I need Spector advice (pre-amp)

**sleevey55** · #1 12-21-2012, 01:09 PM

I just purchased a Spector Euro 5 EX and it has been changed around and now is passive tone controls with active pickups (have silver writing on them and say "EMG". I want to make the tone controls active again and as Spectorish as I can. I know there are alot of choices for pre amps but I want it to be a Spector sound all the way..............any recommendations ? Thanks guys!

j.kernodle · #2 12-21-2012, 01:14 PM

popular preamp choices are the Aguilar OBP2, EMG BTC, and the US9V (aka Hazlab). the haz is expensive, wonderful sounding and back ordered with no end in sight. the EMG BTC is a ridiculous bargain at around 75 bucks. how does it sound with the passive controls? if it sounds good don't be in a big hurry. some of the best sounding emg equipped basses I've heard have had passive controls.

a final option is a return to the stock tonepump preamp. some love it, I can't stand it. YMMV. make sure you get one with a gain control trim pot if you go that route.

steamthief · #3 12-21-2012, 01:29 PM

Tonepumps with the trim pot rock if you want a little grit in your tone vs. uber-clean, especially when they're run at 18v.

Jimmy Stump · #4 12-21-2012, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleevey55

I just purchased a Spector Euro 5 EX and it has been changed around and now is passive tone controls with active pickups (have silver writing on them and say "EMG". I want to make the tone controls active again and as Spectorish as I can. I know there are alot of choices for pre amps but I want it to be a Spector sound all the way..............any recommendations ? Thanks guys!

The tone pump would be the most Spector-ish if you want to return it back to the original form.

I just took out a 2 band tone pump - with adjustable output - out of my Euro 4LX and replaced it with a 3 band Aguilar OBP-3.

PM me if you're interested in a used tone pump. I'm not certain I want to let it go, but I would consider it.

4StringsEnough · #5 12-22-2012, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stump

I just took out a 2 band tone pump - with adjustable output - out of my Euro 4LX and replaced it with a 3 band Aguilar OBP-3.

Please can you let us know the differences you noticed between the two preamps as I am thinking of making the exact same swap? Thanks.

Jimmy Stump · #6 12-22-2012, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4StringsEnough

Please can you let us know the differences you noticed between the two preamps as I am thinking of making the exact same swap? Thanks.

More tone control for sure. Bass, treble, and switchable mids just works better for me. I had it set up with one knob a master volume, one a pickup pan (way better this way iMO), mid, and then a stacked bass and treble. In terms of tone, it still sounds like a Spector to me, but there is a harshness and zing that are gone with the Aguilar in. It got better, but how much is still a question. The downside is the cost (143 plus install) and the fact that it didn't change the tone as much as i had hoped. If you love the bass and you're searching for a warmer, more flexible tone, its a worthwhile but expensive upgrade.

Dragan · #7 12-22-2012, 02:36 AM

I have EMG BQC in my euro LX5, a great pre. key words: mid control.

madbassplaya · #8 12-22-2012, 05:07 AM

Tone Pump, all day every day.

I'm not really a fan of the Aguilar stuff. The bass gets boomy and the treble gets brittle at certain points. Tonepump=Spector. Or you could order the US9V or the US18V. But you need a 4 knob pattern so the 18 is out.

**sleevey55** · #9 12-23-2012, 02:09 AM

The bass has 4 knobs now......two pickup volumes and tone for each pickup......

mudpup · #10 12-23-2012, 04:24 AM

I just swapped out my trim pot tonepump for an EMG BQC preamp. The mid control was the reason why. I found the tonepump had tons more bottom than i needed and the treble was too brittle - i couldnt get the mid i felt i was missing. In a band situation it was all thump and treble. the EmG has sweepable mids.
Just gigged it for the first time on saturday and it was a big improvement as i could push it thru the mix without overpowering everyone with bottom end. There are 4 dipswitches on it tp shape the treble response which are handy too. Get the feeling that if you can spend time fiddling with the tonal options it will work well.

Kmonk · #11 12-23-2012, 04:53 AM

If you go with Spector make sure you get a pre-amp with a trim pot. Not all models had them. My Euro 4LX didn't have a trim pot and the circuit was so hot that it always sounded like it was farting through whatever amp I was using. I got so frustrated that I stopped playing it.

ysand · #12 12-24-2012, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmonk

My Euro 4LX didn't have a trim pot and the circuit was so hot that it always sounded like it was farting through whatever amp I was using. I got so frustrated that I stopped playing it.

I think you should really consider getting a trim pot one too imo. You 'll love your Euro

**superdick2112** · #13 12-24-2012, 04:56 AM

If you want authentic Spector tone, go with a Spector USA 9-volt or TonePump pre.
I have a Euro with the TonePump & a CRFM with an EMG BT pre, and of the two, the TonePump sounds way better - so much so that I plan on ditching the EMG pre for a USA 9-volt or another TonePump.
In fact, my TonePump equipped Euro sounds almost as good as my USA NS-4.