SPECTOR® Club - Part 51

[j.kernodle]

chris. that bad looks like its made out of FIYAHHHH!!!

[husky123]

I wanted to test drive this new all tube preamp (Monique) I just got so I grabbed Big Earl and hooked them up to Pro Tools. Grab some headphones and see what you think. Pretty monotonous song so bear with it.

https://soundcloud.com/husky123/theendwbass2

[beatdatthang]

Originally Posted by chrisloe

Health wise, long weird confusing day, more later, I'm fine, cool, chemo got pushed back again...

Bass wise, New Bass Day! My Coda got here from Beaver at Bass Central, holy crap, could not be more impressed with it. More to follow later, I'm beat, have to get to bed, just wanted to post picture of the body and with its NS-2 brother.

I don't think I have ever had 2 basses I am more in love and impressed with, and 2 basses so different from each other that I am so happy with.

More later-best-Loe

That Coda is phenomenal! Beautiful finish and the flamed maple board with abalone inlays is stunning!

*edit* after further inspection it looks like the inlays are MOP. Either way, it's amazing to behold. That would be a showpiece for me, I'd be scared to play it...

[superdick2112]

Originally Posted by chrisloe

Health wise, long weird confusing day, more later, I'm fine, cool, chemo got pushed back again...

Bass wise, New Bass Day! My Coda got here from Beaver at Bass Central, holy crap, could not be more impressed with it. More to follow later, I'm beat, have to get to bed, just wanted to post picture of the body and with its NS-2 brother.

I don't think I have ever had 2 basses I am more in love and impressed with, and 2 basses so different from each other that I am so happy with.

More later-best-Loe

Chris - Congrats!
Sweet looking pair of polar-opposite Spectors!

[Baird6869]

Chris, that top is killer! Looks amazing.

Originally Posted by chrisloe

Health wise, long weird confusing day, more later, I'm fine, cool, chemo got pushed back again...

Bass wise, New Bass Day! My Coda got here from Beaver at Bass Central, holy crap, could not be more impressed with it. More to follow later, I'm beat, have to get to bed, just wanted to post picture of the body and with its NS-2 brother.

I don't think I have ever had 2 basses I am more in love and impressed with, and 2 basses so different from each other that I am so happy with.

More later-best-Loe

[iceboxbass]

Originally Posted by davefonbass

Love my Spector basses and very happy to be doing clinics for them in 2013! Come out and hang if I get near you...thanks to all!

Dave, are you doing any clinics in Michigan in 2013? I'd love to participate in one!

[iceboxbass]

Originally Posted by JPSBassist

The new Spector Bass Guitars website is ALMOST... so close to being finished.

It's going to work seamlessly with the newly launched "company" website.

So much easier to use, better photos, more detailed info, you're basically no more than two clicks from anything you want to see, anywhere in the site.

The new navigation is really slick and easy to use.

I can't wait to get the green light to launch it and share it with you all.

And as always, the members of this club with get an advanced notice and will be the first to see it.

Merry Christmas my friends!

I'll see you all tomorrow. My bed and some DVDs call.

Patrick, you bring awesomeness to the Spector websites!!! You're da man!

[iceboxbass]

Originally Posted by bunkaroo

Got a tough choice ahead of me here.

I'm finalizing what I want to get built, and I'm taking another hard look at the BEM fretboard vs. pau ferro. I really love the BEM look. But I don't want it for my 6-string build, which leaves potentially using it for the NS-5XL I want to do which will be my "NS-2" of sorts with the 9v preamp and the 40P5 and 40J pickups.

I've been conversing with PJ and his opinion is there is a definite loss of mids with the BEM. As a pick player that concerns me. I hate to be unhappy with a bass' sound because of an aesthetic choice.

So help me decide! Obviously Patrick has the Black Pearl and can probably articulate the differences in tone between BEM and pau ferro with all other things being equal. I wasn't sure if anyone else here has had experience with the Spector BEM boards.

And no, the answer is not three builds.

Bunk, I'm enjoying my first experience with my Coda 5XL Deluxe with BEM FB! About the brightness you're concerned about...yes, you'll lose just a bit of low mids but you can dial it back in. To my ears, the BEM brings I Clarity. Man I love having the tonal choice in my bass arsenal with having BEM and Pau Ferro! And the BEM is just CLASSY looking too! I believe it'd be worth you trying one! Of all Spectors (10) I've bought in the last 4 years, this Coda 5LX Deluxe is by far my favorite! It has a permanent stall in my stable! It has the best maple top, knock my eye balls out BEM FB, gorgeous Abalone inlays, love the headstock, and just LOVE the tonal pallet "Big Blue" brings! I haven't even converted it to 18V yet, but I can imagine what it'll bring when I do!

