SPECTOR® Club - Part 28

[grendle]

Looks great! Those are
busier than they used to be!

 

[GBassNorth]

This baby arrived today for photos.
It's not mine, but is going to a Spector Artist in the LA area and since I don't have any photos of a Rex or Holoflash... they decided to send it to me first.

OK. I didn't think I'd like it at first.
But I can't put it down!

The neck is so perfect. It's like an old Brooklyn NS-2 neck. Really skinny front to back, and has such a nice profile/shape.

I'm really surprised by the HZ pups. They're better than I remember.

The action is a little high for my taste, but that's something you can adjust (I won't because it's not my bass).

In all, I'm going to make detailed fret-by-fret neck measurements of this bad boy! I want an NS-2 with this neck!

And the Holoflash is actually really cool looking. My wife, who usually puts energy into ignoring any "new bass infatuation" I get, which is any time Spector sends me basses to photograph (The Bahama Blue NS-2 from BPL and the ARC6-B with Bigsby from NAMM have been other recent fixations), she actually wanted to inspect the bass and "check that finish out". LOL.

Without question, I'd own one of these. This bass is killer! And I know I've got long monkey fingers, but I have no trouble with the 21st -24th frets. The single cutaway works just fine.

FWIW - I had the exact same observations on the REX5 Pro I just purchased. It's the thinnest, fastest neck I've ever played (even more so than my Pedulla 5). I don't have particulary large hands but I can wrap my entire hand around the neck and touch index finger to thumb all the way down at the 18th fret (try doing that on a Fender P bass). I rarely ever play down to the 21st fret but on this bass it's an easy reach with the cutout.
I even got similar comments from my wife and daughter on the holoflash finish, they can't believe how cool it looks.
As for weight, I have the REX5 and it's lighter than my Stingray 5 or my Alembic Essence 5 so it's not a burden at all but I haven't taken the time to weigh it yet, I'd guess around 9 or 10 pounds max.
My next search will be for a nice wide leather strap that has as much personality as this bass does. Something agressive and on the edge of heavy metal but not a bunch of studs and chains that might mess up the body finish.
How about some ideas from the Spector clan on a ultra cool strap for a REX5 Holoflash.

 

[e.rich]

A little late than expected....But the bass JUST arrived in Seattle and will be on its way to me on Monday!

I just soiled myself.

Nice! Love, love, love, love that spalted maple. That looks great in a matte finish. Reminds me of my tele (warning, non-Spector content...)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[bassgiant15]

Nice! Love, love, love, love that spalted maple. That looks great in a matte finish. Reminds me of my tele (warning, non-Spector content...)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Still cool! I'm building a tele at the moment. Still gotta get a neck for it though.

 

[Basstovsky]

So the weather blows here today, so no family pic, but here are some crappy pics of the decals next to the backup rig and in front of the ancient history rig.

The upper ones look a little off-center (but they are perfectly centered cause I went crazy with the metric ruler) because the nut is a little more towards the G string side to compensate for the girth of the B string.

 

[Jaymi]

Nice!

 

[husky123]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to share another little story about why Spector is so cool.

As some of you know I recently purchased a Haz pre for my new to me Forte 4. I really loved the Aggie but just "had to have" that Haz. It arrived promptly after ordering it 3 days prior. I had read up and asked a bunch of questions about the install...I was feeling confident and went for it.

Weeelllll, I ran into some rookie issues, ended up breaking a barrel connector off...this, that and the other. A bunch of guys were with me all the way (Sam, Patrick, PJ, grendle and even the guy about the knobs) Heck it felt like I had Sam on full retainer, instant email answers and multiple phone calls. Patrick sent me numerous pictures and the wiring diagram too.

The project got put on hold a few days because I had to go back to work (boo) but I picked it back up yesterday.

Fast forward another day and I have no sound (well a little but not consistent sound) coming out of the bass. It turns out I tracked it down to a "possibly" bad treble pot.

Enter PJ Rubal. Sam got me in touch with PJ and turns out he was going to bring his personal NS2 to my gig tonight (which was cancelled) so I could compare the wiring! Now if that's not customer service, I don't know what is. Turns out PJ lives about 1/2 hour from me. Too cool. He ended up arranging a return to the workshop and right now my baby's on her way back to her birthplace to be done RIGHT! I even advised the techs to take pictures of my work for their "what not to do" section of training.

