SPECTOR® Club - Part 57

[Worldeeeter]

Talking about Envelope Filters...
Shot at NAMM by Sweetwater... the girl they were having ask questions kept getting her butt in the way of my camera (because I was shooting low to get Doug working the pedals and playing).

What's funny is in the beginning you see me and Aalics Bronson (a Spector Artist himself but also Doug's tech and good friend) in the background talking about pedals.

Good times. I needed a hair cut and a shave. LOL.

http://youtu.be/aKcBs5WEAqI

I just watched the entire video, waiting to see her butt! Oh, well...still a cool demo by Doug.

 

[JPSBassist]

JPS, i got a question about the rebops. i asked a few threads ago but never got a definite answer and you weren't around. i remember when the rebops showed up they had oiled necks from what PJ told me (this was back in the very early '00s). are the back of the necks still oiled or are they a matte urethane finish now?

The necks are all matte poly now. It's more durable, easier to apply (because it is water-based) and has become the matte finish for all Spector bolt on necks, USA, Euro, Korean, Performer.

 

[TK4261]

Stunning, absolutely stunning!!!!

Thank you!

im agreeing that spalt is my favorite spector to look at right now. simple, yet stunning. just an absolute beauty. that one wouldve definitely been worth the wait.

Thanks! It was worth the wait...I'm still stoked!. Today I was able to play though my GK MB800 & 412 Neo instead of using headphones since my neighbors were gone all day and it sounded so amazingly good...Such a great combo...The Spalt and 800watts of GK goodness

You know you could've gotten a Forte with the Wimbish neck and spalted right?

I so wish I could have but after checking it out, it would have been to costly for me since those options would have made it an NS-2 with an EX top I am super happy though that I decided on the Euro cause I am loving this TonePump in it

 

[JPSBassist]

I just watched the entire video, waiting to see her butt! Oh, well...still a cool demo by Doug.

That was the footage her camera guy shot.
You have to look at the footage I shot to see her butt. LOL.
And I haven't released it yet.

There's an edited version of the same demos here: http://youtu.be/IxilF5e1qYU

 

[JPSBassist]

Thanks a lot JPS, i will keep my eyes open. Would the 18V US Circuit also work i.e. give that sound? Or would you suggest the newer tonepump?

I honestly think my favorite circuit is the USA 18v.

I played two NS-2s and my NS-4 today and man if that NS-4 doesn't always just sound richer to me. It's the headroom. But the live stuff in the mix with other instruments the NS-2 always cuts through better.

The problem with the USA 18v circuit is that it is three pots only.

These pots are attached to a circuit-board, so they have to fit into your bass a certain way. Which they will, they'll fit the lower three holes of your control cavity.

Which means you'll have a hole that you'll either have to put a dummy pot in OR... if you are using coil tapping pups you can put a toggle switch there.

I think for the purposes of what you're already used to, the newer trim pot version of the TP will make you happier. You'll be able to dial in the output you want and still have your aggressive circuit with growl.

 

[JPSBassist]

BTW, any thought to making the X body style available in the Euro series? Would be nice for people who want some options that the Forte series doesn't offer, but don't have the budget for a full on US custom.

Not that I am aware of. I actually doubt a Euro version will ever be made.

But... if you didn't know you can get the X-model in a Legend Classic, here you go: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[JPSBassist]

This might be off-topic, but I'm looking at getting a TonePump plus an EMG 40DC (neck) and an EMG 40TW (bridge) to try to turn a cheap bass into a passable backup for my Euro.

Is there anybody here that could advise about how to wire the TonePump to these pickups?

Also looking to find out if the TonePump can be wired for Volume/Blend/Bass/Treble instead of Vol/Vol/Bass/Treble.

The TonePump hooks up to both easily.

Now... since you have a volume/volume/bass/treble situation with the TonePump, it's pretty straight forward that the TW pup which has coil tapping abilities, you'll do a push-pull pot (for switching between single/dual coil modes) on that pup and a standard volume pot on the other.

If any of you Euro4LX-TW, Euro5LX, Euro6LX owners with the TW pups can do a diagram or take a good photo of the cavity so I can do one, I think that's a good idea anyway.

I need to do one for that pup setup. Perhaps Sam, who is really handy with that sort of spec upgrade... I know he's done the push-pull pot install before with a TW pup.

 

[Rockin Mike]

Originally Posted by Rockin Mike
This might be off-topic, but I'm looking at getting a TonePump plus an EMG 40DC (neck) and an EMG 40TW (bridge) to try to turn a cheap bass into a passable backup for my Euro.

Is there anybody here that could advise about how to wire the TonePump to these pickups?

Also looking to find out if the TonePump can be wired for Volume/Blend/Bass/Treble instead of Vol/Vol/Bass/Treble.

The TonePump hooks up to both easily.

Now... since you have a volume/volume/bass/treble situation with the TonePump, it's pretty straight forward that the TW pup which has coil tapping abilities, you'll do a push-pull pot (for switching between single/dual coil modes) on that pup and a standard volume pot on the other.

If any of you Euro4LX-TW, Euro5LX, Euro6LX owners with the TW pups can do a diagram or take a good photo of the cavity so I can do one, I think that's a good idea anyway.

I need to do one for that pup setup. Perhaps Sam, who is really handy with that sort of spec upgrade... I know he's done the push-pull pot install before with a TW pup.

Is it possible to wire the TonePump this way?
1. Volume
2. Blend
3. Bass
4. Treble

The coil split on the TW could be a push/pull on one of the knobs or a separate switch.

 

[mournblade]

Not that I am aware of. I actually doubt a Euro version will ever be made.

But... if you didn't know you can get the X-model in a Legend Classic, here you go: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

My forte 4-X will be here Monday or Tuesday. I hope that they someday decide to make a Euro X body. Maple topped alder body would be cool. But what I really want is a Single MM in the sweet spot on that body, or even a P MM combo.

