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Preamp noob questions - Need some help buying my first Spector

nachothrash

nachothrash

Mar 16, 2014
30
19
Argentina
#1
Hey guys! Long time no see.
I'll be visiting Europe for the first time in a couple months, and I'll be bringing back a Spector as a souvenir.
My dream sound is a P(Reversed)/J.
So this [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] seems to be exactly what I need. It has EMGs P/J with a TonePump preamp.
Buuuuuuut I like the looks of the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] a hell of a lot more. Thing is, it comes with Bartolini Humbuckers and a Darkglass Tone Capsule, certainly not what I'm looking for.

So my options are either:
A) Go with the white one, get the sound I want out of the box.
B) Get the Violet one, buy a couple EMGs and a preamp.

My fear with approach B, is that I know nothing about preamps. From what I've seen, either a Tonepump or an EMG BT would fit my bill.
Now, I'm confused as hell. I can't seem to find where to buy a Tonepump, and when I search for the EMG BT I just found some sort of pot named BTC? From what I've seen, EMGs already come with a volume pot and a tone pot in the box when you buy them, are those the famous BT?.
Sorry I'm clueless, I understand nothing about this, I just want a mean tone :crying:
 
#3
nachothrash said:
Hey guys! Long time no see.
I'll be visiting Europe for the first time in a couple months, and I'll be bringing back a Spector as a souvenir.
My dream sound is a P(Reversed)/J.
So this [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] seems to be exactly what I need. It has EMGs P/J with a TonePump preamp.
Buuuuuuut I like the looks of the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] a hell of a lot more. Thing is, it comes with Bartolini Humbuckers and a Darkglass Tone Capsule, certainly not what I'm looking for.

So my options are either:
A) Go with the white one, get the sound I want out of the box.
B) Get the Violet one, buy a couple EMGs and a preamp.

My fear with approach B, is that I know nothing about preamps. From what I've seen, either a Tonepump or an EMG BT would fit my bill.
Now, I'm confused as hell. I can't seem to find where to buy a Tonepump, and when I search for the EMG BT I just found some sort of pot named BTC? From what I've seen, EMGs already come with a volume pot and a tone pot in the box when you buy them, are those the famous BT?.
Sorry I'm clueless, I understand nothing about this, I just want a mean tone :crying:
Click to expand...

I've had both. The LT with the Darkglass is terrible, imo...thin, brittle, and tinny. The Euro LX with the EMG/Tone Pump is soooooo much better...very close to the Spector signature sound (Mike Starr, Eddie Jackson, etc). Just a massively good sound.
 
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#5
tshapiro said:
First off, call EMG as they have excellent phone service. The EMG’s don’t really need a preamp, but they do offer active tone controls. My Jazz bass setup uses a combo bass and treble control, and I also have the combo mid control with mid shifter stacked control. 1 (707) 525-9941
Click to expand...

Thanks! I'll make sure to call them.
Also, I already have a pre-amp pedal, so maybe it would make more sense to slap a couple of EMGs without a Preamp?

songwriter21 said:
I've had both. The LT with the Darkglass is terrible, imo...thin, brittle, and tinny. The Euro LX with the EMG/Tone Pump is soooooo much better...very close to the Spector signature sound (Mike Starr, Eddie Jackson, etc). Just a massively good sound.
Click to expand...

For sure Mike Starr's tone is something I'd be glad to have. But then again, I don't know where to get a Tonepump, since I'd prefer to get the Violet Spector with the Darkglass preamp and swap it with a Tonepump. Oooorrr, as I mentioned before, maybe a couple of EMGs without a preamp + a preamp pedal would make a better job?
Actually, you mentioned the LT was terrible sounding. Was is just because of the preamp/pickups combination, or do you feel something else was missing with that bass?

jeffb28451 said:
I’ve had two Euros and a USA. I’m not the only person who found the Tonepump “ less than inspiring “.
Any combination you try, please A-B another preamp before you decide that the Tonepump is what you want to use.
Click to expand...

For certain I've liked the Tonepump better than the Darkglass by a mile. But now I'm even questioning if I need a preamp at all :dead:
 
#6
nachothrash said:
Thanks! I'll make sure to call them.
Also, I already have a pre-amp pedal, so maybe it would make more sense to slap a couple of EMGs without a Preamp?

