SPECTOR® Club - Part 57

[Clearwave]

Here are some clips I made a couple of threads ago.
1. is the aggie ob2 in the red ns2a
2. is the US 9v in the ns2a prototype
3. is the tonepump in the black ns2a

https://soundcloud.com/jeremy-stephens-4/sets/ns2a-preamp-test

It's weird, I like the tone pump better than the aggie in this test. Sitting in my house here going back in forth between the two, I like the aggie better.

 

[grendle]

That's interesting....it had some truss rod repair but if it's done by Spector tech it should be ok. Hmmm, I'm looking for a5er )))

+1

Knowing their quality std. I wouldnt think twice.

 

[delucajohn2000]

Thanks for the response. I was looking at putting 35tw's in the bird, so i can get that single coil sound option. Tone pump or Haz do you think? Going for gritty, growling tone.

If you take those DC's out and replace them with TW's I will come down there with Stormbringer and you and I will duel like Elric and Yyrkoon Sorry, I just had to geek out there, LOL.

Have you ever tried the TW pickups before? If you haven't they have a very different sound to them and I will admit, I am just not a fan of them. They are ceramic so the tone is very different and also realize that when you put the pickups in single coil mode, there will be a pretty significant volume drop. Just making you aware but you might like them so I don't want to talk you out of them but they just weren't for me.

 

[Rockin Mike]

I think it's easier to take an aggressive sounding bass and tame it with EQ,
versus trying to take a traditional sounding bass and get it to roar.

 

[JPSBassist]

Thanks for the response. I was looking at putting 35tw's in the bird, so i can get that single coil sound option. Tone pump or Haz do you think? Going for gritty, growling tone.

You don't have a choice if you are going with the 35TW pups. They require push/pull pots for going from single to dual coil mode.

The USA 9v Circuit (Haz) cannot be modified with different pots. The pots are soldered onto a circuit board like you'd have in a computer (think about a sound-card or video card) and that board takes up the entire cavity area.

If you want to go with single/dual coil switching pups, you're going to have to go with the TonePump.

 

[Rockin Mike]

Totally! This is really an important part of any pedal setup... the order in which you put things together is vitally important.

There are a few different thoughts on this.

Here's how I have my full board set up:

Bass>>Volume Pedal>>Compressor>>Octave>>Envelope>>Wah Pedal>>Chorus>>Phaser>>Delay>>Distortion>>Fuzz>>EQ>>DI>>>Amplifier

This is based on research I did on several recommendations from experienced techs, Doug Wimbish (who is the Lord-Guru of insane Pedal Boards), his number 1 Padawan - Aalics Bronson, Darryl Anders at MXR/Dunlop, and then the recommendations of several bloggers, pedal websites, etc...

I've found that using the chain above and having both the 10-band EQ and the DI at the end of the chain, I don't loose signal... but with a couple of the pedals I have to worry about humming/noise. But that has more to do with the settings on the pedal itself.

Why put the volume pedal ahead of the compressor? You change the compressor's behavior when you change the signal level going into it.

Hm, so when you're playing softly (volume pedal down) the compressor isn't doing as much and you get more dynamic range, and when you're playing louder (volume pedal up) you get a more constant, even limited, range.

I get it.
I have my VP at the end of my chain. I'm going to have to fix that.

 

[Rockin Mike]

How would you compare the EMC BQC pre versus TonePump versus US9V?
US9V is not available right now so it's really between the BQC and the TP.

I really like the idea of the variable mid sweep on the BQC, but I want the angry character of the TP and 9V.

I'm leaning towards BQC + 40DCX (neck) + 40CSX (bridge) right now.
The 40CS pickup is supposed to be a bit warmer than the 40DC so it might be a better fit in the bridge position.
Would I lose the attitude doing that?

 

[Zitch]

No worries. It's a good question.

The OBP-3 is like the USA 18v circuit. It is both JFET and op-amp based. It is also 3-band.

