SPECTOR® Club - Part 71

[JPSBassist]

I really like the board on the fretless, nice conversion!

Thank you! The luthier that did the conversion did a great job. He even matched the filler for the pearl-dot holes to match the grain of the wood.

Crazy attention to detail.

I also think that the boat-epoxy fingerboard finish brings out the natural contrasts of the rosewood grain.

Oddly, my NS-2A fretless was the first true NS-Body Spector I owned and numerous Spectors later I still have it. Between the conversion and mods, I've got twice as much invested in it than it would/could ever sell for. So it's one that I'll always have. Plus it's my only fretless.

With a modern TonePump running in it and upgraded/current EMG active pups... it sounds awesome.

Here's the stuff I've done to it:

Defretted - fretless conversion
Custom solid premium brass nut (hand-fitted)
USA Spector Bridge (with intonation screws) Upgrade (I made a custom router template to do the upgrade)
Gold Schaller M4 (appropriate anchor screw) tuning machine updates
Active EMG P/J pup upgrades with additional routing to accommodate the larger size (modern EMG P/J pups are just slightly too large to fit the Kramer-Era passive P/J route)
Current (New) 9v TonePump circuit upgrade
Truss Rod Replacement/Upgrade to double-action modern truss
High-Speed buffing/polishing of the original gloss black finish, a new clear-coat applied.

 

[5string_phunk]

I'm going to epoxy ol' Spalty in the near future....just need to pay off and receive my BO 5MM before I can really think about sending it off to HG Thor!

 

[johnsonabq]

Nobody gives personalized service like Todd. This was on my (loosened) strings when I opened the case...

Here's another quick shot from last night. I put it on a white blanket for contrast...

I only had time to play it acoustically last night (and just look at it a lot). And tonight I have to ship out the last "extra" bass I needed to sell to pay for this puppy. I'll play it through my TCE RH450 w/phones asap. Can't run it through my rig until rehearsal on Friday. Can't wait to finally hear the classic NS-2 sound!

 

[Torn Bassist]

Thank you! The luthier that did the conversion did a great job. He even matched the filler for the pearl-dot holes to match the grain of the wood.

Crazy attention to detail.

I also think that the boat-epoxy fingerboard finish brings out the natural contrasts of the rosewood grain.

Oddly, my NS-2A fretless was the first true NS-Body Spector I owned and numerous Spectors later I still have it. Between the conversion and mods, I've got twice as much invested in it than it would/could ever sell for. So it's one that I'll always have. Plus it's my only fretless.

With a modern TonePump running in it and upgraded/current EMG active pups... it sounds awesome.

Here's the stuff I've done to it:

Defretted - fretless conversion
Custom solid premium brass nut (hand-fitted)
USA Spector Bridge (with intonation screws) Upgrade (I made a custom router template to do the upgrade)
Gold Schaller M4 (appropriate anchor screw) tuning machine updates
Active EMG P/J pup upgrades with additional routing to accommodate the larger size (modern EMG P/J pups are just slightly too large to fit the Kramer-Era passive P/J route)
Current (New) 9v TonePump circuit upgrade
Truss Rod Replacement/Upgrade to double-action modern truss
High-Speed buffing/polishing of the original gloss black finish, a new clear-coat applied.

I was wondering how he lifted the dots off the board, I knew that you said you did this as a conversion and thought at first he lowered the board because he knew that the boat epoxy would add some thickness...but...wow, matched it with the filler! That is great!!

 

[puremetal33]

I only had time to play it acoustically last night (and just look at it a lot). And tonight I have to ship out the last "extra" bass I needed to sell to pay for this puppy. I'll play it through my TCE RH450 w/phones asap. Can't run it through my rig until rehearsal on Friday. Can't wait to finally hear the classic NS-2 sound!

Can't wait man!

 

[iceboxbass]

Due to a hit and run accident I had last night, I may be selling one of my spectors.
We'll see how it plays out with my insurance company......

So either my Euro5LX or my 94 Woodstock SSD NS4.....
Hopefully I won't have to sell either. We'll see.
If I do I'll chime in here first and give you guys a heads up in case someone is interested from the club.

I pray everyone involved is doing okay?

 

[MikeBass]

I pray everyone involved is doing okay?

Oh yeah, I'm fine. My truck not so much!
The other driver tried to cut into a turn lane (that I was in) from through/traffic lanes. Actually the jack ass didn't want to wait in the mile long line of cars on the freeway.......anyway, we were moving along at about 35 or so when he (she??) decides to bypass everyone and cut in at the last second- you know the ones.....anyway, he realizes that the 1/2 car length isn't quite room enough for his car and locks it up halfway into my lane.
I hit him......
I proceed to limp my truck out of the traffic and onto the shoulder when I look up and he's speeding away with a bunch of damage to the right rear of his car.
The front of my truck..well...not so much.

GRR!!!!!

 

[Torn Bassist]

Nobody gives personalized service like Todd. This was on my (loosened) strings when I opened the case...

Here's another quick shot from last night. I put it on a white blanket for contrast...

I only had time to play it acoustically last night (and just look at it a lot). And tonight I have to ship out the last "extra" bass I needed to sell to pay for this puppy. I'll play it through my TCE RH450 w/phones asap. Can't run it through my rig until rehearsal on Friday. Can't wait to finally hear the classic NS-2 sound!

Didn't you get to take it to 'open mike night' last night Jeff?

I was also going to thank you for the note you sent in my package and tell you that I got to play with the Driver at the show last Saturday, still want to dial in the sound as I'm running it as a pre-amp as well as a direct signal....

