SPECTOR® Club - Part 50

[worshiprocker]

I have never played the aggie or emg bqc. But I have heard that Alex Webster has a surprising clean tone. I attribute that to running DCs at 18v. I have only ever used the EMG BT circuit and I couldn't stand it. So again my vote is for aggie OBP-3. If clean, hifi and borderline sterile is what you are going for (not a bad thing) than EMG is the way to go. I'll keep rocking the tonepump tho.... Such sweet sweet tone

 

[brotherbassj]

See... here's where I'm not going to agree with Steve. And no offense. Sincerely...

I have tried the EMG BQC in a couple of basses and it seems to not have the growl or bark that I like.

In probably what comes down to a playing or music genre difference between us, I find that the TP when tamed with the volume output trim pot is a very aggressive, yet flexible circuit.

Outside of the OBP-3, which when I spoke with Dave Boonshoft, owner of Aguilar about it, come to find out it's a mixture of the warm, analog tone that you get with OpAmps and it has the clean and articulate JFET circuit, both running inside the same pre-amp.

I really was impressed with how close the OBP-2 @ 18v sounds to the Spector USA 18v circuit.

And of course the USA 9v circuit is that growly, gritty gold standard.

For myself, and honestly you're in a tough place because you're not really going to know what a circuit is going to sound like in your bass until you put it there, the Smadder setup isn't really an option I'd ever go for. Even in the Alex Webster I had, which sincerely I really didn't play because I'm not a 5-string guy, I find it much easier to dial in the tone I'm looking for with the OBP-3. And most of the time I've been playing USA Bolt-Ons and they're setup for 9v.

Run the OBP-3 at 18v and you'll have headroom, warmth, articulation and the ability to overdrive it with clarity.

My $$$ would be on the OBP-3 @ 18v if you don't want to go for the USA 9v or USA 18v Spector circuits.

I'd like to chime in. Before I got into Spectors I had decided that the Aguilar OBP-3 was the greatest pre ever.....Steve turned me onto the BQC. I find them usable, but prefer the Spector USA 18 volt circuit over it in my Spectors. I like a big round organic bass tone.

I have gotten personal experience with the USA 9 volt circuit recently. I find it to be a little too grindy and gritty for my taste, however it does well live cutting in a mix. It works well in a two guitar situation when you need to punch through those guitars with distortion that try to creep down into your frequencies! Lol

For my three piece cover band, the 18 volt USA circuit really works well as it covers some extra ground and fills some holes in the wall of sound we are trying to produce, especially when the singer drops Rythym to play lead.

All in all.....if I were to pick one pre, that I would try in any bass.....at 18 volts with any pickups. I think I would still go with the Aguilar OBP-3. Having said that....I'm not a high mids guy. I like a wall of air moving past me. Keep that in mind and digest my thoughts with that in mind......

 

[worshiprocker]

and brotherbassj brings up the most important deciding factor... how you like your bass to sound. BTW Jamie, you would have loved my rex with 35p/j and tonepump... I prefer more of a mid high mid cut for my live tone, with plenty of bottom end!

 

[smadder]

No offense at all dude! It's preamps, not personal! One of my motivations for the BQC was that midrange flexibility and to be completely honest: price and ease of installation. I gave up on the "smadder setup" a while ago because the BTS system and the EXB circuit were just too hot ALL THE TIME and I was constantly clipping the input on my amp. I'd still use that in a Jazz bass (and have to great success), but not a Spector. The BQC however... It definitely is a more "clinical" sounding pre compared to the Aggies and the Spector 9v and 18v pres, though very flexible because of the midrange sweep and treble points.

