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Is that a US bridge?...looks pointy.
Nah, just an illusion, its the typical curved Euro bridge with the gold wearing off.
I really want an NS2 one day.
In the meantime, I was playing around with my new to me Mesa 400+ and my Hazlab'ed - white EuroLX and recorded a little ditty. I was happy with the bass tone. Let me know what y'all think.
2006'ish EuroLX with Hazlab US9V, Old DR Hi-Beams, into a Mesa bass 400+ into an Aguilar GS212 miked with an SM57.
Here's a pic and a soundclip
beautiful bass and great tone!
Any of you experts know what this serial number means? I thought NS basses came out in 1977 but it looks like the last 2 digits are 76?
That's a 78.
The first NS-1 basses weren't finished until late summer 1977.
Although the original design by Ned, which was the genesis for the NS-Bass (made like a butcher's cutting board and hand shaped) was made by Ned in late 1976.
It took them a while to figure out how exactly they were going to make it.
This serial was hand etched using a little hand-held engraver. So they were often hard to read.
That's an 8 that got away on the upstroke. Looks like Stuart tried to put a straight line across the top to connect the two parts of the upper circle of the 8.
Any of you experts know what this serial number means? I thought NS basses came out in 1977 but it looks like the last 2 digits are 76?
Oh.
Just FYI... the early NS-1 models didn't have headstock serial numbers and the serial numbers were the completion date hand etched into the bottom of the Leo Quan Bridge.
I got to inspect one of the very first NS-1's (I've posted photos before of that) from the "second batch" that Stuart made. In Oct/Nov of 1977.
The date/serial number for this bass would be 2/19/78
What a really cool thing to have.
An authentic (meaning hasn't been modified into an NS-2) NS-1 is on my collection want-list. One with the six-sided pickup cover.
Most of these had little hand-wrapped circuits made in a garage by a guy Stuart knew. They had names like, "Yellow Thumper" and stuff like that.
I can't remember exactly which ones Stuart used, but most of these circuits were not built to last and they eventually die. So an NS-1 with an early Haz or any other circuit that is original is a REAL find.
I hear you.
I have to admit that being a "Spector purist" and loving the growly sound of the 1980's NS-2s... the BEM models are different. Punchy, with a slightly... I don't know... a tone that's more mid to high instead of the bone-crunching lows you get with the pau-ferro.
So for me... I say that I'm glad I've got The Black Pearl. It's a really amazing bass. But regarding the "purist 1980's" sound, it'll be the only BEM Spector NS-2 I get.
I think I'm going to stick with the Pau Ferro for the NS-2 and NS-4. But am totally open to the maple option on the ReBop and the USA Bolt-On models. I think that fingerboard works great with the bolt-on necks.
It's a really nice looking ZeBop... and someone has customized it a little with the ramp...
The ReBop is a seriously awesome bass. I love them. PJ picks at me because I'm so Pro-ReBop. But it's an affordable way to get into a true NS-Body Spector. They have great feeling necks and sound awesome. I mean honestly, drop some EMG DC's in one of these and I like the way it sounds A LOT!
Thank you for the answer. This was an NS1 I bought as a project and sent to Michael Dolan to finish. The body had cracked on the end and he had discussed with Mr. Spector about the weighted materials that had reacted and expanded causing the crack. Dolan did a great job on the bass and I was glad to get a piece of history restored. Some before and after pics:
I have just the thing if you are into it....PM me...
Thanks Jaymi!
And yes... $1350 is a little steep for this being used. I mean it's not far off from what you could get a new on from a dealer for.
I'd see if they'd be talked down to around $1100 on this bass. Who knows. But $1100-$1150 wouldn't be a bad deal. It looks like new.
Tat2dHeart
Only two strings away from an attitude problem.
Sounds pretty darned good!
Even though I just bought a new NS4, I would also like to get an NS2 someday, and, by strange coincidence, I also have a white Euro LX I was thinking of modding with the Hazlab pre. How easy was your install? Any issues I should know about before I order a Hazlab? Thanks.
thanks! i took it to a tech for the install. he didn't seem to have much trouble with it. the pots have larger diameter shafts, so you may end up having to ream the holes out a little bit otherwise everything lines up perfectly.
