SPECTOR® Club - Part 33

[spector_boogie]

Hey all you Spector guys. I finally getting a chance to try out the Spector Legend 5 with haz copy pre in a band setting. It sounds pretty fricken awesome! The only tough thing about that is my other bass is passive and the volume difference when switching basses is tough to deal with. I've been cutting the main volume on the Spector to try to and match things. I've always been a passive bass guy and wonder if this takes away from the tone with an active bass? I haven't had enough time playing it live to tell much difference. Anything you guys do to deal with this other than buying a 4 string Spector? (which may happen anyway)

To me, very much it does when you cut the Master/Pickup volume on a bass. I always try and run everything (Volume on my NS-5, Neck/Bridge p'ups) up 100% and go from there. I hear you though- my ReBop is hotter'n all get out (I admittedly haven't adjusted the trimpot yet) but luckily my M9 has an Active/Passive switch on it, so I just use the Active setting with the ReBop so it cuts the input gain about -20db and that works fine so far.

 

[chrisloe]

Usually amps have a -14 db switch for active basses.... You could also get an EQ pedal and up the volume out for when you use the passive bass

But I encourage buying another Spector

^^^This is the answer^^^


The first two options are just crazy talk.

 

[5string_phunk]

my M9

what are your thoughts on the M6/M9 Carbine's?? I saw Blues Traveler on Fri and Tad Kinchla, their badass bass player, was playing thru what looked like a pair of M6's into a 2x10 and a 2x12.

It sounded amazing and since I am in the market for a new amp I figured I'd get some thoughts from people who are using them!

My other top options are:
DemeterHBP-1/Carvin power amp
Eden WT-800
Genz-Benz ShuttleMax 12

 

[delucajohn2000]

In case anyone is interested, the tour dates are out for the Summer Slaughter Tour 2012. I will finally get a chance to see Cannibal Corpse and one of the opening bands is Between the Buried and Me so that is 2 Spector artists right there on one bill.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[spector_boogie]

what are your thoughts on the M6/M9 Carbine's?? I saw Blues Traveler on Fri and Tad Kinchla, their badass bass player, was playing thru what looked like a pair of M6's into a 2x10 and a 2x12.

It sounded amazing and since I am in the market for a new amp I figured I'd get some thoughts from people who are using them!

My other top options are:
DemeterHBP-1/Carvin power amp
Eden WT-800
Genz-Benz ShuttleMax 12

Man, the Carbine stuff is just ridiculously good. I'm a big Mesa honk, but have owned/gigged most else out there, and I always come back to them. Right before my M9 I had a like-new 400+ that was great, but having to argue over miking it live (the DI was blah at best) just got old, and then I had a BB750 before that, and that was decent but just didn't "feel right".
I've also had the Titan V12 (I used that about 2 years solid in my last cover band- was awesome) and I think 3 M-Pulse 600's (probably my 2nd fave Mesa amp) over the years as well. The M9 is to me, hands-down my favorite but that's because of the immediacy of the attack, the big fundamental tone you get, and of course the Voice and footswitchable EQ options. It really is the amp I always wanted Mesa to make, and they finally did.
However, if it ever got busted I'd probably go back and get a used M-P600, FWIW. Plus the onboard compressor works great- I use it more as an "on all the time" effect, more than anything to get a little honk/burp out of some stuff.

Of your list, I've had the HBP-1 + QSC PLX3402 as well as the WT-800B, and the M9 leaves em both in the dust pretty easily. I hear good things about G-B, but never had a reason to leave Mesa really except for a few forays into other gear.

Honestly, if I weren't playing Mesa I'd play Aguilar. The DB-750 and the AG-500 both are killer, just give you a different tone. Sounds epic with Spectors as well.

Tad has been with Mesa for a long while now and yeah always sounds excellent from the stuff I see live. He's had those same 210+212 cabs forever! He used to use the BB750 (plus the 2nd amp as a backup) but I'm not surprised to see him with the M6 instead.