The Aggies are warmer and ever since you pointed out that the OBP-3 was a combination of FET and OpAmps, I've been VERY, VERY curious to give that a whirl, esp at 18v. But as I only have two basses, and that's all I plan on having (the third "rescue bass" SSD Czech with the rare Czech 9v copy is eventually going to go to Donny, so I don't count that one), I am basically waiting to get a US 9v to put in the white "Chris" bass. I already have an 18v US in the matte black Euro 5 LX (along with DCs) and it's a dream. The 9v on a 4 string NS-2 style Spector (be it US or Euro) is my dream tone, so I am basically waiting for that. The BQC makes a high quality, affordable "in the meantime" pre amp, if that makes sense. If I had a 3rd Spector NS-2 type model (Forte or Euro), I'd be sorely tempted to try the OBP-3 at 18v. The BQC doesn't have the bark or growl, though you can cop a bit of it with the sweepable mids. But nothing (IMO) is ever going to beat the USA 9v and 18v circuits matched with EMGs and placed in a Spector. That's my dream tone and I am just one pre amp away from having it!!

But if you can't afford the Spector pre's and want something that gets closer to it, I think Patrick is dead on about the OBP-3 and 2 at 18v. I'd go for the 3 so that you get some midrange control. It's not the cheapest thing out there, but it's still way more affordable than the US 9v. And Aggies sound great in Spectors (with the exception of the OBP-1 - that is one pre amp I have never liked in any bass I've tried it in. Ugh).

But if you are just biding your time till you can get a US circuit (as I am doing) the BQC is a smaller investment than an Aggie and you can move them quickly and easily on the used market once your US circuit arrives (and you find yourself locked in your room playing your bass for two days straight - the US circuits are that good).

But the BQC does have a lot of sweet spots to it, it's just a drier tone profile. That make sense Patrick? I know you've heard all of these at one point or another...

I just wish I could get the TP to work right for me. I understand the design and understand the controls and the best way to manipulate them, but I can never get the tone I want from them. And I'm far from an audiophile, which may be the problem. But I definitely envy the folks who use TPs as their pres and have figured out their sweet spots. I've just never had success, which certainly by no means is indicative of all the Spector players out there who have.

But man, conversations like this kick ass, don't they? I learn so much every time.

See... here's where I'm not going to agree with Steve. And no offense. Sincerely...

I have tried the EMG BQC in a couple of basses and it seems to not have the growl or bark that I like.

In probably what comes down to a playing or music genre difference between us, I find that the TP when tamed with the volume output trim pot is a very aggressive, yet flexible circuit.

Outside of the OBP-3, which when I spoke with Dave Boonshoft, owner of Aguilar about it, come to find out it's a mixture of the warm, analog tone that you get with OpAmps and it has the clean and articulate JFET circuit, both running inside the same pre-amp.

I really was impressed with how close the OBP-2 @ 18v sounds to the Spector USA 18v circuit.

And of course the USA 9v circuit is that growly, gritty gold standard.

For myself, and honestly you're in a tough place because you're not really going to know what a circuit is going to sound like in your bass until you put it there, the Smadder setup isn't really an option I'd ever go for. Even in the Alex Webster I had, which sincerely I really didn't play because I'm not a 5-string guy, I find it much easier to dial in the tone I'm looking for with the OBP-3. And most of the time I've been playing USA Bolt-Ons and they're setup for 9v.

Run the OBP-3 at 18v and you'll have headroom, warmth, articulation and the ability to overdrive it with clarity.

My $$$ would be on the OBP-3 @ 18v if you don't want to go for the USA 9v or USA 18v Spector circuits.

 

[brotherbassj]

No offense at all dude! It's preamps, not personal! One of my motivations for the BQC was that midrange flexibility and to be completely honest: price and ease of installation. I gave up on the "smadder setup" a while ago because the BTS system and the EXB circuit were just too hot ALL THE TIME and I was constantly clipping the input on my amp. I'd still use that in a Jazz bass (and have to great success), but not a Spector. The BQC however... It definitely is a more "clinical" sounding pre compared to the Aggies and the Spector 9v and 18v pres, though very flexible because of the midrange sweep and treble points.