[iceboxbass]

Originally Posted by bunkaroo

Thanks for the link.

I haven't looked into other neck woods since I'm fine with what they use - that does make sense that affects the tone more than the fingerboard.

I have both a rosewood and maple SR5, but it's hard to get a true apples to apples comparison on them since one has the alnico pickup and the other has the ceramic.

I had thoughts of doing essentially the 5-string fraternal twin of the Black Pearl, but I've decided to go with a different color and plus I think I like the look of the abalone on the maple better for a non-black body finish.

EDIT: The info at the link shows that the pau ferro vs. BEM seems to be almost a wash on brightness so that will probably sway me towards the BEM. I didn't realize how much brighter ebony is typically. I had been planning on that for an NS-6XL build but the brightness factor plus the inherent cracking that can occur will probably get me to go with the pau ferro.

I e read the Warmouth web page on the neck woods also but I don't agree with all they're describing on the different woods.
I've always been on the thought that ebony and Wenge woods for FB were warmer tone woods and that's why ebony was the choice for fretless basses. IMO, I believe the woods that make the neck and body will have the most domination effects on the bass tone. The FB has some effect but very minute and a lot cosmetic. I could be all washed up too. I'm not saying it doesn't have any effect, just less. Bunk, don't be afraid to try what you think would look "class A" for looks and be afraid the tone is going to suffer. My 2cents.

[brotherbassj]

Originally Posted by iceboxbass

I e read the Warmouth web page on the neck woods also but I don't agree with all they're describing on the different woods.
I've always been on the thought that ebony and Wenge woods for FB were warmer tone woods and that's why ebony was the choice for fretless basses. IMO, I believe the woods that make the neck and body will have the most domination effects on the bass tone. The FB has some effect but very minute and a lot cosmetic. I could be all washed up too. I'm not saying it doesn't have any effect, just less. Bunk, don't be afraid to try what you think would look "class A" for looks and be afraid the tone is going to suffer. My 2cents.

I've never known ebony to be warmer,,,,I do have a strange affinity for solid Wenge necks.....but the best way I can describe ebony is hard....and lots of clarity......a lot of stringed instruments that cost many thousands use some form of ebony, think cello, violin....I only know enough to be dangerous....lol.

I will agree that wood, main neck, how the neck couples to the body....that effects general tone.....then you color it up with your pickups and pre choice, then pretty it up with tops and fingerboards....the ad the final touch with your own playing style and bring out the dynamic.....just my thoughts and opinion....no right or wrong...I wish I had more time to try them ALL! :-)

[iceboxbass]

Originally Posted by chrisloe

So I was thinking about this this morning, I think this a good idea.

I think we should have an end of the year awards/celebration what ever you want to call it.

Here is my idea. It's the end of the year, let's do something positive, fun and supportive of each other.

Here is what I am proposing (Pending Godfather approval or coarse...)

Make up an award for someone else or yourself.
Doesn't have to be someone here, can be someone famous, someone you don't know, again, just positive. If someone seconds it, it passes. Name it whatever you want, have fun, just POSITIVE!

OR
just something about 2012, maybe you got your 1st Spector and joined the club, maybe you got your 100th Spector, something you are proud of, a song you got down, saved enough for a new bass, played a great gig, not so great gig, put out a CD, got new promo shots for the band with your Spector, DESIGNED A NEW KICK BOOTY WEBSITE FOR SPECTOR, anything we may not know about you that we might want to!

OR
Something you dig about Spector's from the last year. A new color (I am thinking Ultra Violet...) a new option, new model, something you saw in a store, online, anything.

Lets have some fun with this!

So I will start since this is my idea

My awards:

The "Please come back to the club" Award
for me goes to LEE. Lee if I offended you or anyone else did, sorry brother, maybe that's it or you are just busy, but I can say a lot of us miss your insight, pictures and having you around. Lee is such great guy, I hope this award get 2nded and he accepts and comes back, we miss you big dog!

The "Spector Coincidence" Award
Goes to Mr. Geddy Lee. He mentions in an article that he has a Spector now and finally they get put into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Coincidence?

The "Holy Crap I Wish I Could Have Seen That" Award
Goes to Dirty Ray from Bret Michael's band when he held up his Spector he was using with PJ in the audience and the top got chopped off by a ceiling fan.


