SPECTOR® Club - Part 72

[Trailight]

Finally!! After being delayed in transit, my first Spector has arrived!

She plays wonderfully! The neck profile is a bit thicker than what I am accustomed to but I had no issues whatsoever belting out a couple of songs with her!! I'm still screwing with the controls but she growls with ease!!

I think she'd look better with black hardware but I'll mull that over before deciding.

Quick question, what type strings come standard on the NS2's? I'm guessing steel? They don't feel like nickel.

Joe

Congrats dude!

 

[worshiprocker]

I'd like a number..I've tried posting pics but for some reason the upload always fails. Really ticks me off. I understand I need a photoshop program to reduce the size of the pics. I'd still like a number if that is ok with the admin.

I use tinypic to upload pictures to and then they give you the whole url with the

 

[worshiprocker]

Just had my first gig with my Fender PRO 610 and it was really awesome. Some how this cab is actually more mid focused than my Ampegs. I have a sansamp on the way and I should be ready to go …. Jade was my goto tonight and boy did she shine.

 

[e.rich]

Beautiful bass by the way. That is the great thing about Spector's. The necks might be a bit chunky but they are very comfortable to play and always feel great in your hands.

^^THIS^^ +1. Love the green, btw. What can I say? I'm a sucker for green Spectors.

 

[anton72]

Guys, anybody seen new Darkglass Duality fuzz and 3Leaf Audio fuzz demos? Should be a great stuff considering their B3K and B7K pedals.

 

[Rickenbass]

Their probably steels, possibly 602's. the necks are a little thicker but they are hand finished. Much better for extended playing and no hand cramps. Play it for a wile and you'll see what the fuss is about.

Oh no, no, no, please don't mis-understand. The transition from Rickenbacker to the Spector went seamlessly! It really did! The neck thickness was not a problem in any way. If the fretboard would have been wider then maybe it would have taken a bit more to feel comfortable. If anything, the extra frets have been the most "bizarre" aspect of this new bass!

So, I've been able to locate black Gotoh tuners but the Spector site has no black USA bridges listed. is this something you have to call for to request?? Or are they posted from time to time?

Joe

 

[cableguy]

Just had my first gig with my Fender PRO 610 and it was really awesome. Some how this cab is actually more mid focused than my Ampegs. I have a sansamp on the way and I should be ready to go …. Jade was my goto tonight and boy did she shine.

Glad the cab worked out for you. Are you getting a poweramp or running the RBI/RPM into your GK?

 

[worshiprocker]

Glad the cab worked out for you. Are you getting a poweramp or running the RBI/RPM into your GK?

For now I'm going to run it into my ampeg svt 6 pro. It has a preamp in that actually bypasses the onboard pre. But eventually I'll get a poweramp just for the sake of trying it lol.

Our stage manager (read roadie) was like... dude I really like that cab.

 

[NOLA Bass]

Guys, anybody seen new Darkglass Duality fuzz and 3Leaf Audio fuzz demos? Should be a great stuff considering their B3K and B7K pedals.

Just got my Duality!

 

[worshiprocker]

Guys, anybody seen new Darkglass Duality fuzz and 3Leaf Audio fuzz demos? Should be a great stuff considering their B3K and B7K pedals.

I just watched a rig rundown of adam nolly from periphery. He has a prototype signature model with dingwall that has a darkglass onboard preamp… hmmm, that sounds like a good idea.

 

[cableguy]

For now I'm going to run it into my ampeg svt 6 pro. It has a preamp in that actually bypasses the onboard pre. But eventually I'll get a poweramp just for the sake of trying it lol.

Our stage manager (read roadie) was like... dude I really like that cab.

I think you'll like the Tech 21. Is it the RBI or RPM. I've had both and they are great pre's. Just remember the blend knob is your friend. FWIW I can get my BDDI (with added mid control) which is basically a RBI in a box, to sound about 90% of my SVP-Pro. Works great when I just want to take my bass, BDDI & tuner to run straight to FOH. This is what I do when I play worship or when my band practices. I've also head of guys running the RBI/RPM through the effects loop of their GK's for an Eddie Jackson like tone.

 

[worshiprocker]

I think you'll like the Tech 21. Is it the RBI or RPM. I've had both and they are great pre's. Just remember the blend knob is your friend. FWIW I can get my BDDI (with added mid control) which is basically a RBI in a box, to sound about 90% of my SVP-Pro. Works great when I just want to take my bass, BDDI & tuner to run straight to FOH. This is what I do when I play worship or when my band practices. I've also head of guys running the RBI/RPM through the effects loop of their GK's for an Eddie Jackson like tone.