The Aggies are warmer and ever since you pointed out that the OBP-3 was a combination of FET and OpAmps, I've been VERY, VERY curious to give that a whirl, esp at 18v. But as I only have two basses, and that's all I plan on having (the third "rescue bass" SSD Czech with the rare Czech 9v copy is eventually going to go to Donny, so I don't count that one), I am basically waiting to get a US 9v to put in the white "Chris" bass. I already have an 18v US in the matte black Euro 5 LX (along with DCs) and it's a dream. The 9v on a 4 string NS-2 style Spector (be it US or Euro) is my dream tone, so I am basically waiting for that. The BQC makes a high quality, affordable "in the meantime" pre amp, if that makes sense. If I had a 3rd Spector NS-2 type model (Forte or Euro), I'd be sorely tempted to try the OBP-3 at 18v. The BQC doesn't have the bark or growl, though you can cop a bit of it with the sweepable mids. But nothing (IMO) is ever going to beat the USA 9v and 18v circuits matched with EMGs and placed in a Spector. That's my dream tone and I am just one pre amp away from having it!!

But if you can't afford the Spector pre's and want something that gets closer to it, I think Patrick is dead on about the OBP-3 and 2 at 18v. I'd go for the 3 so that you get some midrange control. It's not the cheapest thing out there, but it's still way more affordable than the US 9v. And Aggies sound great in Spectors (with the exception of the OBP-1 - that is one pre amp I have never liked in any bass I've tried it in. Ugh).

But if you are just biding your time till you can get a US circuit (as I am doing) the BQC is a smaller investment than an Aggie and you can move them quickly and easily on the used market once your US circuit arrives (and you find yourself locked in your room playing your bass for two days straight - the US circuits are that good).

But the BQC does have a lot of sweet spots to it, it's just a drier tone profile. That make sense Patrick? I know you've heard all of these at one point or another...

I just wish I could get the TP to work right for me. I understand the design and understand the controls and the best way to manipulate them, but I can never get the tone I want from them. And I'm far from an audiophile, which may be the problem. But I definitely envy the folks who use TPs as their pres and have figured out their sweet spots. I've just never had success, which certainly by no means is indicative of all the Spector players out there who have.

But man, conversations like this kick ass, don't they? I learn so much every time.

That's a pretty well thought out post Steve. Anyone that has seen or heard me play, knows my tone preferences.....I'm kinda picky. You would think I would like tube amps or even tube preamps to get that big warm tone, but I don't.....oh well we all have our preferences .....and oddities...lol

 

[awilkie84]

Has anyone here wired their volume pot AFTER the pre?? I find that dialing down my volume before gets muddy. Would this help to preserve the EQ/Tone?

 

[JPSBassist]

Oh and if the pain meds make you nauseous at all, ask for Zofran. It's available generic now so it's much more affordable and it doesn't have any side effects like phenergan does.

I don't do pain meds. Ever. In any shape or form.

I had taken a muscle relaxer called Flexaril, which isn't classified as a pain med or narcotic... but it made me pretty crazy-loopy. Which is where all those insane Spector Photoshop images came from a few months ago. LOL.

I've got the constitution of a cast-iron sink. Never have stomach or digestive issues.

But because I'm 1/2 Native American... I was adopted by my Step-Father, thus the name Stern. My mother is 1/2 Scotish 1/2 Irish and my biological father was full-blooded Native American... I've got a very straight forward genetic makeup.

One that screams "come flirt with addiction causing medicines at your own risk."

I've never drank alcohol. I live like a monk. LOL.

Tylenol. That's it. I was given morphine and didn't have a choice when I went through chemo. I lost entire weeks of my memories (probably a good thing) and it made me itch like no tomorrow.

So part of the reason the back pain has been so bad is because if tylenol or the occasional flexaril (usually at night to help me sleep) doesn't handle it... it's not getting handled.

