1983 Alembic Exploiter
 
(Message edited by davehouck on April 27, 2006)

Is $2000 for that a pretty good deal?

I looked at it.  
According to the ad and photo, it is missing the 3rd pickup--so, no Series electronics. Looks like Essence electronics w/a Q switch. It has no purpleheart stringers. So, nice shape, if shape is all you're looking for, but tone...? I don't think so.

Looks like Spoiler electronics (volume + pu switch + filter + 0/8 dB Q switch). One gets the impression that most Exploiters were spec'ed as Spoilers.
 
As far as tone goes - it's still every inch an Alembic!

adriaan is exactly right, I had a nearly identical bass --the Spoiler Exploiter is the most common JAE-inspired Alembic bass, with Distillate Exploiters and Series Exploiters made in apparently far smaller numbers.
I personally wouldn't pay $2K for a Spoiler in any body style, but the one I had was an extremely cozy bass to play, though I suspect it suffered from preamp problems, which is why I offed it.

That one used to be mine one owner ago.  Great bass.  Since there are no bidders yet, I emailed the guy with an offer to see if he'd sell it back to me and end the auction early, but no dice. I miss having an Alembic. :-(