Unlike the USA 9v circuit or the TonePump, the OBP-3 is a much cleaner circuit offering a little coloration of the tone, so you get a more accurate expression of the wood combinations working with the pups and circuit.

The TonePump is much more gritty and growly. And is supposed to sound like the USA 9v.

Since bolt-on models typically have a noticeable difference in tonal profile from neck-thru designs, Stuart told me that he wanted to USA Bolt-On models to offer a different range of tone than the neck-thru models.

This was for two reasons. First, the wood (mahogany and a top of maple or some other tone-wood) and the frequency and sustain differences inherent in the bolt-on design would make it more difficult to sound identical to the NS-2 anyway. So why try?

It also meant that there's another tonal range, more traditional sounding in tone but still offering some extra sustain (with the deep pocket neck joint) and the high quality of the woods used that he could offer musicians who may not want an aggressive bass.

To many of us the beauty of the NS is the body, the tone is a bonus. To Stuart, it's about the tone. But he saw that offering the NS body with a more traditional bolt-on design and sound would be appealing to a lot of bassists who wouldn't look twice at the neck thru NS.

I think the decision was to broaden the appeal of Spector basses by offering something with that hand-made quality and a great tone, but making it different enough to not sound JUST like the neck-thru models. I mean, if you like that tone then why not get a neck-thru?

Lastly, Aguilar has been very responsive to Spector regarding the refinement of their circuits and more recently, their pickups (used in the Coda). I've actually done some photography work for Aguilar and I use their amps. They are good people with the same passion for making the best quality equipment possible that Stuart and PJ share.

Plus like Stuart and PJ, Dave and Dave (Boonshoft and Avenius) are both musicians and they love other musicians.

TonePumps can be put into any USA if you request. Like Rex Brown. He prefers the TonePump over the USA circuits. He's mainly playing Euro4LX models right now, but has an RX-T or two and usually plays one or two songs during Kill Devil Hill's sets with them. But they all have the same circuit, the TonePump.

He grabbed the white Euro4LX-Limited Edition model off the wall at NAMM and played it... walked it over to me (PJ was talking to someone) and said, "I want this. This one. This one right here... it's perfect." I said, "No worries." and he handed me the bass. And when PJ was done, I walked it over (Rex had gone over and was talking with Stuart) and I said to PJ, "Rex wants this." And PJ laughed and said, "OK!"

The RX-T has the TonePump in it stock. That's a USA model with the TP in it.

With Stuart the purpose of just about everything he does has to do with tone. He's fanatical about the sound of anything he makes.

I hope this answers your question!

Thanks, it does, I was under the mistaken presumption that the goal was for most of the Spectors to sound and emulate the ns2. Now it makes sense to me.

 

[JPSBassist]

I was reading a recent interview with Rex and he mentioned he is using the new MXR Blowtorch now which would explain his aggressive tone. Me, I just use my B3K and that is all I need for my tone

That would explain a lot.
I have a new MXR Blowtorch and that thing adds stupid distortion to your bass tone. Actually, you can make it so distorted it's just fuzzy noise.
Great pedal with a lot of potential for customizing your tone.
But dude, it's also really powerful.

BTW... I just came across a photo from this year's NAMM show of the moment Rex handed me that white Euro4LX-LE. I had actually been tasked by PJ to get Rex to sign a bass for a fan and PJ wanted me to make sure to get Rex to sign it in the place the fan had asked for. PJ knew he was going to be in a meeting and tied up for a bit.

So Rex was just chillin' out, looking at basses when he came across the white Euro on the other side of the booth wall. He comes around the corner with it in his hand. Stuart was tied up and so was PJ so Rex came over to me.

I took the white Euro and handed him the sharpie and stood there while he signed the bass, holding his white Euro.

Someone in the crowd around the booth took photos, got my card and emailed them to me. LOL.

Moments like this are blurs at NAMM. It gets so busy and crazy at the end of the day it's hard to remember anything you did. It comes back to you later after the show.

