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New spector

#61
1st off, I'd be willing to bet that the fine folks at Spector aren't planning on selling a ton of these. The reason the MTD Saratoga exists, from my understanding, is because he was asked by Andrew Gouche on one day and Norm Stockton the next day, for a Jazz style bass to please their respective artists. I would guess that Stuart has gotten the same request from their pros. There's enough Jazz style bass builders that this shouldn't even be a topic. I'm not a fan of the headstock shape, and I would LOVE a curved body, but this bass is what it is...an instrument for Spector pros who need something that resembles a Jazz Bass.

As far as the Forte line is concerned, I have a Forte 5 and if you think for one second, that this bass doesn't have the attention to detail that the other USA basses have, you don't really know Spector. Even tho I don't play metal, I love the look(I'd have black hardware and no inlay on all of my basses if that were possible)! Would I trade my Euro 4 for a Forte 4?Probably! I'm thinking about it. With the HazLab option, it's every bit an NS2 or an NS5! Without the HazLab...it's still a USA Spector and it still has the "Spector Sound"!
 
#62
pbass6811... I hope you are right. I will always want to see Stuart, PJ and crew do well, prosper and grow. So I hope their foray into the jazz arena is wildly successful.

And I don't doubt for a second that the Forte is beautifully made. Even the lower-end Korea and Chinese Spectors are a great value for their cost. Their quality better than many of the other Asian-made basses out there.

I think the reason I love my Spector basses as much as I do is first and second, their sound and their design... which is really a tie for first.

And then the artistry and skill in which they are made. Even my 22 year old NS2 is made with incredible attention to detail. And 22 years later it's still nearly flawless and sounds as good today as it did brand new.

I wasn't putting your Forte down in the least. Again, to me, it just lacks that pulse grabbing beauty... that slap you across the face gut reaction that any number of differently finished Euro models have for less $$$.

And lastly, my Euro 4LX is finished exactly like the Forte, black tansparent (although my 4LX is gloss finish), but obviously with the neck inlays and a special-order gold hardware option.

It's a gorgeous guitar...
 
#63
JPSBassist said:
pbass6811... I hope you are right. I will always want to see Stuart, PJ and crew do well, prosper and grow. So I hope their foray into the jazz arena is wildly successful.

And I don't doubt for a second that the Forte is beautifully made. Even the lower-end Korea and Chinese Spectors are a great value for their cost. Their quality better than many of the other Asian-made basses out there.

I think the reason I love my Spector basses as much as I do is first and second, their sound and their design... which is really a tie for first.

And then the artistry and skill in which they are made. Even my 22 year old NS2 is made with incredible attention to detail. And 22 years later it's still nearly flawless and sounds as good today as it did brand new.

I wasn't putting your Forte down in the least. Again, to me, it just lacks that pulse grabbing beauty... that slap you across the face gut reaction that any number of differently finished Euro models have for less $$$.

And lastly, my Euro 4LX is finished exactly like the Forte, black tansparent (although my 4LX is gloss finish), but obviously with the neck inlays and a special-order gold hardware option.

It's a gorgeous guitar...
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Right on, bro! I didn't mean to sound like I was offended or mad, I've read a few complaints about the Forte line and, quite frankly, I have no idea why? It's a USA made NS with one option. That's the essence of this line. I've been trying to find a way to get a US Spector for a while and this was a PERFECT(for me!)way for me to finally make that happen! I do love my Euro 4LX, but we'd all have USA Spectors if it were feasible. I totally agree with you, my friend. I have seen some AMAZING Spectors(The purple anniv. bass on spectorworld.com & that Blue NS5-H2 in the NAMM pics next to my Forte come to mind!), but the subtlety of the Forte is kind of what drew me to it...It's like that car you try to race, 'cause you think you can smoke it, and then you find out it's got twin turbos and nitrous on it! LOL!

As far as the Coda is concerned, I hope it does well also. I'm not a fan of the headstock, but they didn't build it for me. LOL! Hopefully, we'll hear from a TBer who has one or at least plays one? Hey, benjonesonbass or rockstarbassist, any plans to add one to your arsenal?
 
#65
Caca de Kick said:
:rollno: Oh brother....

I love and owned many NS2's and NS4CR's, but I think a J copy is a lame idea. I also own Jazzes, and when I want a Jazz I'll grab my old passive Fender.
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Yeah, well, you're not a Spector endorsee who maybe contractually obligated to play Spector basses. If said bassist is asked by his employer to play a bass with a specific sonic signature that can't be captured with his current equipment, then said bassist has to either A) Violate the terms of his endorsement agreement and play another brand of bass-that's bad business. B) Risk termination of his services to his employer because of non-compliance-That's just plain dumb. Or C) Hope that the manufacturer that he's obligated to has something or will build something that works. The Coda was, as has been posted several times, probably built with the intention of giving Spector pros a familiar looking alternative to their usual gear so they don't hafta pull out a Fender when they're supposed to be playing Spectors. If they sell a few, I'm sure they'll be happy. If they don't, probably not gonna ruin the company. It's the exact same thing MTD is doing.