Anywho's, in this day and age this level of service is declining to say the least. When a big company can "get small" like that....well, just awesome.

Thanks club members and thanks Spector. You've earned a hack player for life.

 

[grendle]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to share another little story about why Spector is so cool.

As some of you know I recently purchased a Haz pre for my new to me Forte 4. I really loved the Aggie but just "had to have" that Haz. It arrived promptly after ordering it 3 days prior. I had read up and asked a bunch of questions about the install...I was feeling confident and went for it.

Weeelllll, I ran into some rookie issues, ended up breaking a barrel connector off...this, that and the other. A bunch of guys were with me all the way (Sam, Patrick, PJ, grendle and even the guy about the knobs) Heck it felt like I had Sam on full retainer, instant email answers and multiple phone calls. Patrick sent me numerous pictures and the wiring diagram too.

The project got put on hold a few days because I had to go back to work (boo) but I picked it back up yesterday.

Fast forward another day and I have no sound (well a little but not consistent sound) coming out of the bass. It turns out I tracked it down to a "possibly" bad treble pot.

Enter PJ Rubal. Sam got me in touch with PJ and turns out he was going to bring his personal NS2 to my gig tonight (which was cancelled) so I could compare the wiring! Now if that's not customer service, I don't know what is. Turns out PJ lives about 1/2 hour from me. Too cool. He ended up arranging a return to the workshop and right now my baby's on her way back to her birthplace to be done RIGHT! I even advised the techs to take pictures of my work for their "what not to do" section of training.

Anywho's, in this day and age this level of service is declining to say the least. When a big company can "get small" like that....well, just awesome.

Thanks club members and thanks Spector. You've earned a hack player for life.

Totally cool!

 

[loend68]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to share another little story about why Spector is so cool.

As some of you know I recently purchased a Haz pre for my new to me Forte 4. I really loved the Aggie but just "had to have" that Haz. It arrived promptly after ordering it 3 days prior. I had read up and asked a bunch of questions about the install...I was feeling confident and went for it.

Weeelllll, I ran into some rookie issues, ended up breaking a barrel connector off...this, that and the other. A bunch of guys were with me all the way (Sam, Patrick, PJ, grendle and even the guy about the knobs) Heck it felt like I had Sam on full retainer, instant email answers and multiple phone calls. Patrick sent me numerous pictures and the wiring diagram too.

The project got put on hold a few days because I had to go back to work (boo) but I picked it back up yesterday.

Fast forward another day and I have no sound (well a little but not consistent sound) coming out of the bass. It turns out I tracked it down to a "possibly" bad treble pot.

Enter PJ Rubal. Sam got me in touch with PJ and turns out he was going to bring his personal NS2 to my gig tonight (which was cancelled) so I could compare the wiring! Now if that's not customer service, I don't know what is. Turns out PJ lives about 1/2 hour from me. Too cool. He ended up arranging a return to the workshop and right now my baby's on her way back to her birthplace to be done RIGHT! I even advised the techs to take pictures of my work for their "what not to do" section of training.

Anywho's, in this day and age this level of service is declining to say the least. When a big company can "get small" like that....well, just awesome.

Thanks club members and thanks Spector. You've earned a hack player for life.

I agree.....Spector has the best customer service. They go waaay out of their way to take care of you. I cannot praise them enough

 

[evanatch]

This baby arrived today for photos.
It's not mine, but is going to a Spector Artist in the LA area and since I don't have any photos of a Rex or Holoflash... they decided to send it to me first.

OK. I didn't think I'd like it at first.
But I can't put it down!

The neck is so perfect. It's like an old Brooklyn NS-2 neck. Really skinny front to back, and has such a nice profile/shape.

I'm really surprised by the HZ pups. They're better than I remember.

The action is a little high for my taste, but that's something you can adjust (I won't because it's not my bass).

In all, I'm going to make detailed fret-by-fret neck measurements of this bad boy! I want an NS-2 with this neck!

And the Holoflash is actually really cool looking. My wife, who usually puts energy into ignoring any "new bass infatuation" I get, which is any time Spector sends me basses to photograph (The Bahama Blue NS-2 from BPL and the ARC6-B with Bigsby from NAMM have been other recent fixations), she actually wanted to inspect the bass and "check that finish out". LOL.

