be certain.  
 
If this is the bass in the picture I posted, bear in mind the price is not at a huge discount considering the mods. A stock Spoiler is sometimes about this price.  
 
Of course, if the mods were done at the factory (only they can confirm) then it would be highly unusual but that would rule out a sloppy amateur mod!
 
Investigate more, and post what you see or hear.  
 
EffClef

pegleg

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3 PU Spoiler??
« Reply #14 on: March 23, 2004, 04:09:29 PM »
Here they are gang.  Now play nice.