Fender man buys a sexy Alembic

[Clarky]

Just bought this superb 1986 Alembic Spoiler off BC'er Lee Colman (lscolman). I am an avowed Fender Precision man and generally against 'coffee table' basses but there has always been something about Alembic that exudes sheer quality to me. Perhaps it was watching the likes of John Paul Jones and Greg Lake playing them when I was growing up in the 70s (before punk came along) and cemented by the fact that Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted of Metallica each played this particular model of Alembic. Oh and watching jakesbass' awesome Alembic playing at the SE BassBash last summer!

Whatever, its lovely and I have nicked a couple of Lee's photos (hope thats OK Lee?) to parade my latest porn acquisition. The quality is second-to-none (ebony board etc) and, though the neck is narrower than I am used to, its very easy for fingerstyle. The active pickup system has a broad range of tones (and can even emulate a Precision!) Am going to have fun with this.

[attachment=47355:spoiler.jpg][attachment=47356:Spoiler2.jpg]

Edited April 14, 2010 by Clarky

[deaver]

Funny, I remember dancing around this one a while back. I ended up convincing myself I was a Fender not a coffee table man though. I'd be genuinely interested to see what you make of it. Time to start selling/saving again I imagine.

[lee650]

Thats a lovely bass clarky!!!
Ive always loved alembics, but alas a lottery win bass, much like a fodera couldnt be more diffrent to the humble P bass, im very recently rediscovering fleetwood mac, and john mcvie was a precision and alembic man, great tones!!! your in good company- all the best - lee

[Kiwi]

I think that's a good workhorse Alembic model to own. The Spoilers can be good value for money too, all things considered. The Elans, Spoilers, Persuaders and Distillates I've tried have typically been a lot warmer than the Series basses.

[budget bassist]

Mmm, very tasty bass, and quite tasteful too, for an alembic!

[yorick]

I am shocked, and evious all at the same time!!!

[lozbass]

Haha - well done Clarky, a good move. These Spoilers are fantastic little basses and not such an extreme departure for those of a Fendery disposition. I agree with Crazykiwi - the tone of the Spoilers etc. can be much warmer than some Series basses - some of it is down to the construction, but I think a lot of it is the circuitry (which, though not the same as a series/sig is still pretty sophisticated) and absence of a bridge block. A lovely looking bass and very playable - I'm envious too!

[deaver]

[quote name='lozbass' post='806976' date='Apr 15 2010, 11:36 AM']These Spoilers are fantastic little basses and not such an extreme departure for those of a Fendery disposition.[/quote]

Uh oh, here I go again

[jakenewmanbass]

Good Man, Good Man *puffs on pipe*
And thank you sir...

[Noisyjon]

Clarky you are a bass buying Legend, Man
Very nice piece though... a good excuse to brush up your Blackened riffing?!

Cheers,
JTB

[Musicman20]

I like the departure...its very 'different' and although Ive never played one, its kinda cool!

Get hammering those classic Metallica riffs.

[Clarky]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='807063' date='Apr 15 2010, 12:46 PM']I like the departure...its very 'different' and although Ive never played one, its kinda cool!

Get hammering those classic Metallica riffs.[/quote]
First thing I played last night when I opened up the package ... Master of Puppets, of course

[waynepunkdude]

So this is what has jinxed Arsenal.

[Clarky]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='810700' date='Apr 18 2010, 08:41 PM']So this is what has jinxed Arsenal.[/quote]
No, it was you wearing the Arsenal "Shirt of Hurt", you Sp*rs shaman-type voodoo witch doctor

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='Clarky' post='810702' date='Apr 18 2010, 08:43 PM']No, it was you wearing the Arsenal "Shirt of Hurt", you Sp*rs shaman-type voodoo witch doctor [/quote]


Haha I may have transfered our luck to you, I haven't warn a Spurs shirt since, I don't plan to for a while.

[Clarky]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='810706' date='Apr 18 2010, 08:45 PM']I haven't warn a Spurs shirt since, I don't plan to for a while.[/quote]
Don't blame you, brought me out in pustulent boils and made me feel a total loser

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='Clarky' post='810708' date='Apr 18 2010, 08:46 PM']Don't blame you, brought me out in pustulent boils and made me feel a total loser[/quote]

As much as the last 2 weeks?

[Clarky]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='810709' date='Apr 18 2010, 08:47 PM']As much as the last 2 weeks?[/quote]
Yep, I've had an amazing insight into the life of a Sp*rs fan

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='Clarky' post='810710' date='Apr 18 2010, 08:48 PM']Yep, I've had an amazing insight into the life of a Sp*rs fan[/quote]




Anyway man it's a nice bass, I hope you enjoy it.

If you need any ideas on what to play on it I have some Chas and Dave tab.

[cetera]

Great stuff Clarky!!

[faceman]

Nice one Clarky, I was listening to my Fleetwood Mac mix CD in the car today and was thinking - I wonder if there is a cheaper Alembic that gets 'that tone' and looks sexy. You seem to have grabbed one! Seems it was a good price, how's the tone compared to your Fender babies?

Does anything come close to these babies in terms of tone?

Edited April 22, 2010 by faceman

[JTUK]

[quote name='faceman' post='815497' date='Apr 22 2010, 09:35 PM']......... I was listening to my Fleetwood Mac mix CD in the car today and was thinking - I wonder if there is a cheaper Alembic that gets 'that tone' and looks sexy...................

Does anything come close to these babies in terms of tone?[/quote]


I don't think John Mcvie should have been let anywhere near an Alembic for the band sound of Fleetwood Mac...never ever worked for me in that context.

It is a bass sound that you can't take liberties with IMV.

[Clarky]

[quote name='faceman' post='815497' date='Apr 22 2010, 09:35 PM']Nice one Clarky, I was listening to my Fleetwood Mac mix CD in the car today and was thinking - I wonder if there is a cheaper Alembic that gets 'that tone' and looks sexy. You seem to have grabbed one! Seems it was a good price, how's the tone compared to your Fender babies?

Does anything come close to these babies in terms of tone?[/quote]
Tone wise it has a pretty broad spectrum although mostly its fairly 'clean' and precise sounding compared with a Precision. Its not as nasal as a Jazz, at least to my ears. With the neck pickup selected and the treble cut slightly it actually sounds fairly close to a Precision. My favourite setting is the mixed neck/bridge which is a good compromise (lots of lows/mids and quite driving). Lee, the previous owner, described it as quite chorus-y sounding.

Don't think this bass would suit the slappers and poppers (I am not one) as the distance between neck pickup and neck is small. Seems to me that this model (Spoiler) was probably designed as a fairly straight ahead 'rock' instrument, so I'm not surprised that the first two Metallica bassists played one.