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SPECTOR® Owners Club

#5,841
iceboxbass said:
So, how does she sound Jeff?!?!
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Time has not allowed me to pull off the nickel strings and put on my new SS 603s and also install the drop tuner I have for it. So far I've just been sitting on the couch and playing it acoustically. running through scales and such and bonding with it. Once I've done that I'll plug it into my practice rig with the headphones and really get an idea of how it sounds. I realize I'm the first to have the SS pups with the 9v Haz and that's why I'm being a little anal about testing how it sounds. I want to hear it with SS strings on it.
NOLA Bass said:
From UPS: Scheduled For Early Delivery on Monday, 08/18/2014, By End of Day
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Yours is gonna be sweet, and I'll bet, perfect for Space Metal.
 
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#5,842
I think so too. I'm excited about the thinner neck profile of the Ian Hill too.

We had to move out of our practice room we've had for years this month. Luckily, the guitarist in the band we share it with (our drummer is in both bands) found a great new room. We are partially through with the move (we had an entire retail strip mall spot, so it was so overfilled with gear it was ridiculous). My guess is no rehearsal for another 2 weeks, but I'll have it all ready by then.

My thought was before I sell my black 435 I would record some samples of all 3 to get a solid comparison of 3 Euro 435lx's with the tone pump, US9v and US18v. Pretty cool to have all 3 in the same model basses.
 
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#5,844
I still haven't understood why Spector hasn't introduced a yearly Forte Special edition. It could be a limited run each year with different colors/pickups etc.

I wouldn't think it'd be too much of a hassle to set 25-30 bodies aside and stain with a different color, or complete a run with J pickups etc. The pickups may be a stretch, as the Forte line is a 'no frills' Spector, but I think a yearly SE with a different color would be worth a shot!
 
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#5,845
iceboxbass said:
I know I know, Big Blue feels like me too...I feel as though I'm selling a family member but because of my permanent shoulder injury and it's not getting any better but worse, I need a Spector that's more ergonomic plus less weight. I've given the Helium some thought...I too hope it stays in our Spector family here.

Wider strap yep, I currently use a 4" soft leather strap, I have the Spector logo soft strap but it really hurts my shoulder. I don't know if I can buy light enough tuners to cut 2#? Sitting hasn't been helping either. I believe a smaller bass body with the body curves of the NS 2 or 4 would help more with my arm/body posturing as well, which is my secondary thought. Thanks Eric for your suggestions. I appreciate them very much. :)


No...I'll probably go with the smaller bodies of the NS-2 or 4 style.
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Has anyone ever beheaded a Spector? I'm talking about making something like the Steinberger XQ2 bass, but it would be a Spector with the nice NS curved body with tuners in the bridge. Don't shoot me. :/
 
#5,846
kevinsbass said:
Has anyone ever beheaded a Spector? I'm talking about making something like the Steinberger XQ2 bass, but it would be a Spector with the nice NS curved body with tuners in the bridge. Don't shoot me. :/
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You mean have Spector and NS Designs collaborate? That might be very cool. A neck through Radius with the NS body. Hmmmm...
 
#5,850
5string_phunk said:
I'm pretty sure the new N.S. Radius basses do have a curved body. It'd be very similar to what you're describing. I played on in ATL and they're great feeling/sounding basses!

http://www.nedsteinberger.com/instruments/radius.php
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I played that thing in Atlanta, too. I learned something about myself that weekend - I'm not a fan of the NS sound. I love the feel, but those basses had a very flat, lifeless sound to them. I couldn't pull a "mwah" out of that NS Radius fretless to save my life, either. Your NS-4H2 blew that thing away.
 
#5,851
I've played a fretted recently too and think it sounded better than the fretless in ATL. I couldn't get any mwah from it either, but it felt really good in my hands! IMHO, they are great basses, but nothing that would interest me at this point in time. If I were looking to buy one, it'd be fretted!

I too think my fretless blew that Radius fretless out of the water too! ...but I'm pretty bias towards my baby! :D
 
#5,853
5string_phunk said:
I've played a fretted recently too and think it sounded better than the fretless in ATL. I couldn't get any mwah from it either, but it felt really good in my hands! IMHO, they are great basses, but nothing that would interest me at this point in time. If I were looking to buy one, it'd be fretted!

I too think my fretless blew that Radius fretless out of the water too! ...but I'm pretty bias towards my baby! :D
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I would be interested in checking out the fretless and fretted NS Design Omni double bass....
 
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#5,854
johnsonabq said:
Actually guys I've been at work all day and just came home to a big box in my living room. All I can say is SWEET! Of course I love the feel of the matte finish. The wood is all I could hope for from a Forte (no frills all tone). Speaking of tone, remember this has the Aggie SS pups with the 9v Haz.

But in an act of supreme restraint, I'm going to have my dinner first, then take off the nickel strings that came on it and restring it with the new 603 steels we got at the hang. (I also bought three more sets from PJ and they came with the bass.) I'm using the new 603s on the Forte and the BB, and keeping the DR Hi Beams on the UV and the fiver and I'll see which I like better.

I also want to mention that even though this isn't a Helium Forte it did come with the Helium bridge and I gotta say that this is definitely the lightest bass I own. Must be close to 8lbs. I love it. Helium bridges all the way for me now. :thumbsup:

Without further ado I give to you... Black Velvet!

TB01_zpsa6719fdf.jpg
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Nice! Welcome to the Forte Club!

johnsonabq said:
I thought they would restart the numbers with a new name but it still says Forte 4 #095. So this is number 95. Hmmm... I would've thought they had made more.
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iceboxbass said:
For some reason the Forte has not been a really big seller. Perhaps less bling isn't for the majority when paying still a good coin for a custom hand built bass? Even though they're half the price of the NS-2 & 5. Personally having had two Fortes, I loved the feel and tone of the basses, I thought quite incredible. But I do prefer more color and crown inlays. I'm thankful for PJ Rubal having the insight to create and produce the Forte line so more bass players can afford a US build though. That was very kind of PJ to do so.
So, how does she sound Jeff?!?!
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Well, the NS2s are up to S#900 I think............I think in comparison, those numbers aren't bad at all.

5string_phunk said:
I still haven't understood why Spector hasn't introduced a yearly Forte Special edition. It could be a limited run each year with different colors/pickups etc.

I wouldn't think it'd be too much of a hassle to set 25-30 bodies aside and stain with a different color, or complete a run with J pickups etc. The pickups may be a stretch, as the Forte line is a 'no frills' Spector, but I think a yearly SE with a different color would be worth a shot!
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I mentioned this to PJ at the hang. He responded like he was already considering it.
 
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