SPECTOR® Club - Part 53 (A tribute to our Spector Brother and Friend Chris Loe)

[Jimmy Stump]

I'm new to Spector and do not have a number. I've been hanging around since I got my 4LX just to do research, and following along with Chris Loe's story. He seemed fine, like this round of chemo was nothing unusual. Then you realize there are always potential complications like a fever. Was not expecting this at all. Very sad to hear of anyone departing this world sooner than they should. How fragile are our lives? That's what I continue to ask myself when this horrible disease shows up and robs families of their loved ones. RIP Chris.

[sumgruuvz]

post pics and pm tracebassplayer. he'll get you a number. and welcome!

[tomydacat]

OH MAN 10 stringBOP ....is that a song title HAHAH

[tomydacat]

Bunk about the sizzling noise could it be a ground issue?

[iceboxbass]

Originally Posted by JPSBassist

Has anyone had anything to say about the NS-10, 10-string USA Bolt-On bass?

Since hanging out with Billy Sherwood (Yes, Circa) at his studio and getting to see his NS-8 (an 8-string NS-2JJ) I've been in love with the thought of getting one.

Anyway. Just some of the cool new things coming out of Woodstock I thought I'd ask you all about to see if you are excited by it.

SERIOUSLY! I didn't realize Spector introduced a NS-8/10...WOW it looks awesome! Way above my skill level but I'm really intrigued. Thanks Patrick! What's the standard tuning on each?

[superdick2112]

Originally Posted by tomydacat

Bunk about the sizzling noise could it be a ground issue?

I've had similar issues with PA gear & lesser basses , but never with a Spector or any other EMG equipped bass.
The PA buzz issue was caused by a bad motor on a refrigerator creating line noise, and I've seen hum & noise problems caused by flourescent lighting, mis-wired outlets & just plain crappy incoming power. Bunk could also be hearing hiss from excessive gain - either from the TonePump, his outboard preamp, or a combination of the two.
Try the bass through a battery powered headphone amp & see if the issue persists...

[bunkaroo]

Originally Posted by Clearwave

I know you've been trying to chase it down but I still think its something in the room. Ever had that problem in any other rooms? could try to float the ground on the RBI or the mixer....see what happens.

Yeah I moved downstairs into the living room and just sat plugged into my Bass PodXT with headphones and was still getting it. I also tried with my iRig and iPad so I was completely removed from power, but the iRig is so damn noisy I couldn't tell for sure. I mean I had the fridge turned off, multiple circuits anywhere near me off, including the one dimmer switch we have. All that stuff was off at the box. And I still can hear it. I also wanted to make sure I wasn't acting like an antenna, so I left it on a stand and walked away and could still hear it through my monitors from outside my room.

Originally Posted by ynot12

Hmmmm, in that case, I'm not sure. My Euro with a BQC is very quiet. I still get it with REbop when I turn up the treble on the tone pump. But now with the tone pump dialed down to about 40 it isn't very noticeable.

I do also believe there is something causing interference in my basement, which is the root cause. I had a Fender P Deluxe that would sizzle when I switched to active and ended up selling it because of this issue.

To be sure, the BQC is not as bad, but it is still there. I don't have my treble wide open on the basses either - maybe a little above what is considered "flat" on the TP.

Originally Posted by superdick2112

I've had similar issues with PA gear & lesser basses , but never with a Spector or any other EMG equipped bass.
The PA buzz issue was caused by a bad motor on a refrigerator creating line noise, and I've seen hum & noise problems caused by flourescent lighting, mis-wired outlets & just plain crappy incoming power. Bunk could also be hearing hiss from excessive gain - either from the TonePump, his outboard preamp, or a combination of the two.
Try the bass through a battery powered headphone amp & see if the issue persists...

I have CFL's in many rooms, and regular fluorescent lights in the basement, but all those circuits were off and I could still hear it. The fact that it becomes more or less audible as I turn the bass from facing up/down to playing position makes me think it is picking up something and it's not necessarily the power. I have a Furman power conditioner in my rack and everything is going through it.

So for those more knowledgeable about electricity than me (that's everyone), could something on a different circuit than what my rig is plugged into still cause this? The only two things that were still on were a chest freezer two floors down in the basement and the furnace.

I'm going to try with my iPad again tonight if I can get the input to be less noisy on the iRig dongle.

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by iceboxbass

SERIOUSLY! I didn't realize Spector introduced a NS-8/10...

Makes me want to run out and join a Pearl Jam/Cheap Trick cover band!

Looks great, but not something many of us would likely use often.

I briefly owned a Hamer Chapparel 12 (4 groups of 3 strings) and it was cool, but just not my thing.

[bunkaroo]

Originally Posted by tomydacat

Bunk about the sizzling noise could it be a ground issue?

Missed this one. If you mean a ground issue on the bass, that means many of my basses are having this problem.

I don't think it's a ground issue with the rig, because when I turn the bass volume down it goes away. That makes me believe it's the bass picking up something. Especially since it gets worse or better depending on where and how the bass is positioned.

