Spector Euro or Rebop vs Fender USA Precision

[Jason Brown]

It sounds like you have good reasons for both...so that's what I suggest...have both. Hold onto the Fender and save for the Spector. You're young, so there's plenty of time.

They can both be basses for life too. I have two number ones, and it's quite nice!

[tomydacat]

Evil.. how about a Spector NS2A try that or maybe a schecter diamond series.. I have a euro 4 a Ns2A and a schecter Model T ,, the schecters are not as curvy as the spectors but play nice.. my euro 4 blue burst is my favorite of all basses though... my .02

[mmbongo]

Buying a Spector is always the right answer. Spectors are made to keep for a lifetime, they are really something special.

[dukeisdog]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Buying a Spector is always the right answer. Spectors are made to keep for a lifetime, they are really something special.

No doubt...

Since I bought my Euro 5LX I've gone through a few other high end basses. First being a Stingray 5H lined fretless that was out the door almost as fast as I got it once I realized it just wasn't a spector and didn't feel like a Spector to me. I've since picked up a Dingwall Combustion 5 string and much like the Stingray, it's a great bass, just not a Spector. My spector does everything the Dingwall does (minus fanned frets) and feels SO much better in my hands.. The only thing keeping the Dingwall at this point is my bandmates not wanting me to sell it and not finding another Spector right now..

I've wanted a Fender in the past, and still would really like a Jazz. With Spector making the Coda 5 now, I don't really see a point for me to go the Fender route. If you like your Fender, then don't get rid of it, plain and simple. I know that 95% of the time I'd take a Spector over a Fender anyway, but that's just me. Here's my euro for reference..

[Splods]

I own 2 P basses, as well as a spector performer.
I find the P basses to have quite a limited tone and sound, whereas the Spector has a much more varied range of sounds.

I am currently looking at buying a rebop, as they are one of the best basses
I have ever played. So comfortable with a butter neck, and such a large range.

Even with dead strings the Rebop sounds good, and P basses just seem worse in comparison.

[jd1014.1]

Another "Spector slut" here, as I laughingly call myself. Now that I have discovered M-Brace (http://www.mbracestand.com/), I'm willing to overlook their bulk, and I've owned and sold 3 (a 4-string Legend, a 5-string Legend, and a Zebrawood {HEAVY!} ReBop). The 4-string Euro is THE "dream bass". I don't like flats on a Spector, DIG 'em on a P-bass (American or otherwise - the value priced Squier CV series is impressive!). Given how I enjoy the sound of flats, I'd still take the Spector...somethin' about that GROWL just....moves me!

[SolarMan]

You went through a lot to get that Fender of your dreams. You will reget letting it go.

I say (and very humbly, as I am trying myself) - lose the belly!

[ShirazBop]

Originally Posted by SolarMan

You went through a lot to get that Fender of your dreams. You will reget letting it go.

I say (and very humbly, as I am trying myself) - lose the belly!

P-Bass all the way.....

It took lifestyle changes over several years, but down over 70 lbs and feels more comfortable then ever since my first purchased new late 70's P....

[GBassNorth]

Evil - that's a tough dilemma.
I have Spectors (USA, Euro and a Tbird). I love em all and every one is a keeper but you're correct they don't sound exactly like a Fender P bass. Spector does have the P/J configuration in a number of their offerings (none sound like a Fender to me). The models with the dual humbuckers can be converted to a P/J configuration without routing if you use one of the EMG humbucker shaped precision pickups in the neck position.

IIRC you've also been a little concerned about the weight of the bass. The Spectors I've played and the ones I own aren't light (most are in the 9+ pound category). However, Spector does have one model that might fit the weight, size, some of the shape and some of the sound needs you have - it's called the Spectorcore. It's a hollowbody with a humbucker in the neck position and a piezo in the bridge. You might be able to replace the neck pickup with an EMG Humbucker shaped Precision pickup to get closer to the sound you want. I don't recall if the Spectorcore has the belly cut or the back curve typical of many Spectors but if it does it might be worth looking at. They are also fairly inexpensive used (about $500 USD).

Anyway, good luck in your quest, happy holidays and have a safe and healthy new year!

[mntngrown]

" but then I don't think any bass tone could match or beat a Fender P tone
either" Sorta hard to go anywhere after that statement.
I had a 2008 US P that was light and perfectly balanced and was the P tone par excellance! Which is why I sold it. I understand why that tone is the backbone of my music era too. 60's etc. Just found it personally boring.
Maybe get a cheap beatup Mexican P on Craigs and have someone with the woodworking tools start routing sanding etc ,then see if it still sounds good after it feels good.

[steamthief]

Keep the Fender, buy a Spector. That's what I did, anyways. Neither bass is going to sound like the other, yet they both create some tasty tones.

[nrssab]

Buy a Spector! Play something that you feel comfortable with. Those fenders won't run away you can always get another one.
Though I'm pretty sure that chaging the preamp of the Spector Euro will make you not miss the Fender.

[MusicDad]

You said it yourself: you like the TONE and the FEEL of the Fender. Stay with that! It is worth every penny, and you will save money by not buying gadgets to try and make the Spector sound the way you want it too (like the Fender).

Tone - YOUR tone - is paramount.

-R

[Arthur U. Poon]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

I'm having a "situation" - I absolutely love everything about my Fender, the way it plays, the neck, the tone, looks, etc. but the body is massive on me (short female) plus I'm more than just a little overweight so when I play the bass sits at a weird angle.

I used to own a Spector Euro, and just totally fell in love with the curved NS body shape. The tone wasn't quite as perfect as the Fender, but then I don't think any bass tone could match or beat a Fender P tone (IMHO of course).

My dilemma is that I can't afford to buy a Spector Euro or Rebop and keep the Fender.

What would YOU do?

Keep in mind that I'm hoping for one to become a "bass for life"

Possibly modify a used Spector Euro P/J by replacing the pickups with a vintage sounding set of passive pickups? Seymour Duncan, Lindy Fralin, and Nordstrand all make wonderful pickups with a vintage tone.

And you could also go with a new internal active preamp and have a bypass switch installed on the bass, so you can switch between a passive bass or an active bass.

This may sound like a lot of money and work, but IMO it's not really that costly, especially if you have a reputable Bass Tech in your area.

[oboylebass]

I've never, ever gotten a call where someone asks if I have a Spector bass.

A Precision on the other hand...

[Yango]

I think that's probably one of the nuttiest reasons that I've ever heard for getting rid of a great bass for (what the op deems) an inferior one.

I my opinion, you should probably just keep your Precision and work on your self esteem.

[Pills Are Yummy]

Why not a Spector euro 35tw? The EMG TW pickups allow you to switch between single coil and humbucking modes for just about any tone you want. You get the awesome ergonomics and tone as well. Go look up the demo on YouTube, you'll be hooked

[thisSNsucks]

If you love the tone and look of the Fender, keep the Fender.

[Pills Are Yummy]

Lose the belly, then you can use ANY bass you want

[Schpector]

Spectors have better tone.