SPECTOR® Club - Part 32

[delucajohn2000]

I've seen that documentary. Amazing. Have you guys checked out Alex Webster's instructional book. I have it and I can't help but to laugh every time I see him play. It's mind blowing stuff. The book comes with a play along CD. If you are up for a challenge, it's a challenge of a lifetime. Well for me anyway.

Maybe I'll just keep selling stuff and buy a bloodless Alex Webster Spector .

Yeah, I picked up his book. Lets just say I need to get a bit better before I start tackling some of those licks he has in there. I love how he includes the backing tracks to be used in Garage band or Pro Tools but there is no way I can play those things yet clean.

Once I get those down, then maybe I can start to attempt Frantic Disembowelment which is just an insane track. You know anything Pat O'Brien writes is going to be crazy.

 

[levis76]

Nice sustain on that last note, I like it.

Yeah, I love me some EMGs, just not the HZ line. EMG makes great active p'ups, just not very good passive p'ups, IMHO.

I was thinking about a pair of TW with a BQC, but then I would have to permanently modify the bass by adding coil tap switches and I'm not real big on permanent mods. I like mods that I can undo to retain the originality of the instrument.

 

[ynot12]

It's funny because when I ordered mine, I said the exact thing and wanted to swap out the tone pump and pickups with a BQC and EMG DC's. When I got the thing though, I was surprised how great it sounded. Of course, that was after swapping out the dead strings that were on the bass and tightening the loose pots since they were buzzing a bit.

Here is a clip I made like 2 weeks ago playing the riff from "rain when I die" by Alice in chains. I am tuned to C# and have the bass and treble turned up all the way but one thing that happens which I don't like is you get a hum in the background when you boost the treble all the way. Here is the clip and you can hear it in the background.

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A few people mentioned that it might be the pickups since are passive and not hum canceling supposedly so completely disregard what i just said before and you might want to throw DC's in there since they are active. I think that is what I am going to do but I haven't completely decided yet.

Yeah, PJ indirectly told me that that same tone pump treble hum was interference being picked up because the HZs don't buck the hum completely. I adjusted the trim pot a little and it seemed to cut in down little. But, still there.

That sounded pretty darn sweet, though! I dropped one of my basses down to c# last weekend to play AIC and it's a lot of fun.

 

[levis76]

Bloodless is def the way to go with the Alex Webster Spector. That blood spatter is a bit much, more cheese than metal, but to each his own. The bass is wicked, sposed to have a real thin neck, thinnest Spector has ever made on a 5 string. I hope one of my local shops gets one so I can touch one before I die.

 

[delucajohn2000]

Nice sustain on that last note, I like it.

Yeah, I love me some EMGs, just not the HZ line. EMG makes great active p'ups, just not very good passive p'ups, IMHO.

I was thinking about a pair of TW with a BQC, but then I would have to permanently modify the bass by adding coil tap switches and I'm not real big on permanent mods. I like mods that I can undo to retain the originality of the instrument.

Yeah, if anyone is not sure these Rebop's have sustain, that last note help them decide.

I am with you, I am just not digging these HZ's too much but if it's TW's you are looking at, I am not the one to talk to I have them in my Euro 5LX and after getting my NS-5XL with DC's, I realize I like the DC's so much better. I am going to rip those out as soon as I get the money for DC's since they are pretty much useless to me in single coil mode. To me, it just seems like the volume is lower when I pull out the knobs out which is odd.

Yeah, PJ indirectly told me that that same tone pump treble hum was interference being picked up because the HZs don't buck the hum completely. I adjusted the trim pot a little and it seemed to cut in down little. But, still there.

That sounded pretty darn sweet, though! I dropped one of my basses down to c# last weekend to play AIC and it's a lot of fun.

That's right, I believe you were the one that mentioned that to me when I originally posted this clip. I remember you said you spoke to PJ about it and that was his response. Unfortunately, my tone pump doesn't have the trim pot so I don't have that luxury but it's making me want to order a new one when i get paid this week.

