SPECTOR® Club - Part 49

[superdick2112]

You know it! I do think I will probably pickup a P/J Spector just to have next year at some point but it's not something on my immediate list since I am very happy with my collection right now.

Congrats John!
I'm also very satisfied with my current collection. I'm still planning on picking up an NS-2, but I keep getting hit with bills - car repairs, dentist, wife-related things - you get the picture, but someday...
Man, that burl looks sweet next to the satin green....

 

[dukeisdog]

Anybody here with a peacock blue 5 string bass?


I spoke with Richard yesterday and we discussed some of the finishes Spector offers. I explained to him that I had never seen a peacock blue 5 string, only the 4 string p/j models that are on bass central. He said that they did make a few years ago but there haven't been any recently. I'm trying to track down a picture of one of these things as I'd imagine it'd look awesome!

Making a little progress on the Green ReBop, I got pricing last night and everything looks and sounds great to me so far. Richard said that he's gonna try to get the bass started ASAP so he can get it out for the NAMM batch. That means January!!

I mean, if I have to wait, I know it'll be worth it. But the sooner the better!

 

[Christian Waiau]

Talk about road worn...
This bass was originally blue stain.
Doug has worn through the blue finish... not sure how. But I remember when this bass was a faded blue. LOL. Crazy!
When Carlton showed me this photo last night I said, "And he has a blue one too."
Carlton replyed, "That IS the blue one."

Whoa.... Talk about mojo

 

[JeffplaysBass]

[/QUOTE]

To War!!!!

 

[JeffplaysBass]

I wanted to get an outside shot but it's a bit cold so I got the best one I could for now. Here is the updated family photo with my newest acquisition:

Sweeeeeeet!!!

 

[husky123]

I'm curious how the forte compares with the Kramers....and how the Kramers compare with each other.

care to share?

I'll try to explain the tone difference as they all play pretty much the same....awesome.

The Forte is very heavy in the low mid area. That's where its growl is centered. It's a very BIG sounding bass live. It seems a little shy in the top end but that might just be due to the fact it's huge in the low mid. When you roll the treble up it can get bright but after a certain point will become harsh and brittle.

The 1987 Kramer (orange flame) has a warm and round tone with the tone controls in the detents. It sounds a lot like the Forte there but the magic happens when you start to bring that treble knob out of the detents and roll it forward. It seems to not only bring the treble up but also brings some high mids with it all the while staying warm. It doesn't get brittle even with the treble run wide open. It is simply an amazing sound that we all have known to love (think Eddie Jackson).

The 1990 Kramer (Precious). Well, what can I say, this one is just flat nasty. It is a pissed off bass that doesn't really want to conform. With the tone controls in the detents it's bright and aggro. Again, with the treble knob, bringing it forward just gets the tone more and more pissed off. Like the other Kramer though it does it is a warm way. The Forte (and my other Woodstock NS 2's) just cannot pull this off the way the Kramer's do. This bass is, without a doubt, easily the most aggressive bass I've ever played.

I think all three will sound fairly similar recorded though. I'm no recording genius like some on here and can't get them to sound much different. Like Omer mentioned, you really can hear the differences live through an amp....especially a BIG one. It is very apparent and easy to hear the different personalities of all three. I love them each for what they are.

On the new vs. old US 9V. I've been doing a lot of A/b'ing the past few days and to me (IMO, IME, etc...) the older circuits just seem to have a touch more distortion to them. This gives my ears the impression of warmth. The newer circuit is no slouch and there are obvious trade-offs. The new circuit seems more bright and articulate but that circuit has articulation to spare.

Again, I'm not trying to sound like an expert or anything. These are just my quick observations of the basses. I will say though there is something "magic" about these Kramer's. Placebo? Maybe, but I don't care...it flips the switch inside me.

Here's a very bushleague soundclip I made last night of the blue Kramer through Amplitude. Believe it or not this is just with a touch of overdrive from Amplitudes virtual pedals. I'd say about 25% drive mixed 50/50 clean/distorted. It was in the last thread right before it got closed so some may have missed it.

http://soundcloud.com/husky123/kramer-spector-blues

 

[grendle]

I'll try to explain the tone difference as they all play pretty much the same....awesome.