Okay, I'm done. If you think this is a dumb idea, no big deal, just thought we could have some fun, maybe learn a bit about each other, maybe learn a couple of things and get this place back to the main reason I turn on my computer everyday.

I have 4 Spector subjects that wowed me this year;

First...Spector "Community" award for our Spector family coming together and reaching out to our own Chris Loe to make his dream guitar come true and making his and his family's life a little brighter!

Secondly...Two new Spector bass colors, Bahama Blue and UltraViolet!

Thirdly...The NAMM 2012 unveiling of the Coda Deluxe basses, especially the Coda 5XL Deluxe!

Fourth...a dream come true for me with the making of a CD of one of my bands, I.R.U.M.C!!! And I played my new then Forte 5 on it! We have almost sold out of our first releases!

[iceboxbass]

Originally Posted by worshiprocker

send Tracebassplayer a message, he will get you a number

I vote Lee for Most scenic Spector pictures
I vote Jeff for Guy to buy the most new USA Spectors in a year

Originally Posted by Clearwave

I nominate Donny for the "Largest Spector Tattoo" award.

I 2nd all 3 of these! ^^^

[iceboxbass]

Originally Posted by Clearwave

I nominate ICE for the most anticipated bass award- for the KING CODA.. I felt like I should have taken the day off when you got that bass.

Hahaha! Lol! Thanks for making me chuckle! I needed that this morning.

[iceboxbass]

Originally Posted by worshiprocker

we just ordered an arc6 pro for my guitarist!! I can't wait for him to get it

Awesome! Another musician won over to Spector!

[cableguy]

I don't know if anyones seen this or not so here it goes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spector-Bass...item484e31d561

Seems to need some TLC but someone could probably get it faily cheap......

[iceboxbass]

Originally Posted by seventhframe

And this one is for "All things Spector"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDJz57-c5XI



Sorry about the poor quality. I have it in HD but it'll take forever to upload.

Awesome Omer! Thanks to my new iPhone 5 with 4G network, it loaded lightening fast!

[JPSBassist]

Originally Posted by morebassbaby

WOW! Those are amazing! You captured how stellar this bass is in real life! It's a cool story too. It's funny to think about who had your bass before you, even if it's pretty much brand-spank'in new!

Oh your bass was new. I don't play them when they come here for photos.

I have a thing about that. If they are going to someone who has already ordered and paid for them I don't feel it's fair to play them.

I carefully handle them to get photos and then they go back in their cases and are shipped to the dealer/new owner. Which ever is the case.

Also, at the NAMM Show, there are basses that PJ Rubal specs out for the show that are meant to be played, the others are not available for demos.

Your bass was one of the ones that was NOT available for demos, mainly because Stuart and PJ didn't want the finish to get damaged. It was there for eye candy to draw people into the booth.

John DeLuca's Green Machine, his NS-5XL, was built for the show and it got played a lot. And there was a matte finish, red NS-4 that was available if you wanted to try a 4-string NS.

The only other basses that were played were the Coda basses. And then the electric guitars got shredded on regularly.

So your bass, other than anyone Todd may have let demo it in his store, should have been pretty much untouched when you got it.

I am glad it came to the show and my office for photos. That finish is hypnotic. I could look at that bass all day. It's simply too cool for words.

I'm really happy it's yours! You should post some sound samples so we can hear what it sounds like. I've been talking to a bunch of people lately about pup changes and circuit changes. So having some tone samples would be cool.

When I get back from NAMM, I want to work with "Da Pimp" to add a section to SpectorCentral of sound clips so people can hear these basses for themselves.

[morebassbaby]

Oh that's awesome! No, I didn't mean to sound mad or offended that others touched my bass before I owned it, I just think it's cool to hear about the environments in which the instrument lived before it got to you.

Yeah I gotta work on some sound clips. Maybe tomorrow at church. I think It'll be one of our drummer's first Sundays with the new electronic drum kit. To say he will need some jam time to adjust from a real kit would probably be an understatement!

[cjmodulus]

Originally Posted by chrisloe

Health wise, long weird confusing day, more later, I'm fine, cool, chemo got pushed back again...

Bass wise, New Bass Day! My Coda got here from Beaver at Bass Central, holy crap, could not be more impressed with it. More to follow later, I'm beat, have to get to bed, just wanted to post picture of the body and with its NS-2 brother.

I don't think I have ever had 2 basses I am more in love and impressed with, and 2 basses so different from each other that I am so happy with.

More later-best-Loe

Beautiful! Congrats Chris!

[Profania_bass]

Can I nominate myself for "Most spectacular Euro top?" Based entirely on the comments about it on here