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SPECTOR® Club - Part 22

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#241
mmbongo said:
You could say I'm a little familiar with that setup:

19mm spacing is bliss. Everything just clicked when I discovered the wider (actually should be called 'normal'!) spacing on a 5 string. Then when I saw this bass I almost peed myself and was a nervous wreck until it was in my hands. Spector perfection with the best pickup setup I've ever encountered by a pretty wide margin. Single EMG MM5TW with the Aguilar OBP-3. The only thing it can't do is suck.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I was wanting to hear mmbongo :) I have always drooled over that bass of yours but didn't know it was the 19mm spacing so that makes it even cooler! Do you have any other 5 strings that have the 17mm spacing on them by chance? I am just wondering how it is changing from one to the other since my other 2 Spector's have the 17mm spacing.

I am really liking what I am hearing about the OBP-3 I have to say. I think you pretty much sold me so thanks for the info :) Now I just need my tax money/bonus and I am set.

RichardCranium said:
I didn't know Spector ever made a 5 string with a 19mm spacing I thought they were all 17mm.
Click to expand...

The USA bolt-ons are the only models that you can get the wider spacing if I am not mistaken.
 
#242
Survey Results

Based on the survey it appears the popular vote for the 2nd color of the Talkbass Forte LE is Blue Black Stain

(3 votes for) Black Cherry (21%)
(9 votes for) Blue Black Stain (64%)
(2 votes for) Black Stain (14%)
(0 votes for) Walnut (0%)

So that would make the choices look like this. :bassist:

Forte_TBLE2.gif
 
#243
Clearwave said:
The USA circuit is $300 more. I'm thinking about getting the Forte LE with the OBP and if I don't like it, then buy a USA HAZ (for $300), stick it in and I'll have an extra OBP to put in another bass.
Click to expand...

I am very pleased with the OBP2 in my Forte.
Yesterday I tried a Haz for the first time in a old NS-2.

It sounded great but not sure if it was $300 better.
My Forte has the Spector Growl with the OBP 2.

I have posted these before but as a reminder.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

One recording is with Dunlops the other is with LoRiders.

Direct into Pro Tools no outboard gear and some compression and mid EQ boost during mixdown.
 
#244
LimaGuy said:
Survey Results

Based on the survey it appears the popular vote for the 2nd color of the Talkbass Forte LE is Blue Black Stain

(3 votes for) Black Cherry (21%)
(9 votes for) Blue Black Stain (64%)
(2 votes for) Black Stain (14%)
(0 votes for) Walnut (0%)

So that would make the choices look like this. :bassist:
Click to expand...

They look great. You guys call Todd and place an order today.
 
#247
mmbongo said:
19mm spacing is bliss. Everything just clicked when I discovered the wider (actually should be called 'normal'!) spacing on a 5 string. Then when I saw this bass I almost peed myself and was a nervous wreck until it was in my hands. Spector perfection with the best pickup setup I've ever encountered by a pretty wide margin. Single EMG MM5TW with the Aguilar OBP-3. The only thing it can't do is suck.
Click to expand...

I think I've told you before that I was really excited by your bass when I first saw that Stuart was building a 5-string with the MM pup at the bridge and nothing else.

The only other bass I've ever owned and really liked (besides my SPECTORs) was a pre-Ernie Ball Stingray. I've always like Stingrays. So this setup is sort of like a SPECTOR-ized Ray.

Stuart did a special order NS-5H2 right after he did yours with two MM pups and PJ Rubal said it was one of the most killer sounding SPECTORs he'd ever played.
 
#248
LimaGuy said:
I am very pleased with the OBP2 in my Forte.
Yesterday I tried a Haz for the first time in a old NS-2.

It sounded great but not sure if it was $300 better.
My Forte has the Spector Growl with the OBP 2.

I have posted these before but as a reminder.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

One recording is with Dunlops the other is with LoRiders.

Direct into Pro Tools no outboard gear and some compression and mid EQ boost during mixdown.
Click to expand...

I'm in trouble... LOL...

My sincerest apologies Sam! I wasn't suggesting that the OBP-2 or OBP-3 were not great circuits and in combination with EMG pups, not give some aggressive tone.

I was speaking of my own personal bias. And keep in mind I've never lived with a bass for more than a week or so with either Aguilar circuit (I keep ignoring the OBP-1 because I don't care for it at all really and SPECTOR doesn't use it anymore).

And I think you get used to a certain sound after a while. And I'm still amazed by my NS-2. So please forgive me... I wasn't trying to talk bad about Yoda! :D
 
#249
LimaGuy said:
I am very pleased with the OBP2 in my Forte.
Yesterday I tried a Haz for the first time in a old NS-2.

It sounded great but not sure if it was $300 better.
My Forte has the Spector Growl with the OBP 2.

I have posted these before but as a reminder.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

One recording is with Dunlops the other is with LoRiders.