I refuse to numb my body or mind with drugs that are proven to have far more long-term detrimental side-effects than their short term benefits can outweigh.

 

[Clearwave]

Hey Steve, I hate that you have to go through that stuff bro. You're to young for that stuff (we're the same age). I appreciate what you do for the club as well.

Good to know it went well and that you are back up and moving around some, Patrick. That definitely bodes well for the rest of your recovery and PT.

The second spinal surgery I had after the main one on 10/25/10 was due to an infection I got from not covering the incision sites well enough. They had to go back in and remove more tissue and cauterize everything all over again. It was not a good time. Not a fun 38th b-day either . Of course, the incision went from the base of my spine all the way up to the middle of my back, so there was a lot of room for error. As long as you're meticulous about keeping it clean dry and covered, you'll be able to avoid any of that nastiness.

PT will most likely be the hardest. Oh and if the pain meds make you nauseous at all, ask for Zofran. It's available generic now so it's much more affordable and it doesn't have any side effects like phenergan does. It just kills nausea. That's it. I have to take it twice a day every day because of the gut stuff and it really helps. And yes, I realize with everything you've been through there's a good chance you already know about this, but I'm nothing if not a repository of knowledge on surgery and post-op meds, so I just wanted to see if a tip may be of some use to you. If not, feel free to ignore it, tell me to shut up, etc. But I'm glad that you are feeling better even if it's just a bit. Still keeping you in my thoughts till you're past this and healed.

 

[JPSBassist]

The BQC however... It definitely is a more "clinical" sounding pre compared to the Aggies and the Spector 9v and 18v pres, though very flexible because of the midrange sweep and treble points.

Yeah... I think that's just it. It's clinical... and to me the USA 9v Spector Circuit is so powerful because of how it sits in the mix... especially live.

But I find the 18v USA Spector Circuit to be a better studio and all around solution.

And solo, the OBP-2 @ 18v, the USA Spector 18v and the OBP-3 are the best circuits.

So I think it comes down to how you're going to be playing.

The BQC makes a high quality, affordable "in the meantime" pre amp, if that makes sense.

Oh EMG makes great stuff. And the ease of installation of their quick-connect system is to me a standard I wish everyone would adopt. Soldering wires bites.

And Aggies sound great in Spectors (with the exception of the OBP-1 - that is one pre amp I have never liked in any bass I've tried it in. Ugh).

Yeah. The OBP-1 is not anything I'd ever want to put in anything. It's just not a good sounding pre to me. And until I heard an OBP-2 @ 18v I really wasn't too fond of it either except in the Coda. It seems to be made for more Jazz style applications. At 18v something opens up and that pre shines.

But the BQC does have a lot of sweet spots to it, it's just a drier tone profile. That make sense Patrick? I know you've heard all of these at one point or another...

Totally. And like a lot of things... dry just isn't good. LOL. It can chafe and cause friction burns.

And I'm not putting anyone down who has found the BQC to be a great sounding system. And perhaps where it really shines is in lower-ended applications like the Alex Webster... staying clean and dry with a bunch of B-String notes.

But my bias is usually how the bass sounds solo because I don't play in bands and I don't usually play in situations where I'm having to cut through anything.

So my bias is always how the bass sounds when played by itself. If that makes sense. Which is why solo, I prefer the USA 18v over the USA 9v.

But hear an NS-2 in a live setting and the way the 9v cuts through the mix is magical. And Stuart specifically designed the USA 9v Spector circuit for just that situation.

 

[Fat240]

That's a pretty well thought out post Steve. Anyone that has seen or heard me play, knows my tone preferences.....I'm kinda picky. You would think I would like tube amps or even tube preamps to get that big warm tone, but I don't.....oh well we all have our preferences .....and oddities...lol

I am bringing Monique, 2000 watts and 215 with me in the morning, so prepare yourself.

