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SPECTOR® Owners Club

#70,661
So after doing major reading trying to figure out which Spector is made where, types of pickups and preamp go with which models, bolt on vs neck through models, I have just confused myself. Is there a one place side-by-side specs sheet ? I want USA made but current budget says not new. 18 volt preamp seems the best option pickups ,still confused about which ones go best with 18 volts, 4 string only and after that is only choice of wood and neck. Did I miss anything? On other forums I have a lot of answers for the newer members and you guys seem like a big family to each other( similar to my other forums) I especially appreciate the links for good deals. One thing I do like about some other forums are they have best deals and people give their opinions of offering a price depending on options and condition, that would be especially helpful to the rooks like me. BTW what is the usual club discount? How soon do you get your club number? Thanks for all the help so far.
 
#70,662
adriankelly said:
So after doing major reading trying to figure out which Spector is made where, types of pickups and preamp go with which models, bolt on vs neck through models, I have just confused myself. Is there a one place side-by-side specs sheet ? I want USA made but current budget says not new. 18 volt preamp seems the best option pickups ,still confused about which ones go best with 18 volts, 4 string only and after that is only choice of wood and neck. Did I miss anything? On other forums I have a lot of answers for the newer members and you guys seem like a big family to each other( similar to my other forums) I especially appreciate the links for good deals. One thing I do like about some other forums are they have best deals and people give their opinions of offering a price depending on options and condition, that would be especially helpful to the rooks like me. BTW what is the usual club discount? How soon do you get your club number? Thanks for all the help so far.
Click to expand...

Archived model sheets:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

What is your budget? The closest to a US NS2 would be an old, solid maple winged Czech built bass, either an NS4CRFM or early Euro4. They come with a variety of different preamps depending on the year they were built (NS4CR or CRFM could have an EMG/Aguilar/Czech Haz clone, while the early Euros have either an Aguilar or Tonepump depending on age). They started using the sandwich bodies (maple top/alder back) in 2004 for the Euro's and changed the model to Euro4LX. The sandwich bodies sound good to me, but they do sound different compared to the solid maple basses. Depending on the tones you are going for, a Rebop (which is the bolt on Czech import) could also fit the bill and are a bit cheaper than a Euro. I can't speak much to the Korean lines because I don't have any experience with them.

For me personally, the classic Spector tones are early Alice in Chains/Queensryche/Pantera/Metallica Black Album. Other notable users are Doug Wimbish, Rachel Bolan, Alex Webster, and Ian Hill. There are many others out there, more than I can list. You can get a club number once you acquire a Spector and post a photo of it :) (and pm tracebassplayer).
 
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#70,663
japhy4529 said:
Yep. GC is notorious for mislabeling instruments. You're right - the logo looks crooked. Also, there's something printed on the back of The headstock. Can't quite make it out.
Click to expand...
Looks like the typical "Made in the Czech Republic..." blurb at the top.
Since that appears to be a vertical serial in the middle, and the body appears to have solid maple wings,
Euro4.
 
#70,664
B36D07FF-7689-44FC-9037-0C7EF5850F2A.jpeg
grimmchaos said:
Archived model sheets:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

What is your budget? The closest to a US NS2 would be an old, solid maple winged Czech built bass, either an NS4CRFM or early Euro4.
Click to expand...
You can also go with the late '80's Kramer era NS-2A's, they were the first Korean models and were the production versions of the NS-2's. Solid maple body, neck thru with maple wings. They came with the Korean HAZ clone preamps. Just swap out the stock passive pickups with active EMG's, and your very close to a USA at a fraction of the cost. I picked this one up recently for $525, with the original case. Trust me, it sounds every bit like a Kramer Spector
 
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#70,665
dpaul said:
View attachment 3195458
You can also go with the late '80's Kramer era NS-2A's, they were the first Korean models and were the production versions of the NS-2's. Solid maple body, neck thru with maple wings. They came with the Korean HAZ clone preamps. Just swap out the stock passive pickups with active EMG's, and your very close to a USA at a fraction of the cost. I picked this one up recently for $525, with the original case. Trust me, it sounds every bit like a Kramer Spector[/QUOT

I just received the Rebop 4 DLX last week, so the amount I have to spend increases each week I do the research, so I am hoping I can hold off long enough for a new USA version.
Click to expand...
grimmchaos said:
Archived model sheets:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

What is your budget? The closest to a US NS2 would be an old, solid maple winged Czech built bass, either an NS4CRFM or early Euro4. They come with a variety of different preamps depending on the year they were built (NS4CR or CRFM could have an EMG/Aguilar/Czech Haz clone, while the early Euros have either an Aguilar or Tonepump depending on age). They started using the sandwich bodies (maple top/alder back) in 2004 for the Euro's and changed the model to Euro4LX. The sandwich bodies sound good to me, but they do sound different compared to the solid maple basses. Depending on the tones you are going for, a Rebop (which is the bolt on Czech import) could also fit the bill and are a bit cheaper than a Euro. I can't speak much to the Korean lines because I don't have any experience with them.

