'83 Spoiler got the blues

[texangerbil]

Hello all! This is my first posting on here. I've just acquired a rather beautiful maple-faced Spoiler which has been abused over the years and I thought I'd canvass some opinions on fixing her up.
Apart from the fact that it'll need a refret before too long (recently dressed but getting really low and fat) the main issue is the state of the finish. I'm guessing a previous owner was a very energetic rocker who sweated a lot as the various areas that your body would touch while playing have checked. Also the neck is worn through to the wood on the lower frets and it feels rough and uncomfortable. Plus loads of dings, buckle rash and the odd gouge. It looks OK from a distance but close to it's definitely seen better days. I'm considering sanding it back to bare wood and refinishing it with oil. So I guess the key question is - do people think that's a bad idea? Would a refin reduce its value? Is original better than fresh and tidy?
And if I did refinish, how would I get the cast logo off the headstock? Are they just glued onto the surface?

[dannobasso]

I've had Alembic do refinishes on 2 of mine. An 83 Spoiler 4 in black and an Essence 5 w/leds in black. I'm still waiting on the second bass. But they are just like brand new.  
I believe the logo has 2 or 3 very small posts that are glued onto the headstock. But me memory can be a bit fuzzy. Go for it.

[texangerbil]

Thanks Danno. I did wonder if the logo had fixing posts. A factory overhaul would be a dream come true but probably cost more than the bass itself, plus I'm in the UK so the shipping and customs stuff would be a pain.
I know Alembic have used oil finishes but does anyone know if any Spoilers were ever factory finished with oil rather than polywhatever clearcoat?

[terryc]

texangerbil - The logo is glue pinned in so you would destroy it if you tried to remove it.
Why don't you e mail Alembic with some pics so they can survey the condition and give you a quote on the cost of re finish and compare it to a new Spoiler on the website. They could re finish, re fret and set it up for you all at the same time.
You could research a wood finisher and luthier if it costs too much, personally I would send my MK back to Alembic no matter what the cost.
What about posting some pics on this thread, there are some very helpful people on here(davehouck, dfung, adriann) to mention a few who can give you sound advice.

[jacko]

Where in the UK are you Nigel? I can recommend Jimmy Moon in Glasgow for refinishing if you're near enough. He refinished the neck on Mike Pisanek's spoiler, even giving it a satin finish as is the current standard. The quality is superb, dare I say even as good as the original.
 
graeme

[white_cloud]

Hi Nigel, welcome to the club from another new UK Alembic owner! I can totally agree with Graeme about Jimmy moon, I have used him on a few occaisions and he is a quite superb luthier. He is also very reasonable in my opinion, and at the end of the day I feel it would be worth the investment to bring your spoiler back to life! Im an amateur furniture maker and personally would be extremely nervous about the results of trying to achieve a consistant re-finish to an Alembic (but then I am a big wuss John.

[terryc]

Jacko - yes you dare but I would imagine there are some great craftsman out there..remember Sei basses...fanstastic workmanship
 
white cloud - so you managed to pull yourself away from your spoiler for a short time to add to the thread..playing an Alembic is like a drug
Addictive!!!!!

[jacko]

Now that I have my balance K as a fretted bass, i'm considering sending my old epic across to jimmy for a strip down and refinish. It came with the old 'cheap' satin finish which is much less robust than the new gloss finish. As a result, there are several fingernail marks between the pickups where I've been hammering the B string a bit too hard. Also there are one or two dings on the body that could benefit from some attention. In addition, I think I'll probably have the neck 'satinised' to aid playing. If it happens, I'll let you all know how it turns out.
 
graeme

[white_cloud]

Hi again Terry, I think we are following each other around the club site my friend! Funny you have mentioned SEI basses, it was the two guys who craft them that sold me the Persuader from their bass gallery. I actually am sitting at the computer with my new Alembic..so I havent dragged myself away at all John.

[texangerbil]

All good stuff, thanks guys. I'm London based but anywhere in the UK is better (and cheaper)than shipping back to California! Jimmy Moon certainly looks like a quality guy, and recommendations here obviously help. I'll give him a try.
I will definitely post some pix once I've got my digital camera sorted.

[white_cloud]

Shipping to Glasgow may cost you a bit of cash and inconvenience, but Jimmy is a top guy! Hopefully some English based Alembic club members will see this and make some suggestions!