For sure Mike Starr's tone is something I'd be glad to have. But then again, I don't know where to get a Tonepump, since I'd prefer to get the Violet Spector with the Darkglass preamp and swap it with a Tonepump. Oooorrr, as I mentioned before, maybe a couple of EMGs without a preamp + a preamp pedal would make a better job?
Actually, you mentioned the LT was terrible sounding. Was is just because of the preamp/pickups combination, or do you feel something else was missing with that bass?



For certain I've liked the Tonepump better than the Darkglass by a mile. But now I'm even questioning if I need a preamp at all :dead:
Click to expand...

I like Barts, so the preamp was what I didn't like. Also had a DG eq pedal that didn't wow me. For the Spector sound...EMG and Tonepump or HAZ, no question (latter preamp is in the US customs) . There's a guy, @SNCpre, that I think still makes a HAZ clone....
 
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#7
There’s also the option of buying the LT for the looks and replacing the pups with an EMG 40p and 40j for that reverse P/J tone and just installing the EMG BTS preamp (which used to be the standard on Euros before the Tonepump). Lots of Spector guys prefer the BTS to the Tonepump and it’s all plug and play with no soldering. Just a thought.
 
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#8
nachothrash said:
Hey guys! Long time no see.
I'll be visiting Europe for the first time in a couple months, and I'll be bringing back a Spector as a souvenir.
My dream sound is a P(Reversed)/J.
So this [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] seems to be exactly what I need. It has EMGs P/J with a TonePump preamp.
Buuuuuuut I like the looks of the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] a hell of a lot more. Thing is, it comes with Bartolini Humbuckers and a Darkglass Tone Capsule, certainly not what I'm looking for.

So my options are either:
A) Go with the white one, get the sound I want out of the box.
B) Get the Violet one, buy a couple EMGs and a preamp.

My fear with approach B, is that I know nothing about preamps. From what I've seen, either a Tonepump or an EMG BT would fit my bill.
Now, I'm confused as hell. I can't seem to find where to buy a Tonepump, and when I search for the EMG BT I just found some sort of pot named BTC? From what I've seen, EMGs already come with a volume pot and a tone pot in the box when you buy them, are those the famous BT?.
Sorry I'm clueless, I understand nothing about this, I just want a mean tone :crying:
Click to expand...
Well?
What did you end up doing?
 
#9
Lardass5000 said:
Well?
What did you end up doing?
Click to expand...

My trip to Europe got canceled, but yesterday I just booked a flight to Los Angeles for a week, so I'm buying my Spector there. Just came back to this thread to double-check the responses I got.
I'll just buy the violet one at Sweetwater, a couple of white 40J and 40P5 pickups, and a BTS preamp.
Will post once the whole ordeal is done.
 
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#10
I feel like if you buy a brand new bass and immediately have to change everything about it then you bought the wrong bass

I've been swapping preamps and pickups around in my spectors for the past month or so. If you like any mids in your sound at all stay away from the tone pump and even further away from the older non trim tonepump. The EMG pre is called the BTC system, install is super easy and all solderless minus connecting to the existing barrel jack in your bass. EMG sells B stock pickups on reverb for like half price, if you use the solderless EMG connectors you can swap them out however you want, it's very addictive.
 
#11
poochiecheeks said:
I feel like if you buy a brand new bass and immediately have to change everything about it then you bought the wrong bass

I've been swapping preamps and pickups around in my spectors for the past month or so. If you like any mids in your sound at all stay away from the tone pump and even further away from the older non trim tonepump. The EMG pre is called the BTC system, install is super easy and all solderless minus connecting to the existing barrel jack in your bass. EMG sells B stock pickups on reverb for like half price, if you use the solderless EMG connectors you can swap them out however you want, it's very addictive.
Click to expand...

To each their own.
For me, unless you are ordering from a luthier, getting your dream bass from a production line is almost impossible.
That violet Spector looks like my dream bass, but the pickups aren't my cup of tea. Pickups can be easily and relatively cheaply swapped. You can't modify the overall looks and materials of your bass.
So I'd rather put a couple hundreds to get a beautiful bass sound the way I want, than go for a great sounding bass which looks I cannot modify.
 
#12
nachothrash said:
My trip to Europe got canceled, but yesterday I just booked a flight to Los Angeles for a week, so I'm buying my Spector there. Just came back to this thread to double-check the responses I got.
I'll just buy the violet one at Sweetwater, a couple of white 40J and 40P5 pickups, and a BTS preamp.
Will post once the whole ordeal is done.
Click to expand...

