SPECTOR® Owners Club

[Thundar]

Hi dear Spector owners. I own a Euro LX 4 with PJ pups, and I really, really, REALLY hate the reverse pups. I'll be honest, I wouldn't buy this bass if I didn't live in Israel where it can't be bought anywhere except 1 store that doesn't have any 40Dc pups.
I'm also a MM stingray owner, which I love dearly, but prefer the Spector. The only thing about the MM that's better than the Specotr is the HH pups.
I would really like a Spector with 2 40 DC's
Ok so here we go:

I'll just point out everything that bothers me and see what can be done.
Firstly, I'm a 3 finger player, so I can't anchor my thumb above the pup because there's such little distance between the P and the J.
I don't like the P in general because It's not a Dc40, but will let it slide.
I can't anchor my thumb on that screw. I just don't get how people find this comfortable.
Last but not least, for some reason, the strings are REALLY tight when not played near the neck, but I guess that's a gauge issue.

Do you guys have ANY suggestions?
It seems to me that the best solution would be making some pup cover to cover both pups, but that lays under the strings.. I think that would cost me around 300$ though, which I'd much rather not spend.
Help a fellow owner please!

I had to break out one of my Spectors just to check this out. Turns out, I guess I am a "floating thumb" type...never really thought about it. If my thumb rests anywhere, it lands on the string above the one I am playing. When I tried to anchor it on the P pickup, it didnt really bother me, but I rarely play that far forward... I tend to play between the P and the J... Interesting.

 

[johnsonabq]

I had to break out one of my Spectors just to check this out. Turns out, I guess I am a "floating thumb" type...never really thought about it. If my thumb rests anywhere, it lands on the string above the one I am playing. When I tried to anchor it on the P pickup, it didnt really bother me, but I rarely play that far forward... I tend to play between the P and the J... Interesting.

Interesting... When I rest my thumb on the P pup my fingers fall in between the pickups. Not on the P pup. Plus, I only put my thumb on the P pup when playing the two lowest strings. Then move from there.

For me, I like to rest my thumb two strings from the one I'm playing. e.g. Rest on the E when playing the D. Rest on the B when playing the A (for the fiver), etc.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought "floating thumb" meant you don't rest the thumb on anything.

 

[iceboxbass]

NBD!! Well, I had decided to trade away my CR5FM to hopefully find my dream axe... and BOOM, it shows up on the same day Ha!
Here is 2012 Euro5LX (Pre-LE edition?) (Some of you have probably seen it I'm sure)
I've always had a weakness for the White Spector ever since I traded away my White Rebop years ago...
My first thought was that it wouldn't have that pure Spector tone we all love, and that's why we buy these basses right? Plus they're the sexiest bass made!
Not sure if the body wood is all Alder or the usual Maple/Walnut/Alder sandwich. But it sounds close to what my Alder Rebop sounded like, just hotter and more "Spector-ish".
After a patient set-up I was sceptical of the tone. But then I raised the pickups to the recommended height and WHOA!! She came ALIVE!! No need to change anything now. OBP-2 stays and sounds great! I still have yet to play with it in a loud band setting, tonight for sure, but I have no doubt that I made the right choice.
One of 3 made in White? (I emailed PJ to find out more).

So here it is, Help me name her...

View attachment 459663

A BIG thanks to Double Agent for the trade. I think he's just as happy with my trade of a '99 NS5CRFM! Apparently, the 34" scale works perfect for him.

Congratulations on the trade! First name that came to my mind is "Celestrial" or Celest for short

 

[iceboxbass]

Have you tried J pups with a 34" fiver? I've noticed that since I switched to 40J's on my fiver the low B has much more definition and harmonic content. Maybe a 34" with J pups and a .130 B string might work for you... Just thinking outloud Andrew.

My former NS-95 was 34", Humbucker pickups and it had a KILLER B string.

 

[Thundar]

Interesting... When I rest my thumb on the P pup my fingers fall in between the pickups. Not on the P pup. Plus, I only put my thumb on the P pup when playing the two lowest strings. Then move from there.

For me, I like to rest my thumb two strings from the one I'm playing. e.g. Rest on the E when playing the D. Rest on the B when playing the A (for the fiver), etc.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought "floating thumb" meant you don't rest the thumb on anything.

I think youre right....and mine generally doesn't rest on anything...so I guess I should call mine "Lazy Thumb"

 

[iceboxbass]

Introducing Blu-Man-Chu

2014 Limited Edition Euro 5LX - EMG single coil Js, 18v BQC, chrome hardware, 100% awesome (thanks Zitch)

Some crazy figuring on this bass, never seen anything like it.
Hard to capture in pics, and subtle because of the deep blue, but I love it.

WOW! Mesmerizing! Gorgeousness!

 

[iceboxbass]

Well i have a 75 p bass a mim p bass and a rebop im thinking of selling all 3 for a US build .. What do ya think

Oooooo...the 75 P bass would be tough to depart with, those draw a good buck.
Well, I sold my Forte 5XL, ReBop 4 DLX and SVT 810e to fund Big Blue...I look at it this way...if it makes you very happy and you can always buy again what you sold.

