SPECTOR® Club - Part 37

[Buskman]

Great thanks for asking buddy....Ian Hill is awesome but I am trying to use it as a pawn for a Kramer NS2 and ($$$)....I put it on the Classifieds, see what happens, hahaha.

Jeff, how much does the white Ian weigh? Just curious...

 

[JPSBassist]

That's so cool. Why the butchers block wood, to save the good stuff for basses they knew would work?

I imagine it was basically a savings thing. There was a lot of scrap wood around so Ned probably figured, why waste a nice full piece of wood on something that's basically an experiment.

So I figure it was a practical thing. It's funny how close the modern NS-basses are to older ones.

Actually, as many of you are finding out first-hand, Brooklyn Spectors can have thicker, beefy necks. Then some are thinner.

This comes with the made-by-hand thing that still goes on today. I was surprised that the CNC machine in the NY Workshop is used for very little more than basic cutting and shaping.

Pin routers and hand scrapers are still used for the majority of the builds. I was really surprised. These are truly hand-made instruments.

 

[BassikLee]

Look here, if you dare!


http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f18/tale-two-spectors-what-dickens-897395/#post12875600

 

[Gabriel51]

I imagine it was basically a savings thing. There was a lot of scrap wood around so Ned probably figured, why waste a nice full piece of wood on something that's basically an experiment.

So I figure it was a practical thing. It's funny how close the modern NS-basses are to older ones.

Actually, as many of you are finding out first-hand, Brooklyn Spectors can have thicker, beefy necks. Then some are thinner.

This comes with the made-by-hand thing that still goes on today. I was surprised that the CNC machine in the NY Workshop is used for very little more than basic cutting and shaping.

Pin routers and hand scrapers are still used for the majority of the builds. I was really surprised. These are truly hand-made instruments.

Is that also true of the European Basses?

 

[worshiprocker]

Thanks one and all for the comments...these are actually the strings that Steve had on it, they are Sadowsky steels I believe...I am going to slap the nickels on it shortly...
It is always nice to have sound choices in the stash...

Thanks Jaymi! great video... the smadder setup has proven to be a versatile setup. I think I will use that setup (or similar) on a session bass, for my band I'll stick with what I have been using.

 

[Trailight]

I've been up in Whitehorse over the past few days for work and man, just over 2 hours flight up from Vancouver and it doesn't even get dark! That's awesome!! During the Summer Solstice the sun glazes over the horizon and the days that follow, they start losing 3 minutes of sun every day until Winter Solstice where the sun doesn't really rise, the sky just lights up for a few hours and goes dark again.

I can't imagine living up here, during the summer days the mosquitoes outside of town are unbearable! Temperatures have been nice between 18 to 6 (Celsius).

Never been so far up North. Wicked! I've been to 55 degrees South, now I've been to 60 degrees North!

Been away from playing my basses since Thursday. You know you're slightly obsessed when you walk around town frantically in search of anything with strings on it... Feels like I haven't been playing for a month.

 

[Basstovsky]

Well the Smadder setup is definitely not my style, but it really sounds mean! I can see how a lot of guys are drooling over that tone, really articulate

Also Jaymi, really enjoyed the non-Spector bass vids (gasp!) especially that SuperBird!!!

 

[smadder]

and
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Awesome! Just for clarity - the set up consists of the EMG BTC system (vol/bal/stacked B&T) and the EXB tone circuit (the BQC is a totally different preamp: vol/bal/stack b&t/stack mid frequency selection & mid cut boost). Extra sauce can come from adding X series EMGs to replace the regulars, but I've had success with both and this preamp setup: Tony and Jaymi have PJ-Xs, but Chuckles has straight 40DCs and is also experimenting with 40Js with a great deal of success.

The BTC system/EXB combo can get more hi-fi than the Pump and even the Haz, but it can also get grunty, just not as much as the Pump and the Haz. But again: affordable, easy to install, and dead quiet are some of the pros. As Jaymi said, it's just a really different take on the Spector tone, and a really flexible and useful addition to an array of Spector tonal characters if you have more than one Spector around and use different basses for different styles of music in your life.

