help me choose! I know... not another one.

[plorenzo]

another vote for the spector here.

when did they put a gain trimmer into the tonepump??

 

[f'nar f'nar]

As far as I know, the prices of most basses in Australia will be going up in January because of the status of the dollar (fenders up in Jan and Musicman basses just wen't up by close to $1000AU!!!), so I would recommend doing your best to get the money soon!

 

[tom once dead]

oh no!, better start doing more shifts at work.

Although the occasional, $50 an hour (cello) quartet gig helps.

im nearly 100% sure on the spector. but we'll see after tomorow after I've been to the music store.

 

[plorenzo]

how much do euro lx spectors there? it's a killer bass but maybe it's out of your budget if you talk about legend series...

 

[Ian Perge]

another vote for the spector here.

when did they put a gain trimmer into the tonepump??

As far as I can tell late Summer/early Fall. If I hadn't gone and purchased 3 sets of Aguilar OBP-3SK/PPs for my Spectors (Zebrawood-topped "ZeBop" DLX EX 4-string, ReBop DLX FM 5-string fretted and fretless) I very well might be giving PJ @ Spector a call to see how much a loyal customer could purchase 3 of the newer "TonePump Jrs." It's really is a nice preamp with the only negative being that it runs very hot. Now that it's updated, I would think it's the equivalent of an OBP-1 (Treble/Bass, boost only)

If you can possibly raise just a bit more money, a used ReBop might suit you very well as they're a great bridge between the Legend Series and the Neck-Through Euros. They're my choice of Spector, as I like the classic "Spector Sound" but am not a huge fan of neck-through body construction as well as active EMG pickups. I've found that the ReBop combines the best parts of a Spector with the "punch" of a great bolt-on Jazz bass. If you can find a "First Generation" ReBop (All Alder body/no Maple top, Dot Inlays/no Spector "Crown" Inlays) so much the better as you'd likely be getting a great deal on it with all the rest of the positives of the Euro Series (IMO better construction, pickups/electronics and wood) as well as the possibility of an Aguilar OBP-1 preamp, as they were standard for the first few years.

 

[f'nar f'nar]

how much do euro lx spectors there? it's a killer bass but maybe it's out of your budget if you talk about legend series...

Generally the Legend series sits at around $1500AU and the Euro series generally seem to be roughly $1000AU more. The USA series at present are about $9000AU, I haven't looked in a while but I think they have gone up a solid 1 or 2 grand. Such a shame.

On a side note it seems that we not-so-rich people in Australia have been playing musical chairs with our basses, and come next year the music will stop and we'll have to make do with what we have. I feel GAS pains on the horizon!

 

[optikhog]

I found I didn't have enough attack with the G&L.

I love the sound of EMG humbuckers.

Not to derail, but what settings were you using? A G&L can be the king of attack when asked.

 

[plorenzo]

I always found G&Ls a bit muddy, and I bought a spector

 

[optikhog]

I always found G&Ls a bit muddy, and I bought a spector

That's cool, not trying to be a fanboy. The statement about lack of attack just gave me pause.

 

[Aussie Mark]

That's cool, not trying to be a fanboy. The statement about lack of attack just gave me pause.

+1 I've owned two L2Ks and the brashness of the pickups was the main reason I sold them. Tons of attack, but very difficult to tame in my experience. Very nicely made instruments though, and fantastic necks.

 

[optikhog]

+1 I've owned two L2Ks and the brashness of the pickups was the main reason I sold them. Tons of attack, but very difficult to tame in my experience. Very nicely made instruments though, and fantastic necks.

Yep, I actually switch to a set of TI Jazz Flats when I wanna get mine to calm down for more vintage work. Works perfectly. I've been through a *lot* of sub-$1K instruments (several Ibanez, Washburn, SX, ESP, Dean)in the last 2 years and have stuck on the G&L for ~5 months now. It covers every style of music I play perfectly, from worship to hard rock and does it in style.

 

[fourstringbliss]

i was looking at the Ibanez range. But I played on a cort, with bart Mk1 pups. they didn't really impress me. I love T'Bird with tone on full sound.


I also played on a stingray, I like the neck on the G&L better.

Ive played on a spector E5(?) Schecter C-5, a G&L. a different version ESP. I really want to try an SR 505 or 705

I didn't like the sound of the Bart MK-1's in an ash bodied bass but they sound just right in that SR505 mahogany body. I think the G&L L2500 Tribute is what you're looking for.

 

[madbassplaya]

Esp Surveryor!

http://www.espguitars.com/basses_surveyor.html

My local music store has one and that thing is awesome. The pickups aren't too hot, but it can have everything from a clean, to a more aggressive tone.

 

[tom once dead]

Not to derail, but what settings were you using? A G&L can be the king of attack when asked.

I'm not sure of exact, but Im pretty sure that treble was on full, with the bridge pup. It was on a roland cube on superflat.

like the look of the surveyor, Im not sure If I like the pup config though.

Euros start at around $2500 at the bass centre

WARWICK NECKS ARE HORRIBLE, and they are too expensive

 

[joelyb]

MTD Kingston Heir?

Humbucker and a single coil right in that price range, great feeling necks as well.

 

[optikhog]

I'm not sure of exact, but Im pretty sure that treble was on full, with the bridge pup. It was on a roland cube on superflat.

Gotcha - yah, you wanna have both pups on and in series to really bring the thunder. Pull the active switch (the switch over the bass knob) up to active with treble boost and put all knobs at around 75% and magic!

 

[tom once dead]

MTD Kingston Heir?

Humbucker and a single coil right in that price range, great feeling necks as well.

I like the necks, but not the string spacing.

 

[Basstard79]

If you can possibly raise just a bit more money, a used ReBop might suit you very well as they're a great bridge between the Legend Series and the Neck-Through Euros. (...)

Hear hear! Very good piece of adice here.

 

[tom once dead]

ok so today I played on a couple of basses. An SR 700 (they didnt have a xx5 in any model). And decided the neck is awsome and the sound is awsome, but it still left me wanting somthing. A Tune (dont know what model) 5 with P/J pups, neck wasnt that good, but sound was terrible. and a G&L 2500, neck is way too chunky. i solved the problem of no attack by switching it to active, great sound. but the neck is too chunky.

There was also some old-ish guy (40s-50s?) that smelt funny standing next to me while I was playing, asked me about band stuff and if I wanted to do some recording with him. I told him my current band is in a crisis and im settling down with bands for a while (which is true).

I might got to a different store and see what they have. They cater more for higher skilled players, so the average priced bass in there is about $1500. Im also pretty much VIP in there so I can knock up to 25% off the price of things.

 

[tom once dead]

I'm thinking to just go with my instincts and order a spector