Understood 100%. Many of my friends are surprised when they've seen me using bespoke shotguns and rifles in the field. My attitude has always been they are made to be used. Not abused but not closeted either.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
- Status
I was due for an updated pic so since everyone has been taking pictures of their basses like this, I felt I should also 
This one was only done with the iPad but I need to get a better one with a digital camera.
This one was only done with the iPad but I need to get a better one with a digital camera.
I realized my comments could come off negatively to those who don't play out and it certainly isn't meant that way. Everyone deserves to own and play these basses. I think the sentiment is more that if you have a chance to show them off publicly, it's good to do that.
I'd wager I've spent almost as much of my 25 years playing time on my own as I have in a band. The longest span was probably late 1998 through late 2001. Since then it's been fairly steady, but I've still had gaps a year long in that timeframe where I'm a "solo" artist.
im a bedroom player now and I didnt take any offense, Stuart builds these dream machines to be played whether in a bedroom, bar or sold out arena so long as the user enjoys playing it and hearing it.
I was due for an updated pic so since everyone has been taking pictures of their basses like this, I felt I should also
Dang John, so super sweet.
Ok, I love/hate this question. I do this to Sam all the time....ready? You can only keep one (for some reason). Which one and why?
EXACTLY! I'd love to try a Brooklyn, Kramer or Woodstock NS-2 but like you it'd be more of a curiosity thing, then it'd sit and not get much playing time. So I'll be searching for a used NS-5 with a USA Spector 9V circuit. Should be same sound but BIGGER sound!
+1 I bought my Powerball ticket this morning (currently at $550 million), and I figure if I won, I'd be on the phone for a full week going over Spector custom-build specs with various dealers.
I bought a ticket this afternoon...$600M!
Aw, c'mon Lee! That question is not easy and would probably take me days to answer
Every time I think I might have the answer, I think of a reason for wanting one of the others so man, that is tough. Here is my thinking right now:
Green NS-5XL - I just love the color since it is so different. The neck is amazing on this thing and is so comfortable, it's not even funny.
Buckeye NS-4 - Super fat neck which I love so switching between that and the NS-5 really easy. That walnut back is just magic in the tone category, and the final big reason....It belonged to Chris Loe and he also gave me the custom abalone truss rod cover for that bass.
Forte - Just an all around great bass. Love the feel and the tone of the 9V USA circuit is just amazing. Plus, it belonged to Sam so I have to factor that in as well
I have to say...There's just SOMETHING about the Forte model that just has an extra dose of Mojo sauce. When I put the US9V in mine, it just has a ring to it.
I love....LOVE both my NS-2's. But the Forte holds it's own indeed!! Even with the OBP-2 it sounded incredible!
The saying "No frills, all tone" is indeed true!
Amen brutha!
I'm about an hour and half from there.
Looking good Ho. He's going to bring mine to Phil on Wed to get him to check out the fret board. So that will take him out another week to June 8th. Best to get any fret work done before he starts the finish though. Here's what he sent today. He wet it down to show the grain. The wings are quite a bit darker than the rock maple. I wonder how it will take the black stain? Could almost do a oil finish on it.
Mmmm....SaWeet looking maple quilting!
Definitely trans stain/clear/oil.Aw, c'mon Lee! That question is not easy and would probably take me days to answer
Here is my thinking right now:
Green NS-5XL - I just love the color since it is so different. The neck is amazing on this thing and is so comfortable, it's not even funny.
Buckeye NS-4 - Super fat neck which I love so switching between that and the NS-5 really easy. That walnut back is just magic in the tone category, and the final big reason....It belonged to Chris Loe and he also gave me the custom abalone truss rod cover for that bass.
Forte - Just an all around great bass. Love the feel and the tone of the 9V USA circuit is just amazing. Plus, it belonged to Sam so I have to factor that in as well
Cop out!
All good reasons though....
So I've got a bass with a slate grey finish. I just ordered (from the Carvin site, thanks for the heads up guys) some La Bella black nylon flats and a set of black Gibson speed knobs.
Gonna name my bass Wesley Snipes the way I'm goin.
Gonna name my bass Wesley Snipes the way I'm goin.
This is 100% true. There was a discussion about this on the theme of playing them live and such a long time ago and I remember that I stated that as well, but felt that I was talking out of my arse seeing as I wasn't gigging or anything...
Now the story has changed and I still hold to that truth.
My basses, are my tools of the trade. My Forte for example (which I've been using extensively as my main bass because th ebands I play in are tuned in B) has a few battle scars. Minor scars because I still do take good care of my gear.
My first ding was heartbreaking indeed...but I got over it, the 2nd gave it "character" and makes it more "Mine" with each story
The most important thing is that I ENJOY them. I even restrung my Spalt NS-2 and had it at a gig with me for backup.
I see nothing wrong with trying to keep your gear in pristine conditions, I strive for that myself, but I don't want to be in fear of anything that may potentially happen to it.
I take the best of care of my Spector basses also and I know that the longer that I have them, the more they'll show wear in one form or another. For instance...I like to think of Doug Wimbish's bass as an example of a well loved bass, because it gets played, a lot! Theres hardly any paint left on his amber NS-2! That, IMHO, is showing your bass true love...take care of them but play them!
my 2cents
Well, I did say it would take me a while
Thinking it over more I would say the NS-5 though. I will just have to take a road trip down to you so we can blast them in your practice area to hear them at full volume.I have been driving all over the place lately for my daughter's competitions so driving to your area is nothing at this point
I dove up and back to Rhode Island in one day which was 4 hours each way so I should just load up the car with the Spector's and head to Leesburg
play your NS2's live peoples. they're expensive but they're not 57 strats or faberge eggs for chrissakes.
You're my hero j! YES!Well, I did say it would take me a while
I have been driving all over the place lately for my daughter's competitions so driving to your area is nothing at this point
Anytime dude, anytime.
IMO, keeping a US Spector in a closet/only playing it at home is like keeping a Ferrari in the garage and only starting it once a week to rev the engine a few times...it's just not right!
You said it brother!
Im so proud of my babies that I want everyone to experience the richness of the Spector tone! Why rob the public of hearing them?!?! I know that I don't play in dive bars and such but I play on really full stages with up to 16 musicians and 1-2 sound men running around like crazed Mad Hatters (Which I have to keep one eye on them and swat at them to get away once in awhile). Hehehe Another way to think of it...would you want to go to war with a inexpensive gun or the best that money can buy?!?! The BEST for me.
Thank you.- Status