[Clearwave]

....and Kings X. Neat sound, but a one trick pony.

Originally Posted by Baird6869

Makes me want to run out and join a Pearl Jam/Cheap Trick cover band!

Looks great, but not something many of us would likely use often.

I briefly owned a Hamer Chapparel 12 (4 groups of 3 strings) and it was cool, but just not my thing.

[ynot12]

Originally Posted by bunkaroo

Yeah I moved downstairs into the living room and just sat plugged into my Bass PodXT with headphones and was still getting it. I also tried with my iRig and iPad so I was completely removed from power, but the iRig is so damn noisy I couldn't tell for sure. I mean I had the fridge turned off, multiple circuits anywhere near me off, including the one dimmer switch we have. All that stuff was off at the box. And I still can hear it. I also wanted to make sure I wasn't acting like an antenna, so I left it on a stand and walked away and could still hear it through my monitors from outside my room.



To be sure, the BQC is not as bad, but it is still there. I don't have my treble wide open on the basses either - maybe a little above what is considered "flat" on the TP.



I have CFL's in many rooms, and regular fluorescent lights in the basement, but all those circuits were off and I could still hear it. The fact that it becomes more or less audible as I turn the bass from facing up/down to playing position makes me think it is picking up something and it's not necessarily the power. I have a Furman power conditioner in my rack and everything is going through it.

So for those more knowledgeable about electricity than me (that's everyone), could something on a different circuit than what my rig is plugged into still cause this? The only two things that were still on were a chest freezer two floors down in the basement and the furnace.

I'm going to try with my iPad again tonight if I can get the input to be less noisy on the iRig dongle.

Bunk, this is a random question, but do you have a radio tower near your home? I went through the whole process you are describing and never identified what was exactly causing it. I just thought it was something in my basement. However, I'm right by a WGN radio tower and I have always suspected some RF from that might be it. When I face the body up, it get 3x worse.

[iceboxbass]

Originally Posted by bunkaroo

Has anyone here had any issues with their Euros picking up noise?

I've got an issue here in my upstairs room I use for recording - I am hearing a "sizzling" buzz in several of my Euros. Here's the odd part - it gets worse as I face the bass up or down, but in playing position it gets better. Also as it's closer to the floor, it gets worse as well. This is with every Euro bass I tried.

I of course suspected the wiring below me as a culprit. So I went and cut all my circuits off except for the room I'm in, and I had all my other electronics, routers, modems etc unplugged. Just my bass into the RBI into a mixer with headphones. And it was still there.

When I had my Lakland P that had a buzz that would go away when you touched the strings. In this case touching the strings doesn't matter - it's still there.

I can hear it to varying degrees on all my Euros and my Stingray 5HH. My Stingray 5H is nice and quiet. As is my NS-5XL. Now I know the NS-5XL has good shielding in it. But I was under the impression the EMG's in all these Euros are shielded internally, so I don't understand why I'm having noise problems. I don't think it's "dirty power" because it goes away when I turn the volume controls down on the bass so it's definitely something the bass is picking up. I have read that EMG suggests not connecting the ground wire to the bridge with their pickups. Is it possible all Euros are being built this way?

This really sucks because this is the room I record in, and I don't want to feel like I have to find the exact position to sit in the room to not get this interference.

Any advice or insight on what could be going on is greatly appreciated.

Andrew, have you put more shielding into your electronics cavity or atleast put shielding under side of the cavity cover. Maybe attach the ground from the EMG's.

[iceboxbass]

Originally Posted by sifi76

Hey guys, looking at replacing my euro's tonepump with an eq and I'm particularly partial to Glockenklang's 3 band-stacked beasty. Anyone ever tried modding a LX with one of these babies?

I'm pretty sure it's compatible. Second to this would be throwing a bqc in (or a maybe mike pope flexcore 2.2 4 band?) but figured I'd ask the experts before ordering anything.

How about Aguilar's OBP 3? So far that's my favorite preamp in a Spector.

[jnumme]

Originally Posted by Profania_bass

I
d buy some, a shirt too (if it were black)

Yeah shirts would be cool but cost is a factor where stickers can be made cheaper and sold for more proceeds to the LOE family . If anyone takes ahold of this hopefully they will pm all spector members for there support. JODY

[brotherbassj]

Originally Posted by iceboxbass

How about Aguilar's OBP 3? So far that's my favorite preamp in a Spector.

I'm a huge fan of the Aguilar OBP-3. It's a great preamp with a wide range of usable tones and options, especially when the selectors for mids are wired in and it's running at 18 volts. Ask Patrick too because if I recall he had positive things to say about the OBP-2 and OBP-3

[iceboxbass]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stump

I'm new to Spector and do not have a number. I've been hanging around since I got my 4LX just to do research, and following along with Chris Loe's story. He seemed fine, like this round of chemo was nothing unusual. Then you realize there are always potential complications like a fever. Was not expecting this at all. Very sad to hear of anyone departing this world sooner than they should. How fragile are our lives? That's what I continue to ask myself when this horrible disease shows up and robs families of their loved ones. RIP Chris.