 

[levis76]

To me, it just seems like the volume is lower when I pull out the knobs out

This is exactly what I was afraid of. Knowing me, I would find a coil selection I like and then wouldn't change it ever. I'll probably go with a pair of 40DCs and maybe no pre, just a vol and tone for each p'up. I did that with a Dean 5 string years back, sounded great. Dual vol was way better than a blend pot IMO. Being able to dial in neck woof and bridge honk independently is awesome.

 

[PhatBasstard]

I am with you, I am just not digging these HZ's too much but if it's TW's you are looking at, I am not the one to talk to I have them in my Euro 5LX and after getting my NS-5XL with DC's, I realize I like the DC's so much better. I am going to rip those out as soon as I get the money for DC's since they are pretty much useless to me in single coil mode. To me, it just seems like the volume is lower when I pull out the knobs out which is odd.

This is exactly what I was afraid of. Knowing me, I would find a coil selection I like and then wouldn't change it ever. I'll probably go with a pair of 40DCs and maybe no pre, just a vol and tone for each p'up. I did that with a Dean 5 string years back, sounded great. Dual vol was way better than a blend pot IMO. Being able to dial in neck woof and bridge honk independently is awesome.

This is why I had to dump the TW's.
The huge volume drop when switching to single coil (I've had other coil switchable pups, like Barts, that didn't do this, so......) made them unusable.
Plus, even in humbucker mode they were darker than the DC's. More like the CS's.
The DC's, for humbucker configurations, are just better IMHO.

That being said, I prefer the PJ tone overall and am thinking of switching the 45DC's in my 6 for a 45P and 45J sometime in the future.

 

[iceboxbass]

Sure ya are! Congrats , look forward to pics.
I am still trying to talk myself in rolling two loved basses to pick up that NAMM "Coral Reef" bass.
Have that one and my red one side by side as my screensaver. Deliberating? hmmmmmm? LOL
Fire and Ice?

I hope you can do it! That would be an awesome duo !

Totally great feeling! Now if I could just get my pinky under control.... looks like it's doing it's own funky dance on the side. LOL

Haha I tried the 3 finger gallop at practice with my band yesterday...it was working really well but my pinky was doing the same thing. Lol at one time I had a 4 fingers actually going strumming the string. I looked down and said,"What the heck?!"

Awwww man, I was so close to winning the blue EURO 5LX on ebay just now. I should have increased my bid as somebody sniped me at the last minute. So bummed!

Wonder if it's a club member here???

I found this little gem online a week ago and have been trying to sell my 'wick to fund it's purchase. I finally found a buyer, his payment cleared today and within 5 min I was on the phone giving the GC employee my credit card number, gotta get that 1% cash back too! The guy on the phone had to double check to make sure the price was marked correctly. Yeah, that's right, a Spector Rebop 5 for just under $600 shipped to my door. It won't be coming with a gig bag or case, which works for me, I already have a nice SKB that it'll fit right into.



I am so excited!!

Can't wait
Can't wait
Can't wait

Congrats! Those are good basses! I've had stellar buying from GC which I've bought several from them. Everything was in excellent condition. An Ian Hill Sig. Spector was in New condition! Not a swirl or scratch on it! I know some here had bad dealings with them. I've been fortunate. Can't wait to see yours!

That's awesome. I have a new Rebop 5 and it's like a gateway drug. This week I've been selling everything I own to get a Euro.

Let us know how that GC transaction goes after you receive it. I always wonder what you might get off the wall/floor in a GC, sight unseen.

+1 on being a Gateway drug into Spectors! Let me add just one more thing...after having the ReBop I asked myself,"if this ReBop has this much sustain and tone...I wonder what a neckthru would sound like?!?!" That was it...let the unslaughter of SAS begin without end! haha and after a NS-2A, NS-95 SSD, Ian Hill Sig., Forte 4, Forte 5, Coda 5 Deluxe, LATER!!! And I bought my first Spector Jan.2009 Sooooooo...IT NEVER ENDS!