I'm not ever going to be famous, but if I was, I'd probably NOT become an endorsee just because of these situations. I like being able to play what I want, whenever I want. I'd buy a Coda if the headstock weren't butt ugly and the body was curved...
 
#66
pbass6811 said:
I'd probably NOT become an endorsee just because of these situations. I like being able to play what I want, whenever I want.
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That is exactly my point. Why lock themselves in a situation with any company, when the work is out there to use anything. I will never endorse any one bass builder too, especially when I love too many things.
 
#67
Would a company really create a completely new line of basses to just please maybe 50 out of hundreds of endorsers that might run into a situation like that??? And even if all of their hundreds of endorsers would have this dilemma, I find it extremely hard to believe that it's worth their while to create a line of basses for a few hundred endorsers compared to thousands of non-endorsed general public Spector fans where a contract isn't an issue.

I'm no business major or marketing executive, but it just doesn't make sense to invest in all the tooling and other costs that go in to a new product like this Coda bass for such a small market. Especially when most Spector fans are expressing their dislike of it. (An easy survey, say a poll or questionnaire on their website, could have told them this.) Now I do realize that a majority of the parts on this bass are off-the-shelf and not custom made, so it's obvious that they are cutting costs there. I just don't get it I guess. But again, I'm an no business man, so I could be dead wrong in my opinions.
 
#68
And I just found this:



The audio quality ain't great, but it's clearly just a Jazz bass in tone as well as looks. I'd bet a teste that you can't coax a true Spector tone out of it. But.....that may be the point!

I've said it many times now, but I don't think I can say it enough. They should've brought back the Spector BOB series. I've played many many boutiques and top-notch basses, and the BOB truly is the best of all worlds- Jazz, P, MM, Ric, Spector. It really can do it all.
 
#71
MoonDoggy said:
I'm no business major or marketing executive, but it just doesn't make sense to invest in all the tooling and other costs that go in to a new product like this Coda bass for such a small market.
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It's a shame you're not a business major or marketing exec... because you have the instincts for a good one.

It is often too hard for us (as individuals) to step back from a situation we are invested in (emotionally or other-wise) and ask the difficult questions, seek the difficult answers that will help us make better choices. So that you would put any bias towards Spector products aside and ask the simple question above is from a marketing standpoint... simply awesome.

What my hopes are is that Stuart Spector, PJ and the other gurus that help run that company have invested the time, research and due-diligence required to make an objective, informed choice about starting a new line. Stuart's been around a long time. I have enormous respect for his dedication towards building the best guitars in the world. So I can only hope that he, or someone worth their salt with influence, have done what they need to ensure they don't waste time, effort and resources. And more importantly that they protect the Spector brand.

I would never advise one of my clients to change a trademark, recognizable aspect of their product(s). So unless there is a proven sonic/construction reason that will affect the sound of the bass in a negative way, I agree with MoonDoggy that the "Fenderish" headstock is a mistake. That's one thing that all Spector's have in common. From Asian to Euro to USA... the 2x2 Spector headstock shape. You instantly know it.

I think the Coda, so long as it functions and sounds like a jazz bass, should incorporate the traditional Spector headstock. This would go miles towards making it more appealing.

Anyway... I'll be watching with avid curiousity to see how the launch of this new line goes. In any event, as a loyal owner and fan, I hope it does incredibly well.
 
#72
Caca de Kick said:
That is exactly my point. Why lock themselves in a situation with any company, when the work is out there to use anything. I will never endorse any one bass builder too, especially when I love too many things.
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I think, for the most part, we're on the same page!

MoonDoggy said:
Would a company really create a completely new line of basses to just please maybe 50 out of hundreds of endorsers that might run into a situation like that??? And even if all of their hundreds of endorsers would have this dilemma, I find it extremely hard to believe that it's worth their while to create a line of basses for a few hundred endorsers compared to thousands of non-endorsed general public Spector fans where a contract isn't an issue.

