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Alembic Spoiler value!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????

bikeplate

bikeplate

Supporting Member
Jun 7, 2001
11,883
8,066
Upstate NY
#1
HI

Im starting this thread hoping its cool to do so and its in the right forum

I have an '83 Alembic Spoiler I bought brand new in '83. LOL. I was a senior in high school. Scraped the cash together and did it. Anyways, I used it primarily from then up until about 1999. It then got retired as I got into playing pretty much full time.

The people at the company sent me a card showing its date and woods used some time ago.

Zebra wood top and veneer headstock
mahogany back
maple neck w ebony board
clear finish(kinda matt not too glossy)
Spoiler electronics.
Production date 08-22-83

Its a cool bass. Tight string spacing, 2 octave neck, etc
Frets are still in good shape but probobly need a fret dress. Normal play wear but not major bumps or accidents. Its seen many, many gigs. Good sounding, easy to play. Has a small crack on on the front pickup where I screwed it in too tight about 22 years ago. LOL

So here is my question

Whats it worth???

Im thinking of moving it because I probobly will never play it again and Id rather do something else with the money. Here are some pics. I hope to hear from all you Alembic owners and people in the Alembic market who know values. Thanx for looking

Rob

spoilerbody.gif

spoilerfull.gif

spoilerhead.gif

spoilerback.gif

spoilercrack.gif

spoilercrack.gif
 
#5
Rob,

I've heard you mention over other posts that you owned an Alembic. Very nice looking bass and I bet it sounds great.

I regularly peruse eBay to check out what kind of Alembics are out there. Quite often you see 4 string Spoilers. I think most generally go for around $1k. However if you were to commission Alembic to build you a new one, I think $4k - $5k is more the price.

As suggested, check out the Alembic Club. There is a swap shop section where you could put it out there to a captivated audience, which would be above and beyond the normal avenues (eBay, here, Craigslist, etc.).

I realize basses are really just tools of the trade but this one does appear to have some value on top of the money you could get for it. Just my $0.02.

Best Wishes,
Bones
 
#16
I regularly peruse eBay to check out what kind of Alembics are out there. Quite often you see 4 string Spoilers. I think most generally go for around $1k. However if you were to commission Alembic to build you a new one, I think $4k - $5k is more the price.

As suggested, check out the Alembic Club. There is a swap shop section where you could put it out there to a captivated audience, which would be above and beyond the normal avenues (eBay, here, Craigslist, etc.).
Click to expand...
A grand would be a low average for a Spoiler with a fair amount of wear. Unless you are an exceptional photog., yours looks cleaner than a lot. The flatsawn Zebrawood top is not exactly an everyday thing either. Sometimes, Spoilers do go north of 2 grand, but not usually.

You should check in over at the Club to see what folks say there. If you join, you can post for sale at no cost. There are often players looking for Spoilers in that neighborhood. The Spoiler is most often the lowest priced neck through Alembic you'll find. It's an older model, but all Alembics are built like brick shXXhouses, so old is not exactly relevant. My first Alembic was a Spoiler and I often wish I had it back. Too bad you are done with this one, but somebody would love to play it. :bassist:
 
#18
bikeplate said:
I have an '83 Alembic Spoiler I bought brand new in '83. .....So here is my question

Whats it worth???
Click to expand...

(checks Paypal account........)

I think it's worth about $693.51 :hiding:


rrr_o_bbb said:
yeah, but I've seen the nicer ones fetch $1200+. I'd think with that zerbrawood top and nice condition you could count on that. Ebay might be a good route if you're able to, the spoilers sell there and the nice top might get some competitive bidding.
Click to expand...

About a year and a half ago you could get a really nice Alembic Epic on eBay for about $900 - 1,100 and a really nice Spoiler for about $1,200 - 1,500.

Then a funny thing happened.......Alembic raised prices. And the selling prices for used basses SHOT UP!!

Now a decent Epic goes for about $1,500. A Spoiler like Bikeplate's should go at least $1,800, maybe $2,200.

You really should have posted it up on the Alembic Club before going eBay. There are often guys there looking for medium scale basses. I'm pretty sure most, if not all, Spoilers were 32" scale.

In any event, good luck with the sale!

Peace,

James
 

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