SPECTOR® Owners Club

[Relayer71]

They listed a Rebop as a Euro not long ago.

I've seen that several times.

I haven't bought an instrument in GC in 10 years, but I check the site every now and again hoping they list an NS2 as a Legend .

I did see a Forte once at less than the used going rate but it was pretty beat up which was surprising since you don't normally see US Spectors in bad shape. This one looked like it had been dropped and dragged several times.

 

[songwriter21]

I've seen that several times.

I haven't bought an instrument in GC in 10 years, but I check the site every now and again hoping they list an NS2 as a Legend .

I did see a Forte once at less than the used going rate but it was pretty beat up which was surprising since you don't normally see US Spectors in bad shape. This one looked like it had been dropped and dragged several times.

The one redeeming quality of GC and MF, is the return policy (now crazily upped to half a year).

 

[Relayer71]

Hello guys, I'm quite new to the Spector world. I own an Euro6 XL, Poplar Burl top with black hardware and EMG TW / TP.
I'm quite curious about the NS 6 XL and may pull the trigger...

I'm a bit stuck between their body wood choice... My Euro is Alder, and I tend to find it mellow, i'm searching for a bit more aggresive & growly tone, bright but full. Thinking about Swamp Ash wing or Reclaimed Redwood (too midrange ?), with Pau Ferro or Ebony ? All that with EMGs HAZ 18v.

Thanks

I'm of the mindset that wood adds to the overall tone but it's not JUST the body wood. It's the combination (neck wood, fingerboard wood, pickups, pickup placement, construction, strings, set-up, technique, player's fingers). I really don't think body wood alone makes a huge difference.

I think "growl" comes more from the pickups/electronics, strings and player technique. Geddy Lee gets some nice growl out of a Jazz Bass, probably due to his very aggressive fingering technique.

I started playing bass with a pick (originally a guitarist) then switched to thumb, but have recently been playing more with thumb/index/middle finger. I've noticed that my index finger is kind of flat at the tip so when I play I get a sort of clank from my fingernail and an overall brighter, slightly more aggressive tone. I've cut my fingernails as short as I can and it still happens. Annoying since I like a more rounded tone (I also play over the neck pickup).

But it's amazing the difference in tone just from index finger to middle finger due to my weird anatomy, lol.

 

[beatdatthang]

Hmm... was listed as a Legend... but GC so anything is possible. I shoulda taken some Before pics... but no it didn't look like your picture, the sides were straight just slightly rounded along the edge (I did a lot of contouring) and it had a veneer top. Made in Korea. Back was flat with a Fender style belly contour. I like the one in your picture, probably would not have refinished if it looked like that!

Is it a bolt on? If so it's likely the Q4. The NS 2000 series have a very distinct body shape (It's the same as the current Dan Briggs signature model). If it's neck thru it's the NS2000/4, idle it's a bolt on with a tummy cut it's the Q4. The upper horn is slightly thinner and longer than a typical Euro or Legend. The Legend looks more like a US bolt on. The Euro is the same as the US NS shape. Sometimes the differences are subtle but they are there to the "trained eye".

 

[songwriter21]

I'm of the mindset that wood adds to the overall tone but it's not JUST the body wood. It's the combination (neck wood, fingerboard wood, pickups, pickup placement, construction, strings, set-up, technique, player's fingers). I really don't think body wood alone makes a huge difference.

I think "growl" comes more from the pickups/electronics, strings and player technique. Geddy Lee gets some nice growl out of a Jazz Bass, probably due to his very aggressive fingering technique.

I started playing bass with a pick (originally a guitarist) then switched to thumb, but have recently been playing more with thumb/index/middle finger. I've noticed that my index finger is kind of flat at the tip so when I play I get a sort of clank from my fingernail and an overall brighter, slightly more aggressive tone. I've cut my fingernails as short as I can and it still happens. Annoying since I like a more rounded tone (I also play over the neck pickup).

But it's amazing the difference in tone just from index finger to middle finger due to my weird anatomy, lol.

Geddy gets his signature twang a lot from his amp settings and especially his custom super-light gauges of Rotosound RS66 strings. I could be wrong, but I think he uses something like .38-.88, specifically made for him.

 

[Relayer71]

Geddy gets his signature twang a lot from his amp settings and especially his custom super-light gauges of Rotosound RS66 strings. I could be wrong, but I think he uses something like
.38-.88, specifically made for him.

Yeah, amp settings definitely contribute. But he does hit those strings pretty hard. I thinks his kinetic, pulsating note choices don't lend themselves to a light touch.

That's a good point on the strings, didn't know that. That's a ridiculously light gauge!

 

[songwriter21]

Yeah, amp settings definitely contribute. But he does hit those strings pretty hard. I thinks his kinetic, pulsating note choices don't lend themselves to a light touch.

That's a good point on the strings, didn't know that. That's a ridiculously light gauge!

Yup, extremely light strings. Funny that John Entwistle had a big twangy tone, too, and yet had a very light touch. His amp did a lot of the work...it was LOUD (granted, he had more overdrive, too). Besides Stanley Clarke, JE had the loudest live sound I've ever heard (lucky enough to catch JE live in the early 00s).