 

[cableguy]

To me, very much it does when you cut the Master/Pickup volume on a bass. I always try and run everything (Volume on my NS-5, Neck/Bridge p'ups) up 100% and go from there. I hear you though- my ReBop is hotter'n all get out (I admittedly haven't adjusted the trimpot yet) but luckily my M9 has an Active/Passive switch on it, so I just use the Active setting with the ReBop so it cuts the input gain about -20db and that works fine so far.

I will try that on my pre. It has a -20db switch. The problem is my passive is a G&L with MDF pick-ups. These are hotter than any passive pick-ups I've used so they are closer to active output than you would think. I may look at a EQ pedal as well. That or a 4-string Spector. I keep seeing some NS2A's for good prices.

 

[LimaGuy]

Hey guys. So it took me a while because I actually set up a little studio at my house, thought it would take a hour or two, ended up taking me most of the weekend.

I did a comparison recording of my NS-4 with the 35P and 35J pickups and the DC pickups.

Specs: Recorded with my USA NS-4 directly into Protools.
Fairly new Rotosound swing bass 66's on the bass (A little buzzy on the low string).
Volume all the way up, blend in the middle, EQ set flat on the 18 volt Haz.
Tuned to drop D.

Each recording is the same with 3 parts:
Fingers (Rage Against the Machine - Freedom Riff)
Slapping (a little riff I wrote)
Pick (Verse from The Pot- Tool)

Here is with the 35P in the front, 35J in the back.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Here is with the 35P in the front, DC in the back.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Here is with both DC pickups (the way it came...)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Let me know what you think....

I am a P/J guy and I have to say I do like the P/J one the best. The P/DC almost sounds the same as the DC/DC

 

[delucajohn2000]

Hey guys. So it took me a while because I actually set up a little studio at my house, thought it would take a hour or two, ended up taking me most of the weekend.

I did a comparison recording of my NS-4 with the 35P and 35J pickups and the DC pickups.

Specs: Recorded with my USA NS-4 directly into Protools.
Fairly new Rotosound swing bass 66's on the bass (A little buzzy on the low string).
Volume all the way up, blend in the middle, EQ set flat on the 18 volt Haz.
Tuned to drop D.

Each recording is the same with 3 parts:
Fingers (Rage Against the Machine - Freedom Riff)
Slapping (a little riff I wrote)
Pick (Verse from The Pot- Tool)

Here is with the 35P in the front, 35J in the back.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Here is with the 35P in the front, DC in the back.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Here is with both DC pickups (the way it came...)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Let me know what you think....

Excellent clips Chris and thanks for taking to time to record them. Everyone is going to have their own preference on these but with me being a DC guys, like those just a bit better. To my awful ears (too many years of concerts and loud music,) I don't hear too much of a difference between the DC/P5 combo and the DC/DC combo but I think my next thing is to get a P/J setup when I get another Spector to have that tonal option.

 

[spector_boogie]

I've been rocking my DC/DC equipped NS-5 almost 3 years now, so while subtle, I can still hear a tad bit more bite and growl with the P5-DC combo, which is kinda what I wanted to go for in the ReBop.
The DC-DC combo to me sounds a good bit darker, which is what I've experienced when recording my NS-5 as well.

 

[5string_phunk]

Man, the Carbine stuff is just ridiculously good. I'm a big Mesa honk, but have owned/gigged most else out there, and I always come back to them. Right before my M9 I had a like-new 400+ that was great, but having to argue over miking it live (the DI was blah at best) just got old, and then I had a BB750 before that, and that was decent but just didn't "feel right".
I've also had the Titan V12 (I used that about 2 years solid in my last cover band- was awesome) and I think 3 M-Pulse 600's (probably my 2nd fave Mesa amp) over the years as well. The M9 is to me, hands-down my favorite but that's because of the immediacy of the attack, the big fundamental tone you get, and of course the Voice and footswitchable EQ options. It really is the amp I always wanted Mesa to make, and they finally did.
However, if it ever got busted I'd probably go back and get a used M-P600, FWIW. Plus the onboard compressor works great- I use it more as an "on all the time" effect, more than anything to get a little honk/burp out of some stuff.

