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SPECTOR® Club - Part 36

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#761
delucajohn2000 said:
Haha, ok thanks. I didn't see anyone mention who it was so I was curious.

This EXB that people are installing into their Spector's. Is that like a mid sweep or is it more like a "slap switch" that some manufacturers install?

I am curious since if it's a sweep, that would be similar to what the BQC has so I am curious of the differences. My guess would be that the BQC has a separate mid sweep and also mid control as well on the stacked knob and the BTC and EXB combo doesn't have that separate mid control but I just want to make sure.

I want to rip the OBP-1 out of my NS-JH5 and was going to install a BQC but now I am a bit curious about this other setup. If it's like a slap switch though, that isn't for me since I really don't slap at all.
Click to expand...

It's not a "slap switch". It is a variable mid-scoop sweep knob that at zero does nothing, but as you increase it, it increases the highs and lows and scoops the mids. Kind of like the variable mid-cut knob on Epifani amps.

In combination with the BTC, you get a stacked bass and treble which is super sensitive. I tend to leave mine flat and adjust only from the EXB, adding eq from the stacked knob only when needed. It doesn't totally bottom out the mids like you'd think and like most "slap switches" do. The mids are still very much there as long as you don't dime everything up (which will cause way to hot of a load for your amp input anyway, so it just won't happen). Tony and Chuckles can attest to this. While it does/can enhance slapping, that's not ALL it does and there are lots of shades in between full-on and completely off.

The BQC has a stacked mid and bass knob and then a stacked mid frequency select knob and mid frequency boost cut knob on top of it to push or pull whatever mid frequency you've chosen. My only problem with this is that you have no idea what frequencies you're adjusting on the mids because it's just a blank knob, so it's totally "adjust by ear/feel." Some folks are good at this so it makes sense for them. I'm not good at this :crying:, so I prefer to adjust my mids from my amp. But the BQC is a fantastic pre for those folks who want those features, and it's also very cost-friendly and provides a solderless install experience as well.

I am not a fan of the OBP-1 either :spit:. I find it to be brittle and harsh, esp on the highs. The EMG rigs are much smoother and musical/usable. And also dead quiet. Plus you get the benefits and ease/simplicity of the solderless installation in combination with the EMG pickups and that is a great side bonus. I know I sound like an endorser, but I promise I'm not. Just a fan.

And the other bonus is that the EMG pre-amp gear is way, way more affordable than just about everything else. And have I been redundant enough for one post? Perhaps... perhaps... perhaps...

Hope this helps.
 
#762
armybass said:
OK, I have no idea what I have here....



the bass is a black neck through 4 string, PJ, Spector TRC, back control plate says NS 7694? Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Sounds like an NS-2A. Is the hardware black? If so, you're probably holding an NS-2A like Jaymi says. Which is a great bass - just don't spend a ton on it. Market for it is around $400 - $600 depending on condition.
 
#763
brotherbassj said:
I am also a personal fan of the aguilar obp-3 run 18volts with the pull sweepable mids setup........loads of experience with that one in 4 different basses......wired different ways in each
Click to expand...

That was the first preamp I really got into, lets the pickups tone shine through, really natural sounding, but very clean as with most Aggie pre's.
I mostly use em with really good passive pickups in more old-school style basses so I can get tone-shaping without it sounding "active"

I don;t really like em in my spectors, as I like the grit you get with the tonepump or haz/haz-copy in a spector. MMMMM GRIT AND GROWL :D
 
#768
brotherbassj said:
my understanding from reading up on the knob is that it boosts bass and treble frequencies.........traditionally more of a slappiing scoop.............however.........I have found this to also be a pleasing tone at times in a band setting........i believe it can drastically change your tone with a little twist.......I have never had this particular control so I too am very interested in playing a bass with this feature...........although for finger style rock players that never slap, I think the BQC with that sweepable mid might be the way to go...........just my 2 cents from research not practical use of the smadder setup....lol
Click to expand...

brotherbassj said:
I am also a personal fan of the aguilar obp-3 run 18volts with the pull sweepable mids setup........loads of experience with that one in 4 different basses......wired different ways in each
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks for the info. I have the BQC in my Euro 5LX and really love that pre I have to say. The really cool thing with the mid sweep knob is when you turn it, you get this cool little wah effect which I found myself doing every now and then just to give it a little added effect :)

I was looking at the OBP-3 but a few things turned me off about it. It's roughly $100 more than the BQC Control which is what I was going to put into the NS-JH5. I also heard it has a cleaner sound but that I will have to see for myself so I plan on going to Bass Specialties and playing one of the newer USA bolt-ons since they have the OBP-3 installed in them. And finally, it looks like you can only select 400 or 800 Hz on the OBP-3 whereas the BQC you can dial it in from 100 Hz to 1KHz.

It's almost like you get more options with the BQC and it's cheaper but I still want to go check the OBP-3 out just so I can hear it for myself.
 