 

[delucajohn2000]

How would you compare the EMC BQC pre versus TonePump versus US9V?
US9V is not available right now so it's really between the BQC and the TP.

I really like the idea of the variable mid sweep on the BQC, but I want the angry character of the TP and 9V.

When I had my Euro 5 LX, I replaced the tone pump with the BQC and really liked the tone. Yes, BQC is cleaner but there are so many different tone shaping options on that pre. What really made me like the BQC also was the dip switches that allow you to control the treble response which was a cool little feature.

To me, whenever I added treble to the tonepump, the tone got very bright real quick for my tastes but I didn't see that with the BQC. It probably looks like I am not a fan of the tonepump but that is not true. I have one in my Rebop 5 actually that is wired at 18v since I think adding the extra head room to it cleans up the signal a bit. I am also running DC's in that bass since I took out the stock HZ's that came in the bass and this thing rocks.

 

[JPSBassist]

How would you compare the EMC BQC pre versus TonePump versus US9V?
US9V is not available right now so it's really between the BQC and the TP.

I really like the idea of the variable mid sweep on the BQC, but I want the angry character of the TP and 9V.

I'm leaning towards BQC + 40DCX (neck) + 40CSX (bridge) right now.
The 40CS pickup is supposed to be a bit warmer than the 40DC so it might be a better fit in the bridge position.
Would I lose the attitude doing that?

Day vs. Evening vs. Night. LOL.

I'm not a fan of the BQC. I mean it's a good circuit for sure. But I've owned two basses with it and I find that I really don't use the mid that much. It's a nice feature but I've found the tone I like and it's scooped in the mids. So in that those circuits were a little useless. I never found myself reaching for the mid/sweep pot.

You can get it growly and aggressive. Listen to Alex Webster. Any of his current stuff will have his signature model on it and that's got the BQC at 18v.

And Andrew Bunk can also testify to the tone of that bass. I'm really thrilled that he got his AW from me.

Here's a really good example of what the TonePump is capable of in terms of growly aggressive tone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYfQ1I-VV7M

And the USA 9v... Man. I'm just now getting around to editing videos and I shot a concert with Dave Fowler last fall and his Kramer Era NS-2 (it is gloss white) is an AMAZING sounding Spector live. It's magical like Sting's bass.

As for the NS-2... I think Omer's comparison is really well done. He goes through a vintage NS-2, a new one and a Forte with the 9v USA circuit.

 

[TK4261]

Hi All,
Well my Spalted Wimbish showed up today (a day early) and I am at a loss for words about how awesome this Euro is!
I love the grain and flame that is on this Spalted top. The set up was great out of the case and a very nice weight...Not heavy and not light..Just right at 8lbs This bass was definitely worth the wait and I am a true Spector convert now
I started researching Spector last year with the one Bass to rule them all mindset. I was originally going to get a Forte but I have only played slim neck profiles since I started playing Bass in the 80's. I played a friends NS2 back in the 80's and remember saying: This Bass is Bitchen man!.....but...The neck is to fat for my hands Fast forward to last year and I got a chance to try out a Euro Wimbish and I was hooked. Spector tone, great combo of woods and a slim fast neck. Since I liked the look of the Forte's plain fretboard and matte finish but loved the neck on the Wimbish, I decided to create my version of a Forte/Wimbish.

A special thanks to Todd for making this 25 + year journey happen for me

Still in awe...

A few shots indoors with my Spalted Maple truss cover installed and it matched the Spalted top very well and the flame looks great in person

Pics are definitely not as good as Patrick's but my little iPhone 5 takes some nice quick shots.

 

[anton72]

... and the old Brooklyn and early Kramer models had aggressive USA 9v circuits.

The modern NS-2 9v circuits are great, but they are not exactly the same as the older vintage ones are.

So I'm quite lucky to have three NS-2s with vintage circuits! I love the tone of all three of them. I always loved TP tone (and I still do!) but the only thing which I could not bear was that TP is not friendly with some amps due to its extremely high and rough output. US9Volt is much easier with different amps.

