Wish I could have made it out looked like a good time.
Looks like the wood is on fire in this picture.
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Wish I could have made it out looked like a good time.
Looks like the wood is on fire in this picture.
I used to be a neck pickup guy. That is, until I played on the bridge pickup on my bass last night.
I've owned a few basses and I've never had a bridge pickup sound so damn good. All I needed to do was up the low knob a teeny bit and there it was, full and rockin' the hell out of the song I was playing. It takes a little more effort than the neck, which I could probably play with a feather, but even after hours of selected James Jamerson Jackson 5 songs (I'm preppin myself for my flatwounds, and I've had a huge funk interest resurgence recently) in "Darling Dear" and "I Want You Back" my right hand was doing it's thing.
I know it's an oft-repeated thing in this thread, but damn do I love this damn bass.
I've owned a few basses and I've never had a bridge pickup sound so damn good. All I needed to do was up the low knob a teeny bit and there it was, full and rockin' the hell out of the song I was playing. It takes a little more effort than the neck, which I could probably play with a feather, but even after hours of selected James Jamerson Jackson 5 songs (I'm preppin myself for my flatwounds, and I've had a huge funk interest resurgence recently) in "Darling Dear" and "I Want You Back" my right hand was doing it's thing.
I know it's an oft-repeated thing in this thread, but damn do I love this damn bass.
Hi Spector guys! As LimaGuy already knows, I'm on a mission for my first proper Spector (Euro probably). But I want to ask some questions to you all, as I've only ever played an NS-2A and a very nice Euro clone. So I know I love the tone and the body shape, but not really a clue about the rest. I'm thinking about buying new, since I've had a few unpleasant experiences buying used.
I'll be wanting a euro Wimbish with the 1.5" nut. For those of you with a Wimbish, how's the balance on the strap? And what kind of strap do you use?
Does the neck have any reinforcement (graphite, carbon or titanium rods)?
I probably want a maple fretboard. Is this possible on euros, and what sort of cost I looking at?
Finally, how would I order a new one? Is there any benefit to going through a dealer, or would I be better off emailing Spector directly? I live in the UK.
Thanks
I'll be wanting a euro Wimbish with the 1.5" nut. For those of you with a Wimbish, how's the balance on the strap? And what kind of strap do you use?
Does the neck have any reinforcement (graphite, carbon or titanium rods)?
I probably want a maple fretboard. Is this possible on euros, and what sort of cost I looking at?
Finally, how would I order a new one? Is there any benefit to going through a dealer, or would I be better off emailing Spector directly? I live in the UK.
Thanks
I hear you dude. That's where my hand spends 90% of its time. Case in point:
It's all in the tone you're going after but, yes, these Spector's sound amazing when played over the bridge pup. Great way to get a pseudo pick tone for us fingerstyle players.
I actually enjoy the higher tension by the bridge. I feel like I can do triplets and get a more even tone easier. The growls this thing gets when I do the fills is so, well, growly and nice.
- Sep 20, 2008
- 3,369
- 38
- Disclosures
- Jim Dunlop USA, King Kong Cases, Golden Eagle Energy Drink
Ok, here we go......so last night, as you've seen a couple shot already, I got to play Lee's Kramer era NS2. Summary.....I like it ALOT.....details....
Having been a Warwick and a Spector guy I have had a specific tone in my head, I have had PJ Spectors before, mind you not any NS2's but euros, crfm and ns2a. I have had a euro with a current 9voltusa pre. This one is a different animal.....the Kramer era 9volt, use to be referred to as "the HAZ" has a cool mid grind to it live that I could not get with the newer version in a all maple winged euro.......essentially a Czech ns2.
Now my faux ns4.....the matte finished 34 scale tw....converted to DCs and a 18 volt Spector USA pre....it's fully round and big and works awesome when I need it to in my three piece cover group...it fills the holes when the singer drops out to play a lead or something and it sounds awesome in drop tuning....huge.....
However....that particular road warrior ns2 cut through and had a neat tone I can't describe but it sounded great.....nice mids and I tend to really dig in sometimes and it had this little breakup distortion thing going on.....and it didn't clip anything....needless to say.....combined with my Mesa m6, a fdeck high pass filter and Aguilar db112 and 112nt......it was a,samurai sword of death cutting through the dual distorted guitars for my AIC cover band and really shined bright when we closed the set with man in a box......so.....
I like the ns2....I like it enough to try and negotiate its own ship transference.....LOL. Time will tell on that.
Bottom line, the DCs and 18 volt sound great in a trio where you really need to fill the air with sound.....the ns2 was an essential cutting blade when associated with dual distorted guitars. I'm a believer......and promised Lee I would public ally state that......
That old Kramer era bass ain't no beauty queen......and I know why, because it was made to be played.....I like em like that......you don't have to worry about that first dent ding or scratch. I'm not bad mouthing her looks on any way.....people talk about buying an ns2 and not taking it out with their band......you are missing out. I can speak for the ns2 I played and say if yours is like that you MUST take it out.....if you like it in the bedroom or study.....wait till you play with a band at stage volume!!!!!