I grabbed an RBI. I've helped dial in a buddies rig with one. I didn't care for my BDDI when I had it, but I love the tone of the RBI. I'm shooting for a rack only setup for ease of use when I need it. I picked up a rack tuner last night and the RBI is on its way.

The only thing I need to figure out is a mute pedal for tuning. I think the ampeg has a footswitchable mute, I just need to look at it

 

[iceboxbass]

Finally!! After being delayed in transit, my first Spector has arrived!

She plays wonderfully! The neck profile is a bit thicker than what I am accustomed to but I had no issues whatsoever belting out a couple of songs with her!! I'm still screwing with the controls but she growls with ease!!

I think she'd look better with black hardware but I'll mull that over before deciding.

Quick question, what type strings come standard on the NS2's? I'm guessing steel? They don't feel like nickel.

Joe

Congratulations Joe! She's a beauty! IMHO, I believe gold electronic control knobs would REALLY make this bass eye popping. I never understood why they put gold bridge & tuners on these basses but not the control knobs??? Just seems undone to me. They should Either go all gold, black or silver.

This was The Brooklyn Gig Center. His business did close and he is legit
The owner actually had 3 bolt-on's he has been trying to sell. I spoke to him a while back.
Here are some photos of which seems to be the last one that he has.

I looked on bassgear.com this morning and didn't see a picture, so thanks Sam. What a beauty! Love the piano black high gloss with all gold hardware. SEE, they can do it with all one color hardware, why not on all? If it was a 5r I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

hello all I just wanted to say I finally drank the kool aid and found myself in possession of a tasty legend fiver as of last Wednesday after stopping to pick up some strings at the local music store. I have always been in awe of spectors since the 80's, just loved their tones on my favorite recordings but never had the cash to pick one up. I never even knew of the lower priced models. Ive mostly played fender products with a few rickys and yamahas thrown in over the years, but never laid hands on a spector. well all it took was one time picking one up. the tones form the unplugged instrument was exactly what I was looking for and with an asking price of 300 clams I couldn't say no to this gently used tone machine. I gigged it twice last weekend through my ampeg svt and it sounded pretty good. the bass felt great but was a little flat. I am planning on replacing the pickups with either the hz's or 40dc, and either going with the bqc or tp, replacing the jr so I can have control over the output. of course I will be doing the 18v mod. my first question is which pup is better suited for this bass? Im not familiar with either EMG pickup, but it seems the 40dc is the upgraded pup from what I have read. this is where I will start with my mods unless the gurus here have any other tried and true methods of modding these little beasts. with so little invested in this little monster, I feel no remorse in giving her the shoes that will let her run with the big dogs... and oh yes, there will eventually be an American model in my stable from what little Ive played this already.

Congratulations on you first Spector bass! Welcome to our Family here!
I'd recommend going with EMG 40P5/40J pickups with a TonePump pre, plus change the string nut to a brass nut if it hasn't been already. That'll add a LOT of growl and high sizzle to the beast! Enjoy!

If you like the old tones , go with a Emg 40p and 40j (p/j pickups in the 40 housing) and a tone pump. That will get you sounding close to the big dogs. It will have a little more bite than the NT's so I might actually keep it at 9v. The p/j setup will be a bit more aggro than the DC setup and give you the growl n grunt your looking for from the old school tones. The DC 's are great and have a bit more low end but just don't get it like the p/j set does. The pump isn't that far off from the HAZ so you'll get the Spector goodness with a little more low and high boost on tap. Don't forget to post a pic n get a #. Welcome to the sickness

+1!

Oh no, no, no, please don't mis-understand. The transition from Rickenbacker to the Spector went seamlessly! It really did! The neck thickness was not a problem in any way. If the fretboard would have been wider then maybe it would have taken a bit more to feel comfortable. If anything, the extra frets have been the most "bizarre" aspect of this new bass!

So, I've been able to locate black Gotoh tuners but the Spector site has no black USA bridges listed. is this something you have to call for to request?? Or are they posted from time to time?

Joe

Joe you may need to call the Spector Store and talk with JoAnn. They should be available.

 

[JGbassman]

Thanks for the tips! It still has the graphite nut on it so that's down the line a bit yet. I will check into the suggested pups. I have played active basses in the past but this thing has its own sound for sure. And the neck is so easy to play on. I was playing "a portrait of tracy" on it earlier and the dynamics and tonal variances are so much different than my fenders. I feel I have much more control over the sounds I can produce from my fingers. Amazing. The sound I am trying to produce with this bass is along the lines of godsmacks bassist. I just love the tone he gets. Anyway thanks for the tips! This is going to be a fun little project!