And also like Jaymi said, if you have any questions or want help, I'm always happy to help the fellow family members however I can. EMG has come a long way with the quality of their pre-amp game and Jaymi's playing really shows it off.

Thanks again Jaymi, for taking the IH off my hands. I know it's found a great home!

 

[Christian Waiau]

I imagine it was basically a savings thing. There was a lot of scrap wood around so Ned probably figured, why waste a nice full piece of wood on something that's basically an experiment.

So I figure it was a practical thing. It's funny how close the modern NS-basses are to older ones.

Actually, as many of you are finding out first-hand, Brooklyn Spectors can have thicker, beefy necks. Then some are thinner.

This comes with the made-by-hand thing that still goes on today. I was surprised that the CNC machine in the NY Workshop is used for very little more than basic cutting and shaping.

Pin routers and hand scrapers are still used for the majority of the builds. I was really surprised. These are truly hand-made instruments.

I was talking to Jimmy at NAMM about how much I liked the green(now... Johns Bass) ns5xl's neck. It's a bit thicker but eye comfortable and in Jimmy's words "it feels like how a bass should feel"

 

[Jaymi]

Awesome! Just for clarity - the set up consists of the EMG BTC system (vol/bal/stacked B&T) and the EXB tone circuit (the BQC is a totally different preamp: vol/bal/stack b&t/stack mid frequency selection & mid cut boost). Extra sauce can come from adding X series EMGs to replace the regulars, but I've had success with both and this preamp setup: Tony and Jaymi have PJ-Xs, but Chuckles has straight 40DCs and is also experimenting with 40Js with a great deal of success.

The BTC system/EXB combo can get more hi-fi than the Pump and even the Haz, but it can also get grunty, just not as much as the Pump and the Haz. But again: affordable, easy to install, and dead quiet are some of the pros. As Jaymi said, it's just a really different take on the Spector tone, and a really flexible and useful addition to an array of Spector tonal characters if you have more than one Spector around and use different basses for different styles of music in your life.

And also like Jaymi said, if you have any questions or want help, I'm always happy to help the fellow family members however I can. EMG has come a long way with the quality of their pre-amp game and Jaymi's playing really shows it off.

Thanks again Jaymi, for taking the IH off my hands. I know it's found a great home!

Thanks Steve!! It is fun having something different to play with as well. Solves/handles any requests I should have for the more modern sound that a lot of people are looking for...we will see when I take it to a session this next week...

 

[brotherbassj]

and
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I would like to hear this bass once you put nickel strings on it! I think they will tame a touch of briteness.....lol. And nice playing! Is this the video you told me about on my FB page?

 

[XBASSX]

Here's pics of all 3 basses: the LX4, the Webster no drip, and the Forte5.

The LX4 has a cool top (with usual alder body and walnut slice between): kind of flamed, kind of quilted. It's really nice. Plus it's got X series PJs and the 2 band EMG BTS system wired to 18v (a spin on the smadder setup - thought I'd try for something different). I'm selling this for $1150 shipped. It's new straight from Amazon and has only been touched by my tech for a setup and the electronics upgrades.

Did it come with the metal things the screws screw into or did you put them in? They are a good idea.

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eBay Spector project anyone? It's says "needs to be regretted" ... freudian slip perhaps? lol

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spector-Body-An-Neck-/251102139617?pt=Guitar&hash=item3a76da94e1

 

[Clearwave]

I drove 6,800 miles over 14 days to visit the Spector NY Workshop and then PJ Rubal's collection of rare and one of a kind Spectors.

I visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum where I was allowed to inspect the 1983 NS-2 that Sting made famous.

I rounded the trip out with a few Spector Artist visits and some live footage of a couple of shows.

Along the way I visited Sam Cerami and John DeLuca at Sam's house. We played basses and talked shop and ate bagels. It was a great time.

Congrats, we all deserve an adventure from time to time, and thanks for sharing the photos.

What can you tell us about the Sting bass? He is one of my favorite players. In my top 5.

 

[smadder]

They actually come standard on most recent Spector model s. I think they started it in 2011 or so.

Did it come with the metal things the screws screw into or did you put them in? They are a good idea.