#772
smadder said:
It's not a "slap switch". It is a variable mid-scoop sweep knob that at zero does nothing, but as you increase it, it increases the highs and lows and scoops the mids. Kind of like the variable mid-cut knob on Epifani amps.

In combination with the BTC, you get a stacked bass and treble which is super sensitive. I tend to leave mine flat and adjust only from the EXB, adding eq from the stacked knob only when needed. It doesn't totally bottom out the mids like you'd think and like most "slap switches" do. The mids are still very much there as long as you don't dime everything up (which will cause way to hot of a load for your amp input anyway, so it just won't happen). Tony and Chuckles can attest to this. While it does/can enhance slapping, that's not ALL it does and there are lots of shades in between full-on and completely off.

The BQC has a stacked mid and bass knob and then a stacked mid frequency select knob and mid frequency boost cut knob on top of it to push or pull whatever mid frequency you've chosen. My only problem with this is that you have no idea what frequencies you're adjusting on the mids because it's just a blank knob, so it's totally "adjust by ear/feel." Some folks are good at this so it makes sense for them. I'm not good at this :crying:, so I prefer to adjust my mids from my amp. But the BQC is a fantastic pre for those folks who want those features, and it's also very cost-friendly and provides a solderless install experience as well.

I am not a fan of the OBP-1 either :spit:. I find it to be brittle and harsh, esp on the highs. The EMG rigs are much smoother and musical/usable. And also dead quiet. Plus you get the benefits and ease/simplicity of the solderless installation in combination with the EMG pickups and that is a great side bonus. I know I sound like an endorser, but I promise I'm not. Just a fan.

And the other bonus is that the EMG pre-amp gear is way, way more affordable than just about everything else. And have I been redundant enough for one post? Perhaps... perhaps... perhaps...

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Yup, that is a huge help. Thanks.

True, the BQC doesn't tell you what frequency you are currently at but at that point, I just adjust it until it gives me the sound I am looking for and leave it there. And yes, you are dead on when you say that the EMG pre's are very silent. I can turn up the treble all the way and not get any hiss at all which is really nice compared to some of the other ones out there.

With the OBP-1, I just fell I cannot give that pre any treble or I am cringing. And yeah, it seems like the EMG stuff is much more affordable and I tend to like it better so far. I do want to try out the OBP-3 but since it will be around $100 more than the BQC, I am not sure if I want to do that unless the thing completely blows me away.
 
#773
i just picked this up today in the mail.
spector euro 6lx.
 

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#776
delucajohn2000 said:
Yup, that is a huge help. Thanks.

True, the BQC doesn't tell you what frequency you are currently at but at that point, I just adjust it until it gives me the sound I am looking for and leave it there. And yes, you are dead on when you say that the EMG pre's are very silent. I can turn up the treble all the way and not get any hiss at all which is really nice compared to some of the other ones out there.

With the OBP-1, I just fell I cannot give that pre any treble or I am cringing. And yeah, it seems like the EMG stuff is much more affordable and I tend to like it better so far. I do want to try out the OBP-3 but since it will be around $100 more than the BQC, I am not sure if I want to do that unless the thing completely blows me away.
Click to expand...

Seems reasonable to me, John. I think sticking with the EMG with still give you that signature Spector push/growl, while adding the mid flexibility you want while only costing $130 or so, plus the dead simple compatibility/installation with your EMGs. The OBP-3 is great and I like it with Barts a lot, SDs and other passive pickups, but in a Spector context, with EMGs being what they are (and based on what you've shared so far), I think you'd be happier with the BQC. But if you want to give the BTC/EXB combo a whirl, check with Tony and Chuckles and get their perspective on it too since I know I already come off as biased towards it because I've been using it for years in other basses, before finding that they really reach their full potential in a Spector.

In either case, please let me know if I can help whatever you decide to go with.
 
#779
joebar said:
i just picked this up today in the mail.
spector euro 6lx.
Click to expand...

GORGEOUS!!! They have the most amazing feeling necks! And I love the "Forte" style flame top and satin finish. Congratualtions! I think you just gave Wilson some pre-Euro LX 6 envies ;)

Let us know what you think of the dual coil TW EMGs. They get really mixed reviews here on the club so far as I can tell, mostly leaning towards the blah. But some people really dig them and it will be interesting to see what you think of them in a 6 string.

Anyway - sweet bass - enjoy it!
 
#780
brotherbassj said:
I am also a personal fan of the aguilar obp-3 run 18volts with the pull sweepable mids setup........loads of experience with that one in 4 different basses......wired different ways in each
Click to expand...
The OBP-3 is my favorite so far, but I haven't tried the US HAZ or BQC yet. Love the limitless combination of tones the OBP-3 can dial in! :bassist:
armybass said:
was gonna do a trade.....it is up in the air now. might still do it but not even trade for what I had
Click to expand...
That is a major let down...expecting a USA NS-2 but finding out otherwise. :scowl:
joebar said:
i just picked this up today in the mail.
spector euro 6lx.
Click to expand...
That's one saweet Euro-6LX! Congratulations! We don't get to see many sixers on here.
 
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