Welcome to the family!

[keeperofthelows]

Originally Posted by JPSBassist

Hi everyone!

I've just added a Chris Loe memorial banner to the front page of the SpectorCentral website.

It links to the support page I created for him and that so many of you were awesome and showed support by send in photos of encouragement.

I've changed the message and added a link to the awesome donation page that Sam created for Andrea Loe.

That pledge page links directly to Chris's PayPal Account.

So no middle men. The funds you send go into the Loe Family account.

I really appreciate your support and fellowship. There are too many awesome people here to count. So thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Patrick

http://www.spectorcentral.com

WOW!!! thats too cool Patrick. i got here late (after the Ian and these photos i believe.) and i know how much you all supported chris and still support his family but i have never seen these pics. i can only imagine how this made Chris feel. ive said it before and ill say it again,

YOU GUYS AND GALS IN THIS SPECTOR FAMILY ARE AWESOME!!!

much respect...

[WOLFTOWER5]

Originally Posted by bunkaroo

Yeah I moved downstairs into the living room and just sat plugged into my Bass PodXT with headphones and was still getting it. I also tried with my iRig and iPad so I was completely removed from power, but the iRig is so damn noisy I couldn't tell for sure. I mean I had the fridge turned off, multiple circuits anywhere near me off, including the one dimmer switch we have. All that stuff was off at the box. And I still can hear it. I also wanted to make sure I wasn't acting like an antenna, so I left it on a stand and walked away and could still hear it through my monitors from outside my room.



To be sure, the BQC is not as bad, but it is still there. I don't have my treble wide open on the basses either - maybe a little above what is considered "flat" on the TP.



I have CFL's in many rooms, and regular fluorescent lights in the basement, but all those circuits were off and I could still hear it. The fact that it becomes more or less audible as I turn the bass from facing up/down to playing position makes me think it is picking up something and it's not necessarily the power. I have a Furman power conditioner in my rack and everything is going through it.

So for those more knowledgeable about electricity than me (that's everyone), could something on a different circuit than what my rig is plugged into still cause this? The only two things that were still on were a chest freezer two floors down in the basement and the furnace.

I'm going to try with my iPad again tonight if I can get the input to be less noisy on the iRig dongle.

I don't know if this could remotely be possible but I just thought I would add .02cents on the noise. Before I ruptured 3 discs in my lower back, I worked on a fire department. The particular fire house I was assigned to had high tension power lines right behind it. One of the other guys at my station played guitar, so we would always bring our practice amps in and jam during down time. Anyway, we would always get a horrible hiss and interference noise. If I was assigned to another station on overtime or trade, I would usually take my practice setup with. Inevitably the other stations never had the same problem. Clean as a whistle sound. I never would have thought the power lines would do that, but it did. We also would get like a pre call alert. Due to the high powered radios the fire department used, every time there was a radio keyed up inside the station, we would get interference also.

I figured if you live near a facility that uses radio equipment or high tension power lines, this may or may not have anything to do with it. Regardless, I hope you find what it is. I remember how annoyed myself and another guy were have to listen to the interference.

[iceboxbass]

Originally Posted by bunkaroo

Yeah I moved downstairs into the living room and just sat plugged into my Bass PodXT with headphones and was still getting it. I also tried with my iRig and iPad so I was completely removed from power, but the iRig is so damn noisy I couldn't tell for sure. I mean I had the fridge turned off, multiple circuits anywhere near me off, including the one dimmer switch we have. All that stuff was off at the box. And I still can hear it. I also wanted to make sure I wasn't acting like an antenna, so I left it on a stand and walked away and could still hear it through my monitors from outside my room.



To be sure, the BQC is not as bad, but it is still there. I don't have my treble wide open on the basses either - maybe a little above what is considered "flat" on the TP.



I have CFL's in many rooms, and regular fluorescent lights in the basement, but all those circuits were off and I could still hear it. The fact that it becomes more or less audible as I turn the bass from facing up/down to playing position makes me think it is picking up something and it's not necessarily the power. I have a Furman power conditioner in my rack and everything is going through it.

So for those more knowledgeable about electricity than me (that's everyone), could something on a different circuit than what my rig is plugged into still cause this? The only two things that were still on were a chest freezer two floors down in the basement and the furnace.

I'm going to try with my iPad again tonight if I can get the input to be less noisy on the iRig dongle.

Fluorescent lights have ballast which hold power like capacitors. So even though the circuit was dead at the box, they still can cause interference.
I'd try your bass in another building without fluorescent lighting and see if it still exist. Also make sure your cell phone is completely off. They cause interference also.

[Fat240]

Originally Posted by ynot12

Bunk, this is a random question, but do you have a radio tower near your home? I went through the whole process you are describing and never identified what was exactly causing it. I just thought it was something in my basement. However, I'm right by a WGN radio tower and I have always suspected some RF from that might be it. When I face the body up, it get 3x worse.

Never thought about it but, there is a guy just down the road that has radio towers and does amateur radio. Might need to add more shielding to the TP since that seems to be the most affected. Could be your issue Bunk.