 

[sumgruuvz]

thanks guys for all this preamp talk. now im second guessing getting the tp. i want the grit and dirt in my tone. i want that mike starr, eddie jackson esque tone. i hope i can get it in my ns-94 with the trim tp. if not, i dont know what the hell to do. any input guys? it's all maple. i should be able to get some grit and dirt out of her.

 

[JPSBassist]

thanks guys for all this preamp talk. now im second guessing getting the tp. i want the grit and dirt in my tone. i want that mike starr, eddie jackson esque tone. i hope i can get it in my ns-94 with the trim tp. if not, i dont know what the hell to do. any input guys? it's all maple. i should be able to get some grit and dirt out of her.

You will. The TP is a very aggressive, gritty, growly, dirty sounding pre-amp. It was designed specifically to sound like the USA 9v circuit.

You'll be fine with the TP with the trim pot.

I have one in my NS-2A and it sounds great.

 

[smadder]

I totally understand Patrick. You and I have had a lot of conversations about our individual health stuff, and I always wish that I could function without the opiate based pain killers. I hate them. I hate them so much. And I'm scared of them. The fact that they can turn you into a "legal junkie" just scares me even more. I've been experimenting with alternative homeopathic stuff, or stuff with little to no side-effects profiles, but every once in a while, the pain is just too much and I have to pop a pain pill (though now I finally have tramadol (also called Ultram) which doesn't hit the opiate receptors in your brain so the addictive properties are negligible), and I STILL hate doing it. I know I shouldn't, I legitimately need the help, but it feels like defeat. I don't know if that makes sense or not.

And yeah - flexiril, as great as it works, still makes you loopy. That's a bed-time only one for me.

I still wish they had medical weed in GA. It would help with my back and guts both and as it has no physically addictive properties, I wouldn't freak out about it. I'd at least be willing to give it a shot and I have friends with cancer and crohn's who have had a great deal of success with it and no difficulties stopping when they didn't need it any more. But it's still a drug... and let's face it (no offense intended to anyone): it'll take just as long for medical marijuana to become an option here in GA as it did to desegregate this place (and one could argue THAT still hasn't fully happened yet either). My surgeon actually told me that he wishes they had it here in GA because it's perfect for people like me that have a chronic intestinal illness and a crapped up back. But it'll never happen in my life time, and he respects my choice to go without anything heavier than tramadol or tylenol. It frustrates the insurance company because it means a longer hospital stay and much longer PT time, but I don't want to get hooked. I've seen what it does and it's evil stuff.

I did consider getting a nerve block. If you get a Vagus nerve block it can help tremendously with abdominal pain and nausea, but the problem becomes that I wouldn't know when I was having a critical obstruction until it was too late and I could go septic and die. So that's not an option. I've been playing bass more lately and reading more and even catching up on movies and TV series, as well as volunteering to help out brother players here on the thread all to keep my mind off of it as much as I can... but some days I just can't even get out of bed. I'm terrified of turning into a prescription drug addict. And with the next surgery (#15 for abdominal surgeries - can you believe it? My belly is one of the most deformed things you've ever seen. I'll never wear a swimsuit again... and people wonder why I don't date... maybe there are chicks that are into that, but I'm not sure I want to meet them) being tentatively scheduled for February, I know I'm gonna have to be back on them while I'm in the hospital. When I get home I can stick to Ultram/tramadol for a few weeks, which is stronger than Aleve or Advil or Tylenol, but doesn't have the addictive properties of opiate-based narcotics. I used it last March and it worked well enough without me losing memory and with no withdrawal symptoms when I stopped after the first 4 weeks post-op and moved to Advil/Tylenol rotation.

But after dealing with this since second grade, I think I've built up a high pain tolerance which helps. But still, those first few days after a surgery (especially the open spine surgery), as much as it scares me, I take what they give me for pain while I'm in the hospital. I just will not take it when I leave. If that means a longer recovery time, so be it. So I definitely understand where you're coming from. It's scary sh!t.