 

[ynot12]

Oh yeah, I'm fine. My truck not so much!
The other driver tried to cut into a turn lane (that I was in) from through/traffic lanes. Actually the jack ass didn't want to wait in the mile long line of cars on the freeway.......anyway, we were moving along at about 35 or so when he (she??) decides to bypass everyone and cut in at the last second- you know the ones.....anyway, he realizes that the 1/2 car length isn't quite room enough for his car and locks it up halfway into my lane.
I hit him......
I proceed to limp my truck out of the traffic and onto the shoulder when I look up and he's speeding away with a bunch of damage to the right rear of his car.
The front of my truck..well...not so much.

GRR!!!!!

Dude, that really sucks. How uncool! Glad you made it through safely!!!

 

[johnsonabq]

Didn't you get to take it to 'open mike night' last night Jeff?

I was also going to thank you for the note you sent in my package and tell you that I got to play with the Driver at the show last Saturday, still want to dial in the sound as I'm running it as a pre-amp as well as a direct signal....

UPS was late as usual and then a good call to Todd to say it arrived safely and talk a bit, then dinner. After that I had no time for the open mic. (sigh)

I'm glad the ParaDriver is working out for you. Quite a handy little device. I only let it go because I have the Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe pedal for those "straight to the PA" nights.

 

[Basstovsky]

I'm thinkin of selling my Cherryburst NS20005, as I've got another Spector on the way, but I LOVE the finish on this bass.
I barely play it anymore due to the customised Legend Classic 6 I got however.

How do you guys convince yourself to sell a bass you love, but just don't play much anymore?

 

[louthedog]

Looking good! I miss that bass.

I'm not sure you can replace gotohs with Schallers. The gotoh tuners have a larger hole.

Didnt know that, saves the search, Thanks!

 

[johnsonabq]

How do you guys convince yourself to sell a bass you love, but just don't play much anymore?

I don't. My wife does it for me.

 

[Wolf Tower 5]

Need some professional help from some experts in the group here. I may have found a Craigslist golden nugget. Here is what I do know. Neck through, solid wings, natural finish, EMGs,working truss rod and case. Still waiting for a reply back on some questions I sent the seller. Price is $400, and In all reality, I would look at this as a project bass. The strap buttons were replaced with a set of eye bolts, why, I haven't a clue yet. There is also an added toggle switch, also do not know what for. Trying to get more info from seller. About a three hour drive from where I live so trying to do some major investigative work before traveling six hours round trip. But if everything checks out, I'm thinking Im going to grab it. Fill all the added holes with dowel rods, sand and have it refinished in the pearl white.

Here are some pics from the add. Let me know what you guys think. I think it's an older Euro but not 100% sure.

 

[THE DANiMAL]

Need some professional help from some experts in the group here. I may have found a Craigslist golden nugget. Here is what I do know. Neck through, solid wings, natural finish, EMGs,working truss rod and case. Still waiting for a reply back on some questions I sent the seller. Price is $400, and In all reality, I would look at this as a project bass. The strap buttons were replaced with a set of eye bolts, why, I haven't a clue yet. There is also an added toggle switch, also do not know what for. Trying to get more info from seller. About a three hour drive from where I live so trying to do some major investigative work before traveling six hours round trip. But if everything checks out, I'm thinking Im going to grab it. Fill all the added holes with dowel rods, sand and have it refinished in the pearl white.

Here are some pics from the add. Let me know what you guys think. I think it's an older Euro but not 100% sure.

View attachment 373074

View attachment 373075

View attachment 373076

I eyed this bass for a minute. It's a good price, It just wasn't worth the drive and repairs to me. If you're willing to put in the time, it'll be nice. The refin might be a bit pricey though. If having a custom finish is worth it to you, I say go for it.

 

[awilkie84]

Aaaarrgh!! So, news from the tech working on my ReBop's seized truss rod & broken truss nut. He tried to heat up the glue so he could lift the board & it won't lift because Spector ReBops have their fingerboards epoxied to the neck. This is seriously frustrating because the only thing he can try to do now is to get a longer diamond bit and grind the nut off. Not to mention that the labour costs are going to be more than we had anticipated.

Luckily he knows not to go as far as to break the cost of a new neck. Here's hoping I don't have to go that far. I just want my baby back.

 

[MDBass]

I'm thinkin of selling my Cherryburst NS20005, as I've got another Spector on the way, but I LOVE the finish on this bass.
I barely play it anymore due to the customised Legend Classic 6 I got however.

How do you guys convince yourself to sell a bass you love, but just don't play much anymore?

I think I'll always keep my first bass, which is a now frankenstein'd jazz, despite the fact that I literally haven't played it at all since picking up the Coda this year; this partially due to sentimental value, and partially due to not being able to sell it for anywhere near what I've put into it with all of the aftermarket parts.

As far as the numerous other basses I've had and loved over the years (this year in particular) that I've sold due to not having active uses for them, it actually felt quite good to break out of the hoarding mindset and send them on to new homes where they'd see much more use.

Great instruments are meant to be played; if you barely play the NS2000/5 now due to your Legend, something tells me you won't be playing it at all once your new Spector arrives, especially considering the only thing you mentioned loving about the NS2000/5 was the finish.

It's always nice to be the guy that starts someone else's Spector love affair

 

[bassboy01]

I don't. My wife does it for me.

 

[iceboxbass]

Should have mentioned, yeah I totally ok. A little sore from my seat belt.
Just pissed that it looks like I'm stuck with paying the deductible. Even though it was a hit and run accident and determined that I was in no way at fault.

Don't know how I'm gonna handle this yet.....grr!!!

Yeah thank you Michigan "No-Fault" insurance! I've heard rumblings lately of that being up for change soon.

 

[puremetal33]

So New (to me) Bass Day is Monday for me here! Yippeee!