Last thing......compliments last night from everyone on my tone and playing.....even the Redline Chemistry guys......I'm feeling pretty happy today!
Hopefully,I left nothing out.....thanks Lee and Ho.....you both rock!
Having been a Warwick and a Spector guy I have had a specific tone in my head, I have had PJ Spectors before, mind you not any NS2's but euros, crfm and ns2a. I have had a euro with a current 9voltusa pre. This one is a different animal.....the Kramer era 9volt, use to be referred to as "the HAZ" has a cool mid grind to it live that I could not get with the newer version in a all maple winged euro.......essentially a Czech ns2.
Now my faux ns4.....the matte finished 34 scale tw....converted to DCs and a 18 volt Spector USA pre....it's fully round and big and works awesome when I need it to in my three piece cover group...it fills the holes when the singer drops out to play a lead or something and it sounds awesome in drop tuning....huge.....
However....that particular road warrior ns2 cut through and had a neat tone I can't describe but it sounded great.....nice mids and I tend to really dig in sometimes and it had this little breakup distortion thing going on.....and it didn't clip anything....needless to say.....combined with my Mesa m6, a fdeck high pass filter and Aguilar db112 and 112nt......it was a,samurai sword of death cutting through the dual distorted guitars for my AIC cover band and really shined bright when we closed the set with man in a box......so.....
I like the ns2....I like it enough to try and negotiate its own ship transference.....LOL. Time will tell on that.
Bottom line, the DCs and 18 volt sound great in a trio where you really need to fill the air with sound.....the ns2 was an essential cutting blade when associated with dual distorted guitars. I'm a believer......and promised Lee I would public ally state that......
That old Kramer era bass ain't no beauty queen......and I know why, because it was made to be played.....I like em like that......you don't have to worry about that first dent ding or scratch. I'm not bad mouthing her looks on any way.....people talk about buying an ns2 and not taking it out with their band......you are missing out. I can speak for the ns2 I played and say if yours is like that you MUST take it out.....if you like it in the bedroom or study.....wait till you play with a band at stage volume!!!!!
Last thing......compliments last night from everyone on my tone and playing.....even the Redline Chemistry guys......I'm feeling pretty happy today!
Hopefully,I left nothing out.....thanks Lee and Ho.....you both rock!
Yep, I have a Kramer-era and the Matte Euro with a current 9v HAZ lab Spector the two Brooklyn's and other Kramer-era with original circuits are a bit different in the treble circuit while the newer circuit is a bit boomier in the bass and does not represent that high mid growl that the older circuit can achieve. Both have their uses, but a original Brooklyn or Kramer-era is a must have for me. Recordings really can't capture the vibe these pre's put but a couple notes live automatically give you that **** eating grin.
PJ just got back to me. It looks like the new US 9v will fit and the original switches were for active/passive, as well as a phase switch for the P pickup which would have been Dimarzio. Luckily that shouldn't be too difficult to wire up as the switches would go before the preamp, so I wouldn't have to do anything crazy to the circuit.
I got a cool white ns2A that sounds just like that
and a green one that even meaner 
cool deal!
I guess the question is were there ever any early basses that weren't made with the US 9v? I didn't think the dimarzio basses had it.
Hopefully none of the vault collectors will snatch it up never to be seen again, and early bidders will not drive the price too high. I never understood why people bid so early on items only to drive the price up and be outbid in the last 10 seconds.
I would tell you why, but every last word I would come up with will probably get nailed by the swear filter.
Let's just say you could use the dirtier parts of ones anatomy to describe those fellows.
Yes. That's right. All of them are ears.
Also, is the Carvin store always this damn slow? I placed my order for the LaBella Black Nylon Tapewounds on thursday, and I just got an email saying it's finally being processed this morning.
I seriously seriously can't wait to string this thing up. I feel like I did the week before I went and got the thing.
I seriously seriously can't wait to string this thing up. I feel like I did the week before I went and got the thing.
- Sep 20, 2008
- 3,369
- 38
- Disclosures
- Jim Dunlop USA, King Kong Cases, Golden Eagle Energy Drink
I got a cool white ns2A that sounds just like that
You know I told Lee that the blue NS2 reminded me alot of that white ns2a!!!!!!
johnsonabq
Watch out where the huskies go...
Other than no trim pot how much different is the Tone Pump Jr. Been thinking about a fretless Legend but not sure what to expect for tone.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Tones good but the Tone Pump Jr. is boost only, no cut, no mids, no volume. Kind of a pain in the ass. The Legends themselves are fantastic (<-owner) but the preamp leaves a lot to be desired in the terms of control. The bridge pickup has a great growl tone, though, and for fretless it'll probably serve ya well.
My next mod for my bass will be purchasing a Tone Pump and ripping out the Jr.
I hope not, I have some gigs and studio time coming up in the next couple of months and I'd like to have it electronically restored and useable by then if I win it. Hopefully the price doesn't go too high considering its current state. If it does I may have to just hold out for one that doesn't need any work. It sure would be cool to have such an early model though!
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