But I do salute you for taking the harder road. It sucks, but you'll stay saner and healthier without them in your system. It's worth a longer healing time in my opinion. I just wish I had some kind of magical trick or approach that could help... but I don't... yet. I'm certainly not ready to give up. I know you aren't either.

Sorry for derailing the conversation everyone, but It's serious stuff and what Patrick is going through right now (and has been) is enough to test the temperament of Tibetan monks.

I don't do pain meds. Ever. In any shape or form.

I had taken a muscle relaxer called Flexaril, which isn't classified as a pain med or narcotic... but it made me pretty crazy-loopy. Which is where all those insane Spector Photoshop images came from a few months ago. LOL.

I've got the constitution of a cast-iron sink. Never have stomach or digestive issues.

But because I'm 1/2 Native American... I was adopted by my Step-Father, thus the name Stern. My mother is 1/2 Scotish 1/2 Irish and my biological father was full-blooded Native American... I've got a very straight forward genetic makeup.

One that screams "come flirt with addiction causing medicines at your own risk."

I've never drank alcohol. I live like a monk. LOL.

Tylenol. That's it. I was given morphine and didn't have a choice when I went through chemo. I lost entire weeks of my memories (probably a good thing) and it made me itch like no tomorrow.

So part of the reason the back pain has been so bad is because if tylenol or the occasional flexaril (usually at night to help me sleep) doesn't handle it... it's not getting handled.

I refuse to numb my body or mind with drugs that are proven to have far more long-term detrimental side-effects than their short term benefits can outweigh.

 

[brotherbassj]

I am bringing Monique, 2000 watts and 215 with me in the morning, so prepare yourself.

You gonna be here around 1130????

 

[worshiprocker]

thanks guys for all this preamp talk. now im second guessing getting the tp. i want the grit and dirt in my tone. i want that mike starr, eddie jackson esque tone. i hope i can get it in my ns-94 with the trim tp. if not, i dont know what the hell to do. any input guys? it's all maple. i should be able to get some grit and dirt out of her.

Dude get the TP... It will nail the tone you are after

 

[Fat240]

JP can you tell me what the main differences in the US haz and the haz copy are? I have a Kramer with an original US haz and one with a newer US haz. I have a TP equipped euro a Spector 18v in my Rebop, and a BQC equipped Euro. I have had experience with the OBP and BTC with other basses. Each one is different and is great in it's own situation, even the old 9v vs. the new 9v is a big difference to my ear. I prefer the older. So I have been wanting to locate a haz copy to compare and see if it is a useful tone or a waste of time.

 

[Fat240]

You gonna be here around 1130????

Yeah round about. Leaving the Burg at 9:30.

 

[brotherbassj]

JP can you tell me what the main differences in the US haz and the haz copy are? I have a Kramer with an original US haz and one with a newer US haz. I have a TP equipped euro a Spector 18v in my Rebop, and a BQC equipped Euro. I have had experience with the OBP and BTC with other basses. Each one is different and is great in it's own situation, even the old 9v vs. the new 9v is a big difference to my ear. I prefer the older. So I have been wanting to locate a haz copy to compare and see if it is a useful tone or a waste of time.

I have the Korean haz copy in my ns2a Mike....unless you refer to the mm114 which is the mighty mite. Jeff has that in the freak bass......

 

[Fat240]

I have the Korean haz copy in my ns2a Mike....unless you refer to the mm114 which is the mighty mite. Jeff has that in the freak bass......

Yeah, I'll have to check that out.

 

[steamthief]

JP and smadder, have you tried Celebrex for pain?

After I blew out my achilles tendon, post-op they gave me hydrocodone, which did nothing for the pain and, as an added bonus, bound me up something fierce. After a sleepless, agonizing night in the hospital, after I complained the following morning my surgeon gave me some samples of non-opiate Celebrex, which helped a whole lot to actually alleviate the pain. I filled a script shortly thereafter.