 

[Torn Bassist]

Took the Spector NS4 out for its first performance today, the bass sounds really nice with the 35DC pickups and D'Addario Chrome flat wound strings running into the PA and the only problem I had was an operator error!! I landed on F when I needed to play F#, it has a pretty active bass line in the Lincoln Brewster song titled Reaching for You and I messed up! lol

 

[johnsonabq]

View attachment 460333

Took the Spector NS4 out for its first performance today, the bass sounds really nice with the 35DC pickups and D'Addario Chrome flat wound strings running into the PA and the only problem I had was an operator error!! I landed on F when I needed to play F#, it has a pretty active bass line in the Lincoln Brewster titled Reaching for You and I messed up! lol

You're only human my friend.

Good to see that bass getting out and being played.

 

[Double Agent]

Well i have a 75 p bass a mim p bass and a rebop im thinking of selling all 3 for a US build .. What do ya think

Who am I to tell anyone not to buy a US Spector? They are amazing.

But, before I dropped that much coin on a bass like that, I would ask myself what it is that i want from a US Spector that I can't get from a CR-made Spector. Even if it is something seemingly superficial, like more/better figuring in the body wood, that's ok if that has a value to you that is worth the premium price. I wouldn't get a US Spector just to get a US Spector, I would need a reason that went beyond what is offered in the Czech basses. Assuming you know exactly what you're looking for, I would say do it if you aren't overly attached to any of the basses you are planning to move.

 

[Torn Bassist]

You're only human my friend.

Good to see that bass getting out and being played.

Thanks Jeff, this bass has a Kramer profile...I mean I knew there would be a difference because it doesn't have any fret wires but from the ebony board to the back it measures 13/16" at the second fret location and is very close to the nS2A, my NS2 basses are 7/8"....very, very nice!

 

[iceboxbass]

View attachment 460333

Took the Spector NS4 out for its first performance today, the bass sounds really nice with the 35DC pickups and D'Addario Chrome flat wound strings running into the PA and the only problem I had was an operator error!! I landed on F when I needed to play F#, it has a pretty active bass line in the Lincoln Brewster song titled Reaching for You and I messed up! lol

DOH! Lol

 

[Holdsg]

Who am I to tell anyone not to buy a US Spector? They are amazing.

But, before I dropped that much coin on a bass like that, I would ask myself what it is that i want from a US Spector that I can't get from a CR-made Spector. Even if it is something seemingly superficial, like more/better figuring in the body wood, that's ok if that has a value to you that is worth the premium price. I wouldn't get a US Spector just to get a US Spector, I would need a reason that went beyond what is offered in the Czech basses. Assuming you know exactly what you're looking for, I would say do it if you aren't overly attached to any of the basses you are planning to move.

I am very happy with my Euros. This group gave me particular SAS for the 9v HAZ preamp, which are essentially unobtanium except in a US. I am blessed to have both kinds now.

 

[johnsonabq]

... unobtanium ...

 

[wolfkeller]

I'd like to say that the Spector hang seems to have been really cool, I actually would have gone it if it were not for the simple fact that being lefty, I guessed that there would not be a single lefty for me to play. In a room surrounding by insanely awesome basses, can't play a single one. I tried to learn the normal way as a kid, I could fret chords (acoustic guitar) well but had zero right hand control. Eventually I flipped it over and it instantly felt right. My grandma forced me to be lefty and now my 2 kids are Lefty's! At least they'll have a lot of guitars and sweet basses if they end up P playing. I would love to actually play a USA bass, if ever one is made.

 

[superdick2112]

Went to a b-day party for an old guitarist of mine last night, and sat in on a few songs with his new band. I brought my white Euro to play, and it did not disappoint.
His bass player's Brian Moore sounded good, but my Spector sounded absolutely killer, especially on "Man in the Box".
I got quite a few compliments afterwards, & now I'm itching to get my band out for our first gig...

 

[superdick2112]

Introducing Blu-Man-Chu

2014 Limited Edition Euro 5LX - EMG single coil Js, 18v BQC, chrome hardware, 100% awesome (thanks Zitch)

Some crazy figuring on this bass, never seen anything like it.
Hard to capture in pics, and subtle because of the deep blue, but I love it.

Wowza! Quite possibly the prettiest Euro I've ever laid eyes on. Congrats!

 

[johnsonabq]

It's been a while since I posted my family. A few surprises at the bottom of the photo.

Top: '12 Woodstock NS-2 '86 Brooklyn NS-2
Middle: '06 Euro4LX w 18V USA Cir,'12 Euro4LX now with MM-114 Cir
Bottom: '11 Legend Classic 4 Holoflash (My Daughters) '14 Special Walnut matte stain color Spectorcore Fretless.

That is quite the collection Sam. Beautiful family you have there!

 

[Zitch]

I'd like to say that the Spector hang seems to have been really cool, I actually would have gone it if it were not for the simple fact that being lefty, I guessed that there would not be a single lefty for me to play. In a room surrounding by insanely awesome basses, can't play a single one. I tried to learn the normal way as a kid, I could fret chords (acoustic guitar) well but had zero right hand control. Eventually I flipped it over and it instantly felt right. My grandma forced me to be lefty and now my 2 kids are Lefty's! At least they'll have a lot of guitars and sweet basses if they end up P playing. I would love to actually play a USA bass, if ever one is made.

actually there was a lefty legend there

 

[Zitch]

Wowza! Quite possibly the prettiest Euro I've ever laid eyes on. Congrats!

i know, it was very hard to sell it, but it was the only way i could come home with the ssd ns4