Of your list, I've had the HBP-1 + QSC PLX3402 as well as the WT-800B, and the M9 leaves em both in the dust pretty easily. I hear good things about G-B, but never had a reason to leave Mesa really except for a few forays into other gear.

Honestly, if I weren't playing Mesa I'd play Aguilar. The DB-750 and the AG-500 both are killer, just give you a different tone. Sounds epic with Spectors as well.

Tad has been with Mesa for a long while now and yeah always sounds excellent from the stuff I see live. He's had those same 210+212 cabs forever! He used to use the BB750 (plus the 2nd amp as a backup) but I'm not surprised to see him with the M6 instead.

That is some great info! I greatly appreciate it! I would definitely get a DB751 if not for the cost...and toting a 40+ lbs amp just doesn't sound all that fun to me! I am trying to stay in the 20-25 lbs range! LOL!

I really am intrigued by the Mesa M6/M9! I still can't get over the tones I heard on Fri! Hopefully I can get out and try a few different things this weekend! I think I am going to pair whatever head I get, with a 2x10 for right now and then work on adding a 12 or 15!

 

[spector_boogie]

That is some great info! I greatly appreciate it! I would definitely get a DB751 if not for the cost...and toting a 40+ lbs amp just doesn't sound all that fun to me! I am trying to stay in the 20-25 lbs range! LOL!

I really am intrigued by the Mesa M6/M9! I still can't get over the tones I heard on Fri! Hopefully I can get out and try a few different things this weekend! I think I am going to pair whatever head I get, with a 2x10 for right now and then work on adding a 12 or 15!

Yeah I'm with you- the weight of the 750/751 is pretty crazy but the AG500 stuff brought plenty of thump and booty. It wasn't as "wide" as the 750/1, but live couldn't tell a ton of difference.

Honestly, unless you need the Graphic EQ and Compressor, the M6 will give you plenty of versatility and life AND power. Mesa has always been a little "light" IME on their ratings (meaning you get more than what you pay for) and the M6/9 delivers this in spades. It's the only amp that I've ever blown a driver with. It's a beast! Plus the M6 is lighter and IIRC has the DI level control on the front, which is pretty cool (similar to the Walkabout). I use the Graphic EQ for a more aggressive fingerstyle/pick tone, and the Voice 1 preset for a wider, more bottom-friendly tone. There's a feature on the M9 where you can either A. have both the Voice and G-EQ on at the same time or B. when you engage the G-EQ the Voice feature is defeated, which is what I do. Pretty clever!

 

[5string_phunk]

Yeah I'm with you- the weight of the 750/751 is pretty crazy but the AG500 stuff brought plenty of thump and booty. It wasn't as "wide" as the 750/1, but live couldn't tell a ton of difference.

Honestly, unless you need the Graphic EQ and Compressor, the M6 will give you plenty of versatility and life AND power. Mesa has always been a little "light" IME on their ratings (meaning you get more than what you pay for) and the M6/9 delivers this in spades. It's the only amp that I've ever blown a driver with. It's a beast! Plus the M6 is lighter and IIRC has the DI level control on the front, which is pretty cool (similar to the Walkabout). I use the Graphic EQ for a more aggressive fingerstyle/pick tone, and the Voice 1 preset for a wider, more bottom-friendly tone. There's a feature on the M9 where you can either A. have both the Voice and G-EQ on at the same time or B. when you engage the G-EQ the Voice feature is defeated, which is what I do. Pretty clever!

Sweet! yeah that's definitely a clever trick!! The more I read/hear about Mesa's, The more I am being swayed toward them!! I think the M6 is what I would be interested in, but if I stumble across a good deal, I wouldn't hesitate to pick up the M9. I like the idea of having a graphic eq, though I probably wouldn't use it that much!!

 

[superdick2112]

I've been impressed with the Mesa and Aguilar gear I've tried, but I never got to hear either one turned up to stage volumes - hard to do in a crowded store. If you have the chance & want to feel genuine lightning & thunder, you have to try out a Phil Jones rig. I liked my rig when I first heard it in the store - I absolutely fell in love with it the first time I unleashed it on stage....

