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Alembic Spoiler - your thoughts?
- Thread starter thisSNsucks
- Start date
I am 6-0 regarding necks on Alembics. Six Alembics (4 have moved on, 2 staying put), no neck problems. Can't remember what the neck construction was on the Spoiler that was my first Alembic, but 4 of the others have Maple with Purpleheart laminates. The 1974 Series I had a different wood in place of the Purpleheart. Can't remember if it was Vermilion or something else.
Here's the back lams on the '74. It was serial number 84. Stanley Clarke's "School Days" bass was serial number 80, so I guess they were nursery mates.
And here's more traditional neck lams on my '87 Series I. This one used to be Stanley's.
So I keep hearing in this thread from owners about the Spoiler having "not a lot of bottom" and an "aggressive" tone (I like aggressive, do not like "no bottom"). Could it be the electronics???
malthumb, I believe the problem was the three piece neck; if I were to buy another Alembic, it would have at least a 5 piece neck, as I think those are stronger.
My Spoilers have the heaviest bottom compared to the others I have.
Electronics has no influence on that, since its all basically the same. (not included series, those are in a different league)
The difference in electronics is versatility, more filters is more tone control.
Link Removed
1983 Spoiler: Solid Koa body wings, three piece Maple neck, AXY pickups, Spoiler electronics (vol, filter, Q switch and pickup selector)
Soundclips: Youtube link played with pick, Youtube link fingerstyle, Youtube link with heavy overdrive (studio)
Link Removed
1988 Spoiler: Mahogany body, Coco Bolo top, three piece Maple neck, AXY pickups, Spoiler electronics.
Soundclip: Youtube link studio tuned ADGC
Link Removed
1990 Elan: Maple body, Quilted Maple top, three piece Maple neck, P/J pickups, Elan electronics (vol, filter, Q switch, pan)
Soundclip: Not really good representative Youtube link
Link Removed
2006 Custom fretless: Mahogany body, Spalted Maple top, Purpleheart accent, Maple veneer, 5 piece neck (3 Maple, 2 walnut very thin veneers) MXY pickups (same as axy, in smaller box) Signature electronics (vol, filter and Q switch for each pickup, pan)
I've upgraded the electronics last year, in the picture it has its old setup (Essence + Q switch) Same as Elan electronics but with only one internal trimpot for output gain. (in the other basses you can set the gain for each pickup)
Soundclips: Link Removed, Another not so really good representative Youtube link
Link Removed
2010 Elan 5: Maple body, Flamed Maple top, 7 piece neck (4 Flamed Maple, 3 Purpleheart) J/P/J pickups, Signature ++ custom electronics, vol, filter and 3 way Q switch for each pickup, pan for J pickups, pickup selector to switch between or combine p and J pickups + standby
Soundclips: Youtube link, Youtube link through line 6 Ampeg simulation and some clean + chorus sounds
No problems with unstable necks here, they stay in tune very well and action can be set extremely low.
But I can highly recommend the multi lam neck, there's definitely an increase in sustain and it looks awesome:
Link Removed
Walnut veneers:
Link Removed
3 piece Maple:
Link Removed
Electronics has no influence on that, since its all basically the same. (not included series, those are in a different league)
The difference in electronics is versatility, more filters is more tone control.
Link Removed
1983 Spoiler: Solid Koa body wings, three piece Maple neck, AXY pickups, Spoiler electronics (vol, filter, Q switch and pickup selector)
Soundclips: Youtube link played with pick, Youtube link fingerstyle, Youtube link with heavy overdrive (studio)
