SPECTOR® Owners Club

[Mikewhittaker]

I thought it would be fun to check some mid control on this bass but tone pump with the VVBT really is fantastic.

After that Delano preamp failure and already selling my tone pump I was afraid the BQC wasn't going to be better than the tone pump either, but I was wrong. But I also changed the pickups so.. I really hope you are wiring that as 18 volt? BQC needs 18 volt. It will work on 9 but highly recommends 18v. I better go to sleep. I will be looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the BQC.

 

[pbass6811]

so in my silly bass world I'll take an Aluminum bridge over a Brass one anyday ! Viva la alluminio !

You could also get ahold of an older Euro bridge when they were heavier. Having played all sorts of bridges, my ears can’t really hear a difference. Mind you, I didn’t A/B it.

I know, right?! There's some super sonic ears around here! I've played a veritable cornucopia of different bridges, and I could never hear a difference, UNLESS, it was a poorly built bass, then bridge material didn't really matter.

Since I gig a lot, I'm trying to lighten my schlep as much as possible. The NS-5XL I just got came in a shade under 9lbs! That's what helps me get thru multiple 4-hr gigs every weekend. I was told that the lightweight hardware was going to be the most effective way to lose weight, so I ordered the NS-5XL with the "Helium" hardware. I also ordered it on my incoming NS-2. I was lucky enough that it was spec'd on my NS-4 and, of course, the Forte has it. I really feel like the aluminum bridge with the brass saddles isn't really giving anything up to the solid brass bridge, except for weight. I don't know if there's a weight difference based on the finish of the bridge, but I'd guess that gold or chrome plating would add a few ounces? Maybe? I don't really like gold hardware anyway, so I can't say for sure...

Playin' with yer knobs, again?
Is that an B-style Hipshot bridge on that bass?
Going BQC?

It is. I had the same bridge on my FBass BN5's. Oddly enough, my FBass BNF5 Fretless has the Hipshot A-Style bridge.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

After that Delano preamp failure and already selling my tone pump I was afraid the BQC wasn't going to be better than the tone pump either, but I was wrong. But I also changed the pickups so.. I really hope you are wiring that as 18 volt? BQC needs 18 volt. It will work on 9 but highly recommends 18v. I better go to sleep. I will be looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the BQC.

I’ll be watching for the comments from @AB Nate too!

I’m still unsure if I’m going to upgrade my BTS to a BQC. Right now, my 6LT sounds killer with the BTS. I want to hear how the BTS sounds through my big amp, and it will be awhile until I can get my storage room cleaned out to get to my pair of cabinets. Most likely this coming Spring.
So, I’m keeping it as is, for now.

I use a Tech 21 Sansamp GED-2112 preamp in my big rig, and the eq on it’s “Drive” channel is very flexible, IMO. It might negate the need for a 3-band onboard eq. Also, it’s “Drive” control provides some excellent “grit”, and the ability to dial in the amount of it that I want. So, quite possibly the need for an onboard eq that produces a gritty tone might not be necessary.

But I still plan on buying a Euro 6LX regardless.

Take care, Mike!!!

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

….Can a USA brass bridge fit on a euro and does the brass improve the sound? I would want black though.... I know the USA bridges have a more square look. Here is a picture of mine….View attachment 4429281

I know I read another thread, years ago, where a TBer asked if it was possible to buy a U.S. bridge, and replace the stock bridge on his Euro with it. A person responded saying it wouldn’t be a direct replacement, the U.S. bridge takes up more “real estate”, and a Euro would require some routing.

In that same thread someone posted that they did at one time modify a Euro, and put a U.S. bridge in the bass, but they said to their ears it made little to no difference in tone.

I tried to find the thread to post a link to it, but my thread-searching abilities are pretty poor.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

After a TWO WEEK tour from Italy, to France, and through Germany (I'm in L.A.)... She's FINALLY (safely) HERE!!! Sooooooooooooo STOKED!!!

 

[Ricky-1982]

Silly (and perhaps old) question here: have anyone tried to swap the 40DC pickups for a set of 40j5+40p5 (which has the reversed design just as the EMG P pickup) to get that NS2 tone on a 5 stringer Euro Lx? Does it work?