 

[5string_phunk]

I've been impressed with the Mesa and Aguilar gear I've tried, but I never got to hear either one turned up to stage volumes - hard to do in a crowded store. If you have the chance & want to feel genuine lightning & thunder, you have to try out a Phil Jones rig. I liked my rig when I first heard it in the store - I absolutely fell in love with it the first time I unleashed it on stage....

Are those 6in or 8in speakers?? ...and 24 of them to boot!!

I never knew I wanted soooo many speakers in one cab until right now! Your rig looks SWEEEET! ...so does that white Spector you have hiding to the left!

 

[cjmodulus]

In case anyone is interested, the tour dates are out for the Summer Slaughter Tour 2012. I will finally get a chance to see Cannibal Corpse and one of the opening bands is Between the Buried and Me so that is 2 Spector artists right there on one bill.

Invalid Link Removed

My friends and I have been planning on going to the Boston date for a while now. BTBAM, periphery, veil of maya, the faceless, and of course cannibal corpse. It's going to be epic!

 

[Zitch]

Hey guys. So it took me a while because I actually set up a little studio at my house, thought it would take a hour or two, ended up taking me most of the weekend.

I did a comparison recording of my NS-4 with the 35P and 35J pickups and the DC pickups.

Specs: Recorded with my USA NS-4 directly into Protools.
Fairly new Rotosound swing bass 66's on the bass (A little buzzy on the low string).
Volume all the way up, blend in the middle, EQ set flat on the 18 volt Haz.
Tuned to drop D.

Each recording is the same with 3 parts:
Fingers (Rage Against the Machine - Freedom Riff)
Slapping (a little riff I wrote)
Pick (Verse from The Pot- Tool)

Here is with the 35P in the front, 35J in the back.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Here is with the 35P in the front, DC in the back.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Here is with both DC pickups (the way it came...)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Let me know what you think....

I like the Third one the best followed by the first one. Good shootout man!

 

[spector_boogie]

I've been impressed with the Mesa and Aguilar gear I've tried, but I never got to hear either one turned up to stage volumes - hard to do in a crowded store. If you have the chance & want to feel genuine lightning & thunder, you have to try out a Phil Jones rig. I liked my rig when I first heard it in the store - I absolutely fell in love with it the first time I unleashed it on stage....

I can't even fit my PH212 cabs in my car lol! My singer would kill me if I rolled out that rig!
I've always wanted to try a PJB rig. Never have, even at small volumes.

 

[gearHed289]

Hey guys. So it took me a while because I actually set up a little studio at my house, thought it would take a hour or two, ended up taking me most of the weekend.

I did a comparison recording of my NS-4 with the 35P and 35J pickups and the DC pickups.

Specs: Recorded with my USA NS-4 directly into Protools.
Fairly new Rotosound swing bass 66's on the bass (A little buzzy on the low string).
Volume all the way up, blend in the middle, EQ set flat on the 18 volt Haz.
Tuned to drop D.

Each recording is the same with 3 parts:
Fingers (Rage Against the Machine - Freedom Riff)
Slapping (a little riff I wrote)
Pick (Verse from The Pot- Tool)

Here is with the 35P in the front, 35J in the back.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Here is with the 35P in the front, DC in the back.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Here is with both DC pickups (the way it came...)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Let me know what you think....

Cool, thanks for posting! I like the P/J best for fingerstyle, and the DC/DC for slap and pick. The P/DC seems like a great concept on paper, but my ears do not agree. I actually had a EMG J/DC combo with BTC pre on my Guild 5 string several years ago. I found that they didn't really compliment each other, and generally panned all the way to one or the other, depending on my needs.

 

[worshiprocker]

anyone looking for some EMG 35HZs? I know people generally don't care for them but I will have some new ones that I am replacing... hit me up if you are interested.. I can include the volume and tone pots also

 

[JeffplaysBass]

tomorrow is NBD for me... I can't wait... I'm going insane!!!

I've got pickups, preamp and strings waiting for this beast!!!!

I thought you were getting it made?...A Rex right???