Without question, I'd own one of these. This bass is killer! And I know I've got long monkey fingers, but I have no trouble with the 21st -24th frets. The single cutaway works just fine.

FWIW - I had the exact same observations on the REX5 Pro I just purchased. It's the thinnest, fastest neck I've ever played (even more so than my Pedulla 5). I don't have particulary large hands but I can wrap my entire hand around the neck and touch index finger to thumb all the way down at the 18th fret (try doing that on a Fender P bass). I rarely ever play down to the 21st fret but on this bass it's an easy reach with the cutout.
I even got similar comments from my wife and daughter on the holoflash finish, they can't believe how cool it looks.
As for weight, I have the REX5 and it's lighter than my Stingray 5 or my Alembic Essence 5 so it's not a burden at all but I haven't taken the time to weigh it yet, I'd guess around 9 or 10 pounds max.
My next search will be for a nice wide leather strap that has as much personality as this bass does. Something agressive and on the edge of heavy metal but not a bunch of studs and chains that might mess up the body finish.
How about some ideas from the Spector clan on a ultra cool strap for a REX5 Holoflash.

My thoughts about the Rex5 exactly. All this talk of the Holoflash finishes almost makes me wish mine was, it looks awesome. I got trans black and its cool, but its hard to see the quilt without the right light. It does look great though, the all black look is pretty menacing. For a strap I'd recommend the Spector Comfort Strap, easily the best strap I've ever used.
Time for the Rex to get its first use at band practice, I'll report back in a few hours and hopefully upload some pics I took!

 

[jarrod cunningham]

I agree.....Spector has the best customer service. They go waaay out of their way to take care of you. I cannot praise them enough

ABSOLUTELY !!!

 

[Jaymi]

I agree.....Spector has the best customer service. They go waaay out of their way to take care of you. I cannot praise them enough

I agree...many of the 'other' companies started this way and then stopped when they started to ignore their customers' needs. My hat's off to Spector!

 

[GBassNorth]

My thoughts about the Rex5 exactly. All this talk of the Holoflash finishes almost makes me wish mine was, it looks awesome. I got trans black and its cool, but its hard to see the quilt without the right light. It does look great though, the all black look is pretty menacing. For a strap I'd recommend the Spector Comfort Strap, easily the best strap I've ever used.
Time for the Rex to get its first use at band practice, I'll report back in a few hours and hopefully upload some pics I took!

I really wanted a quilt REX5 in red or black but settled for the holoflash because I could get it cheaper. The holoflash is a love-it-or-hate-it thing and won't go well in all types of band settings. I'm sure I'd get more than a few raised eyebrows bringing something like this to a jazz gig. The quilt on the other hand is a timeless classic finish that won't get you thrown off stage. I hope you're enjoying your new REX as much as I am mine. Happy NBD and good luck on the practice and up coming gigs.
PS - I gotta get some knobs with markers or put a paint stripe on these, I can't tell what my setting are and anything other than full on volume bridge/neck is hard to repeat.

 

[bassboy01]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to share another little story about why Spector is so cool.

As some of you know I recently purchased a Haz pre for my new to me Forte 4. I really loved the Aggie but just "had to have" that Haz. It arrived promptly after ordering it 3 days prior. I had read up and asked a bunch of questions about the install...I was feeling confident and went for it.

Weeelllll, I ran into some rookie issues, ended up breaking a barrel connector off...this, that and the other. A bunch of guys were with me all the way (Sam, Patrick, PJ, grendle and even the guy about the knobs) Heck it felt like I had Sam on full retainer, instant email answers and multiple phone calls. Patrick sent me numerous pictures and the wiring diagram too.

The project got put on hold a few days because I had to go back to work (boo) but I picked it back up yesterday.

Fast forward another day and I have no sound (well a little but not consistent sound) coming out of the bass. It turns out I tracked it down to a "possibly" bad treble pot.

Enter PJ Rubal. Sam got me in touch with PJ and turns out he was going to bring his personal NS2 to my gig tonight (which was cancelled) so I could compare the wiring! Now if that's not customer service, I don't know what is. Turns out PJ lives about 1/2 hour from me. Too cool. He ended up arranging a return to the workshop and right now my baby's on her way back to her birthplace to be done RIGHT! I even advised the techs to take pictures of my work for their "what not to do" section of training.