For me personally, the classic Spector tones are early Alice in Chains/Queensryche/Pantera/Metallica Black Album. Other notable users are Doug Wimbish, Rachel Bolan, Alex Webster, and Ian Hill. There are many others out there, more than I can list. You can get a club number once you acquire a Spector and post a photo of it :) (and pm tracebassplayer).
Click to expand...

I just got a Rebop 4 DLX last week and was so impressed with the sound and feel that I immediately decided to start the research for the next one. And the way my budget goes is the longer I research anything the better quality product I end up with. So today it might be $1,000 but next month it might be $2,000 and so on, by Christmas I might could get a new USA version. And yes the pm has been sent for my number.What about the club discount how does that work?
 
#70,666
adriankelly said:
So after doing major reading trying to figure out which Spector is made where, types of pickups and preamp go with which models, bolt on vs neck through models, I have just confused myself. Is there a one place side-by-side specs sheet ? I want USA made but current budget says not new. 18 volt preamp seems the best option pickups ,still confused about which ones go best with 18 volts, 4 string only and after that is only choice of wood and neck. Did I miss anything? On other forums I have a lot of answers for the newer members and you guys seem like a big family to each other( similar to my other forums) I especially appreciate the links for good deals. One thing I do like about some other forums are they have best deals and people give their opinions of offering a price depending on options and condition, that would be especially helpful to the rooks like me. BTW what is the usual club discount? How soon do you get your club number? Thanks for all the help so far.
Click to expand...

My story...

Several years ago (perhaps 3 decades or more) found a Korean NS2a on Ebay (it had been stripped and refinished with polyurethane), that had the PUPs changed already to active EMGs with the EMG BTS preamp, it also had the Tuners replaced with Gold Schallers. Picked it up for a little of nothing. Always wanted to try a Spector. I had been playing a couple of other Neck-thrus but wanted a Spector for the Arched body design. (She was converted to frettless several years back)

I guess I fell in love. Purchased another Korean NS2a (a black one that has since been sold) as a second at gigs. All because I fell in love. (I had been playing a Gibson T-Bird, a Warwick Infinity SE, and a G&L 2000 at gigs)

Then I went out and found a used Czech Euro NS2... it had the EMG preamp that I added the 2nd battery for 18 volts. EMG PUPS and Preamps like 18 volts. It became the top bass, then the Korean as a 2nd. (Also converted the Korean to 18 volts)

Got lucky and found a great deal on the Special Edition USA NS4 with a Wenge neck (only 2 were made). Later got a deal on a another Maple USA NS4, and finally ordered a Frettless NS4 to be built. Since then I also have picked up a couple of Timbres just for giggles.

But my goal was to have a Spector Neck Thru with the arched body. And all I can say is mission accomplished. I'm not crazy about Bolt necks, nor about non-arched bodies. Just not where I'm at these days. (Although I have some, and even will play them). But the Neck thru arched body design fits my playing and is the most comfortable bass I have ever played.

So good luck on your quest.
Family 5.jpg
 
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#70,668
Eddie LeBlanc said:
My story...

Several years ago (perhaps 3 decades or more) found a Korean NS2a on Ebay (it had been stripped and refinished with polyurethane), that had the PUPs changed already to active EMGs with the EMG BTS preamp, it also had the Tuners replaced with Gold Schallers. Picked it up for a little of nothing. Always wanted to try a Spector. I had been playing a couple of other Neck-Thurs but wanted a Spector for the Arched body design. (She was converted to frettless several years back)

I guess I fell in love. Purchased another Korean NS2a (a black one that has since been sold) as a second at gigs. All because I fell in love. (I had been playing a Gibson T-Bird, a Warwick Infinity SE, and a G&L 2000 at gigs)

Then I went out and found a used Czech Euro NS2... it had the EMG preamp that I added the 2nd battery for 18 volts. EMG PUPS and Preamps like 18 volts. It became the top bass, then the Korean as a 2nd. (Also converted the Korean to 18 volts)

Got lucky and found a great deal on the Special Edition USA NS4 with a Wenge neck (only 2 were made). Later got a deal on a another Maple USA NS4, and finally ordered a Frettless NS4 to be built. Since then I also have picked up a couple of Timbres just for giggles.

But my goal was to have a Spector Neck Thru with the arched body. And all I can say is mission accomplished. I'm not crazy about Bolt necks, nor about non-arched bodies. Just not where I'm at these days. (Although I have some, and even will play them). But the Neck thru arched body design fits my playing and is the most comfortable bass I have ever played.