 

[johnsonabq]

I grabbed an RBI. I've helped dial in a buddies rig with one. I didn't care for my BDDI when I had it, but I love the tone of the RBI. I'm shooting for a rack only setup for ease of use when I need it. I picked up a rack tuner last night and the RBI is on its way.

The only thing I need to figure out is a mute pedal for tuning. I think the ampeg has a footswitchable mute, I just need to look at it

So you went with the RBI. I remember Bunk saying (Speaking of Bunk where's he been lately? I only see him on Facebook now.) that he preferred the RBI over the RPM for his sound. Good, I'm glad you found something quickly.

I still plan to put my Ampeg SVP-Pro into the effects loop of my RH750 but haven't done it yet as I'm still messing with RH750, playing with different sounds from it. I want to be completely familiar with it first.

BTW... I have a Korg Pitchblack I'm not using anymore since the TCE head has a tuner. PM me if you're interested.

 

[johnsonabq]

String Question:
Which strings do you think are brighter; DR Hi Beams, or, D'Addario Pro Steels?

What say YOU!

 

[Rickenbass]

String Question:
Which strings do you think are brighter; DR Hi Beams, or, D'Addario Pro Steels?

What say YOU!

Can't answer this, sorry. I use nickel primarily. But, I just got back from my local Sam Ash music store. I was looking for a set of nickels to put on my NS2, since I don't like the feel of the stainless ones that came on the bass. I was surprised to find that very few string manufacturers make tapered strings. DR does not and I'm told neither does D'Addario. I got back and ordered a set of nickels from Spector.

So, here is the question, the string groove on my E string saddle does not look large at all. As a mater of fact, it looks non existent. Do I need a tapered E string on my Spector??

Joe

 

[mmbongo]

String Question:
Which strings do you think are brighter; DR Hi Beams, or, D'Addario Pro Steels?

What say YOU!

I'd say ProSteels are brighter, but much higher tension and rougher feeling.

But, HiBeams are smoother feeling and they have that fullness that you can only get from a round core string. I use nothing but Dragon Skins on my 4 strings now, which are coated HiBeams.

 

[johnsonabq]

Can't answer this, sorry. I use nickel primarily. But, I just got back from my local Sam Ash music store. I was looking for a set of nickels to put on my NS2, since I don't like the feel of the stainless ones that came on the bass. I was surprised to find that very few string manufacturers make tapered strings. DR does not and I'm told neither does D'Addario. I got back and ordered a set of nickels from Spector.

So, here is the question, the string groove on my E string saddle does not look large at all. As a mater of fact, it looks non existent. Do I need a tapered E string on my Spector??

Joe

I think you meant very few make tapered strings in nickel? I've found many that make tapered strings but most do seem to be SS. None of my Spectors have string grooves (except what's worn into the metal through use). I think that's the case with your new NS2. The string should rest in a natural spot without need to pull to the side, so go ahead and put non-tapered strings on. Unless tapered is your preference.

I'd say ProSteels are brighter, but much higher tension and rougher feeling.

But, HiBeams are smoother feeling and they have that fullness that you can only get from a round core string. I use nothing but Dragon Skins on my 4 strings now, which are coated HiBeams.

So you're saying Pro Steels are hex core? I tried to find out the core type but couldn't find it. I actually prefer the extra tension of hex core (at this point in time ). And since I like to change my strings as soon as the "zing" is gone $5 difference between D'Addario and DR means a lot.

I've switched to DR Low Riders in heavy gauge on my NS2 and I'm toying with the idea of hex core/heavy gauge on my NS5XL. I play the fiver predominantly with my fingers and want a string with a lot of harmonic content. Low end content is not much of an issue since between the bass' pre and my amps pre I can dial in all the low end I want.

Thanks for the info!

 

[mmbongo]

I think you meant very few make tapered strings in nickel? I've found many that make tapered strings but most do seem to be SS. None of my Spectors have string grooves (except what's worn into the metal through use). I think that's the case with your new NS2. The string should rest in a natural spot without need to pull to the side, so go ahead and put non-tapered strings on. Unless tapered is your preference.



So you're saying Pro Steels are hex core? I tried to find out the core type but couldn't find it. I actually prefer the extra tension of hex core (at this point in time ). And since I like to change my strings as soon as the "zing" is gone $5 difference between D'Addario and DR means a lot.

I've switched to DR Low Riders in heavy gauge on my NS2 and I'm toying with the idea of hex core/heavy gauge on my NS5XL. I play the fiver predominantly with my fingers and want a string with a lot of harmonic content. Low end content is not much of an issue since between the bass' pre and my amps pre I can dial in all the low end I want.

Thanks for the info!

Yes, all D'Addario's are hex core. In fact DR, Fodera, and Dean Markley, and TI are about the only manufacturers that use round core.