SPECTOR® Club - Part 63

[bunkaroo]

Hey Torn, congrats on the NS-2! You basically have the same two basses as I ordered now, albeit both 4-strings. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the differences between the two.

 

[PhatBasstard]

No, I'm sure his answer is the actual reason....for balance. No problem here either. Have a great night!

Maybe. But as stated, PJ was probably "balancing" on playground equipment at the point this first was an issue.
And the reason I was given, by a reputable source, exactly matched my own experience. So.....
Yes, have a great night.

Not to drag out this conversation, but my Brooklyn NS-2 came to me with the strap peg in the middle, one of the previous owners clearly moved it.

In my attempts to bring it back to how it was I moved it back to the stock position.

I immediately changed it back to the middle. Balance is spot on in both positions but I tend to hold my necks pretty horizontal so the middle position was more comfortable to me. I also thought the peg in the middle position brought the first fret closer to me as the bass sits a little more on my right side now.

Different strokes for different folks, but I really like the peg in the middle.

This is just a "story".
I'm clearly the only person to practice this.

 

[PhatBasstard]

Hardly the attitude of some guy who wants to create a mythology around what he'd done.

I would never accuse Stuart himself of such a thing.
It's just seems the attitude of some is that Stuart can do no wrong.
When I'm sure (and history has bore this out) that certain things have happened where Stuart probably said: "Boy, if I would have just done that from the beginning.....".
It's human.

Actually, I'm the myth builder... the chronicler of the Spector tale.

As opposed to the "Mythical Builder"?

However... should a Spector "Cult" arise of its own volition, I'd be happy to become one of the mystical mythological figureheads... I mean why not?

You can certainly be a fan without drinking the Kool-Aid.

 

[flam]

Hello, all. A local store decided that they would only sell band equipment, and had a closeout on all their guitars. They happened to have an almost mint legend-5 that I picked up for $325.

I have a question regarding the tone. I know it's one of the lower end Spectors, but I can't seem to get a good powerful tone without boosting the hell out of the bass. Is there a reccomended configuration, or some electronics or something I need to change to bring it up to par?

I'll get around to posting a picture eventually, too

 

[worshiprocker]

Hello, all. A local store decided that they would only sell band equipment, and had a closeout on all their guitars. They happened to have an almost mint legend-5 that I picked up for $325.

I have a question regarding the tone. I know it's one of the lower end Spectors, but I can't seem to get a good powerful tone without boosting the hell out of the bass. Is there a reccomended configuration, or some electronics or something I need to change to bring it up to par?

I'll get around to posting a picture eventually, too

I would check the battery first. I have a Legend 4x and have no problem getting a powerful tone. keep in mind that the preamp in that bass (tonepump jr) is boost only, and the pickups are passive and low output. the preamp adds substantial volume increase and a punchy/powerful tone.

How are you running your knobs? amp? I run my bass knob about 50% and treble at about 50%. My amp is boosting low mid and high mid a little. That might be a good place to start IMHO

 

[johnsonabq]

Hello, all. A local store decided that they would only sell band equipment, and had a closeout on all their guitars.

With today's cutbacks in school funding this hardly seems like a wise move. But then, it's a good opportunity for you.

I have a question regarding the tone. I know it's one of the lower end Spectors, but I can't seem to get a good powerful tone without boosting the hell out of the bass. Is there a recommended configuration, or some electronics or something I need to change to bring it up to par?

Like Donny said, make sure the battery's good. And many do go ahead and crank the tone up all the way. If that gives you the sound you want, why not?

You didn't mention the amp you use. Maybe that could be part of the problem or solution. Again, like Donny mentioned.

Then there's the age old method of going to active pups and/or upgrade the preamp.

If it plays/feels right then that's the main thing. My first Spector was a Euro and I swapped out the pups and pre on that to make it what I wanted. It's all good.

Let us know how things work out.

 

[husky123]

Maybe. But as stated, PJ was probably "balancing" on playground equipment at the point this first was an issue.
And the reason I was given, by a reputable source, exactly matched my own experience. So.....
Yes, have a great night.

This is just a "story".
I'm clearly the only person to practice this.

I never inferred you were the only person to practice this. I just mentioned you're probably in the 20%. I guess if I ever get a used Spector with a wood screw in it I'll know where it comes from. . Maybe then I'll be a convert? Stranger things...

 

[iceboxbass]

I just couldn't dig it, my hand arm just wasnt sliding on the finish like I'm used to and I only picked it up an hour before the show so I didn't really have any time to mess with it. I ran the EQ relatively flat with my Sansamp doing most of the work and it sounded great all night.

Torn -
I'm actually in the works of ordering a USA 5 from Todd actually, just waiting for the right time to drop the cash. I was planning on the unfinished neck but I'm kinda second guessing it now considering I didn't really like the Ibanez. Can anyone comment on the USA B.O necks? I'll have to talk to him about the jack, too. I'm hoping I can take care of it myself, but I cant seem to figure out a way to disassemble the input jack at all, and theres no access to it from the electronics cavity it seems.

Duke...the bolt-on neck on my Coda 5XL DLX is unfinished/oiled and I love it better compared to the gloss finished necks that I've had before on my other Spectors. It allows my fret hand to move smoothly and quickly. Especially when it gets to be 110% humidity here in the summer. Any custom orders that I make in the future will be oiled necks.

As for the input jack on your bass...just recently, I took the input jack out of my former NS-2000/5 and it was just a matter of unsoldering the wires connected to the jack, then there's a lock nut inside of the electronic cavity. Carefully loosen the nut with a open end wrench or needled nose pliers, once loosened you should be able to spin it off with your fingers or grab the knurled part of the input jack on the outside and spin it while holding the lock nut until the nut is all the way off. Once nut is off the jack just pull the input jack out of the cavity from the outside.

