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SPECTOR® Club - Part 46

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#181
BassIsFun17 said:
would the obp-3 be warmer than the bqc?
Click to expand...

I find the OBP-3 to be a lot more "transparent" while the BQC brings that articulate EMG sound in a bit, the OBP-3 I would say is warmer but it also depends on pickup choice. The BQC has more flexibility with the mid sweep while the OBP-3 only has the high mids/low mids switch.

If you want more of the EMG tightness and punch go with the BQC, if you want a more natural tone shaper go with the OBP-3 because it feels like the pickups naturally sound that way when you EQ it.
 
#182
Basstovsky said:
I find the OBP-3 to be a lot more "transparent" while the BQC brings that articulate EMG sound in a bit, the OBP-3 I would say is warmer but it also depends on pickup choice. The BQC has more flexibility with the mid sweep while the OBP-3 only has the high mids/low mids switch.

If you want more of the EMG tightness and punch go with the BQC, if you want a more natural tone shaper go with the OBP-3 because it feels like the pickups naturally sound that way when you EQ it.
Click to expand...

for the record i have emg dc's
and you can get the aguilar with mid push pull to sweep frequencies i believe. i think i might try out an aguilar someday. im not unhappy with my tonepump, just wanna see how the aguilar would sound.
 
#183
Chris, dude, that's awesome of you but there's no way I'll let you do it :). That's your baby dude. Yes, it definitely inspired part of this quest/threw gas on the fire to get the right white Spector, but I'm afraid I wouldn't let you have it back :p! Seriously though, If I didn't have a bass, I'd take you up on it, but I do have a bass. The white Spector thing is just my dream. That and one like Supes's blue NS-4. One day.

And Jeff, if you can't talk about who helped you out, I totally understand. Don't sweat it and I hope I didn't frustrate you by pushing it - that was not my intention.

chrisloe said:
Just for the record, mine does...



Honestly if it wasn't for what that bass represents to me, all of you guys caring so much about me, I would sell you that bass to make your bass dream come true, the way all of you guys made mine come true. Steve you did so much for me to make this happen, maybe when I go for my transplant, I will be gone for like 4-5 months, I am planning on bringing my Woodstock or Kramer NS-2 with, maybe I can send Ian to you for safe keeping until I get home...

I'm working on the black hardware and the 9 volt system, but waiting for the bridge and USA 9 volt to come from Spector, we all know they are on a big back order. Maybe you could have Jeff order you the white Ian Hill since he knows how to get one...
Click to expand...
 
#184
BassIsFun17 said:
would the obp-3 be warmer than the bqc?
Click to expand...

Please take the following with a grain of salt as 1: it's just my opinion and 2: I only relatively recently (late last fall) discovered the Spector sound for myself and realized it was what I had in my head and had been trying to find for almost 25 years.

Yep. The EMG stuff isn't super warm, but it's clear and articulate without the clinical cleanness of something like Seymour Duncan's active stuff. On their gear you can hear every single overtone, squeak, rattle... it's an unforgiving combination - their soapbar and preamp equivalents to what gets put in Spectors from EMG. The Aguilar stuff is warmer, but nowhere near as flexible as the EMG systems. EVEN with EMG's 2-band BTC circuit or BTS system (and even the three band BQC system), you still have the two dip switches on the treble pot inside the cavity to choose from four different center frequency points for the treble control that you then boost or cut with the knob. Once you step into the BQC arena, you're talking about that AND a sweepable midrange circuit that you can also full boost or cut. Most pre-amp designers give you a push pull knob for selecting your mid frequency or you can adjust dip switches in the back. With EMG, it's right there under your hand and way more varied in terms of what you'll get as a tonal response. The Aggie stuff (except the OBP-1 I avoid that pre-amp at all costs, as do most other guys in the club. It's a bad match with Spectors) is a lot warmer and gooier, but doesn't give you quite the level of flexibility that the EMG does. The EMG stuff also benefits from other factors as well: almost completely solderless installation, guaranteed compatibility with your pickups, significantly less expensive in most cases, comes with high quality knobs.

It's really a matter of taste, but you should be able to find them used pretty easily. From everything I've tried, I like the BQC best in Spectors if I can't afford their custom USA circuits be they the 9v or 18v. I do prefer the tone of the US circuits. But the EMG can get me close to those tonal signatures and can then go outside of that box as well.

If I were you, I'd try everything if you can and if you can't, listen to as many sample recordings you can find. Sam, Jaymi and Patrick all have some great sample libraries that they could probably share links from with us to refresh everyone on what the various available and most commonly used pre-amp choices sound like. Trust me - the more time you spend doing research the more money you'll save by making the right choice either the first or second time with different pre's than what many of us (me included) did which involved jumping in and then trying everything and selling off what we didn't lose to try and make up for all the money we were spending trying to get the right pre-amp tone, which usually ends up for many being either the US preamps or the Tone Pump with the trim pot. It all depends on if you want the "Spector sound" or just something close to it that can also do other stuff.
 
#185
To add to what smadder said... It really depends what sound is in your head. For me, I want one sound... I can tweak the nuances of that particular tone for anything I need, but it is my tone... That is why I don't use a 3 band eq. I don't need it for what I do. I leave my amp to deal with the eq of the room.
 
