SPECTOR® Club - Part 22

[JPSBassist]

I'm looking at one as we speak. Got it from Spector a few weeks ago with my Tone Pump. It's not much, more of a flier. I'm sure they'd send you one.........if you asked.

There's no drama here, no sticking it to the shmoes. You just didn't ask the right person.

Thanks for this. Yeah Spector printed like 10,000 of them last year. Two runs of 5,000 each. Like I said I have a case here with 250 in it.

So there should be plenty around.

And as for sticking it to the Shmoes.... this is the one thing that I'm really proud to say.

I work with SPECTOR because I choose to. Not to sound arrogant, but I've got a lot of clients, do a lot of different things and I always have new companies that want my services. I actually have to turn work away sometimes. I'll never take a job if I can't do a 110% job on it.

Spector is a passion for me. First because I love their basses and guitars.

Second because of ALL the companies I've ever done work for, these guys honestly care about their customers. They care about the quality of their products and they care about what people think.

Stuart Spector is from the Bronx, NY. He started building guitars, not to become wealthy or famous or whatever... but because as a starving, poor kid in the Bronx with music in his heart, he couldn't afford the guitar he really wanted to play so he figured "wood is cheap, I'll just make one."

He truly is a Joe Shmoe if there ever was one. And he's lived and lives the American Dream. I have undying respect, admiration and love for the man... Stuart is a sincere, honest, hard working man whose passion and love of music has given thousands, tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of musicians joy in the way of the guitars he builds.

So no offense. But I'm going to be really offended at or by anyone who'd ever dare suggest that Stuart and PJ, that Spector, does stuff just to try and stick it to people to make money.

Stuart build Spector up, partnered with the wrong people and LOST EVERYTHING. He then picked himself back up and dusted himself off and started building it again.

And the reason you can't walk into any giant retail music store and see a Spector on the wall for sale is because he refuses to take the easy and cheap way out. His name means something to him.

Sorry to sound angry, but let's cut the "sticking it to people" stuff out. It has no place here... it has no place with any association of the name Stuart Spector. Thanks.

 

[JPSBassist]

I bought a Spector ball cap from the online store a couple of weeks ago and I got a catalog with it. They still have them. The digital catalog idea is a good one, especially if you can hear/show the instruments being played. The Spector tone sells itself!

The new video series with Nicki Tedesco, who besides being one heck of a great bassist (she's been playing bass/guitar since she was like 11... and not to give a lady's age away, but she's classically trained and she actually teaches music at a local university), is super adorable and very easy on the eyes and ears.

She's done an amazing job putting together original tracks to show off the tonal range of a number of Euro-Series basses (we'll tackle USA's and Professional Series next).

So these videos, which will be on the website right on the page with the model being demoed... are going to be awesome in helping people.

 

[5StringFool]

Some changes to the Performer are going to be announced at NAMM. That's all I can say. But it's good stuff. I'll be reporting on it at the Show. And I'll be posting photos and info to Facebook and Twitter.

Well.... I guess I should hold off for a couple of weeks and find out what the new developments are before I pull the trigger on anything. Thanks for the info!

A P/J configuration sure would be sweet, as a matter of fact it would seal the deal.

 

[JPSBassist]

I think the website is where most folks get information from spector. The current website has an enormous amount of information about spector and its better than most. The only complaints are the pictures for the Forte bass don't work and its hard to navigate with a iPhone. All in all, its a top notch website. A dvd? seems kind of 1999 to me. My DVD is in the attic, my computer still has one. If its a video they can stick on youtube and could imbed on the website/facebook that would be a good thing.
The website needs be iPad/Iphone/mobile device friendly. That would be the interactive digital catalog with videos, photos, sound clips, dealer and so on.

Thanks for reminding me about the Forte Gallery.

Since I'm the guy who takes all the photos... you (any of you) can always email or PM me and ask if I have photos of a particular model. I'm always more than glad to email you some choice picks.

And LOL about your DVD. But BlueRay players and computers read DVDs too. And the ability to put sound with a picture is really important when it comes to showing off a guitar or bass.

No offense to you Mac lovers... but the website works awesome on the Droid platform... I have both a Droid phone and tablet.

Apple made a really bad move in not supporting Flash in my opinion. So not that I don't like people who choose to use the iPad/iPhone... but Apple is the one making your life difficult. I'm not going to conform to their standards, have to use their software and video rendering systems, just so their users can see something that anyone using a dozen different devices outside of their system can easily see.