 

[iceboxbass]

Schallers or dunlops ?

DUNLOPS!

 

[loend68]

Hey gents...another one is going on the block to fund previous and upcoming purchases. NS4CRFM w/ NS2a haz copy pre. Message me for more details.

 

[e.rich]

Question for the class. Did/Does anyone else have trouble adjusting to or moving between 34" and 35" scale necks? I'm trying like hell to get use to the longer scale on my Forte but I just can't seem to get comfortable with it. I find myself reaching for swampy more often than not. Discuss.

 

[bunkaroo]

Question for the class. Did/Does anyone else have trouble adjusting to or moving between 34" and 35" scale necks? I'm trying like hell to get use to the longer scale on my Forte but I just can't seem to get comfortable with it. I find myself reaching for swampy more often than not. Discuss.

This is a big reason I moved the Kramer NS-2. Before I got my first Euro 5LX, I had never played a 35" scale bass before. It was an adjustment, and at the time I was moving between my Stingray 5 and my 5LX so that made it weird.

Eventually I settled in on just the 35". So when I got the Kramer earlier this year, it felt off for me especially when standing and playing when I might not be looking at the fretboard.

If you were moving to 35" exclusively I would say just grit it out and get used to it, but since I'm pretty sure you're sticking with the 34" 4-strings, if it gets to be too uncomfortable, maybe the new 34" NS-5 in the answer for your 5-string needs.

 

[johnsonabq]

Question for the class. Did/Does anyone else have trouble adjusting to or moving between 34" and 35" scale necks? I'm trying like hell to get use to the longer scale on my Forte but I just can't seem to get comfortable with it. I find myself reaching for swampy more often than not. Discuss.

I must admit that when I first went to a five string bass (I'm assuming that's the 35" scale to which you refer ) I went to it completely. No more four string 34" scale basses for me for the next 19 years. But now that I've gotten a NS-4CR I am enjoying them a lot. I switch to the four string on every song I have no need for the low B on. The transition is not that bad and just takes a little getting used to. I'm now flipping back and forth with no issues.

 

[NOLA Bass]

This is a big reason I moved the Kramer NS-2. Before I got my first Euro 5LX, I had never played a 35" scale bass before. It was an adjustment, and at the time I was moving between my Stingray 5 and my 5LX so that made it weird.

Eventually I settled in on just the 35". So when I got the Kramer earlier this year, it felt off for me especially when standing and playing when I might not be looking at the fretboard.

If you were moving to 35" exclusively I would say just grit it out and get used to it, but since I'm pretty sure you're sticking with the 34" 4-strings, if it gets to be too uncomfortable, maybe the new 34" NS-5 in the answer for your 5-string needs.

I was worried when I got that first Euro 435LX, but I have found I've adapted quickly. Since I use the 2 435's in one band exclusively and my 34" scale basses in other bands, I find that it doesn't really throw me off. I could see how switching back and forth in the same band/same songs might be a tad trickier.

 

[bunkaroo]

I was worried when I got that first Euro 435LX, but I have found I've adapted quickly. Since I use the 2 435's in one band exclusively and my 34" scale basses in other bands, I find that it doesn't really throw me off. I could see how switching back and forth in the same band/same songs might be a tad trickier.

Good point. Plus I was dealing with a thicker neck and an extra string in addition to the scale difference.

If I played a 34" exclusively for one project and a 35" for another probably not as bad.

 

[johnsonabq]

Question for the class. Did/Does anyone else have trouble adjusting to or moving between 34" and 35" scale necks? I'm trying like hell to get use to the longer scale on my Forte but I just can't seem to get comfortable with it. I find myself reaching for swampy more often than not. Discuss.

I might suggest committing to the 35" scale for the next few months. Then try swapping back and forth. Still not sure if you refer to a five or four stringer. I found the width of the fiver more of a challenge then the scale.

 

[e.rich]

Good point. Plus I was dealing with a thicker neck and an extra string in addition to the scale difference.

If I played a 34" exclusively for one project and a 35" for another probably not as bad.

Thanks for the input, gents. I should have specified. Yes, it's the move back/forth between the 35" scale on the Forte 5 and the 34" scale on my Euro4 that's causing me some anguish. I think it just comes down to the 34" scale being more comfortable. That NS5 could be just the ticket.

 

[e.rich]

I might suggest committing to the 35" scale for the next few months. Then try swapping back and forth. Still not sure if you refer to a five or four stringer. I found the width of the fiver more of a challenge then the scale.

Surprisingly, the width doesn't bother me all that much. I may try those instructional videos that John suggested a few pages back to get my hands in better shape for the longer scale.

 

[Torn Bassist]

Hey Torn, congrats on the NS-2! You basically have the same two basses as I ordered now, albeit both 4-strings. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the differences between the two.

Thank You Bunk.

So far the Ultraviolet has the brightness and just seems louder because of the neck, Todd adjusted the bridge for me while I was in Tulsa (I seem to attack the bass a little while I play some of the faster note filled songs and I like to copy different sound textures that have been recorded) which helped a lot...I'm loving the BEM and its individual tone quality.

The Black Cherry with the Pau Ferro neck has a warmth in both feel and it tone so far, I still need to play this bass a little more but there is a genuine tone difference between these two basses and this one is more...hummm...woody! lol

 

[Rebopmass]

No problem here going between 34 and 35. But having played both im now sticking with 34s.


Hey still have the original tone pump out of spector for sale if someone is interested