Link Removed
1988 Spoiler: Mahogany body, Coco Bolo top, three piece Maple neck, AXY pickups, Spoiler electronics.
Soundclip: Youtube link studio tuned ADGC
Link Removed
1990 Elan: Maple body, Quilted Maple top, three piece Maple neck, P/J pickups, Elan electronics (vol, filter, Q switch, pan)
Soundclip: Not really good representative Youtube link
Link Removed
2006 Custom fretless: Mahogany body, Spalted Maple top, Purpleheart accent, Maple veneer, 5 piece neck (3 Maple, 2 walnut very thin veneers) MXY pickups (same as axy, in smaller box) Signature electronics (vol, filter and Q switch for each pickup, pan)
I've upgraded the electronics last year, in the picture it has its old setup (Essence + Q switch) Same as Elan electronics but with only one internal trimpot for output gain. (in the other basses you can set the gain for each pickup)
Soundclips: Link Removed, Another not so really good representative Youtube link
Link Removed
2010 Elan 5: Maple body, Flamed Maple top, 7 piece neck (4 Flamed Maple, 3 Purpleheart) J/P/J pickups, Signature ++ custom electronics, vol, filter and 3 way Q switch for each pickup, pan for J pickups, pickup selector to switch between or combine p and J pickups + standby
Soundclips: Youtube link, Youtube link through line 6 Ampeg simulation and some clean + chorus sounds
No problems with unstable necks here, they stay in tune very well and action can be set extremely low.
But I can highly recommend the multi lam neck, there's definitely an increase in sustain and it looks awesome:
Link Removed
Walnut veneers:
Link Removed
3 piece Maple:
Link Removed
I've had an Epic 5 string (90's?) and a Spoiler 4 string ('85) with no neck problems. Haven't come across an Alembic with neck problems. For that matter, with any problems that weren't due to abuse. Not saying the previous posters abused theirs, or didn't have the problems they describe; just don't want readers to have the impression that bad necks are common. Before this thread, I had not heard of any.
Regarding the tone, I use pretty thin strings - 90 E usually, though I have dabbled in 85. I also like tube amps pushed slightly out of "clean tone" territory. I'd describe my preferred Spoiler tone as aggressive and without a lot of low end. By "aggressive" I mean good mids and strong treble; perfect example would be Live at Leeds. Not saying I have that tone, just that I love it.
I haven't really tried for a more conventional, bottom heavy sound so can't comment on that. However, I did find that with the Q on and the filter turned all the way down, it sounds like I'm playing through just a subwoofer. Plenty of low end, but no highs at all.
Regarding the tone, I use pretty thin strings - 90 E usually, though I have dabbled in 85. I also like tube amps pushed slightly out of "clean tone" territory. I'd describe my preferred Spoiler tone as aggressive and without a lot of low end. By "aggressive" I mean good mids and strong treble; perfect example would be Live at Leeds. Not saying I have that tone, just that I love it.
I haven't really tried for a more conventional, bottom heavy sound so can't comment on that. However, I did find that with the Q on and the filter turned all the way down, it sounds like I'm playing through just a subwoofer. Plenty of low end, but no highs at all.
Not with those electronics, IIRC. That looks like it has 4 pots.
I had a 1984 Exploiter with Spoiler electronics. There should be a 4 position selector switch, a master volume, and a master tone/filter control. I eventually modded mine by replacing the electronics with a VPF+Q switch, and put the Spoiler electronics in a small box to use as an outboard preamp with two, selectable, inputs.
I had a 1984 Exploiter with Spoiler electronics. There should be a 4 position selector switch, a master volume, and a master tone/filter control. I eventually modded mine by replacing the electronics with a VPF+Q switch, and put the Spoiler electronics in a small box to use as an outboard preamp with two, selectable, inputs.
Does anyone know what this is?
It came fretted , and owner de fretted it. I'll have to spend some time with it to see all it can do .
It came fretted , and owner de fretted it. I'll have to spend some time with it to see all it can do .
Reference information [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Spoiler Electronics info Link Removed
You can also submit a serial number lookup Link Removed. You won't receive an instantaneous response because Alembic is a small family-run business, but they will eventually reply with the build information if records exists.
I had a '87 Persuader that wasn't much better. I traded both the Persuader and the '84 Exploiter/Spoiler for my first Zon, a Sonus Special 5 fretless, in '97.