#187
BassIsFun17 said:
this is the answer im pretty much looking for. i want to keep the warm tone. i'd like to know if the aguilar is warmer than the tonepump, hopefully someone one in the spector club has tried it before.
Click to expand...

I have had two Warwick streamers with the Aguilar obp3 pre. Since the body style is an NS design I figure I could tell you about them. I find them to be much warmer than the EMGs, however I did not use EMG pickups in those basses so keep that in mind as the pickups will inflict different nuances with different preamps. I like the idea of two set points for mids. 250 and 800 I think is what you get in the form of a push pull knob. All three bands were very usable with the Aguilar on board pre.

In comparing things and the pre amps you mentioned, I find it harder to compare a two band to a three band pre. All have their merits. I think it all depends on your preference.

I can tell you this, from someone who has always bought the next in thing or high end whatever...........if you like your tone, do not change anything. If if ain't broke.....don't fix it.
 
#188
Basstovsky said:
I find the OBP-3 to be a lot more "transparent" while the BQC brings that articulate EMG sound in a bit, the OBP-3 I would say is warmer but it also depends on pickup choice. The BQC has more flexibility with the mid sweep while the OBP-3 only has the high mids/low mids switch.

If you want more of the EMG tightness and punch go with the BQC, if you want a more natural tone shaper go with the OBP-3 because it feels like the pickups naturally sound that way when you EQ it.
Click to expand...

+100
 
#189
brotherbassj said:
I have had two Warwick streamers with the Aguilar obp3 pre. Since the body style is an NS design I figure I could tell you about them. I find them to be much warmer than the EMGs, however I did not use EMG pickups in those basses so keep that in mind as the pickups will inflict different nuances with different preamps. I like the idea of two set points for mids. 250 and 800 I think is what you get in the form of a push pull knob. All three bands were very usable with the Aguilar on board pre.

In comparing things and the pre amps you mentioned, I find it harder to compare a two band to a three band pre. All have their merits. I think it all depends on your preference.

I can tell you this, from someone who has always bought the next in thing or high end whatever...........if you like your tone, do not change anything. If if ain't broke.....don't fix it.
Click to expand...


i dont dislike my tone, but it would be nice to be able to cut treble on the fly and what not, rather than having to walk back to my amp. thats why im interested in expanding to a different preamp with boost and cut function rather than boost only. this was all great information you provided for me though.
 
#190
smadder said:
Chris, dude, that's awesome of you but there's no way I'll let you do it :). That's your baby dude. Yes, it definitely inspired part of this quest/threw gas on the fire to get the right white Spector, but I'm afraid I wouldn't let you have it back :p! Seriously though, If I didn't have a bass, I'd take you up on it, but I do have a bass. The white Spector thing is just my dream. That and one like Supes's blue NS-4. One day.

And Jeff, if you can't talk about who helped you out, I totally understand. Don't sweat it and I hope I didn't frustrate you by pushing it - that was not my intention.
Click to expand...

Steve, I have your number remember?....:spit:
 
#197
I hope to get an few or at least one good answer...

I like and prefer the Tonepump vs the BTS system etc... Just what my ears like.

1) Can ANYONE tell me what the difference is in the Tonepump vs Tonepumpjr? (I know the trim is one difference)

2) Difference in the SSD vs HZ?

I have a '10 Legend and really like it. It's VERY well made, neck and frets are perfect. Maybe I just got lucky.
I cannot afford a big purchase this year, so no Euro but I don't really think I need it.

So I wanted to know what I can do to get the Rebop tone I had with my 1st Spector, (White Rebop 5).
The ONLY real difference I can see between the two is the pickups and preamp. Quality of construction is the same and I like this neck measurements better.

I don't want to buy DC's, (I think they seem to be too hot/bright)
I can get a set of HZ's and a new Tonepump w/trim.

What's your take?
 
#199
xhawk5 said:
I hope to get an few or at least one good answer...

I like and prefer the Tonepump vs the BTS system etc... Just what my ears like.

1) Can ANYONE tell me what the difference is in the Tonepump vs Tonepumpjr? (I know the trim is one difference)

2) Difference in the SSD vs HZ?

I have a '10 Legend and really like it. It's VERY well made, neck and frets are perfect. Maybe I just got lucky.
I cannot afford a big purchase this year, so no Euro but I don't really think I need it.

So I wanted to know what I can do to get the Rebop tone I had with my 1st Spector, (White Rebop 5).
The ONLY real difference I can see between the two is the pickups and preamp. Quality of construction is the same and I like this neck measurements better.

I don't want to buy DC's, (I think they seem to be too hot/bright)
I can get a set of HZ's and a new Tonepump w/trim.

What's your take?
Click to expand...

I think you are heading the right direction to get the ReBop tone... Keep in mind that the Legend may sound a bit more mid present since it is maple and the rebops are alder.

SSD VS HZ: I've had both... The SSD are more mid forward. The HZs have a more balanced low end IMHO.. I had an HZ/TP (non trim) set up in a Performer DLX and I loved it.

TP vs TP Jr.: I have only used the TP not the JR. but the Jr. is a lower output version of the TP with less headroom and gain. Not many people like the TP Jr...
 
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