 

[cavemanbass]

Is it a bolt on? If so it's likely the Q4. The NS 2000 series have a very distinct body shape (It's the same as the current Dan Briggs signature model). If it's neck thru it's the NS2000/4, idle it's a bolt on with a tummy cut it's the Q4. The upper horn is slightly thinner and longer than a typical Euro or Legend. The Legend looks more like a US bolt on. The Euro is the same as the US NS shape. Sometimes the differences are subtle but they are there to the "trained eye".

bolt on with tummy cut - so it's a Q4! thanks for clarifying. It plays and sounds great, though I have a bit of fret leveling to do.

 

[johndb]

Hey Spectorites! Check out my vintage 1977 Spector SB-1 bass in the classifieds... it was converted to fretless years ago, and it's a pro job. This is a rare bass and one of you Spector nuts should keep this in the club. Club discount will be given, too. Thanks!

PS- I MAY be selling a Brooklyn NS-2 soon. #1082, Transparent Red, not much figure. Near the end of the Brooklyn production before moving to Kramer

For Sale - Spector SB-1 1977 Rare Early Spector

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Hello guys, I'm quite new to the Spector world. I own an Euro6 XL, Poplar Burl top with black hardware and EMG TW / TP.
I'm quite curious about the NS 6 XL and may pull the trigger...

I'm a bit stuck between their body wood choice... My Euro is Alder, and I tend to find it mellow, i'm searching for a bit more aggresive & growly tone, bright but full. Thinking about Swamp Ash wing or Reclaimed Redwood (too midrange ?), with Pau Ferro or Ebony ? All that with EMGs HAZ 18v.

Thanks

Best is Solid Maple as far as weight and tone. Next is Redwood on a Black Walnut. But just my preference. And USA built.

18 Volt HAZ is a good as it gets. Period. And EMG x series for sure.

 

[The Deep]

I have discovered I have a EMG 35DC and an EMG 35CS in my recently acquired Rebop4 DLX-FM. It appears to be wired straight V/V/T/T with a 9 volt system.

The previous owner had the CS at the bridge and the DC at the neck. I just swapped these around to DC in the bridge and CS at the neck. I need to play some more, but so far I like the results.

I am considering a pre amp to compliment these pick ups. Does anyone have any experienced recommendations for what works particularly well? I like the idea of sweepable mids, so the EMG BQC sounded appealing.

Maybe the V/V/T/T is as good as anything. I can see where there's some merit in keeping it that way.

I know it's very subjective, but all opinions are welcome.

 

[NOLA Bass]

Best is Solid Maple as far as weight and tone. Next is Redwood on a Black Walnut. But just my preference. And USA built.

18 Volt HAZ is a good as it gets. Period. And EMG x series for sure.

I did not love the redwood back on the bass that had it. I felt like that and the helium bridge didn't quite have the heft and low thump that my my other Spector's did. Definitely a little more in the midrange than the traditional scoop. The NS-4 I had with the walnut back and maple front pounded like no other. That black walnut may add a little weight, but it adds serious lows as well. I do like my Euro 435LX with the alder back and maple top (mine has the US 9v Haz in it, which is the key for me).

 

[Uziel]

Thanks for the reply.

Now you can have the Reclaimed Redwood with the "Helium Package" (Reclaimed Redwood, Chambered, Aluminium Bridge)
Well, given what you said, I'm officialy lost in the wood ! I want a bite more bite than my Euro 6LX (poplar burl, alder)...

 

[songwriter21]

My Euro5, I think a limited run, is made from all-maple, and is VERY present. Of course, the loud-as-hell Tone Pump helps, even if I did attenuate it to 40-50%. Mine thankfully has active EMGs, how Spectors should be.

 

[Wolf Tower 5]

I've had US builds, Euros, Koreans and even a few Helium's as well, I can say without doubt, the all Maple bodies sound the best. I agree with most people that the Helium's or Redwood backed basses dont have the same low end or attack that the maple or walnut body's do.

 

[e.rich]

I've seen that several times.

I haven't bought an instrument in GC in 10 years, but I check the site every now and again hoping they list an NS2 as a Legend .

I did see a Forte once at less than the used going rate but it was pretty beat up which was surprising since you don't normally see US Spectors in bad shape. This one looked like it had been dropped and dragged several times.

Like the time they listed a Czech Blackhawk as an import ARC. Good snag, that one.

 

[Uziel]

I've had US builds, Euros, Koreans and even a few Helium's as well, I can say without doubt, the all Maple bodies sound the best. I agree with most people that the Helium's or Redwood backed basses dont have the same low end or attack that the maple or walnut body's do.

any chance you played an Ash bodied one ?

 

[gravesbass]

any chance you played an Ash bodied one ?

I have a solid ash winged forte5 wide. I LOVE the bass. Also have older solid maple wings and 3 piece. Ash is different but tons of tone, balls and definition. Mines got EMG 40DC/Aguilar OBP3 pre.

 

[Relayer71]

My Euro5, I think a limited run, is made from all-maple, and is VERY present. Of course, the loud-as-hell Tone Pump helps, even if I did attenuate it to 40-50%. Mine thankfully has active EMGs, how Spectors should be.

They've had all Maple Euros in their line up since last year (or maybe 2018?). Those were called Euro 4 (no LX or LT suffix), this year they're calling them Euro 4 Classic. Only in solid colors.

 

[songwriter21]

They've had all Maple Euros in their line up since last year (or maybe 2018?). Those were called Euro 4 (no LX or LT suffix), this year they're calling them Euro 4 Classic. Only in solid colors.

Yup, mine's an '18, but with soapbars (instead of dual Js).