SPECTOR® Club - Part 74

[iceboxbass]

May have to repost in part 75.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/...raded-spector-brass-nut-1049665/#post15435652

PM for club discount.

Wow phat! I just saw your ReBop 4 DLX with the new fretless neck...very beautiful! Excuse me while I wipe the drool from my lap.

I'd like to see one in this color. Light Tobacco Burst (more old school)...

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/...raded-spector-brass-nut-1049665/#post15435652

One thing I'm thinking about with these Coda-P basses. The pup is back to the Fender config. If you were to use the pup to anchor your thumb, you'd be playing directly over the pup. I know some people like that but I don't (generally). Hmmm...

I just noticed too they didn't reverse the P pickups... Wonder why since that has been the Spector signature of reversing the P pickup. If a person wanted it reversed Spector would need to make a new template...not likely to happen anytime soon. But hey...I'm tickled pink that now we can buy a P bass from our favorite shop/brand and not having to go to brands XYZ. I'm counting the days when I can order one!

 

[Torn Bassist]

I'd like to see one in this color. Light Tobacco Burst (more old school)...

Invalid Link Removed

One thing I'm thinking about with these Coda-P basses. The pup is back to the Fender config. If you were to use the pup to anchor your thumb, you'd be playing directly over the pup. I know some people like that but I don't (generally). Hmmm...

Seems like they have the target set on old school P-bass tone (especially if they are loaded with the Aguilar AG4P-60 designed from the 60's P-basses) with the Fender pickup pattern, yet the bodies have the modern Spector custom shop look and OBP2 tone circuit. I do want something that is different than my NS2 basses and even different than my 1978 Fender P-bass that has a Bartolini pickup installed, time will tell if it is the tone I'm searching for....Angie has already said that she knows I will fall in love with it and that it's just a matter of which color/serial number I would want! lol

 

[Clearwave]

Ah! Is it brass or aluminum?

Aluminum.

 

[johnsonabq]

I just noticed too they didn't reverse the P pickups... Wonder why since that has been the Spector signature of reversing the P pickup. If a person wanted it reversed Spector would need to make a new template...not likely to happen anytime soon. But hey...I'm tickled pink that now we can buy a P bass from our favorite shop/brand and not having to go to brands XYZ. I'm counting the days when I can order one!

Seems like they have the target set on old school P-bass tone (especially if they are loaded with the Aguilar AG4P-60 designed from the 60's P-basses) with the Fender pickup pattern, yet the bodies have the modern Spector custom shop look and OBP2 tone circuit. I do want something that is different than my NS2 basses and even different than my 1978 Fender P-bass that has a Bartolini pickup installed, time will tell if it is the tone I'm searching for....Angie has already said that she knows I will fall in love with it and that it's just a matter of which color/serial number I would want! lol

Like Carey said. I think it's that they're going for the true P-bass look and tone here. Also, maybe the reversed config works best on a two pickup bass. Once you've moved the pup into the sweet spot for a single pickup bass the split coil pup sounds best back in it's original config. IMHO

 

[Torn Bassist]

Try playing with the "floating thumb" technique.
I switched to it years ago, and my speed & articulation increased dramatically, and my right hand fatigue decreased substantially.
It also makes wide intervals easier to play, although they require some left-hand strength & development exercises as well.

I'll look into that. Though I was taught to anchor the right hand either with the thumb in finger style or the pinkie in pick style. Thus yielding more accuracy in your playing.

But I'll never say this dog is too old to learn new tricks.

I was going to say that I don't anchor and use the floating technique but there are some songs when I'm in the pickup position the thumb lands on top naturally especially when I'm driving the sound or digging in.....

 

[johnsonabq]

I was going to say that I don't ancor and use the floating technique but there are some songs when I'm in the pickup position and the thumb lands on top naturally especially when I'm driving the sound or digging in.....

Yeah, that's the thing for me. I have a very aggressive style of playing and anchoring really helps with that. Maybe if I adopt the floating technique it'll force me to back off. Thereby allowing lower action.

 

[Torn Bassist]

Like Carey said. I think it's that they're going for the true P-bass look and tone here. Also, maybe the reversed config works best on a two pickup bass. Once you've moved the pup into the sweet spot for a single pickup bass the split coil pup sounds best back in it's original config. IMHO

This could be very true, I would have to agree....