Apple is loosing market share and I'm glad. They're one of the companies on my list of, "Nope, don't care what you pay I don't want to work with you" list.

Sorry. But those guys are jerks. And their OS is not the end all be all. I'm going into more and more editing studios and music studios and seeing Windows run PCs and not Mac Pros and there's a reason for it.

The thing is, you have to give the dealers SOMETHING. I don't see why they would stop the 1 page flyer thing they use now. I know they're not cheap to make but it has to be cheaper than a dvd. 95% of what you give a dealer is gonna be stuffed in a drawer and thrown away 9 years later.

Believe it or not... the DVD is the same cost to print/replicate.

And ALL of the content will be online and available. So it's the best solution really.

 

[JPSBassist]

The problem with this is, if you're doing it to promote Spector basses, who would know or care about the guitar? Save it for the tracks promoting Spector guitars. I know on many of the things I could have used, I don't even know what kind of guitar may be on it because we weren't in the studio at the same time. We never even met.

This is going to probably eliminate a lot of potentially great tracks that could have been used promoting a Spector bass.

Sorry. I'm just a big picture guy.

I hear you. But when you look at the branding strategy and the forward direction of the company...

Link Removed - is the company website. Soon, very soon, a lot of information about Stuart and the guitars and basses that are named after him will be here.

Spector Bass - will be about basses only.

Spector Guitar - will be about guitars only.

Two new lines of electric guitars are being introduced at NAMM. That's no secret if you visit The Spector Guitar Website because you'll see some unfamiliar faces.

The guitars are going to grow. And this won't take anything away from the basses. With some of the stuff that's been going on, Stuart is going to have more time to dedicate to both.

We're really entering the Golden Age of Spector. They've never been better. And it's only going to get better. So I'm really excited to see some of the new stuff coming down the pipe.

 

[jay440]

Some changes to the Performer are going to be announced at NAMM. That's all I can say....

I'm hooked on the NS body but still have my older Performer 4 DLX.

It is far superior to anything else that was in its price range during their production run.

If these changes include bringing back that great Matte Finish to the body & neck (and offering it in more colors than just black), then I'd be happy to see that happen!

 

[bassgiant15]

OK... To make sure I've covered my basses... I mean bases...
SPECTOR will present the 2012 Model Lineup on interactive DVD this year. A first for the company. No more paper.
And any SPECTOR owner can submit a track if they want to be considered for use as part of the soundtrack for the disk.

The only rules are:

• It must be ORIGINAL.
• It must be royalty free. So if you've published it and there's a recording agreement in place and someone is going to expect a royalty... don't send it to me.
• It can be a solo bass track, a bass/drum track or can include electric guitar (as long as the guitar is a SPECTOR). So in other words we are promoting SPECTOR basses and guitars. So please use them and nothing else.
• You'll need to agree to letting us use the track free of charge on the disk.

In return you will be identified as the composer and performer of the track on the DVD (as the song comes up, so will your name and the model of bass/guitar you play).

So if you are interested, send me a 48,000kHz 128kb MP3, list your name the way you want it displayed, the name of your track and the SPECTOR Bass(es) and/or Guitar(s) you used (model names).

Email it to [email protected]

Sweet!!! I have a ton of tracks i'll send you!!!!

Do you still have "Black Mesa" Patrick or should i send that again?

Is there a limit to how many tracks i can send you haha!!!????

 

[cjmodulus]

just sent two tracks. I'll get them up on my sound cloud soon for everyone to hear.

EDIT:
here's the first
http://soundcloud.com/slapadabass69/spector-submission-1/s-udkc0

and the second
http://soundcloud.com/slapadabass69/spector-submission-2/s-0XDGp

 

[worshiprocker]

just sent two tracks. I'll get them up on my sound cloud soon for everyone to hear.

EDIT:
here's the first
Spector submission 1 by slapadabass69 on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

and the second
Spector submission 2 by slapadabass69 on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free

Love the tone especially on the 2nd one

 

[cjmodulus]

Love the tone especially on the 2nd one

Thanks man! Neither came out as well as I would have liked, but I'm happy with them.
The first one originally had a tapping section, but when I transferred the file from the computer I recorded on (which is the schools and has a web filter so strict you can't even use google ) to my home computer to mix them, it got deleted for some reason :scowl: (probably because I was going from an older version of garage band to a newer one). I had to do some quick editing to make it passable.