 

[Rockin Mike]

Here's a really good example of what the TonePump is capable of in terms of growly aggressive tone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYfQ1I-VV7M

That is the closest thing to what my Euro sounds like right now and I love it. My thought is that I want to shape the tone at the bass (not the amp) so I get my sound going into the DI->FOH. That means adjusting mids to match the room and win sonic debates with various other instruments. I may wind up going with a BQC and add an OD pedal if I need to increase the dirt. I hate to stick another box on the floor but I don't think the OD models in my M13 are quite beautiful enough to keep up with the Spector.

Or just keep the TonePump and use a pedal-based EQ to tweak mids. The TP definitely puts out enough juice to work with. Gee that would be simple and cheap.

 

[LimaGuy]

Here's a really good example of what the TonePump is capable of in terms of growly aggressive tone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYfQ1I-VV7M

Just a note on this. Nick Beggs is using a Euro4LX Matte Black Cherry. It was actually from the same production run as the bass I used to record my TonePump Clips with.

That bass is now owned by lippylou who is on is way to Alaska with his Forte-4 w/OBP2 and my previous Euro4LX Matte Black Cherry w/TonePump.

Hopefully when he get settled he can put some of his thoughts of the OBP2 vs the TonePump.

 

[anton72]

oh Man, it's beautiful! Congrats!!! I was 100% sure it's USA model untill I read your comments. And that says "Euros are superb"!

Hi All,
Well my Spalted Wimbish showed up today (a day early) and I am at a loss for words about how awesome this Euro is!
I love the grain and flame that is on this Spalted top. The set up was great out of the case and a very nice weight...Not heavy and not light..Just right at 8lbs This bass was definitely worth the wait and I am a true Spector convert now
I started researching Spector with the one Bass to rule them all mindset. I was originally going to get a Forte but I have only played slim neck profiles since I started playing Bass in the 80's. I played a friends NS2 back in the 80's and remember saying: This Bass is Bitchen man!.....but...The neck is to fat for my hands Fast forward to last year and I got a chance to try out a Euro Wimbish and I was hooked. Spector tone, great combo of woods and a slim fast neck. Since I liked the look of the Forte's plain fretboard and matte finish but loved the neck on the Wimbish, I decided to create my version of a Forte/Wimbish.

A special thanks to Todd for making this 25 + year journey happen for me

Still in awe...

A few shots indoors with my Spalted Maple truss cover installed and it matched the Spalted top very well and the flame looks great in person

Pics are definitely not as good as Patrick's but my little iPhone 5 takes some nice quick shots.

 

[LimaGuy]

Hi All,
Well my Spalted Wimbish showed up today (a day early) and I am at a loss for words about how awesome this Euro is!
I love the grain and flame that is on this Spalted top. The set up was great out of the case and a very nice weight...Not heavy and not light..Just right at 8lbs This bass was definitely worth the wait and I am a true Spector convert now

Congrats,

That looks great. Love the Spalt with the no inlays Forte-ish look.

 

[worshiprocker]

Pics are definitely not as good as Patrick's but my little iPhone 5 takes some nice quick shots.

OMG! that thing is amazing. that top compares with the NS2s I've seen too! I love the no inlays look of the fretboard. Which is why I might move my Euro4.... man now I'm gonna have to save up to order a EuroLX AHHH!!! Congrats brotha!!! as Jeff would say...

TO WAR!!

 

[JPSBassist]

Pics are definitely not as good as Patrick's but my little iPhone 5 takes some nice quick shots.

Those look pretty awesome to me!!!
Congrats! That's a sweet sweet Spector!

 

[Rockin Mike]

Hi All,
Well my Spalted Wimbish showed up today (a day early) and I am at a loss for words about how awesome this Euro is!
I love the grain and flame that is on this Spalted top. The set up was great out of the case and a very nice weight...Not heavy and not light..Just right at 8lbs This bass was definitely worth the wait and I am a true Spector convert now

That is a beautiful piece of wood!