Alembic Spoiler 4-string

Bought used, built in '85, I think. Fretted 4-string, Cocobolo top with some dings. Standard Alembic Spoiler, with two active pickups, volume & tone & Q switch, robust case.

Fab sound. I can see why they get the money for them new that they do, even though the Spoiler is a lower-end model Alembic. I play blues, and use my Bad Cat guitar amp @ home, whatever they've got at the jam when I play out, and it does what I ask it to do. Very clear and articulate.

Mine was used, needed the brass to be polished (has lots of solid brass). Set-up and adjustment all spot-on.

Durable? Hey, this thing was a high-mileage instrument when I got it, was excellent right out of the case. Built like a tank.

I needed strings. Called Alembic. They were there in days. Spoke to "Ms. Alembic" herself, who was super-pleasant. Needed no other help, but the tone they set suggests they'll be excellent.

Been playing bass since '67, but stopped playing out since the band folded in the '70s when I sold all my gear. Re-started a couple of years ago when I bought the Alembic. (I also play guitar and mandolin, have too many of them in the house.)

The Alembic's been sold, though. Bought a Series I, which retails for 2X and it shows. The buyer of the Spoiler's delighted as I was whgen I got it.

Mine is an '84. I bought it online. Its well made but keep in mind that this was (at the time) a "low model" Alembic - both Ibanez and Aria Pro were putting out "Alembic-style" basses at the time for less than the "average Wickersham special" so I imagine Alembic made this model to compete with the clones. There are no multi-lamenates here - pretty stock as neck-thrus go. Still - it is an Alembic.

I'm a jazz, funk, blues, and R&B guy by trade but, as a hired gun, I have done everything from country and bluegrass to heavy rock as well.
I'm a finger player and I like having pickups located at the bridge and middle because (A) I like the tightness and (B) I like the neck area for slapping. For me, the Spoiler's front pickup is too close to the neck, producing a very warm sound/ less "tight" sound. To be honest, a Peavey T-40 sounds a LOT like this bass ( way to go Hartley, and you did it with a bolt-on and the LOUDEST passive pickups on the planet!) - which is actually a GOOD thing but isn't really great for my personal preference style of playing. I have used it in the studio on some country sessions but I prefer the T-40 over it for country. This bass sounds like it would be awesome for a pick player. If I played with a pick, I would probably rate it higher. The layout is simple: pickup selector (off -bridge-both-neck) and the Q-filter, which is nothing more than a high res parametric. You can also make adjustments to the pickups with the "boost" controls located under the backplate adjustable with a screwdriver

Alembic basses are a lot like Star Trek episodes - even the worst ones are still better than most things.

This thing is a tank. Paint it green and put a star on it

OK...so here is the deal, I had a bass custom made only to injure my shoulder. I came down with tendonitis in my fretting arm and the custom being a long scale was just not playable. So I ended trading it for this Spoiler. I am a licky guy. This particular model was made in 84 and is still in great shape with exception of a couple dings. It's medium scale makes it easy to play. The only thing is that it sits kinda far forward and sits a bit weirdly. I find myself pulling it backwards a bit to play it more proficiently. I am sure I will get used to it though. It is a great bass, built solidly with tons of brass fittings(Bridge, Tailpiece,Nut)which I like a lot. YOu can get em lookin nice and shiny. Once it was setup it played perfectly. Like brand new. The action is super duper low and still no fret buzz. The neck is kinda funny, as it is pretty straight..no tapering at all. The way the bass is made, it is setup so that the strings have a straight shot to the bridge and tailpiece. It helps a lot in keeping it in tube and with string tension. I love this bass. This bass was made to be easy to work with. whether changing strings or adjusting the neck. Super easy and really not complicated. I can see why people pay the money they do for their basses. Passive active with the switch. Volume and tone knob and the "Q" knob which can actually produce an outstanding wah effect if you can play with just your fretting hand. Awesome.

You should know by now that Alembic has it's own sound. Very clear and precise. A great sound but it may not be for everyone. Very growly when I need it to be and very earth shattering when popped..great stuff here guys. Get one used..too much moolah new.

This is an 18 year old instrument. After a setup it played great. I took a couple points off for some minor design flaws. Like the neck pickupbeing so close to the neck that it is very difficult to slap and pop. And it sits kinda weird. Once it was setup..it played like a dream.

Built like a tank....all their stuff is

Amazing...you would spend 10 grand just to have their customer service. Even though I was like the 5 or 6th owner of this bass..they really took care of me. Gotta love that.

Great bass with some minor things that could have made the bass an 12 out of 10. Get yourself one if you get the chance. They are expensive, so I don't really consider them a value..but you get what you pay for.