I was able to do a quick and dirty recording (XLR out the back of my Carbine M6 to a computer) of a bass line today at band rehearsal. It's weird, just hearing the bass line, especially cuz there are a couple of long breaks in this song (synth only). So, skip to 0:35, then skip from 2:20 to 2:40 to avoid complete silence.
I'm not very happy with the "performance", but I was not 100% today; however, you get a feel for the sound of the Alex Webster sig bass. I had the p/u blend in the middle, bass at 80%, treble at around 25%, mids at around 40%, and the mid-sweep at around 40% (low frequency), master vol cranked on the bass.
If you wanna hear the actual song, recorded with a "vanilla" bass line (the songwriter initially recorded everything himself), here's the link:
http://soundcloud.com/this-awakened/sets/no-one-is-listening/
I hope this gives everyone an idea of the sound - enjoy!
I'm not very happy with the "performance", but I was not 100% today; however, you get a feel for the sound of the Alex Webster sig bass. I had the p/u blend in the middle, bass at 80%, treble at around 25%, mids at around 40%, and the mid-sweep at around 40% (low frequency), master vol cranked on the bass.
If you wanna hear the actual song, recorded with a "vanilla" bass line (the songwriter initially recorded everything himself), here's the link:
http://soundcloud.com/this-awakened/sets/no-one-is-listening/
I hope this gives everyone an idea of the sound - enjoy!
j.kernodle love the tone.
From what I understand some Euro holes need to be widened and others don't.
Super
If you want to check your Euro pot holes. I would say they need to be about 10-10.5mm wide.
The Haz Pots are about 9mm wide.
Lima - thanks for the tip.
On the subject of Euro bass preamps, does anyone here prefer the old style CRFM4 preamps (with vol., bal., & detented bass & treble) over the Tonepumps?
Don't get me wrong - I really dig the Tonepump in my white Euro, but I think the older pre in my CRFM4 sounds just a little nicer, with a more aggressive tone that is better suited to the hard rock/metal my band plays.
To my ears the Tonepump has a slightly bigger bottom end, is a touch smoother & has a bit more punch, where the CRFM pre has a more articulate midrange, glassier highs, and sounds a little bit closer to the Hazlab pre sound.
Rather than mod my white Euro, I think I need a 3rd Euro with the haz, or better yet, an NS2 - that way, along with my new NS4, I would have just about all of the more recent Spector tone variations at my disposal.
On the subject of Euro bass preamps, does anyone here prefer the old style CRFM4 preamps (with vol., bal., & detented bass & treble) over the Tonepumps?
Don't get me wrong - I really dig the Tonepump in my white Euro, but I think the older pre in my CRFM4 sounds just a little nicer, with a more aggressive tone that is better suited to the hard rock/metal my band plays.
To my ears the Tonepump has a slightly bigger bottom end, is a touch smoother & has a bit more punch, where the CRFM pre has a more articulate midrange, glassier highs, and sounds a little bit closer to the Hazlab pre sound.
Rather than mod my white Euro, I think I need a 3rd Euro with the haz, or better yet, an NS2 - that way, along with my new NS4, I would have just about all of the more recent Spector tone variations at my disposal.
First, if you can get yourself a NS-2, do it. Just amazing.
With your white Euro, what year is it? Does it have the Trim or non-trim Tonepump? What are the first 2 digits after the NB on the back of the headstock?
With your CRFM, I assume it has a EMG BT circuit in it. But it may also have a Aguilar OBP1 or even a Haz copy type of preamp.
Check in the cavity, if you cant tell post or send me a pic.
Sounds great, I sense a few people may start thinking of putting a BQC with DCs in there Euros.
John?
Getting my brand new first ever Spector bass ^^^in 5 days. A Spector legend 4. With sick as red cherry finish. Can't wait!!! So excited!! Have picks up then.
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