Project Spector is Underway!

[Arthur U. Poon]

So true!

And especially for the rather costy HAZ I can tell that there is nothing "magical" or somethimg "unique" in it.

Actual its the instrument itself that provides the "unique" sound that I love. I could swap the HAZ electronic in my US spector for anything else, the "unique" sound would remain, no matter what preamp EQ was inside

I can’t compare my NS4CRFM Euro 6LT to a U.S. Spector, but I will say both have plenty of growl.

Both have BTS EQs, and through a bit of trial and error, I’ve found my favorite setting with it’s internal dip switches.

Both basses have PJ setups; the NS4CRFM has “Original Recipe” EMGs, the Euro 6LT has X-Series EMGs.
So, there’s a little difference in pickups between the two.

The NS4CRFM has solid maple wings, the 6LT has chambered Alder/Walnut/Flame Maple wings.

I wasn’t 100% happy with the sound of my NS4CRFM until I messed around with the dip switches, whereas I was totally blown away by the sound of my 6LT, right out of the box that it came shipped in.

 

[ThisBass]

I can’t compare my NS4CRFM Euro 6LT to a U.S. Spector, but I will say both have plenty of growl.

Same is true for my two spectores, both have plenty of growl, but the growl is a little bit different, even when played unplugged the difference is already audible.
If I was asked a question which one I like best. I can't even tell cause I like just each "growl" the best.

Both have BTS EQs, and through a bit of trial and error, I’ve found my favorite setting with it’s internal dip switches.

Right, its the setting of the dip switches that do the trick.
I think its the On/Off setting that provides a treble response that is very close to the treble response that the HAZ does.
The bass response shape is quite identical to the HAZ but, only +10dB for the BTS while the Haz is about 14..15dB

Both basses have PJ setups; the NS4CRFM has “Original Recipe” EMGs, the Euro 6LT has X-Series EMGs.
So, there’s a little difference in pickups between the two.

As far as I can tell my two Spectors have got the same EMG P/J pickups, yet push out a different "basic" sound. Very likely due to the different fretboards.
Strings are the same on both instruments. DR Hi Beam - 45..105.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

Same is true for my two spectores, both have plenty of growl, but the growl is a little bit different, even when played unplugged the difference is already audible.
If I was asked a question which one I like best. I can't even tell cause I like just each "growl" the best.


Right, its the setting of the dip switches that do the trick.
I think its the On/Off setting that provides a treble response that is very close to the treble response that the HAZ does.
The bass response shape is quite identical to the HAZ but, only +10dB for the BTS while the Haz is about 14..15dB


As far as I can tell my two Spectors have got the same EMG P/J pickups, yet push out a different "basic" sound. Very likely due to the different fretboards.
Strings are the same on both instruments. DR Hi Beam - 45..105.

My Euro 6LT has such an incredible sound. It’s low end is just insane. Very defined and punchy, with serious growl, especially when I dig into my strings. It’s midrange cuts extremely well, and it’s high notes have bite, yet they still sound thick. I believe it’s sound is a sum of all of it’s parts. I believe the alder in it’s body wings add warmth and punch to it’s tone. It also has an ebony fingerboard, which I believe adds to it’s attack. And I really like how dynamic it’s X-Series EMGs are.

My NS4CRFM has solid maple wings and a rosewood fingerboard. Like I posted earlier, I wasn’t completely happy with it’s BTS eq, until I tried the different dip switch settings. I did try the On/Off setting, and I really liked it, but I looked at EMGs frequency graph, and the On/On setting looked like the high mids are a bit more “centered”, if that makes any sense. So I tried it, and it’s definitely my favorite. I set the BTS’ on both of my basses to this setting. It improved the sound of my NS4CRFM 100% for me. I’m extremely happy with it’s sound now.

I don’t think my NS4CRFM’s low end has quite the “massiveness” to it’s sound that my 6LT does, but I really haven’t really sat down with it plugged into my amp. I certainly need experiment more with it’s Lows and Highs controls. Set “flat”, it has some of that Eddie Jackson/Queensryche “grind”. I totally dig it.

For strings, I have GHS Bass Boomers on my 6LT, and DR Pure Blues on my NS4CRFM.

Take care!!!!

 

[DaveParker39]

UPDATE:
Just put down a deposit on an NS-1!
P Pickup, walnut/maple, passive, gold hardware.

 

[StevieMac]

UPDATE:
Just put down a deposit on an NS-1!
P Pickup, walnut/maple, passive, gold hardware.

Awesome! And now begins the waiting.....

 

[NickBassCentral]

I drove about 1000 miles to Florida to Bass Central just to try some current USA Spectors.

There was a faded green one I had fallen in love with on Reverb. I was ready to pay cash for it, after saving up for quite a while. I was astounded that particular bass remained for sale online for several months. It was stunning visually.

Link Removed

BTW, I have a few Kramer-era Spectors and an NS-4CRFM. I have been playing Spectors since 1987 and love them.

It was immediately apparent why the green Spector hadn't sold. Poor fit and finish, fretboard felt like cardboard, poor fretwork, high action, and the G-string kept falling off the side of the neck. It felt cheap and played even worse. Blech.

Disillusioned, I played the three other Spectors they had in stock over the course of a few hours.

I left Bass Central without a Spector.

I was thoroughly disappointed.

Sadly.

Awh man, sorry you had a bad experience at our store. I can tell from this picture that it was some time ago. If you're ever in town again, we would love to have you revisit our show room! If you give us a call beforehand with a list of basses you'd like to try we can get them ready for you!