Does anyone not have EMGs in their Spector???

Mental Octopus · #1 11-16-2008, 06:04 PM

I nabbed an NS-2A and want to replace the old stock Spector pickups with something new. It seems like every Spector I see has active EMG pickups... does anyone have anything different in there? How do you like it?

Iv@N · #2 11-16-2008, 06:15 PM

I think most replies will be "EMG = Spector tone" =/

Jared Lash · #3 11-16-2008, 06:21 PM

EMGs = Spector tone.

But the truth is that Spectors have such a distinct tone of which the EMGs play a big part that I wonder what it is you don't like about the current tone of the bass. I've been surprised when trying out a lot of basses that they didn't sound the way I expected. But IME, Spectors have always sounded exactly the way I thought they would in my hands.

I certainly understand not liking that tone, but I'm wondering why you would buy an instrument with such a distinct tone and then want to change it. Not criticizing, just curious.

Mental Octopus · #4 11-16-2008, 06:22 PM

yeah i know, it seems like it isn't socially acceptable to have anything else in there.

but i'm curious. i like Spectors mostly for their light weight and body shape, wouldn't mind throwing something different and less hi-fi in there.

Thundar · #5 11-16-2008, 06:26 PM

I have 2 Kramer NS-2C's that are passive with Spector pickups....they still have THE Spector sound, but it is a bit different..more growl in the mids but less low end...but they still nail that sound that I want. Didnt you have a Spector before with Barts in it? Did it sound like an Ibanez? LOL

Mental Octopus · #6 11-16-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thundar

I have 2 Kramer NS-2C's that are passive with Spector pickups....they still have THE Spector sound, but it is a bit different..more growl in the mids but less low end...but they still nail that sound that I want. Didnt you have a Spector before with Barts in it? Did it sound like an Ibanez? LOL

I did have an NS-2A with a Bart PJ setup. I didn't like it, I hate the sound of Bart pickups.

Let me reiterate that my question only stems from curiosity. I've just been wondering what more traditional PJ pickups (like Aeros or Nordstrands) would sound like in a Spector bass.

Jared Lash · #7 11-16-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thundar

I have 2 Kramer NS-2C's that are passive with Spector pickups....they still have THE Spector sound, but it is a bit different

This makes sense. In my experience pickup placement plays a bigger role than body/neck woods etc. I'm not saying it wouldn't sound different with Nordstrands for instance, but I don't think the change would be drastic unless the pickups are totally different.

ihateusernames · #8 11-17-2008, 07:59 PM

when/where did you find the ns2a?! we've been looking for about the same amount of time, found mine here on tb.

there's a current thread here with someone putting nordstrands into one.

landry.bass · #9 11-17-2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihateusernames

when/where did you find the ns2a?! we've been looking for about the same amount of time, found mine here on tb.

there's a current thread here with someone putting nordstrands into one.

I've thought of replacing the pups in my Spector with Nordstrands, but don't really know for sure if I want to.

Mental Octopus · #10 11-17-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihateusernames

when/where did you find the ns2a?! we've been looking for about the same amount of time, found mine here on tb.

there's a current thread here with someone putting nordstrands into one.

i got mine on ebay, i was looking for a well used one that I could throw around and it fit the bill even though I think I overpaid a little bit.

PRUNEFACE · #11 11-18-2008, 08:49 AM

I think the EMGs are a huge part of the Spector sound, but maybe a 3 band preamp would be good.

mad_hungarian · #12 11-18-2008, 10:12 AM

I did put an Aguilar OBP-3 in my Spector EURO LX-5. Sounds much better - strangely, even with zero EQ settings (the originals had the TonePump which I did not really like). I can recommend the OBP-3 electronics for your Spector, they enhance the instrument's qualities without replacing them with something else.

BTW just 5 minutes before the thread starter, I started a thread about replacing my EMG's with Seymour Duncan's in this Spector. Based on this thread, it is either a really bad idea or sacrilege

JRBrown · #13 11-18-2008, 10:38 AM

I vote for sacrilege.

I know it seems odd to buy a Spector then change the sound, but guess what? I didn't buy my 1986 USA NS2 because of the tone.

The Spector tone is EMG + Haz Lab no doubt. I don't care for the Spector tone but the Spector body design is outstanding.

Spector Mod thread:

Spector Mod

Mental Octopus · #14 11-18-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRBrown

I vote for sacrilege.

I know it seems odd to buy a Spector then change the sound, but guess what? I didn't buy my 1986 USA NS2 because of the tone.

The Spector tone is EMG + Haz Lab no doubt. I don't care for the Spector tone but the Spector body design is outstanding.

yup same with me, be sure to keep us posted on how the nordstrand setup sounds in there.