-----------------------------------------------------------

eBay Spector project anyone? It's says "needs to be regretted" ... freudian slip perhaps? lol

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spector-Body-An-Neck-/251102139617?pt=Guitar&hash=item3a76da94e1

 

[Basstovsky]

A bunch of the older Spectors had them too, all 3 of my Korean-made Spectors have them, the NS20004 and NS20005 (both made in mid 1999), and the NS-2A (sometime in the 80s? I should really find out when this was made).

 

[superdick2112]

White Ian Hill, came in yesterday....

Congrats Jeff, great looking IH!
Looks just like my white Euro, but I bet the neck feels slimmer & nicer than mine. I love the look of gold hardware on white, but lately I've been thinking of installing all black hardware on mine for the "Stormtrooper/Eddie Jackson" look.

 

[superdick2112]

Awesome! Just for clarity - the set up consists of the EMG BTC system (vol/bal/stacked B&T) and the EXB tone circuit (the BQC is a totally different preamp: vol/bal/stack b&t/stack mid frequency selection & mid cut boost). Extra sauce can come from adding X series EMGs to replace the regulars, but I've had success with both and this preamp setup: Tony and Jaymi have PJ-Xs, but Chuckles has straight 40DCs and is also experimenting with 40Js with a great deal of success.

The BTC system/EXB combo can get more hi-fi than the Pump and even the Haz, but it can also get grunty, just not as much as the Pump and the Haz. But again: affordable, easy to install, and dead quiet are some of the pros. As Jaymi said, it's just a really different take on the Spector tone, and a really flexible and useful addition to an array of Spector tonal characters if you have more than one Spector around and use different basses for different styles of music in your life.

And also like Jaymi said, if you have any questions or want help, I'm always happy to help the fellow family members however I can.

Smadder, I really like the sound of the "Smadder Setup".
I'm thinking of giving my white Euro a full makeover by swapping the gold hardware out for black, and ditching my non-trim TonePump for your setup. This would allow me to play only my Spectors live, and leave my Ric 4003 & Fender Jazz at home (I only use them for about 6 songs where a brighter, more "Hi-Fi" sound is needed). It will be a while before I'm ready to pull the trigger on it, but when I do, I'll be contacting you for guidance. On a side note, when & if I do this, I'll give the TonePump to any club member interested for the cost of shipping.

 

[Mr.Bassie720]

Smadder, I really like the sound of the "Smadder Setup".
I'm thinking of giving my white Euro a full makeover by swapping the gold hardware out for black, and ditching my non-trim TonePump for your setup. This would allow me to play only my Spectors live, and leave my Ric 4003 & Fender Jazz at home (I only use them for about 6 songs where a brighter, more "Hi-Fi" sound is needed). It will be a while before I'm ready to pull the trigger on it, but when I do, I'll be contacting you for guidance. On a side note, when & if I do this, I'll give the TonePump to any club member interested for the cost of shipping.

I'm sure you already know, but just in case, the black Euro bridge is made from aluminum. The gold is brass alloy. Switching to the black bridge is going to slightly alter your tone. Although with that electronics package you are going to radically change tones anyway, so I guess it wont matter too much. If you like the tone of your gold bridge, I would recommend getting it powdercoated or black oxide treatment.

 

[brotherbassj]

Pulled the trigger on a REBOP 5 I could NOT pass on .........pictures to follow.....its not exactly what I wanted my first Spector to be but I have heard some of you call it the "gateway" Spector..........

Ive been frustrated trying to grab my first one and I happened to have something someone wanted.....

 

[smadder]

Smadder, I really like the sound of the "Smadder Setup".
I'm thinking of giving my white Euro a full makeover by swapping the gold hardware out for black, and ditching my non-trim TonePump for your setup. This would allow me to play only my Spectors live, and leave my Ric 4003 & Fender Jazz at home (I only use them for about 6 songs where a brighter, more "Hi-Fi" sound is needed). It will be a while before I'm ready to pull the trigger on it, but when I do, I'll be contacting you for guidance. On a side note, when & if I do this, I'll give the TonePump to any club member interested for the cost of shipping.

Just let me know. I can try to help you get a discount on the parts too.