Author Topic: Spoiler questions (Read 156 times)

bumhucker · « **on:** March 13, 2006, 06:06:28 PM »

I am considering getting a spoiler-
has anyone ever owned a lighter weight spoiler-under 9 lbs?

are they comfortable? they don't normally have contours right?

sorry for all the questions!

i have seen quite a few used spoilers around on the net-i could actually afford one of those soon-a custom shrot scale essence is a ways off in my future. 32 scale might be a good compromise...

pas · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2006, 05:15:47 AM »

I've been playing a spoiler since '85 - bubinga top. Not too heavy for me & perfectly balanced. Medium scale really makes playing in 1st postion quite comfortable. I also had one with a cocobolo top & crown headstock. It was somewhat heavier, due to the cocobolo, but still balanced well. Having a wide strap will help distribute the weight better. Highly recommended.

ed_r · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2006, 03:41:22 PM »

.

(Message edited by ed_r on March 14, 2006)

bumhucker · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2006, 05:59:03 AM »

is it a pain to slap on the spoiler cuz the neck pickup is so close?
it seems like there might be just enough room...

adriaan · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2006, 06:28:41 AM »

Depends how fast and furious you get, I suppose.

The earliest Spoilers had the neck pickup really close to the end of the fretboard. On my 1988, the gap is already wider, and it's plenty of space for what I do slap-wise. Newer Spoilers seem to have the neck pickup even further away, perhaps the same distance as on Epics and Orions - which seems to be roughly twice the distance.

pas · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2006, 08:43:11 AM »

I rarely slap, so it's not much of a concern for me. That being said, I prefer the location of the neck pick-up being flush up against the truss rod cover, as it is on my '85 spoiler. My '99 spoiler, which was custom built, gave me a shock when I opened the case & saw it the first time. The neck pick-up was moved further back towards the bridge. I wish I had known they were going to do that. Keep in mind, this was before we had the Alembic Club & an FTC section. I didn't like the new pick up placement from a feel, tone or aesthetic standpoint.

In addition, the neck profile on the 2 spoilers were different. The 85 has a little thicker & has been the picture of stability - I've NEVER had to tweak it. The 99 - which had purpleheart laminates - was thinner, and although the purpleheart is supposed to provide more rigidity to the neck, I had to tweak it repeatedly.

Next time I order a custom, I'll have every nuance accounted for.

bumhucker · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2006, 09:13:01 AM »

cool-thanks for the info. i'll just look for an 89 or newer. i'm not a huge slapper but sometimes i have to whip it out. that's good to know about the neck profile too.

adriaan · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2006, 10:56:30 PM »

Just to give you an impression of the distance you should find on a late 1980s Spoiler:

pas · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2006, 05:09:26 AM »

The way the neck pick up is flush up against the truss rod cover - definitely my preference.

Contrast that with my '99 spoiler:

http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/3653.html?1141066721

adriaan · « **Reply #9 on:** March 16, 2006, 05:44:58 AM »

Agreed Paul, the neck pickup on your 99 is way out there - might sound fine, but the looks ...

Check out this set-neck baby blue Spoiler in FTC -http://club.alembic.com/Images/631/19065.html?1140635371 - the neck pickup is in the sweet spot, and somehow it looks more in balance.

By the way, the earliest Spoilers had a much narrower truss rod cover, and the neck pickup was closer to the end of the fretboard.

bumhucker · « **Reply #10 on:** March 16, 2006, 01:22:30 PM »

cool-thanks for the examples. i know what to look for now! there is a koa spoiler on ebay right now but i don't have the $$ yet. dang it. it's nice one.