 

[iceboxbass]

That being said, I prefer the PJ tone overall and am thinking of switching the 45DC's in my 6 for a 45P and 45J sometime in the future.

That's what I'm saying phat!!! I absolutely love the 40P5/40J on my Forte 5! They sound fat! And coupled with the OBP3 it's limitless in tonal ranges. IMO

 

[Worldeeeter]

Bloodless is def the way to go with the Alex Webster Spector. That blood spatter is a bit much, more cheese than metal, but to each his own. The bass is wicked, sposed to have a real thin neck, thinnest Spector has ever made on a 5 string. I hope one of my local shops gets one so I can touch one before I die.

Uh..... -1
Yeah, to each his own.
Seeing as how the entire bass is red-and-black coordinated, the blood spatter looks less odd than a plain black body with red neck inlays.

 

[e.rich]

Yup, that was seventhframe. I can't thank him enough since, like you, i have practiced it regularly and it really has improved my playing.

Can you repost the link? I need all of the practice I can get. I'm still working through Jaymi's slapping 101 video.

 

[JeffplaysBass]

NBD on Wednesday...

87' USA NS2 Solid Red on the way...Finally found it......

Nice one!...Was that the one from Bass Northwest?

 

[Jaymi]

Can you repost the link? I need all of the practice I can get. I'm still working through Jaymi's slapping 101 video.

Keep rockin it! Part 2 is in process...

 

[PhatBasstard]

Bloodless is def the way to go with the Alex Webster Spector. That blood spatter is a bit much, more cheese than metal, but to each his own. The bass is wicked, sposed to have a real thin neck, thinnest Spector has ever made on a 5 string. I hope one of my local shops gets one so I can touch one before I die.

Uh..... -1
Yeah, to each his own.
Seeing as how the entire bass is red-and-black coordinated, the blood spatter looks less odd than a plain black body with red neck inlays.

Not to start a flame war, but I must agree with the former.
I would probably get a lot of "Cool Dude" with the blood spatter on my Rock gigs,
but on most of my RnB, Country, Blues and corporate stuff, the black with red inlays would be fine.
The blood splatter would get a lot of this .

 

[GMO]

Does anyone know what kind of preamp did the spector lenged custom 5 models had?

Or does anyone have the wiring diagram of that particular bass?

I am just curious because some of the wiring diagrams that I have seen of the spector professional models have a tonepump jr., and my spector legend 5 custom doesn't have it.

 

[Jaymi]

Time for part 33!!!

 

[sumgruuvz]

Awesome tune and tone.

Here's one I'm sure has been shared here before. A purple Spector Euro just killing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75ldAzjbHC0

Even if you don't like the music, check out :20 to :30. Friggin incredible. Talk about three finger technique. LOL!!

yeah. the ultimate bass playing from aw. that song destroys people who want to learn to play cc.

 

[LimaGuy]

Does anyone know what kind of preamp did the spector lenged custom 5 models had?

Or does anyone have the wiring diagram of that particular bass?

I am just curious because some of the wiring diagrams that I have seen of the spector professional models have a tonepump jr., and my spector legend 5 custom doesn't have it.

The Preamp in a Legend 5 Custom I believe is a EMG BC30.

Maybe someone who has this model can take a photo of their control cavity for you so you can see the wiring.

 

[jarrod cunningham]

I had a 5 custom . I think it was called a rev-30 . Good preamp . I liked the sound of that bass and would love to have another !

 

[iceboxbass]

Uh..... -1
Yeah, to each his own.
Seeing as how the entire bass is red-and-black coordinated, the blood spatter looks less odd than a plain black body with red neck inlays.

Really...I personally like JPS's blood splatter design but...if I was going bloodless I'd go with MP crown inlays.