I've had this bass since 2020. It arrived with the action jacked way up at the nut and bridge. The bridge itself tilts back a bit, but is stable with string tension. The action is playable, but the bass doesn't play great. The biggest mechanical issue is the battery connector has dislodge from the top cap. It still works when it sits tightly in the battery slot but I'm afraid the next time I go to change the battery, It's never going to go back together. There is a chip on the back of the neck which goes down to bare wood. It's on the small side, but it's right where my thumb rests when I'm playing towards the first fret. There is also a dimple around the 3rd fret which hasn't broken through the clear finish. It's just another distraction while playing. The back has a big patch of buckle rash that has gone all the way through the clear to the wood. It looks terrible and I'm concerned the bare wood is going to have an adverse effect at some point. Lastly, the tailpiece has discolored terribly. There are dark patches all the way across. I don't know if that can be polished out with Brasso, or if it needs more than that. It really looks bad, as the sheen is completely gone. As I said in another forum about this bass, I've never seen an Alembic disrespected the way this one has. So, being that I live close to the factory, is this something they could take on, or do I have to look for someone who can do this kind of work?

Hi Beatle Pete, and welcome to the best place on the internet for all things Alembic.
Alembic would certainly be able to get that bass back to a great playable state or looking like new if that is your aim. Mica at alembic visits this forum regularly so I expect she will have sight of your posts soon.

I would suggest calling or emailing to make an appointment so you can both see what needs to be done.  Alembic are a small family business so it may sometimes take a little while to get a response back.

In the meantime posting photos on this forum will give more experienced members a chance to see the issues you have and also help you evaluate the seriousness of them.
These basses are well engineered so unless really badly treated, many things can be adjusted for a better playing experience.
That lean back bridge may just need new height adjustment screws.
Does the bass have a brass block that it screws into or is it screwed into the wood with metal inserts, or (hopefully not), directly into the wood?
 What is the condition of the electronics?

All the best with your bass.

Welcome Pete,

Being close to Alembic puts you at some advantage for factory support, but I honestly haven't seen anything in your post that couldn't be addressed by any competent repair person. Without seeing pictures, it sounds like you have a nice old player-grade Alembic, and not a case Queen... nothing to be the slightest bit put off by, but a sign of a well-loved bass. No need to worry about another ding or scratch.

The battery clip is a replaceable part. It could be spliced in or taken back to the board. I would not let just anyone be soldering on the original boards to these Spoilers. Splicing a new battery clip is a simple fix.

The chips and dents in the neck can be filled, leveled and smoothed so they don't affect your playing. I had a Hyak bass with a series of these right in the 'business section' a few years ago. Not suggesting you do this, just that it's easily done. 


The wear on the finish is a non-issue at this point... anything you put on it could make a future refinish difficult by filling the wood pores with something the new finish won't adhere too. Like a silicone. Either have the whole thing refinished or just leave it. 

There are entire threads here devoted to the cleaning and polishing the brass parts. Brasso, Scotchbrite, you may need to strip remnant of a clear protective finish off too. Some have suggested protecting with VO5 hair gel. 

If the bridge is leaning, I can only think of a couple reasons why... your Spoiler isn't likely to have a brass sustain block, but hey, it could. Is the bridge mounted directly to the top, or to a brass block? Are the height adjustment screws bent? Are they 'loose' in the threads? Are the threaded inserts they screw into not plumb? The best news; all the bridge parts are replaceable too, and you're close to the source. 

Some pics (when you can) would help us help you sort out how to get that bass in-spec. 

Again, welcome. 

I have a very pleasing followup to this post: I heard from Mica and we are finalizing an appointment for me to go up to Alembic and address the issues on my bass!!!!! This really is a magical place where anything can happen

Yup. Like Disneyland for bass players. 

I will be watching this thread to see if you manage to get out of there without considering a custom bass.:-)🥳

If I didn't just spend a good chunk of change on my 1987 Birdseye Maple Spoiler, I would say all bets are off. A Series I remains "The dream". I can't wait to get the pedigree on my new acquisition. I asked in the other forum for both of my Spoilers. I'd swear it's a custom bass. It has a few niceties like no other Spoiler I've ever had.

So, here are some of the issues I've been talking about, regarding the '83 Spoiler. Hopefully, the photos do them justice. The chip in photo 1 is deeper than it looks and definitely uncomfortable to the touch, the divot is towards the bottom of the photo in the middle and the tailpiece wear isn't showing up nearly as much as it does IRL. You can kinda see the tilt to the bridge. It's actually tilted back. I'll have to take better pictures tomorrow when the light is my friend.

Based on those pics and the repairs i've seen here over the years, the body damage does not seem to any kind of challenge for Alembic to sort out and the tailpiece looks more like the lacquer has peeled. 
But as you say these are some, not all issues.

My research has shown it's likely the bridge screws are most likely bent, which is why it's not straight. I'll let the experts determine that.

In the big scheme of things, the dislodged battery cap is probably the most urgent issue, along with that open chip on the back of the neck.