Anywho's, in this day and age this level of service is declining to say the least. When a big company can "get small" like that....well, just awesome.

Thanks club members and thanks Spector. You've earned a hack player for life.

That's just the way they roll at Spector. I've have had an incredible 18 years working with PJ and Stuart and nothing but great things to say about this company!!

 

[grendle]

Get some euro knobs. Or put a dot on yours. Turn em where they sound good, take em off and make them point to a refrence point on the bass (mine point to the bottom screw on my p pickup) . Repeatability solved.

 

[JPSBassist]

Seriously... that's really killer. Good thing it's going on a guitar though... Spalt Maple is considerably softer than Rock Maple. So I'd be concerned about warping over time. But on a Tele this should totally rock. And it's gloss finished. Should be nice and bright.

 

[JPSBassist]

That's just the way they roll at Spector. I've have had an incredible 18 years working with PJ and Stuart and nothing but great things to say about this company!!

+1000%

I agree. PJ and Stuart do sincerely care. That's why it's such a cool company to me. They do try and do the right thing.

 

[JPSBassist]

And am loving it so far.

Just loaded up 4 of my 5 basses with Dogal Jaco Carbon Flats...

I have them on my:
The Black Pearl
NS-2A Fretless
NS-4 Water Cured Redwood
SSD B.O.B.

I still have round-wound strings on the Alex Webster. Only seems fitting.

What I like about the Dogal strings are they are bright and responsive, almost like round-wounds, but there's no string noise so I can really dig in and play (with a pick or fingers) and I don't get some of the string noise issues I do with rounds.

Also, they are a little easier to palm mute.

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[FunkySpoo]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to share another little story about why Spector is so cool.

As some of you know I recently purchased a Haz pre for my new to me Forte 4. I really loved the Aggie but just "had to have" that Haz. It arrived promptly after ordering it 3 days prior. I had read up and asked a bunch of questions about the install...I was feeling confident and went for it.

Weeelllll, I ran into some rookie issues, ended up breaking a barrel connector off...this, that and the other. A bunch of guys were with me all the way (Sam, Patrick, PJ, grendle and even the guy about the knobs) Heck it felt like I had Sam on full retainer, instant email answers and multiple phone calls. Patrick sent me numerous pictures and the wiring diagram too.

The project got put on hold a few days because I had to go back to work (boo) but I picked it back up yesterday.

Fast forward another day and I have no sound (well a little but not consistent sound) coming out of the bass. It turns out I tracked it down to a "possibly" bad treble pot.

Enter PJ Rubal. Sam got me in touch with PJ and turns out he was going to bring his personal NS2 to my gig tonight (which was cancelled) so I could compare the wiring! Now if that's not customer service, I don't know what is. Turns out PJ lives about 1/2 hour from me. Too cool. He ended up arranging a return to the workshop and right now my baby's on her way back to her birthplace to be done RIGHT! I even advised the techs to take pictures of my work for their "what not to do" section of training.

Anywho's, in this day and age this level of service is declining to say the least. When a big company can "get small" like that....well, just awesome.

Thanks club members and thanks Spector. You've earned a hack player for life.

Sorry about your troubles but I'm glad to see SPECTOR and Sam stepping up to help out. Makes me feel even better about the bass I have.

 

[cjmodulus]

And am loving it so far.

Just loaded up 4 of my 5 basses with Dogal Jaco Carbon Flats...

I have them on my:
The Black Pearl
NS-2A Fretless
NS-4 Water Cured Redwood
SSD B.O.B.

I still have round-wound strings on the Alex Webster. Only seems fitting.

What I like about the Dogal strings are they are bright and responsive, almost like round-wounds, but there's no string noise so I can really dig in and play (with a pick or fingers) and I don't get some of the string noise issues I do with rounds.

Also, they are a little easier to palm mute.

Maybe you should post in the flatwound convert thread. Lol
I'm not a flat guy, but it's cool that you found te strings that really work for you.
As long as we're talking strings, I got my spector back after having my local shop fix some buzzing issues and some intonation issues. I put mediums on it and I love the tighter tension. I can actually pluck closer to the neck without feeling like im pulling the strings off. Ever since I started playing upright my finger strength has increased a lot. Now it's not so much of an issue.