Direct into Pro Tools no outboard gear and some compression and mid EQ boost during mixdown.
Click to expand...

For anyone on the fence about buying the Forte Talkbass LE.

Just a summary review for everyone.
I am sure Guy and Seventh will be kind enough to add in their opinions also.

I think I have posted most of this before but it doesn’t hurt to see it again.

Sound
The sound clips above speak for themselves.
I will add that the Forte IMHO opinion just sounds instantly great all the time.
A deeper rounder tone then the Euro LX’s.

Neck
The neck is beefy and is kind of squared on the back not rounded. My hand and thumb molds perfectly into the neck while playing.

I love the slickness of the Matte finish on the back of the neck.

About the same feeling accross as the Euro LX series.

The Pau Ferro looks amazing in person

Bridge
Just a beast of a bridge, enough said :bassist:

Finish
Quality is just amazing. Even with the Matte stain finish, the flame looks 3D in person as Guy said about his bolt-on USA model.

One note about the Matte finish. This isn’t a negative but just a characteristic of a Matte Poly finish.

In areas where your hand or arm touches the finish a lot it will eventually start to get “shinny” It is like this on both my Matte Euros and my Forte. So you will generally see some shininess on the back of the neck between frets 1 to 5.
Also where your thumb rests if you play with your fingers and the slap spot next to the G string.
If you play with a pick, where ever your palm would rest.

Also on the lower body where your arm would rest.

The old school stain models that used a oil stain, the finish would be rubbed away in these areas (like you see on NS-2O’s) so this to be is a better alternative.

The Dunlop 65 cleaner works perfect to keep it clean.
 
#250
JPSBassist said:
I'm in trouble... LOL...

My sincerest apologies Sam! I wasn't suggesting that the OBP-2 or OBP-3 were not great circuits and in combination with EMG pups, not give some aggressive tone.

I was speaking of my own personal bias. And keep in mind I've never lived with a bass for more than a week or so with either Aguilar circuit (I keep ignoring the OBP-1 because I don't care for it at all really and SPECTOR doesn't use it anymore).

And I think you get used to a certain sound after a while. And I'm still amazed by my NS-2. So please forgive me... I wasn't trying to talk bad about Yoda! :D
Click to expand...

No offense taken at all.. ;) :D

My crazy self will probably end up trying a Haz in it anyway one day. :hiding:

But honestly I think with Yoda, Its one of those basses that just has "the sound". It would sound great with no preamp in it.
 
#251
LimaGuy said:
Sound
The sound clips above speak for themselves.
I will add that the Forte IMHO opinion just sounds instantly great all the time.
A deeper rounder tone then the Euro LX’s.

Neck
The neck is beefy and is kind of squared on the back not rounded. My hand and thumb molds perfectly into the neck while playing.

I love the slickness of the Matte finish on the back of the neck.


The Pau Ferro looks amazing in person

Bridge
Just a beast of a bridge, enough said :bassist:

Finish
Quality is just amazing. Even with the Matte stain finish, the flame looks 3D in person as Guy said about his bolt-on USA model.

One note about the Matte finish. This isn’t a negative but just a characteristic of a Matte Poly finish.

In areas where your hand or arm touches the finish a lot it will eventually start to get “shinny” It is like this on both my Matte Euros and my Forte. So you will generally see some shininess on the back of the neck between frets 1 to 5.
Also where your thumb rests if you play with your fingers and the slap spot next to the G string.
If you play with a pick, where ever your palm would rest.

Also on the lower body where your arm would rest.

The old school stain models that used a oil stain, the finish would be rubbed away in these areas (like you see on NS-2O’s) so this to be is a better alternative.

The Dunlop 65 cleaner works perfect to keep it clean.
Click to expand...

+1. Perfectly said. I'll be able to compare it to an NS-2 in March :D
 
#255
LimaGuy said:
I am very pleased with the OBP2 in my Forte.
Yesterday I tried a Haz for the first time in a old NS-2.

It sounded great but not sure if it was $300 better.
My Forte has the Spector Growl with the OBP 2.

I have posted these before but as a reminder.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

One recording is with Dunlops the other is with LoRiders.

Direct into Pro Tools no outboard gear and some compression and mid EQ boost during mixdown.
Click to expand...

I must say, I like the sound of the Dunlops! Man! I really love the tone of the Forte4!!! Since JPS is receiving NAMM basses and mine was being built with them maybe I'll be seeing my Forte 4 very soon too! :cool:
 
#257
delucajohn2000 said:
Has anyone ever tried one of the USA bolt-on 5 strings with the wide string spacing? I am just curious how much different the wide spacing feels compared to the standard and if it is that much of a difference. Looking at the Spector site, the wide spacing is 19mm compared to the 17mm of the standard 5 strings so it seems to be the standard width of the 4 string basses on the 5's.
Click to expand...
Some cautionary words. First, yes the wide 5 is the 4 string spacing (string to string at the bridge) on a 5.