This is the correct answer, and all of it (save for the jack) is modular plug-ins, easy retrofit. I prefer all EMG as it's quiet as the tomb.
 
#13
beatdatthang said:
There’s also the option of buying the LT for the looks and replacing the pups with an EMG 40p and 40j for that reverse P/J tone and just installing the EMG BTS preamp (which used to be the standard on Euros before the Tonepump). Lots of Spector guys prefer the BTS to the Tonepump and it’s all plug and play with no soldering. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

this is like what I was thinking I actually don’t mind the Barts. Or pre maybe but both of them are to Hifi I can make work an I play in modern jam bands so it sticks out but I can’t help but hear the pj pickup at the shop on Spectors an makes me wonder how it would wound sound or if it’s possible to get that pickup combo on the LT euro an keep the darkglass preamp for now see how it is an go fro there.
 
#14
I am actually in the same exact scenario now I just played the 4 string model with the Pj setup. I love my euro lt but not a fan of the darkglass pre or an I just loved that growl on the PJ Barts a the Augs better then what I have now. Sssooo I have to make the change. Sssoo my question is, these pickups will fit in my 5 string Euro an replace the Barts right? The ones suggested here EMGs? And do I need the reversed one to fit? An will that alter the tone? It’s seems just adding these EMGs if they can fit will be a lot bette then what I have now for me. But with the darkglass pre would you all run it with the EMGs? Or I seen the EMGs are active so maybe try the darkglass with it if I don’t like it take it out? Run just the pups for awhile till I can get whatver pre amp I want.

how do these pups sound on their own no preamp? I think I’d like to maybe try active pickups an have stomp preamps to have a few choices sometimes of tone or just so I don’t feel so committed to one wired in the bass. are these pups okay if I just went no pre amp?
 
#15
J Wilson said:
This is the correct answer, and all of it (save for the jack) is modular plug-ins, easy retrofit. I prefer all EMG as it's quiet as the tomb.
Click to expand...


I’m the same exact boat man except I’ve been dealing with the darkglass an Barts they aren’t bad if you like Metal an stuff an heavy rock but leave a lot to be desired. I’m so glad I found this thread cause I love pj setup
An when I seen an now just played them in 4 string I’m like uuugghhb! Got to have something much closer to that. There were people nto on here thinking they couldn’t be made to have a PJ setup without shaving the body which isn’t an option lol so I’m def most likely following your same route except I might see what’s reviews are with just going with no pre amp or a pedal one. I’m not a fan of the darkglass ugh it’s so thin and just man I have to get this swap done. But I’m thinking they will sound amazing just on a battery if not I will eventually get the one recommended here but I highly doubt the darkglass is going to stay. I mean idk if it’s easy to unhook I’ might try it but if I have to solder it to the EMGs or something nah .
 
#16
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Invalid Link Removed


these were recommend when asking for a PJ setup for euro 5 LT. I’m hoping these fit. I was thinking maybe not the J. And going with a 40p? Or what else would work solid thre? Not there just ideas
 
#18
I have had two. I agree, the Tonepump is adequate, but not much more.. Don't judge a Spector based on what it sounds like with a Tonepump. Emg advice earlier in this thread is quite good. Excellent customer service and advice. I used Emg X versions and they were fairly inexpensive and a very decent option.
 
#19
I’m wondering about staying with Barts sn just getting a hotter set of pups or the P. Now I see this little circle knob inside the cavity of the bass it seems to really control a lot of mids an some of the pre-amp. I don’t play metal more like Pink Floyd led zep meet funk meet modern day. Haha I think def mess with that knob an see where it’s set before you change much but I played on a Ibanez with mk2? Barts? Like $500 bass I think, those pups sounded NOICE kinda made me like wow I spent what?! but I can get this done an the Spector feel, look, an big sound keeps up just need to find the right pups.
 
#20
Update: I already got back home, and I'm now the proud owner of a Violet Spector Euro 5!
I also bought a couple of 40J and 40P5 EMG Pickups, no preamp.
After some debating with myself, I decided not to buy the BTC System, as I simply have no use for Active Tone Controls in my playing. I prefer to shape my sound on my Darkglass B7K and just let it be. I'll ask my luthier to apply the 18v mod to it tho.
I'll record a couple of tracks with the Bartolinis, and then I'll do the same once I've modded it with the EMGs and share the comparison.
 

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