And yeah, I was going for a smoother tone on the first one. Not the classic grit an' growl we're used to, but it still sounds good. The second one was just an improvised slap groove. Ended up being more repetitive than I intended, but it was the best take I got. I really wanted to turn up the growl to contrast the smoothness of the first and show just how versatile the legends can be.
Glad you liked them!

 

[iceboxbass]

I like it a lot. It's modern, but classy. As a business owner, I'm pretty critical over marketing stuff.

Sometimes I think Spector is perceived as a metalhead bass. Nothing against metal heads, but they are much more than that. I'd like to see their marketing reflect this.

+1

The amp sounds great even with the Mids turned down. When I was playing without recording I had both mids at about 2 o'clock

For the recording, it "recorded" better with the mids boosted more, remember recording is a whole different beast.

Oh...I wouldn't know about recording settings.

Yes... I think... We've yet to work out how... meaning they're going to be free to dealers and distributors and that's who we are giving them to at the show.

We'll figure it out at the show.

We'll be able to download it from the website still?

No worries. I'm actually in agreement. Inspiration can be a good thing. So it's all good.

Inspiration is great for market competition!

 

[iceboxbass]

OK... To make sure I've covered my basses... I mean bases...
SPECTOR will present the 2012 Model Lineup on interactive DVD this year. A first for the company. No more paper.
And any SPECTOR owner can submit a track if they want to be considered for use as part of the soundtrack for the disk.

The only rules are:

• It must be ORIGINAL.
• It must be royalty free. So if you've published it and there's a recording agreement in place and someone is going to expect a royalty... don't send it to me.
• It can be a solo bass track, a bass/drum track or can include electric guitar (as long as the guitar is a SPECTOR). So in other words we are promoting SPECTOR basses and guitars. So please use them and nothing else.
• You'll need to agree to letting us use the track free of charge on the disk.

In return you will be identified as the composer and performer of the track on the DVD (as the song comes up, so will your name and the model of bass/guitar you play).

So if you are interested, send me a 48,000kHz 128kb MP3, list your name the way you want it displayed, the name of your track and the SPECTOR Bass(es) and/or Guitar(s) you used (model names).

Email it to [email protected]

So, let's see if I'm understanding this correctly...for SPECTOR club members that have their own band, pros for 30+ years like phat, have originals but because their guitarist are not using SPECTOR guitars you won't use their sound track? BUT...you have SPECTOR endorsed artist bands where the only SPECTOR is a Bass, and that's okay to have their band on the intro of the DVD? Am I the only one who sees a double standard here? Or if I'm getting this wrong, please excuse me.

 

[iceboxbass]

Thats why I love the regular Joe shmoes..the ones that 5% or less of their income comes from music...seriously I spend $5k on one dealer for Spector(S) basses and they say sorry we don't have a catalog......seriously dude????....another thing you have the regular joe shmoe who spends more of his disposable income on music instruments then mr. big shot who goes to namm, which probably gets paid to go and spends less on musical instruments. Hell he probably goes for free or gets a tax right off....God Bless the regular Joe Some who can't even get a catalog,...Come'on man!!!

+1,000,000!!! I'm with you on that Jeff!:scowl:

 

[worshiprocker]

So, let's see if I'm understanding this correctly...for SPECTOR club members that have their own band, pros for 30+ years like phat, have originals but because their guitarist are not using SPECTOR guitars you won't use their sound track? BUT...you have SPECTOR endorsed artist bands where the only SPECTOR is a Bass, and that's okay to have their band on the intro of the DVD? Am I the only one who sees a double standard here? Or if I'm getting this wrong, please excuse me.

that wasn't the final cut/soundtrack of the intro.... just a general idea so Patrick could get approval for Stuart.

it is going to be hard to get clips with guitars that are spector, but o well... more time for the bass solo!!!

 

[iceboxbass]

Good stuff! I really like it. When you do decide to finalize the music track, I think it should be more like the last 10 seconds or so with that sweet bass tone and groove.

+1

 

[iceboxbass]

I asked one dealer and he said he hasn't seen a catalog from spector for years.....???????? I personally thought they stopped making catalogs.....but I'm just a joe shmoe that throws my hard earned back breaking money to them....

You must not be talking about the brochure they give in all orders??? Every year I just download the new price catalog from SPECTORS website.

 

[jtarmino]

Hey Guys,
Really looking for a Kramer Era USA NS-2 in either white or black...
Any leads would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jay

 

[iceboxbass]

The problem with this is, if you're doing it to promote Spector basses, who would know or care about the guitar? Save it for the tracks promoting Spector guitars. I know on many of the things I could have used, I don't even know what kind of guitar may be on it because we weren't in the studio at the same time. We never even met.

