SPECTOR® Club - Part 45

[superdick2112]

Hey guys,

I wanted to provide you with an initial NS 4 assessment. I got it yesterday and one thing is for sure...it is a work of art. The burl on this bass is darker than my old buckeye. The pau ferro board is also very light and it goes so well with the rest of the bass. The gloss just sets everything off. I just stare at it for long periods of time.

The tone. The tone, as many have said, is different. Yes, you can definitely tell it's a Spector but the tone is big and wide with more of a hifi type sound than my NS 2. Both basses (NS 2 and NS 4) hit you hard but the NS 2 is more focused and the NS 4 is broader. I equate it to being hit with a baseball bat or a 2"X12". Although I'm not a 100% but the EQ points seem different on the 2 basses. The bass on the NS 4 seems "bassier" and the treble seems to have more glass and sheen....not quite and sweet as the NS 2 treble, which to me, seems to bring some high mids with it.

Slap tone: I'm not a big slapper BUT the slap on it is insanely good.

Anyway, I think it'll be a nice addition to the sound stable. It's second test will be with the band on Friday. I'm sure it will sound even better in the mix. It's going to have its work cut out for it to knock the NS 2 and Forte off the top of the pile.

Good assessment Lee.
The sound is indeed a bit less focused, but the increased bottom end & glassy highs translate very well in a live environment, and I think you (and your bandmates) will be floored when you hear that baby with a few hundred watts behind it.
I find that a slight EQ bump in the 660Hz - 1.3kHz range helps add some mids, punch & articulation to the tone. Congrats again, and we expect a full report once you wring it out.

 

[husky123]

It has the 35dc's right? I have 2 basses with dc's 35 and 40. I find them to be very clean and clear. I find myself trying to tame the top end on them sometimes. I think that the mid control really helps with the dc's, where my NS2 doesn't have a mid control I don't miss it on that bass. I couldn't live without the mid band on the dc loaded basses. Did the NS 4 come with a mid control knob?

Yes it has the 35 DC's and yes, I'd say, cleaner and clearer than the PJ's and USA 9V. It does not have a mid control, just treble and bass.

Good assessment Lee.
The sound is indeed a bit less focused, but the increased bottom end & glassy highs translate very well in a live environment, and I think you (and your bandmates) will be floored when you hear that baby with a few hundred watts behind it.
I find that a slight EQ bump in the 660Hz - 1.3kHz range helps add some mids, punch & articulation to the tone. Congrats again, and we expect a full report once you wring it out.

Thanks my man. Basically everything you said about the NS 4 was on point. Looking forward to Friday's practice at high volume. She'll be running through my Dually (215) and Mesa M9, which can give it all the mids it'll stand. We'll see...

 

[brotherbassj]

Hey guys,

I wanted to provide you with an initial NS 4 assessment. I got it yesterday and one thing is for sure...it is a work of art. The burl on this bass is darker than my old buckeye. The pau ferro board is also very light and it goes so well with the rest of the bass. The gloss just sets everything off. I just stare at it for long periods of time.

The tone. The tone, as many have said, is different. Yes, you can definitely tell it's a Spector but the tone is big and wide with more of a hifi type sound than my NS 2. Both basses (NS 2 and NS 4) hit you hard but the NS 2 is more focused and the NS 4 is broader. I equate it to being hit with a baseball bat or a 2"X12". Although I'm not a 100% but the EQ points seem different on the 2 basses. The bass on the NS 4 seems "bassier" and the treble seems to have more glass and sheen....not quite and sweet as the NS 2 treble, which to me, seems to bring some high mids with it.

Slap tone: I'm not a big slapper BUT the slap on it is insanely good.

Anyway, I think it'll be a nice addition to the sound stable. It's second test will be with the band on Friday. I'm sure it will sound even better in the mix. It's going to have its work cut out for it to knock the NS 2 and Forte off the top of the pile.

Lee, I'm pretty sure the EQ points are slightly different, as you know from looking the components are definitely different! The 18 volts can also contribute to that openness you are referring to with the added headroom. Obviously the pickups on the ns4 will be wider in focus being that they are humbuckers and tunes differently. I BET that thing will sound incredible through the B1500 and dually! I gotta hear an ns4.....

 

[Jaymi]

What did I tell you Fireman?!??!?!!

 

[brotherbassj]

What did I tell you Fireman?!??!?!!

I'm assuming you told him the ns4 rocks???

 

[husky123]

What did I tell you Fireman?!??!?!!

"The jury is still out", "anyway", "don't start the line too quick".

BANGO. Three of your lines in ONE sentence!!!

 

[brotherbassj]

"The jury is still out", "anyway", "don't start the line too quick".

BANGO. Three of your lines in ONE sentence!!!

Does this mean he told you that you would not keep the NS-4? Lol

 

[husky123]

Does this mean he told you that you would not keep the NS-4? Lol

Must. Resist. Softball. Presented. To. Me.

 

[brotherbassj]

Must. Resist. Softball. Presented. To. Me.

Lost......??? Meaning bat sized big neck?

 

[e.rich]

The white NS2A that brotherbassj has for 500.00 is a awesome Spector to start with. It has upgraded pickups and pre, but is still a great sounding bass and very versatile. It is a little bit different than the stock ones, but still a great deal.

Agreed, bigsnack. The NS2A is an excellent place to start. I loved my Euro 4 as well until I sold it to trade up to a Forte 4, which is basically a bling-less, US-made NS-2. Really, you have lots of options at various price points with Spector, esp. in the used market. But beware. SAS is overpowering sometimes and you'll soon be lusting for more.

 

[husky123]

Lost......??? Meaning bat sized big neck?

Yes it has the (what I'd call) typical Woodstock neck. Just the way I likes 'em.