The Forte is very heavy in the low mid area. That's where its growl is centered. It's a very BIG sounding bass live. It seems a little shy in the top end but that might just be due to the fact it's huge in the low mid. When you roll the treble up it can get bright but after a certain point will become harsh and brittle.

The 1987 Kramer (orange flame) has a warm and round tone with the tone controls in the detents. It sounds a lot like the Forte there but the magic happens when you start to bring that treble knob out of the detents and roll it forward. It seems to not only bring the treble up but also brings some high mids with it all the while staying warm. It doesn't get brittle even with the treble run wide open. It is simply an amazing sound that we all have known to love (think Eddie Jackson).

The 1990 Kramer (Precious). Well, what can I say, this one is just flat nasty. It is a pissed off bass that doesn't really want to conform. With the tone controls in the detents it's bright and aggro. Again, with the treble knob, bringing it forward just gets the tone more and more pissed off. Like the other Kramer though it does it is a warm way. The Forte (and my other Woodstock NS 2's) just cannot pull this off the way the Kramer's do. This bass is, without a doubt, easily the most aggressive bass I've ever played.

I think all three will sound fairly similar recorded though. I'm no recording genius like some on here and can't get them to sound much different. Like Omer mentioned, you really can hear the differences live through an amp....especially a BIG one. It is very apparent and easy to hear the different personalities of all three. I love them each for what they are.

On the new vs. old US 9V. I've been doing a lot of A/b'ing the past few days and to me (IMO, IME, etc...) the older circuits just seem to have a touch more distortion to them. This gives my ears the impression of warmth. The newer circuit is no slouch and there are obvious trade-offs. The new circuit seems more bright and articulate but that circuit has articulation to spare.

Again, I'm not trying to sound like an expert or anything. These are just my quick observations of the basses. I will say though there is something "magic" about these Kramer's. Placebo? Maybe, but I don't care...it flips the switch inside me.

Here's a very bushleague soundclip I made last night of the blue Kramer through Amplitude. Believe it or not this is just with a touch of overdrive from Amplitudes virtual pedals. I'd say about 25% drive mixed 50/50 clean/distorted. It was in the last thread right before it got closed so some may have missed it.

http://soundcloud.com/husky123/kramer-spector-blues

I got dibbs on the Blue one...... lol

 

[LimaGuy]

For those who always are interested in a Spectorcore sound clip.

PJ posted this on Facebook today.

"Here is a nice live audio clip of Martin Elliott (UK based, plays with Michael Nyman and others) with his fretless SpectorCore5. nice solo near the end! he has it strung E-C with Thomastik Jazz Flats...great example of some fretless SpectorCore sounds!"

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[brotherbassj]

Some of my pedals before three get shipped. I have about 12 more vintage pedals not pictured at least. What would you use?

 

[iceboxbass]

The sun finally came out and I got a chance to photograph the new family. With all the buy, sell and trades these three have landed.

The always reliable and my rock of the fleet Forte with two new additions: A 1986 Kramer era in orange flame and a 1990 blue quilt NS 2 (Jeff's former Precious). They all play incredible sweet and sound just a tad different in a great way. Love these basses.

Absolutely stunning Lee!!! Have you introduced Precious to you band yet?

 

[TK4261]

For those who always are interested in a Spectorcore sound clip.

PJ posted this on Facebook today.

"Here is a nice live audio clip of Martin Elliott (UK based, plays with Michael Nyman and others) with his fretless SpectorCore5. nice solo near the end! he has it strung E-C with Thomastik Jazz Flats...great example of some fretless SpectorCore sounds!"

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I Like the sound of that, now I definitely want to get one!

Thanks for posting and giving me GAS

 

[5string_phunk]

Some of my pedals before three get shipped. I have about 12 more vintage pedals not pictured at least. What would you use?

I say use all of them...AT THE SAME TIME!!!

 

[iceboxbass]

I wanted to get an outside shot but it's a bit cold so I got the best one I could for now. Here is the updated family photo with my newest acquisition:

Wow John! Congratulations on your NS-4! I can't believe Lee sold it! How you loving the sound so far?!

