My first Alembic

[mike1762]

As a kid I always wanted an Alembic bass.  Although my playing these days is limited to my home studio, I finally satisfied those old desires and bought myself this 96 Spoiler:

When I first picked it up, it was strung/tuned as a piccolo.  Apparently Stanley Clarke had borrowed the bass while he was in town and used it for that purpose.  After re-stringing it, the first thing I noticed was how much more substantial it felt when compared to my other basses.  The tonal possibilities seem endless.  I really feel like this bass will make me a better player since it is unforgiving of sloppy technique (fretted notes sing out whether you ment them to or not and the effective R hand playing area for slap/pop is only about 3-4cm).  I look forward to learning to play this instrument.
 
I had an interesting experience purchasing the Spoiler.  It was in the shop on consignment but they had several new Alembics on the wall.  I asked to play one of the new basses and the guy looked at me like I had asked to test drive his wife.  I was informed that no one was allowed to play the SC Brown bass and that I could only finger-pick the Rogue (no slap/pop).  I understand they don't want kids wandering in and abusing the instruments, but I am a middle-aged guy with a bank account.  I had driven 4 hrs to make a purchase, so I let it slide and bought the Spoiler.  The owner of the shop might be interested to know that I was prepared to purchase several basses had I been treated like a customer rather than a nuisance.  Before I judge the establishment too harshly, I wonder if a DON'T TOUCH IT!!! policy (ala Nigel Tufnel)is common among Alembic dealers.

[speicky]

Hi, Mike,
 
great buy, congrats, I LOVE that top grain ! Nice report about the purchase also, I had the same experience... doesn't matter if you're a kid or middle-aged, willing to buy one or five Alembics at once, shop owners ARE suspicious... They must love them Alembics just like we do ! LOL
 
Knoxville, TN... There may be another Alembician freak just around the block...
 
congrats again, Christian

[David Houck]

Hi Mike; congrats and welcome!  I love the top on that Spoiler!

[2400wattman]

Well, that bass had been haunting me for months after I checked it out prior to hitting the Rush concert over the summer. It was my first time to go to Atlanta Bass Gallery myself, although I did'nt ask to try out anything uber pricey(that Spoiler & a red 5 string Essence were the only Alembics there) I picked up just about anything that peaked my curiosity with no confrontation/suspicion from the owner. He was very cool with me and even though I really did'nt need anything I bought a couple of sets of strings(D'addario's for my fretless)to help support the cause the only way I could at the time, besides I loved the fact that I was in Bass Heaven!
I also did visit Will Gunn's place to try out a Signature bass and he politely asked if I would wash my hands before handling the bass, no problem in my opinion as these are very expensive/luxury items and they should be treated as such until they're sold. Hey, maybe the owner of the Gallery would've rather you test drove his wife! heheehheee....wooooooooooo!
Oh and by the way (Christian knows this), I'm the other Alembic freak around the block in our neck of the woods. Enjoy the Spoiler it's a beauty.

[mike1762]

Thanks for the feedback.  I agree that ABG is a must see to believe for anyone appreciative of fine instruments.  I have never seen that much quality under one roof.  It sounds like no buy/no play may be a common policy; therefore, I have no hard feelings.  That being said, I would never buy a bass I hadn't put through its paces.  I'll continue to scour the used market for my next Alembic and let someone else take the depreciation!!!  Thanks again.

[pinbacking]

Sweet dude, check out your basses brother
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/28469.html?1150739043
 
  We're bass buddies!    Enjoy playing it

[mike1762]

 
 
My Spoiler at home

[mike1762]

96S9712 SMS4 Spoiler bass
 
top: Bocate
accent: Maple laminate
body: Mahogany
through body neck: 3-piece Maple with Walnut pinstripes, 32 medium scale
fingerboard: Ebony with pearloid inlays
pickups: 2 Alembic AXY
controls: Spoiler: volume, filter, 2-positino Q-switch, 4-position rotary pickup selector switch, mono output
birthday March 15, 1996
originally made for: Musician's Friend
 
There's a previously registered owner in TN.

[12stringwilson]

I take it you were at the ATL Bass Gallery?
 
Had similar experiences there. LOL

[mike1762]

Yep, that was the place.  I must admit that I have since eaten my words and bought a SC (via the internet) and a Series I (from a club member) without playing them.

[mike1762]

SOLD!!!  I loved the bass, but I've migrated towards electronics packages that are a bit more flexible.

[adriaan]

You know that for a really measly sum of money, you could have had the electronics modified at the mothership, like changing from the pu switch to a pu blend knob, and perhaps a 3-way Q switch. That's a whole lot of flexibility that the standard Spoiler package did not have, but with the original settings still available. Plus you keep the double pre-amp, which is a bonus.

[mike1762]

That's a good point (and I did consider upgrading it).  But since I already have basses with Signature and Anniversary electronics, it was not getting any playing time.  I've gotten really reluctant to alter any of my instruments after decimating the resale value on several of my non-Alembic basses.  I realize that is not an issue with Alembic (as long as you stick with Alembic components), but nonetheless...

[vince_klortho]

mike1762 : funny story. A similar thing happened with me.  I walked into one of the larger music stores in Portland and told a guy I wanted to look at some basses.  He asked how much I could spend and I said no limit.  He walked over and showed me some cheap crap made in Korea so I turned around and walked out.  A week later I bought an Alembic and I am very glad that I did.  By the way, that was almost 30 years ago.

[wishbass]

Looooove Spoilers!