Hi Mica and team  I just acquired a fairly beat up '84 Spoiler and would be intrigued to know any history you can provide. It's gloss black but, despite the seller saying its the original paint job, the chips and dings show a very red wood underneath. Thanks in advance!

Guessing the serial number could be 84 S 3927?

Thanks, you are undoubtedly right! The ebony at the final fret is quite 'compressed' so its not that easy to read the S/N

Have you tried rubbing technique like brass rubbing technique with charcoal or a pencil over paper over the area that might reveal the serial number.

To update: its 84S3127 after close inspection

84 S 3127

After a search of the site, I see it changed hands here back in 2011 (and has same red wood under the black).

http://club.alembicguitars.net/index.php?topic=13852.msg145326#msg145326

Anyone know what this reply is referencing?:

"$1200 is quite a deal considering the paisley pedigree!!!!"

Quote from: gearhed289 on June 12, 2020, 07:14:22 AM
Anyone know what this reply is referencing?:

"$1200 is quite a deal considering the paisley pedigree!!!!"

My best guess is it hints at Paisley Park, as Prince (or his bassist) had a painted Spoiler - though it was positively white, not black.

I have dropped the long time-ago owner a message although he hasn't been on the forum since February, so  we will see.

Meanwhile, Mica if you have any details that would be fab!

Call me. I emailed you my number. Harold

Thanks Harold, I am in the UK so have dropped you an email

ooh, I see Mica is working through some serial number history requests so I am cheekily bumping this to the top of the queue 

(hint: I try to answer oldest to newest, so bumping will usually make you go to the end of the stack)

Here's what I found in the file for this bass:

serial number: 84S3127
model: Spoiler
model number: SMB4
top: Bird's-eye Maple
accent: none
body: Mahogany
neck: Maple
scale: 32" medium
fingerboard: Ebony
inlays: Pearloid (plastic) ovals
pickups: Alembic AXY4
controls: "Spoiler" volume, filter, Q switch, 4-position rotary pickup selector switch, mono output
originally made for: Guitar Center, Hollywood, CA
birthday: April 18, 1984

Was here for repair in 2013. We replaced the logo, did an RF upgrade on the electronics, replaced the battery connector, cleaned up the volume pot connection, and touched up silver paint. At the time the bass was still living in southern California.

So it doesn't seem the black paint is original.

Many thanks Mica - sorry about my 'cunning plan' to bump the thread!

I suspected the paint finish was non original as its very fragile. Thanks for the confirmation.