Getting a Schecter to sound like a Spector

[Faultline]

Spectors are way tougher than you may think. I have over 500 shows on my 2 Euros. I am not a stand in the corner bassist. We are ALL over the stage, jumping, running and going in the crowd.

I have no doubts to how well built Spectors are. It's never been a question for me of if Spector build quality is comparable to Schecter quality, it's the cost of Spectors and my absolute reluctance to bang one up like will a Schecter that I am thinking. If I can get a lower cost but well built bass to get a tone similar/close to the Spector growl, I'm ok with that scenario vs brutalizing a Spector which to me is a work of art.

 

[Faultline]

Schpecter.

There, I did it! Sounds closer to Spector

That was easy

 

[Lammchop93]

I tried to do this. I have a schecyer stiletto customer 5. I put in 2 EMG 40J soapbars with a tonepump jr, and it got dang close. I tried the HAZ preamp, and for whatever reason, the bass did not like it. I went back to the tonepump and I am happy.

 

[Faultline]

Did you get it? Whaddya think?

I love this bass. It has the growl my Stilettos were missing it has a great neck profile, it feels smaller than it is but it has a nice heavy body to mitigate neck dive. In a way it feels like the 1999 Warwick thumb 5 bolt on I sold years ago in a moment of monumental stupidity. Well balanced, clear and articulate tone with plenty of growl when I want it and VERY punchy in a live mix. I played it in my death metal band's rehearsal Friday and my prog band Saturday. It cleaned up the mix in both bands substantially. I can see myself getting an SLS Elite 5 string in the near future as a backup to this one to be honest. Super happy BUT now my pickup/pre choice for my other basses becomes more complicated lol.

 

[Faultline]

I tried to do this. I have a schecyer stiletto customer 5. I put in 2 EMG 40J soapbars with a tonepump jr, and it got dang close. I tried the HAZ preamp, and for whatever reason, the bass did not like it. I went back to the tonepump and I am happy.

Thank you for this. I've heard some Spector owners say they didn't like the tone pump in reviews, so it's interesting to hear a differing opinion on the LHZ/Tone pump. I am leaning toward the Fishman system but still exploring options.

 

[BaltBass5]

I have no doubts to how well built Spectors are. It's never been a question for me of if Spector build quality is comparable to Schecter quality, it's the cost of Spectors and my absolute reluctance to bang one up like will a Schecter that I am thinking. If I can get a lower cost but well built bass to get a tone similar/close to the Spector growl, I'm ok with that scenario vs brutalizing a Spector which to me is a work of art.

Gotcha.....Another option is the new NS2 Icon that Spector released last month. They run about $1200 and are amazingly comparable to the Euro.

 

[Nuisance]

Thank you for this. I've heard some Spector owners say they didn't like the tone pump in reviews, so it's interesting to hear a differing opinion on the LHZ/Tone pump. I am leaning toward the Fishman system but still exploring options.

I had the Tone Pump Jr pushing EMG's in my Korean Spector and liked it a lot. It was VERY hot though.

 

[songwriter21]

I am on the fence now. I got in my new Schecter with the Fishman/EMG pre amp ( Fishman pickups and frequency switch, Active 3 band emg pre) and I am 100% happy with the tone. I suspect the EMG pre is the same one that's in my Stiletto Studio basses, which I attribute to a very lukewarm tone. The Fishman Pickups and frequency switch definitely introduce a growl that isn't present in my Stilettos. I am not sure now if I want to go with an LHZ pre and keep my EMG HZs, a Darkglass pre and HZs or go full Fishman. All that Said, I am super happy with the tone of the SLS Hellraiser 5 and now I want my other two Schecters to sound this good. The EMG active pre in this new bass I am able to run mostly flat with a tiny mid boost and the frequency switch does the rest.

Unfortunately, most people don't realize that you gotta crank the gain on these budget preamps. The pickups are fine, too. They're just passive EMGs. I also pair a preamp patch with my Studios (on-board eq set flat, btw), and they sound monstrous.