 

[dpaul]

Silly (and perhaps old) question here: have anyone tried to swap the 40DC pickups for a set of 40j5+40p5 (which has the reversed design just as the EMG P pickup) to get that NS2 tone on a 5 stringer Euro Lx? Does it work?

Many have tried that combo, myself included. While some people are happy with the results, I always found the 40J pickup to be too weak in output to balance with the 40P5. I currently have the 40P5 Neck/40DC Bridge combo in 2 of my basses (US builds, but I have done the same in previously owned Euro basses) and find that works much better for trying to achieve the classic NS-2 tone. YMMV

 

[yeldarb69 (Brad)]

I’m definitely thinking a Forte-6 will end up being the U.S. Spector that I buy. And I’ll be willing to pay an up charge for body wings made of alder. Ideally, I’d like to have Euro-type sandwich wings made of U.S. alder/walnut/flame maple. I don’t know if that would be allowed by the Shop, but I certainly hope so.

Just an FYI, i inquired about that exact body combo about a year ago and was told they would do it.....I ultimately went with solid maple wings, but at the time Jason at fret nation told me that it was possible......Maybe you can reach out to him.....He will be able to tell you one way or the other..

 

[fretno]

After a TWO WEEK tour from Italy, to France, and through Germany (I'm in L.A.)... She's FINALLY (safely) HERE!!! Sooooooooooooo STOKED!!!
View attachment 4429679

Oh my ! What a beauty!

 

[TinIndian]

Many have tried that combo, myself included. While some people are happy with the results, I always found the 40J pickup to be too weak in output to balance with the 40P5. I currently have the 40P5 Neck/40DC Bridge combo in 2 of my basses (US builds, but I have done the same in previously owned Euro basses) and find that works much better for trying to achieve the classic NS-2 tone. YMMV

The 40P5 and 40DC combination is pretty consistently the highest recommended combination around here. I swapped that in my Rebop 5 and they made a big difference with the OBP-3 pre that was in there. I just put in an SNC Pre amp this week, hated the OBP3, and now it sounds Just like a Spector should. Still need to tidy it up a bit in this pic.

 

[TinIndian]

And this just got here yesterday. 2003 Euro 5 in Black Cherry. All stock electronics down to the non-trim Tone Pump. Has a few nicks in the cut away area that im going to see if I can touch up somehow but for a well gigged 18 year old bass it's in really good shape. I'm going to take it apart and give it a good cleaning, set up and a fresh set of High Beams. hopefully I can have it ready for Saturday nights show.

Only had a moment to snap one quick pic. I'll get more later.

 

[TinIndian]

And she has some weight to her with the solid maple wings and heavier bridge. Has to be right in the 10.5lb range give or take.

BTW, What was the bridge construction back then? It is clearly not whatever they are using now because it is not plated in gold otherwise after this much time it would have rubbed thru plus there is a little green corrosion in a couple of the corners.

 

[Quadzilla]

If anyone here is interested in swapping their black Euro hardware for brand new chrome hardware, let me know know. I have a new RST arriving (pictured) that I'd love to put black hardware on. Your black hardware must be in great condition (at least an 8.5 out of 10). In return, you will be getting, literally, brand new chrome hardware! This of course is for the Spector OEM bridge and (Gotoh) OEM tuners. Thank you!!!!

 

[The Deep]

You're going to love the BQC!

I have a BQC in my NS-2A with active EMGs and it sounds really great. It’s a very versatile pre. The bass came to me set up that way, but it does have the original K-Haz also.

I haven’t heard a bass with the original K-Haz before. I assume it compares favorably to the SNC or the real deal Haz pres?

I’m always tempted to put the K-Haz back in it, but the BQC sounds so good it’s tough to mess with what’s already working out so well.

 

[AB Nate]

I’ll be watching for the comments from @AB Nate too!

I’m still unsure if I’m going to upgrade my BTS to a BQC. Right now, my 6LT sounds killer with the BTS. I want to hear how the BTS sounds through my big amp, and it will be awhile until I can get my storage room cleaned out to get to my pair of cabinets. Most likely this coming Spring.
So, I’m keeping it as is, for now.

I use a Tech 21 Sansamp GED-2112 preamp in my big rig, and the eq on it’s “Drive” channel is very flexible, IMO. It might negate the need for a 3-band onboard eq. Also, it’s “Drive” control provides some excellent “grit”, and the ability to dial in the amount of it that I want. So, quite possibly the need for an onboard eq that produces a gritty tone might not be necessary.