 

[Torn Bassist]

Yeah, that's the thing for me. I have a very aggressive style of playing and anchoring really helps with that. Maybe if I adopt the floating technique it'll force me to back off. Thereby allowing lower action.

I'm on the aggressive side myself, I just played a cool song yesterday that has a pick/strum pattern and if I get to aggressive it leads me to play a little sharp when using this technique...the sound guy informed me which made me check my tuning and then focus on the swing/rock pattern rather than hitting the strings with my aggression! lol

 

[johnsonabq]

I'm on the aggressive side myself, I just played a cool song yesterday that has a pick/strum pattern and if I get to aggressive it leads me to play a little sharp when using this technique...the sound guy informed me which made me check my tuning and then focus on the swing/rock pattern rather than hitting the strings with my aggression! lol

Ah... Well for me, (on covers) if the song is played originally with a pick, I'll do the same. Actually, I've found myself playing more with a pick lately. And for some songs, like AIC/Would?, I can't imagine playing it without the pick. But that's me.

 

[iceboxbass]

Like Carey said. I think it's that they're going for the true P-bass look and tone here. Also, maybe the reversed config works best on a two pickup bass. Once you've moved the pup into the sweet spot for a single pickup bass the split coil pup sounds best back in it's original config. IMHO

That's true...I didn't think of that. Plus marketing techniques to draw in those that play Fenders or brands XYZ. First step is to get their attention enough to stop and look, then the want to try them out.

I was going to say that I don't anchor and use the floating technique but there are some songs when I'm in the pickup position the thumb lands on top naturally especially when I'm driving the sound or digging in.....

I first started out, as taught, anchoring my thumb on the top corner of the pickup, but since then I've learned to let my thumb float. Often times I find that my thumb wanders closer to the neck while playing, which is fine as most of the time I'm wanting that type of tone.

I'm on the aggressive side myself, I just played a cool song yesterday that has a pick/strum pattern and if I get to aggressive it leads me to play a little sharp when using this technique...the sound guy informed me which made me check my tuning and then focus on the swing/rock pattern rather than hitting the strings with my aggression! lol

Yeah, sometimes if get a little much into a certain song that's very aggressive and exciting to play and the sound guy is pulling out his hair trying to control the volume of my bass and just shuts me off on the house because my stage amp gets loud enough to fill the house up. Lol I try to be more mindful of aggressiveness so that doesn't happen so much. But you know how it is when you're getting into the moment.

 

[johnsonabq]

Yeah, sometimes if get a little much into a certain song that's very aggressive and exciting to play and the sound guy is pulling out his hair trying to control the volume of my bass and just shuts me off on the house because my stage amp gets loud enough to fill the house up. Lol I try to be more mindful of aggressiveness so that doesn't happen so much. But you know how it is when you're getting into the moment.

That's were the judicious use of a compressor comes in. You get the aggressive tone with only a little extra volume.

 

[superdick2112]

Yeah, that's the thing for me. I have a very aggressive style of playing and anchoring really helps with that. Maybe if I adopt the floating technique it'll force me to back off. Thereby allowing lower action.

I also have an aggressive right hand plucking style (ala Steve Harris, John Entwistle, Geddy Lee). When I first switched to floating thumb, I lowered my action a bit, but it soon ended back up when I got used to that style, and my attack is as hard and aggressive as ever.
I would say I float 90% of the time, and anchor the other 10%, depending on what feels right at the time.
The floating thumb is not for everyone, but like all things bass, you never know 'till you try.

 

[awilkie84]

That's were the judicious use of a compressor comes in. You get the aggressive tone with only a little extra volume.

What are you using for a compressor? I've been trying to find one I like, but always strike out because they're never responsive enough & always lag behind on processing.

 

[Torn Bassist]

Ah... Well for me, (on covers) if the song is played originally with a pick, I'll do the same. Actually, I've found myself playing more with a pick lately. And for some songs, like AIC/Would?, I can't imagine playing it without the pick. But that's me.

Would has to be performed using a pick as recorded and I do the same as you, yesterdays song was recorded with that tone and I was covering that...well, except for the added excitement/aggression!!! lol

That's true...I didn't think of that. Plus marketing techniques to draw in those that play Fenders or brands XYZ. First step is to get their attention enough to stop and look, then the want to try them out.

I first started out, as taught, anchoring my thumb on the top corner of the pickup, but since then I've learned to let my thumb float. Often times I find that my thumb wanders closer to the neck while playing, which is fine as most of the time I'm wanting that type of tone.

