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I had some inside info they one they have has had some problems. I check their site daily and no other NS2A. There are a few Legend 4's on the bay I might get for cheap and upgrade the electronics. That is if a NS2A doesn't pop up soon.
Check Guitar Center's used section online. There's one under $500 hiding in there as of yesterday.
So I'm sure Sam probably knows this, but anyone please feel free to answer:
Will the USA 18v Spector circuit fit in the Forte 5?
Will it fit in a Euro LX 4?
In each case, can they be installed and set up with a kill switch in the place of the 4th knob?
Is there room in a Forte 5 or Euro LX 4 electronics cavity for the 18v pre amp and the two 9v batteries?
Any idea why the 18v pre amp is so much less than the 9v? I'd really like to retrofit one of my Spectors with the 9v, but that's just way, way too much for me and I'm wondering if the 18v can cop the 9v tone effectively (feel free to opine on this as well).
Thanks folks.
Will the USA 18v Spector circuit fit in the Forte 5?
Will it fit in a Euro LX 4?
In each case, can they be installed and set up with a kill switch in the place of the 4th knob?
Is there room in a Forte 5 or Euro LX 4 electronics cavity for the 18v pre amp and the two 9v batteries?
Any idea why the 18v pre amp is so much less than the 9v? I'd really like to retrofit one of my Spectors with the 9v, but that's just way, way too much for me and I'm wondering if the 18v can cop the 9v tone effectively (feel free to opine on this as well).
Thanks folks.
The 18 volt should fit any Spector cavity - it's two separate small boards, and takes up no more space than a TP or EMG pre - there is room to spare in my NS-4 cavity. As for pricing, the 9 volt has a much larger board, and it may require more expensive parts, more time to assemble, or it may simply be a matter of pricing it at "what the market will bear" - after all, it is the most desireable of all the preamps.
As for the sound, I'v never had the pleasure of playing a Spector with the 9 volt HAZ...
The Spector 18v preamp is a 3 knob configuration. The blend and concentric bass/treble controls are mounted on the circuit. In order to install, you will need to oversize the control holes with a reamer to accommodate the slightly wider spaced controls.
- Feb 3, 2005
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bobunit said:
I love my NS4, so thought about the 18v for my Euro 4LX. However that different layout made me decide to go the Tonepump at 18v.
- Apr 15, 2010
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Hi guys. It took me a while but I came to a conclusion that I like EMG TW pups (!) in my 35" Euro 4LX. Not that i like them in both dual coil mode but the combination of single neck plus dual bridge is very very articulate and punchy. Love it strung with Lo Riders, great slapping tone and a lot of power. It was surprising cause I was a bit disapointed at first with how my new Euro 4LX TW-35 sounds vs my P/J Euro 4LX, but all it needs just setting TP at 40-50% and playing with controls to find a sweet spot. Eventually I decided to keep both 435LX and 4LX-TW35 as they deliver completely different tone.
- Apr 15, 2010
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Ok, the hunt is on for a used Forte 5 with Haz and DCs. I suspect that'll set me back a couple thousand. Still a dog house move but maybe only for a few nights.
A reasonable used Forte 5, $1800-2000.00. Good luck finding one though. They're harder to find used than the Forte 4.
Jaymi
Pink Bass Man
- Feb 11, 2008
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Jaymi, do you have any pics of the pink bass? Please post 'em if you do.
I have had a couple of pink basses and since none of them were Spectors, I have not posted to this thread...I have one being built right now but it is not finished...(not Spector either)
The NS-2A's seem to come around in cycles for some crazy reason?
Be patient...it'll be worth it vs. a Legend 4. 
Jaymi
Pink Bass Man
- Feb 11, 2008
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- Endorsing Artist: Ampeg , Jaydee, Kalium
The 18V will fit in the Forte-5 Cavity. And you will have room for the 2 batteries. (It may be tight but it will fit)
Its possible that the Forte 5 will have wide enough Pot holes to accommodate the 18V pot controls. My Forte 4 had wide enough holes to handle the 9V Haz with no widening while the Euro would need to be widened for sure.
The 18V circuit comes all nice and ready to install with no soldering. If you wanted to do the 4th hole kill switch I am sure it could be added by your tech.
I am not sure why the 18V is so much less then the 9V circuit. The 18V was designed to work with the DCs that the Forte 5 has in it. Putting the 18V in your Forte 5 would make the tone just like a NS-5.
Awesome! Glad to hear a positive report on TW's. Really sweet looking Euros you have! Awesome woodgrain!
I like my NS2As better than the euros i've played. Only after I changed out the electronics. Then again, I've only played a couple of euros....
- Apr 15, 2010
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Thanks, Iceboxbass
Yes I think it's a first positive report on TWs in this forum
because all I heard before about them were negative. They are just different from "signature" Spector growl but it doesn't make them undervalued.
Do you prefer the slimmer neck profile, or the tighter bridge string spacing of the NS-2A (.700" NS-2A vs .750" Euro/USA 4-string) as compared to the Euro basses?
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