I have been thinking of getting another Alembic of some sort; perhaps one with more than just the three maple laminations that my previous two had would produce a stronger neck, or are weak, flimsy necks the norm on Alembics?
Definitely not the norm in my experience: I currently have 3 Alembics, and I've owned 3 others. My experience has been 100% - all my Alembics have perfect, stable necks, in various laminate configurations (3 Essence, 1 Series, 1 Epic, 1 Orion). My 40 year old Series that I've owned for 31 years, I've never even adjusted the truss rod, and I live in the Chicago area, with wild temperature and humidity swings.
There is nothing like an Alembic: I know, I've owned two (including a five-string, long-scale Spoiler). The electronic and pickup package is deceptively simple, yet offers a range of tone from lumpy organ pedals to a sound I can best describe as a 'clavinet on meth' when played with a pick, with just two knobs, a rotary selector (standby-neck-bridge-both) and a Q-switch. The pickups are good enough to hear the difference in string brands far more than you're used to.
The adjustments are a school for learning to adjust your action: Twin truss rods, an adjustable for height brass nut, one piece bridge (like a Tuna Matic), and separate tailpiece. In my experience (and I'm FUSSY about my action), the necks are dead-stable once acclimated to your environment and location.
The pickups are a breeze to adjust, and you can set the both-pickups-on blend by using the trim pots in the cavity. If you must, Alembic can change the rotary to a blend pot.
Last, but importantly: ALEMBIC is a small family business, but even buying a used one, you will get treated like you just spent thousands of dollars with them. They really do feel every axe they've ever built and the people that play them are part of an extended family. Something you will not find with most builders. The Alembic website (www.alembic.com) features their online forum, The Alembic Club, and it's utterly indispensable for learning all things Alembic.
Although personal finances forced my selling mine, I can not say enough just how well I was treated, and just how good the Wickershams are as human beings, and how special I felt every time I picked one up or showed up on a gig with one.
I'll add that like many special, unique products in this world, they are not for everyone. But IF you 'get it', there is absolutely no substitute. You'll still enjoy other basses, but it just somehow won't be the same any more . . . .
The adjustments are a school for learning to adjust your action: Twin truss rods, an adjustable for height brass nut, one piece bridge (like a Tuna Matic), and separate tailpiece. In my experience (and I'm FUSSY about my action), the necks are dead-stable once acclimated to your environment and location.
The pickups are a breeze to adjust, and you can set the both-pickups-on blend by using the trim pots in the cavity. If you must, Alembic can change the rotary to a blend pot.
Last, but importantly: ALEMBIC is a small family business, but even buying a used one, you will get treated like you just spent thousands of dollars with them. They really do feel every axe they've ever built and the people that play them are part of an extended family. Something you will not find with most builders. The Alembic website (www.alembic.com) features their online forum, The Alembic Club, and it's utterly indispensable for learning all things Alembic.
Although personal finances forced my selling mine, I can not say enough just how well I was treated, and just how good the Wickershams are as human beings, and how special I felt every time I picked one up or showed up on a gig with one.
I'll add that like many special, unique products in this world, they are not for everyone. But IF you 'get it', there is absolutely no substitute. You'll still enjoy other basses, but it just somehow won't be the same any more . . . .
Yep, most likely a '83 Spoiler.
Looks like the electronics were changed at some point and it doesn't look like any electronics package Alembic offers.
I would want to see a picture of the guts before making an offer...
Agreed. Something looks weird about the control setup. Is it pan-vol-vol-tone or something else? And that screw on the right side of the neck pickup worries me. It should not be there.
Since you are in Georgia, if you have already acquired this or are considering it, you may want to take it to Atlanta Bass Gallery (is that the correct name?). They were at some point an Alembic dealer and might be able to accurately evaluate it.
In the meantime, post your same questions at Link Removed. Mica and others from Alembic are likely to weigh in on it.