Yeah, sometimes if get a little much into a certain song that's very aggressive and exciting to play and the sound guy is pulling out his hair trying to control the volume of my bass and just shuts me off on the house because my stage amp gets loud enough to fill the house up. Lol I try to be more mindful of aggressiveness so that doesn't happen so much. But you know how it is when you're getting into the moment.

If the Engineers like the P-Bass and request it 70% to 80% of the time when recording then this sound needs to be the focus.

I use a lot of different techniques like anchor, float, pick, fretless, and it seems my favorite is aggression! lol

I was into the song, just needed to focus on the groove and less of my favorite technique...as listed above!

That's were the judicious use of a compressor comes in. You get the aggressive tone with only a little extra volume.

I do like my compression and use it on the Peavey, yesterday I used the ParaDriver set to SVT ran direct...so, it was up to Jeremy to set up the channel on the board.

 

[awilkie84]

If the Engineers like the P-Bass and request it 70% to 80% of the time when recording then this sound needs to be the focus.

Honestly, this "standard" needs to change. Engineers go to school to manipulate sound. They should be able to work with any bass, not just a P. I absolutely hate when sound techs ask me to bring a P-bass. It's MY sound. I get to dictate how it is.

 

[Rickenbass]

What are you using for a compressor? I've been trying to find one I like, but always strike out because they're never responsive enough & always lag behind on processing.

I use an Aphex Punch Factory. it's an optical compressor. I use it 99% of the time and notice zero lag.

I felt I needed it with my Rickenbackers burt with my Spector, I'm not so sure. it's just come along as a habit. Can't hurt, right??

Joe

 

[Rickenbass]

Honestly, this "standard" needs to change. Engineers go to school to manipulate sound. They should be able to work with any bass, not just a P. I absolutely hate when sound techs ask me to bring a P-bass. It's MY sound. I get to dictate how it is.

Hmm, I'd be up ***** creek without a paddle since I don't own a P Bass. Most of the sound guys are thrilled when they see either any one of my Rickenbacker's or my NS2.

Joe

 

[worshiprocker]

Honestly, this "standard" needs to change. Engineers go to school to manipulate sound. They should be able to work with any bass, not just a P. I absolutely hate when sound techs ask me to bring a P-bass. It's MY sound. I get to dictate how it is.

DUDE I know exactly what you mean. I had several arguments with our producer/engineer. But at least he preferred to have an active bass played with a pick for recording lol

 

[awilkie84]

Hmm, I'd be up ***** creek without a paddle since I don't own a P Bass. Most of the sound guys are thrilled when they see either any one of my Rickenbacker's or my NS2.

Joe

Well, I have a P-bass, but it's got a TonePump in it. Muahahahaha

That said, I used it at a gig this weekend and the sound tech said it had to be one of the best sounding P-basses he's heard in awhile. He actually offered me $500 for it on the spot. This is a guy who's won multiple Junos. I turned him down, though. The bass isn't worth $500 (because of the sloppy routing work I did on the cavity) and it's a bass I've had since I was 16 and won't sell.

 

[johnsonabq]

What are you using for a compressor? I've been trying to find one I like, but always strike out because they're never responsive enough & always lag behind on processing.

I prefer the multi band compressors.

e.g. The Spectracomp in my RH750 (my current rig)

The Rane DC24

and the Trace Elliot SMX (I have the pedal and the SMX Gp12 preamp).

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I'm also waiting for this to be available again. I want to try it out.

Back in the 80's I used a DBX 163X for many years. (it's still in my garage )

I do like my compression and use it on the Peavey, yesterday I used the ParaDriver set to SVT ran direct...so, it was up to Jeremy to set up the channel on the board.

Carey, if you run the blend on the Paradriver at 100% they say it imparts a certain amount of compression. Whether it's enough is up to you.

Honestly, this "standard" needs to change. Engineers go to school to manipulate sound. They should be able to work with any bass, not just a P. I absolutely hate when sound techs ask me to bring a P-bass. It's MY sound. I get to dictate how it is.

Much of this is the producer too. When it comes to high level session work, it's not that the engineer can't mix other basses, it's more like the producer and/or engineer "feel" that the sound of a Fender bass is what works best. Very subjective and can be simply rooted in habit. But if you're being paid to lay bass tracks for someone it's their call. IMHO

That being said, if you are in the studio to record your own material then hell yeah, it's your sound and insist on it.