 

[sethro]

Excellent riffage And I'm in with a Forte4. USA9V circuit expertly installed by the Spector Godfather.

And my green JA-R with ACG preamp.

Mr.Bassie....DROOLS.... over here for that Dougy Refinish,BEST top end refinished jobs if I may say,WOW!!!

 

[sethro]

Hello #57

The Blue Dream
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The Black Pearl
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Water Cured Redwood NS-4
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THE BLUE DREAM IS THE HOTTEST Blue Quilt EVER!!!! Its my blue wet dream tonite man!!!
Ive NEVER seen this monster...WOW!...MORE Spector porn when you feel like it would be very much needed for MY SOUL!!!!THANKS JPS!!!

 

[Rockin Mike]

THE BLUE DREAM IS THE HOTTEST Blue Quilt EVER!!!! Its my blue wet dream tonite man!!!
Ive NEVER seen this monster...WOW!...MORE Spector porn when you feel like it would be very much needed for MY SOUL!!!!THANKS JPS!!!

Spector makes the best basses.

 

[sethro]

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!

First thing JPS says about my USA18vt pre vs.OBP3,preamp question from before when I made the VS.? in a thread back tells us strait up and lets me know know theyre not too much different at all...Thanks JPS,alot of us,including me,thought they were "Way Different".
But even said,Im still gonna try em back to back ASAP and hear for myself!
What do you guys that may have tried both out,think after reading JPS set us straight on their similarities????

 

[worshiprocker]

That was the footage her camera guy shot.
You have to look at the footage I shot to see her butt. LOL.
And I haven't released it yet.

There's an edited version of the same demos here: http://youtu.be/IxilF5e1qYU

Rebecca Dirks from Premier Guitar... she is awesome. They put out the best rig rundown videos on youtube. IMHO

So I pulled out old Jade tonight at practice.... man that bass just has the mojo, cuts like a mother and plays O so nice. I don't know why I ever play my other basses... I think my blue Euroburst is going to be on the chopping block....

 

[djaxup]

The TonePump hooks up to both easily.

Now... since you have a volume/volume/bass/treble situation with the TonePump, it's pretty straight forward that the TW pup which has coil tapping abilities, you'll do a push-pull pot (for switching between single/dual coil modes) on that pup and a standard volume pot on the other.

If any of you Euro4LX-TW, Euro5LX, Euro6LX owners with the TW pups can do a diagram or take a good photo of the cavity so I can do one, I think that's a good idea anyway.

I need to do one for that pup setup. Perhaps Sam, who is really handy with that sort of spec upgrade... I know he's done the push-pull pot install before with a TW pup.

Wow. I am speechless at the amount of good and friendly advice over here. I will try to get a newer tonepump. If someone in this club happens to have a spare one i would be very happy to buy it. A new one would be no problem either, shipping it over to GER could cost more than the part itself though Can i buy them at the Czech factory directly?

The Bass plays incredible, and it sounds like it has a really good set compressor build in. All played notes jump out so much, great stuff. Shows me i need to get more accurate

 

[sethro]

Just a quick updated group shot that now includes Sam's old Forte.

John,After seeing and drooling over how amazing your collection has become,I would really like to hear them in action!!
What band are you jamming these bad ass Spectors in now?
And as a fellow WEBSTER/REX tone fan,Id REALLY like to hear what youre doing musically with these (wow),theyre my favorites that ive never heard...I hope to check your sound out asap,THX John Deluca!
WHASSUP BRO?!
Sethro,(big fan of your taste in all things Spector)

 

[sethro]

I personally am excited for you. In my signed band days I owned three of these beasts....they beat out an Aguilar db750, Mesa Titan, and ampeg SVT 4,5 and 6 for me....wicked power!

But not the 7PRO (sleeper head)....IMHO..RULES over the B1500..HEHE,remember when i tried one for a month? Nice,but too cold and lifeless POWER! (I do think a 2x15 helped Jamie bring this amps pain)
But the Carvin lacked the Ampeg warm articulate punches to your low mid region,it was ok, just scooped,solid state,too MONSTER power and HEAVY to boot....
I think my Spectors need TEN INCH speakers in a 4x10s or more to punch thru with authority LIVE!!!!
But ask TOMMY,we both had 4PRO's,...they had to go when we tried the newish 7PRO's in the shootout!!!
NO loss of headroom,smooth and rich grind with just enuff clarity or more for most folks.. Thru both an 810e and UL410!
15lbs,1000wtsTUBE PRE, got me,"My Spector sounds like i remember them best, pumping an Ampeg 7PRO NOW"....Lol,the B1500 is a beast in its own way,but try em all and you'll hear what Im telling ya!
GOOD LUCK however ya go!!

 

[peledog]

Probably been posted before, but this is the first time I've seen this.



NS-4MM

GAS SAS GAS SAS GAS SAS

 

[RostyM]

I have a Kramer Forum I for sale here on TalkBass and was questioned about the pre amp, which I thought was a Has Lab. I was told someone here would be able to determine from a picture if this was a Has Lab, or possibly the foreign copy of a Has Lab. Can someone help me here. I don't want to be advertising Has Lab if it's a copy, or possibly even something entirely different. Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[husky123]

I have a Kramer Forum I for sale here on TalkBass and was questioned about the pre amp, which I thought was a Has Lab. I was told someone here would be able to determine from a picture if this was a Has Lab, or possibly the foreign copy of a Has Lab. Can someone help me here. I don't want to be advertising Has Lab if it's a copy, or possibly even something entirely different. Thanks for any info you can provide.

At a quick glance on my phone it looks like the Korean copy of the Haz Lab pre.