 

[chrisloe]

Hey guys,

I wanted to provide you with an initial NS 4 assessment. I got it yesterday and one thing is for sure...it is a work of art. The burl on this bass is darker than my old buckeye. The pau ferro board is also very light and it goes so well with the rest of the bass. The gloss just sets everything off. I just stare at it for long periods of time.

The tone. The tone, as many have said, is different. Yes, you can definitely tell it's a Spector but the tone is big and wide with more of a hifi type sound than my NS 2. Both basses (NS 2 and NS 4) hit you hard but the NS 2 is more focused and the NS 4 is broader. I equate it to being hit with a baseball bat or a 2"X12". Although I'm not a 100% but the EQ points seem different on the 2 basses. The bass on the NS 4 seems "bassier" and the treble seems to have more glass and sheen....not quite and sweet as the NS 2 treble, which to me, seems to bring some high mids with it.

Slap tone: I'm not a big slapper BUT the slap on it is insanely good.

Anyway, I think it'll be a nice addition to the sound stable. It's second test will be with the band on Friday. I'm sure it will sound even better in the mix. It's going to have its work cut out for it to knock the NS 2 and Forte off the top of the pile.

Good assessment Lee.
The sound is indeed a bit less focused, but the increased bottom end & glassy highs translate very well in a live environment, and I think you (and your bandmates) will be floored when you hear that baby with a few hundred watts behind it.
I find that a slight EQ bump in the 660Hz - 1.3kHz range helps add some mids, punch & articulation to the tone. Congrats again, and we expect a full report once you wring it out.

Great assessment Lee. That bass is beautiful, sounds great, very clean, but like I told you, it was almost "To polite" for me and my taste. That gloss finish really brings out the burl, and I loved that light fingerboard. I also like the big neck, I am hoping my incoming NS-2 has the same "half a baseball bat" neck on it, My big fat fingers like a big neck....

I hope you are digging it, if I had the money, I would have kept that bass, it would be a great addition if you already have the PJ 9volt Spector jones covered....

 

[bigsnack]

Thanks everyone for the info!

 

[Mr.Bassie720]

As the self appointed VP of the Spector Strings Club (SSC) I have to say that they are awesome. I have been using the nickels now for about 2 weeks and I'm in love. They have a very mid forward tone and are not harsh up top....plenty of bottom end too. They are solid nickel (I believe) and not just nickel plated. AND so far, they are lasting. This is good.

The Prez should be chiming in soon.

Man, I almost missed an opportunity to expound on the virtues of Spector strings. Fortunately Lee has it totally covered. In the event of my demise it's good to know that the word will still be heard. I agree 100% percent with Lee and will add that they seem to have a little extra tension, which I love. I was recently talking to Jaymi about trying the 4 string set in the light gauge, and really digging them. The lights are 40-95. The lights seem to offer a little more "bite" The mediums are 45-105. My Forte loves the mediums! My JA-R loves the lights! Disclaimer. All my experience is with the nickels. I have not tried the Stainless Steel sets. The 4 string nickels are currently on sale for $17.50 Invalid Link Removed They are also available at http://www.bassstringsonline.com/
And of course directly from the Spector site [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[cableguy]

The white NS2A that brotherbassj has for 500.00 is a awesome Spector to start with. It has upgraded pickups and pre, but is still a great sounding bass and very versatile. It is a little bit different than the stock ones, but still a great deal.

A big +1.....

If I didn't already have one I would be all over it. I also paid about the same price and they are great basses. Mine had the original pre replaced with a EMG BTS pre which was a little too clean for my taste.......I put in a tone pump and problem solved.

This NS2A replaced my 81 G&L L-1000 as my number 1 which it had been for over a decade.

 

[Worldeeeter]

OWNS. OWNSSSSS.

Is that a Slap Shot reference???

 

[mmbongo]

As the self appointed VP of the Spector Strings Club (SSC) I have to say that they are awesome. I have been using the nickels now for about 2 weeks and I'm in love. They have a very mid forward tone and are not harsh up top....plenty of bottom end too. They are solid nickel (I believe) and not just nickel plated. AND so far, they are lasting. This is good.

The Prez should be chiming in soon.

They are nickel plated steel, not pure nickel.

Just curious, who makes Spector's strings?

 

[xhawk5]

Hey folks...
New Spector convert here and I'm completely satisfied with the neck and playability of my Legend 5 Classic. Every time I get a 'more expensive' type bass, it's the first to go if I need a quick buck. Aye, this damn economy. Thus the reason I bought this Legend and probably won't buy a US or Euro model.

So, in lieu of that fact... I'd like to "pimp my bass" to it's fullest tonal potential. Mine's a 2010 with the SSD's and Maple body. The neck is PERFECT for my hands. As well is the body of course.
I dig the tone and how it cuts through very cleanly. Also when you fret notes on a higher string vs a lower string, you don't lose bass/depth like you do with ALOT of other makers.
(ie: playing a C note on the A string vs the E string)

What's your guys thoughts on installing the "Smadder" type upgrade that I read about? Replacing the Tone Pump Jr in my Legend-5 with the BTC & EXB or maybe just a BTS system? Also the possibility of 40DC's compared to the SSD's.
Any input would be appreciated. I just don't know how well the tone pump jr stands up against a real EMG pre.

I don't like sizzling highs and I don't slap. I'm old school fingerstyle and I play classic rock/new hard rock/metal if that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance...

 

[iceboxbass]

Never seen so many beautiful basses in one place

So glad to be a part of it!

Congratulations on your ReBop BlackCherry Burst! That's gorgeous!

 

[husky123]

They are nickel plated steel, not pure nickel.

Just curious, who makes Spector's strings?

Yep it says that right on the site. I might have to demote myself.