1983 Alembic Exploiter (http://cgi.ebay.com/1983-ALEMBIC-EXPLOITER_W0QQitemZ7410762252QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
(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. :-(