 

[brotherbassj]

What I'm gonna try for a bit.....plus a looper boss rc20xl

 

[iceboxbass]

Congrats John!
I'm also very satisfied with my current collection. I'm still planning on picking up an NS-2, but I keep getting hit with bills - car repairs, dentist, wife-related things - you get the picture, but someday...
Man, that burl looks sweet next to the satin green....

I feel your pain brother... both our vehicles have been in the shop 4 times in a month and ones going back in next week. Plus had 4 teeth worked on in a month. :scowl: We'll be selling some lake lots soon. Then it'll be either a Brooklyn or Kramer NS-2/5.

 

[husky123]

Absolutely stunning Lee!!! Have you introduced Precious to you band yet?

Thanks ice. No but the band will get to meet her this weekend for sure.

 

[worshiprocker]

What I'm gonna try for a bit.....plus a looper boss rc20xl

nice! I've seen some cool uses for the sonic stomp... I don't recognize all of those pedals tho.. kinda blurry

 

[worshiprocker]

:::Shameless plug:::

I just caught wind from the printer that my band's debut album is in production and is targeted to be finished 11/30. with 2 day air shipping I should have them Dec 3/4.... We have decided to officially release in January, but if anyone wants a hard copy send me a PM.

O ya, its spector related... cause I play spectors on the album.

 

[iceboxbass]

I'll try to explain the tone difference as they all play pretty much the same....awesome.

The Forte is very heavy in the low mid area. That's where its growl is centered. It's a very BIG sounding bass live. It seems a little shy in the top end but that might just be due to the fact it's huge in the low mid. When you roll the treble up it can get bright but after a certain point will become harsh and brittle.

The 1987 Kramer (orange flame) has a warm and round tone with the tone controls in the detents. It sounds a lot like the Forte there but the magic happens when you start to bring that treble knob out of the detents and roll it forward. It seems to not only bring the treble up but also brings some high mids with it all the while staying warm. It doesn't get brittle even with the treble run wide open. It is simply an amazing sound that we all have known to love (think Eddie Jackson).

The 1990 Kramer (Precious). Well, what can I say, this one is just flat nasty. It is a pissed off bass that doesn't really want to conform. With the tone controls in the detents it's bright and aggro. Again, with the treble knob, bringing it forward just gets the tone more and more pissed off. Like the other Kramer though it does it is a warm way. The Forte (and my other Woodstock NS 2's) just cannot pull this off the way the Kramer's do. This bass is, without a doubt, easily the most aggressive bass I've ever played.

I think all three will sound fairly similar recorded though. I'm no recording genius like some on here and can't get them to sound much different. Like Omer mentioned, you really can hear the differences live through an amp....especially a BIG one. It is very apparent and easy to hear the different personalities of all three. I love them each for what they are.

On the new vs. old US 9V. I've been doing a lot of A/b'ing the past few days and to me (IMO, IME, etc...) the older circuits just seem to have a touch more distortion to them. This gives my ears the impression of warmth. The newer circuit is no slouch and there are obvious trade-offs. The new circuit seems more bright and articulate but that circuit has articulation to spare.

Again, I'm not trying to sound like an expert or anything. These are just my quick observations of the basses. I will say though there is something "magic" about these Kramer's. Placebo? Maybe, but I don't care...it flips the switch inside me.

Here's a very bushleague soundclip I made last night of the blue Kramer through Amplitude. Believe it or not this is just with a touch of overdrive from Amplitudes virtual pedals. I'd say about 25% drive mixed 50/50 clean/distorted. It was in the last thread right before it got closed so some may have missed it.

http://soundcloud.com/husky123/kramer-spector-blues

Lee, your soundcloud track is awesome!
I really like how you described each NS-2. Each one is different and distinctive sound. Possibly with the Kramer era' sound differs from
The Woodstock because of the aged wood and the gloss is different with the newer Woodstocks. Seventh hit it on the nose yesterday.
Thanks Lee! \m/ Brother!!!

 

[iceboxbass]

For those who always are interested in a Spectorcore sound clip.

PJ posted this on Facebook today.

"Here is a nice live audio clip of Martin Elliott (UK based, plays with Michael Nyman and others) with his fretless SpectorCore5. nice solo near the end! he has it strung E-C with Thomastik Jazz Flats...great example of some fretless SpectorCore sounds!"

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Saweet tone!!! I like the sound of it. Thanks Sam!