But I still plan on buying a Euro 6LX regardless.

Take care, Mike!!!

It was late when I finally got this thing out together. I haven’t had a chance to play with it too much at all but overall I’m quite satisfied.
A bit of reaming was required for the stacked pots and I’ll have to source some proper connectors where the pick ups connect to the ABC pot but did some temp solders there for now. If they don’t have them at the local electronics shop I’ll look to today, EMG will get an email for an order request.

It’s a tight space for my soldering but it all worked out perfect thankfully. Tight space for the second battery also but…. It’s in there.

I will say, I didn’t notice any major difference (at low levels) in the “sound” of the bass but of course having the mid control is a blatant addition to frequency control.

Ultimately upon initial impression, the BQC is most likely in it for life. It was a killer sounding Fretless before and now it’s just more dynamic. I find a Fretless instrument to be the most fun when tone sculpting for some reason and this just added to the pleasure.

 

[hbabels]

Silly (and perhaps old) question here: have anyone tried to swap the 40DC pickups for a set of 40j5+40p5 (which has the reversed design just as the EMG P pickup) to get that NS2 tone on a 5 stringer Euro Lx? Does it work?

I have an liked it better than dual DC pickups. Especially the P in the neck position. I agree that the 40p & 40DC is an even better combo. It sounds good the other way 2 with the DC on the neck and the 40P in the Bridge. Super aggressive this way.

 

[fibz]

I have a BQC in my NS-2A with active EMGs and it sounds really great. It’s a very versatile pre. The bass came to me set up that way, but it does have the original K-Haz also.

I haven’t heard a bass with the original K-Haz before. I assume it compares favorably to the SNC or the real deal Haz pres?

I’m always tempted to put the K-Haz back in it, but the BQC sounds so good it’s tough to mess with what’s already working out so well.

Here’s mine, bass and treble on 100% boost, No effects. Active EMGs, string with D‘addario Pro Steels. I find it pretty awesome.

 

[Mikewhittaker]

I have a BQC in my NS-2A with active EMGs and it sounds really great. It’s a very versatile pre. The bass came to me set up that way, but it does have the original K-Haz also.

I haven’t heard a bass with the original K-Haz before. I assume it compares favorably to the SNC or the real deal Haz pres?

I’m always tempted to put the K-Haz back in it, but the BQC sounds so good it’s tough to mess with what’s already working out so well.

Not sure if you saw this in the threads when I was getting this done, but the two switches on your mid board of you take the back cover off EMG modded and put a 3 way toggle switch on for me. I only paid 4 dollars for the switch and 8 dollars shipping. They did the mod for free at EMG. It's really cool option to have. I only use 2 of the settings now cause the one isn't bright enough for me. It just gives you 3 different treble curves. Pretty cool though and even more variety that is accessable without having to take the back cover off.

..having my luthier install the 2 battery unit next year

 

[Mikewhittaker]

Here’s mine, bass and treble on 100% boost, No effects. Active EMGs, string with D‘addario Pro Steels. I find it pretty awesome.

Awesome. I have my bass and treble up and the mids down. One mid all the way up and the other mid almost all the way down. I don't think I'm wording that correctly, but I'm at work and can't look it up lol .

 

[Mikewhittaker]

It was late when I finally got this thing out together. I haven’t had a chance to play with it too much at all but overall I’m quite satisfied.
A bit of reaming was required for the stacked pots and I’ll have to source some proper connectors where the pick ups connect to the ABC pot but did some temp solders there for now. If they don’t have them at the local electronics shop I’ll look to today, EMG will get an email for an order request.

It’s a tight space for my soldering but it all worked out perfect thankfully. Tight space for the second battery also but…. It’s in there.

I will say, I didn’t notice any major difference (at low levels) in the “sound” of the bass but of course having the mid control is a blatant addition to frequency control.

Ultimately upon initial impression, the BQC is most likely in it for life. It was a killer sounding Fretless before and now it’s just more dynamic. I find a Fretless instrument to be the most fun when tone sculpting for some reason and this just added to the pleasure.
View attachment 4430021

I have a ton of connectors. At work now, but pm me and I can send you some tomorrow if you're in the USA and I will send them free. Gotta go back to making the guitar strings! Ttyl