I typically use the high C on my 6's only for upper voicings when chording and the occasional solo. Always felt it was too thin sounding to be used for actual bass lines.
However, I always thought I wanted a wide 6 (19mm, mostly to make slapping easier) and was always disappointed Spector didn't offer one. Then I got one (Pulcinalla Level 6). I almost gave myself tendonitis trying to play the same chordal (+ low bass note/line) voicings on the wide spacing. Immediately realized my mistake and went back to the 17mm spaced Spector 6's (I've got the 4's for slap stuff anyway).

All that being said, if I ever needed to go to just one bass, it would be the 5 with the wide spacing. Wide enough for slapping, but the chordal stuff would be less of an issue as, without the 6th string, I would not be playing the super wide chord voicing plus bass notes I do on the 6 anyway.
It would be the best compromise to cover everything.

My point being: If you already do a lot of chording on your 17mm 5's, the wide 5 could be a problem or at least an adjustment. If you do a lot of slapping you're going to love it.
 
#258
PhatBasstard said:
Some cautionary words. First, yes the wide 5 is the 4 string spacing (string to string at the bridge) on a 5.

I typically use the high C on my 6's only for upper voicings when chording and the occasional solo. Always felt it was too thin sounding to be used for actual bass lines.
However, I always thought I wanted a wide 6 (19mm, mostly to make slapping easier) and was always disappointed Spector didn't offer one. Then I got one (Pulcinalla Level 6). I almost gave myself tendonitis trying to play the same chordal (+ low bass note/line) voicings on the wide spacing. Immediately realized my mistake and went back to the 17mm spaced Spector 6's (I've got the 4's for slap stuff anyway).

All that being said, if I ever needed to go to just one bass, it would be the 5 with the wide spacing. Wide enough for slapping, but the chordal stuff would be less of an issue as, without the 6th string, I would not be playing the super wide chord voicing plus bass notes I do on the 6 anyway.
It would be the best compromise to cover everything.

My point being: If you already do a lot of chording on your 17mm 5's, the wide 5 could be a problem or at least an adjustment. If you do a lot of slapping you're going to love it.
Click to expand...

Thank you Phat for that enlightening! I'm much appreciative!
 
#259
You guys are driving me nuts with this LE. Last week I had to sell my sadowsky for an upcoming child birth and I've already settled on a Matte finish Euro 5 when my finances balance out.

I owned a Ns4CRFM with a OBP1 preamp for about 6 years and I had many a gig tell me it was the best sounding bass they'd heard. I really like the Aggie preamps.

So it may be next year when I join the club again but I'm Spector gassin bad and these Forte's ain't helping my cause;) Can't wait to see how they turn out.
 
#260
PhatBasstard said:
Some cautionary words. First, yes the wide 5 is the 4 string spacing (string to string at the bridge) on a 5.

I typically use the high C on my 6's only for upper voicings when chording and the occasional solo. Always felt it was too thin sounding to be used for actual bass lines.
However, I always thought I wanted a wide 6 (19mm, mostly to make slapping easier) and was always disappointed Spector didn't offer one. Then I got one (Pulcinalla Level 6). I almost gave myself tendonitis trying to play the same chordal (+ low bass note/line) voicings on the wide spacing. Immediately realized my mistake and went back to the 17mm spaced Spector 6's (I've got the 4's for slap stuff anyway).

All that being said, if I ever needed to go to just one bass, it would be the 5 with the wide spacing. Wide enough for slapping, but the chordal stuff would be less of an issue as, without the 6th string, I would not be playing the super wide chord voicing plus bass notes I do on the 6 anyway.
It would be the best compromise to cover everything.

My point being: If you already do a lot of chording on your 17mm 5's, the wide 5 could be a problem or at least an adjustment. If you do a lot of slapping you're going to love it.
Click to expand...

Excellent information Phat, thank you very much. I really don't do chords that much and, if I do, they are nothing crazy. I wanted to get more into slapping and every time I try to do it on my basses with 17mm spacing, I always am hitting other strings. I am sure if I work at it more, I would get better but I get frustrated pretty quick so I was looking at this as an option.

My goal is to not have to own 4 Spector's but I am not sure if i can control that or not :) Currently, I have 2. I have my blue 2010 Euro 5LX that I love and keep tuned standard, and I have my Natural 2002 Rebop 5 that I am going to keep tuned a whole step down at ADGCF. I figure if I get a wide spacing USA bolt-on, that would help me work on slapping a bit better and then I could be done but there might be room for a used 4 string if I can hold back any urges of buying another :help:

I definitely will be treating myself to one since I feel like I really deserve it. Of course, my mind changes almost daily though so I could be looking into something totally different next week :)
 
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