I'm no business major or marketing executive, but it just doesn't make sense to invest in all the tooling and other costs that go in to a new product like this Coda bass for such a small market. Especially when most Spector fans are expressing their dislike of it. (An easy survey, say a poll or questionnaire on their website, could have told them this.) Now I do realize that a majority of the parts on this bass are off-the-shelf and not custom made, so it's obvious that they are cutting costs there. I just don't get it I guess. But again, I'm an no business man, so I could be dead wrong in my opinions.
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I'm no business guru either, and what you say totally makes sense, but again, going back to Michael Tobias, his words were, and I am paraphrasing, "I got a call from Andrew Gouche one day and then Norm Stockton called the next day and they both asked for a Jazz Style bass", so he built them! I'd guess that Stuart had the same thing happen. I'm sure there's some R&D involved, but they've already got the wood, probably already had most of the electronics, and the hardware. The tooling would be an issue, but they coulda' got that from another luthier or maybe had their current tool & die guy throw something together. Keep their high profile endorsees on Spectors no matter what the gig calls for and keep the exposure up. If they can sell a few to recoup some of the R&D costs, fantastic! If not, at least they got their people that are on TV, in videos(if they still make those!), and out on tour and doing live shows, playing Spectors...even if it looks like a Jazz.

JPSBassist is right, we should keep our eyes open and hope for the best for Stuart and the crew! And we should all hope for a new headstock design...:hiding:
 
#73
That makes sense. And I guess that brings up another point. For those non-Spector players that exclusively search for a high-end Jazz copy, this Coda may lead them to Spector's other basses. I guess it could be an attempt to reach customers that would've never considered them otherwise.

And that is also a good point about whether or not this bass succeeds- Even if it is a flop, Spector probably won't break the bank and go under just because of this. I'm sure they did enough research to at least know if they can afford to fail. IOW, I'm sure they considered the worst case scenario of a total flop. I too really hope this Coda succeeds, but I also hope they listen to the hardcore Spector crazies and give it at least a few of their Spector touches!
 
#74
MoonDoggy said:
That makes sense. And I guess that brings up another point. For those non-Spector players that exclusively search for a high-end Jazz copy, this Coda may lead them to Spector's other basses. I guess it could be an attempt to reach customers that would've never considered them otherwise.

And that is also a good point about whether or not this bass succeeds- Even if it is a flop, Spector probably won't break the bank and go under just because of this. I'm sure they did enough research to at least know if they can afford to fail. IOW, I'm sure they considered the worst case scenario of a total flop. I too really hope this Coda succeeds, but I also hope they listen to the hardcore Spector crazies and give it at least a few of their Spector touches!
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That is a really good point! Well played, sir! ;)

This is the last time I'll say this...as soon as they get rid of that horrible headstock, I'll get in line! LOL!
 
#75
First off to echo another poster, I detect a bit of photoshoppery in that picture. I'm not saying that it is definately not a real product but that the picture itself looks pieced together in some places.

Secondly, why is anyone suprised? We, as musicians should know how marketing influences our decisions if we've been playing for a while, especially if we look back to our formative years. There are a lot of great basses out there but I'm a J bass guy to the core. However, in the first two years of my playing I was influenced by what I saw in magazines or what my favorite artists played. Thank God I didn't have loads of money to burn through or I would have ended up with a Thunderbird, an Alembic, an Ibanez, and an ESP before I found that the J bass would give me the sound I'm looking for and would be the best tool for the task at hand for me.

So here's how this could work out for Spector. 1. Determine that there is a market for people who will spend $2-$3k on a bass. There is. 2. Put the bass in the hands of a few well known and respected bass players. 3. Put famous bass player in a magazine ad pictured with the bass. 4. The Jazz bass loving fanboy who has the money buys the bass.

It's marketing folks and it works well. They know that if one out of every 2500 hundred bass players wants the bass, can afford it and likes the artist that endorses it that it will sell, and it will if they've done a thorough market analysis. If not then it may fall flat. So, don't be suprised if sales are brisk and that in a year there is a mid priced model to compete with Fender for a grand or less. It happens with all kinds of products.

I may be a Fender J bass lover but if a company can offer a similar product that I love every aspect of then I wouldn't be suprised to find myself jumping ship.
 
#80
queevil said:
First off to echo another poster, I detect a bit of photoshoppery in that picture. I'm not saying that it is definately not a real product but that the picture itself looks pieced together in some places.
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The photo at the beginning of the thread may be 'shopped, but here is an actual shot of an actual headstock of an actual Spector Coda....

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

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While it is a beautiful instrument, I am not drawn to it. I am not sure what would set it apart, why choose this over a Fender Custom Shop or a Sadowsky, unless you are a Spector endorsee? I love Spectors, but I think they need to do a better job of explaining what is different/better about this bass than other J-style basses. Otherwise, it's basically a pretty Fender with a funny headstock IMO.
 

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