So good luck on your quest.
View attachment 3195764
Click to expand...
Oh yeah here is the other Timbre, she didn't get her pic in the Family Photo yet. She's a little darker complexion..
sisters.jpg
 
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#70,669
Do any members have first hand opinions on EMG 35P4 vs. 35P4X pickups? I'm getting ready to finally upgrade the pickups in my ReBop. I'm going with a 35TWX-R in the bridge position (for a fuller tone when I favour the bridge pickup), but want a more "traditional" Spector tone from the neck.
 
#70,670
PhatBasstard said:
Looks like the typical "Made in the Czech Republic..." blurb at the top.
Since that appears to be a vertical serial in the middle, and the body appears to have solid maple wings,
Euro4.
Click to expand...

Yes, makes sense. I'm still wondering how this bass got past Czech QC (which is usually quite good) with that crooked logo inlay.
 
#70,671
Eddie LeBlanc said:
My story...

Several years ago (perhaps 3 decades or more) found a Korean NS2a on Ebay (it had been stripped and refinished with polyurethane), that had the PUPs changed already to active EMGs with the EMG BTS preamp, it also had the Tuners replaced with Gold Schallers. Picked it up for a little of nothing. Always wanted to try a Spector. I had been playing a couple of other Neck-thrus but wanted a Spector for the Arched body design. (She was converted to frettless several years back)

I guess I fell in love. Purchased another Korean NS2a (a black one that has since been sold) as a second at gigs. All because I fell in love. (I had been playing a Gibson T-Bird, a Warwick Infinity SE, and a G&L 2000 at gigs)

Then I went out and found a used Czech Euro NS2... it had the EMG preamp that I added the 2nd battery for 18 volts. EMG PUPS and Preamps like 18 volts. It became the top bass, then the Korean as a 2nd. (Also converted the Korean to 18 volts)

Got lucky and found a great deal on the Special Edition USA NS4 with a Wenge neck (only 2 were made). Later got a deal on a another Maple USA NS4, and finally ordered a Frettless NS4 to be built. Since then I also have picked up a couple of Timbres just for giggles.

But my goal was to have a Spector Neck Thru with the arched body. And all I can say is mission accomplished. I'm not crazy about Bolt necks, nor about non-arched bodies. Just not where I'm at these days. (Although I have some, and even will play them). But the Neck thru arched body design fits my playing and is the most comfortable bass I have ever played.

So good luck on your quest.
View attachment 3195764
Click to expand...
Oh yeah.....
Been to the shop in Woodstock. Great people. And Stuart is the man. I urge you to try one; you have never played a more comfortable bass before in your life, than a Neck Though Arched Body designed Spector. No matter if it's a Korean, a Euro, or a USA model. Period. Like I say, never settle Amigo.
2011-09-29_12-13-33_414.jpg
 
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#70,672
F77BB189-9047-44FB-8DDF-32EA408DB9DA.jpeg
grimmchaos said:
Kramer NS2 from Rob. It's in fantastic condition for its age. Crappy US built family photo at the bottom... the weather lately is not cooperating with me for taking good photos. Enough posting, now back to playing it!
View attachment 3195222
View attachment 3195223 View attachment 3195224 View attachment 3195225
Click to expand...
Congratulations! Rob is an awesome guy! I knew you wouldn't have any issues with him. Very honest and trustworthy! Enjoy your bass! This is one of the Kramer's I got from Rob years ago. This is #1597, very close to @jtarmino's bass.
 
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#70,674
adriankelly said:
I just got a Rebop 4 DLX last week and was so impressed with the sound and feel that I immediately decided to start the research for the next one. And the way my budget goes is the longer I research anything the better quality product I end up with. So today it might be $1,000 but next month it might be $2,000 and so on, by Christmas I might could get a new USA version. And yes the pm has been sent for my number.What about the club discount how does that work?
Click to expand...
I would look at the Spector Bass website to review what options are available to you, ask questions as much as possible if you don't understand (after your review of these basses), if your wanting to build a USA then reach out to PJ as he can assist or he might even have something in stock to select from.
 
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#70,675
adriankelly said:
I just got a Rebop 4 DLX last week and was so impressed with the sound and feel that I immediately decided to start the research for the next one. And the way my budget goes is the longer I research anything the better quality product I end up with. So today it might be $1,000 but next month it might be $2,000 and so on, by Christmas I might could get a new USA version. And yes the pm has been sent for my number.What about the club discount how does that work?
Click to expand...

Torn Bassist said:
I would look at the Spector Bass website to review what options are available to you, ask questions as much as possible if you don't understand (after your review of these basses), if your wanting to build a USA then reach out to PJ as he can assist or he might even have something in stock to select from.
Click to expand...

Here are the Spector basses currently available; [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
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