This is going to probably eliminate a lot of potentially great tracks that could have been used promoting a Spector bass.

Sorry. I'm just a big picture guy.

+1 phat!!!

 

[LimaGuy]

So, let's see if I'm understanding this correctly...for SPECTOR club members that have their own band, pros for 30+ years like phat, have originals but because their guitarist are not using SPECTOR guitars you won't use their sound track? BUT...you have SPECTOR endorsed artist bands where the only SPECTOR is a Bass, and that's okay to have their band on the intro of the DVD? Am I the only one who sees a double standard here? Or if I'm getting this wrong, please excuse me.

Just to clarify for JPS since I have discussed with this with him.

He is creating a promo DVD for Spector Basses and Guitars that will be “Official Digital Literature” that will be given to Spector dealers in the USA and overseas.

I don’t think he is trying to exclude anyone, he just requested that the material submitted for the final DVD be of Spector Basses or Guitars only.

For the reason of keeping it pure and exclusive to Spector basses and guitars only.

Think of it this way,
How would we feel if there is a track on the DVD of a Spector ARC 6 guitar with an obvious “Fender style thump” for a bassline underneath?

 

[JPSBassist]

So, let's see if I'm understanding this correctly...for SPECTOR club members that have their own band, pros for 30+ years like phat, have originals but because their guitarist are not using SPECTOR guitars you won't use their sound track? BUT...you have SPECTOR endorsed artist bands where the only SPECTOR is a Bass, and that's okay to have their band on the intro of the DVD? Am I the only one who sees a double standard here? Or if I'm getting this wrong, please excuse me.

Yeah, you're getting this wrong. Sorry.

First, if you had bothered to look at the original post with the link to the DVD animation demo, I clearly stated that the music was a temp track so that I could show the concept to Stuart and PJ. That song is "They Came In" by the Butthole Surfers... and I'm not aware that any bassist with that band has ever owned or played a SPECTOR. And I can tell you that track isn't "powered by SPECTOR".

I don't have copyright to use that song and if I did, I still wouldn't. And even IF that was a SPECTOR bass.

Now if it was a SPECTOR Bass and SPECTOR Guitars AND I had copyright clearance... that might be a different thing.

I said unlicensed music. So no covers of other people's songs. And if you wrote a song with your band, that's not going to work either because I need samples of SPECTOR bass tone and guitar tone.

I'm not making a movie here. So the "soundtrack" is real simple... I don't care if it's you with nothing but your bass playing a simple melody you came up with... that's perfect.

The DVD is about showing off the basses and guitars and the resulting tone. It's not about promoting any particular artist or band, any owners or players.

Sorry. This is a marketing tool for dealers to give to people who may want to know more about what Spector does and what makes a Spector so great.

And I have tracks from SPECTOR Artists and guys like Sam (Lima) who used ARC6, or RX-GT electrics to make their tracks.

The purpose of this DVD is to highlight and promote SPECTOR Products.

Since SPECTOR doesn't make drums or keyboards, etc... then tracks with that sort of instrument where the SPECTOR Bass or SPECTOR Guitar being is used as the main instrument are fine.

But I'm not putting anything from ANYONE where the guitars and bass are NOT SPECTORs. Doug Wimbish could say, "Hey you're cleared to use Living Colour tracks" and I'd respectfully decline. Because Vernon Reed doesn't play SPECTOR Guitars.

There's no double standard here. If you want to be a part and submit a track. Or bother reading the posts all the way so you don't start seeing some conspiracy or something and accuse someone of unfair dealings that hasn't and won't happen.

I asked for help. To me it's a way that I can use my position as a consultant with the company to shed some light on the many dedicated people in the group who want to participate.

It's a way to show some love and give thanks to the NON-ENDORSED SPECTOR musicians out there who are proud to share their love of their bass or guitar. These videos will be on my site, SPECTOR's site, YouTube, and in DVD format for dealers and fans around the world to enjoy.

If this was some company conspiracy to show favoritism... why even invite you to participate?

Really? So I want to try and do something I think would be cool for this forum and the members here, in the spirit that I know PJ and Stuart will appreciate and you want to suggest I'm doing something unfair to you?

Be a part, don't be a part. It's the same to me.

I do want to say thank you to everyone who has submitted tracks and offered your support and assistance. You are all greatly appreciated.