Clarke Spellbinder

[chromium]

Don't see these everyday - one of the original short-scale, composite Spellbinders:

http://www.thelowend.net/gallery/viewtopic.php?t=3307






One of my first LPs was Time Exposure, which had the silhouette of one on the cover:




Always liked the styling - sort of an Alembic with Gibbie-style bridge and big-honkin Magnum-esque pickup surround.

[exiledarchangel]

Looks like a swimming pool for two sliding pickups! Cool bass.

[HornetAMX]

That's my old #40 I traded to Bob Hynosky (Bass Palace) several years ago for a Steinberger L2.  Could never get used to the short scale.  I paid $400 for it on Ebay back in 2000 or so.  He must have buffed out the finish or something because it was never that clean to begin with!




Looks like it still has the Thomastik Jazz Rounds I put on it.

[chromium]

Small world!

Besides the short scale, did it have any redeeming or unique sonic qualities, or was it more show than go?

[HornetAMX]

It was a very clean sound, not unlike a short scale Alembic. (but not quite!)  The body was really thin.  Seemed like only 1 inch thick which I could never get used to.  Had the original case too and it wasn't as clean as the pictures show either.  Makes you wonder what these vintage dealers do to these basses and guitars.