SPECTOR® Owners Club

[VeryTallBassist]

I have 4 NS and a Euro X but all of them have the same EMG Haz combo.

Mine are:
J/40DC with SNC Haz (NS-JH5)
J/40TW with 18V Haz (NS-JH5)
40P5/40DC with refurb KHaz (NS2000/5)
40P5/40DC with Czech Haz (NS5CRFM)
40P5/40TW with LHZ (Rebop5)
40P5/40TW with LHZ (NS5CR)
40P5/40CS with LHZ (Skyler Acord)

Different but close.

 

[ynot12]

So, we're definitely going to switch out the Dimension 5's Fishman pre and pups to a LHZ Haz and still need to talk about the options. For the traditional Spector PJ setup it should be the EMG 40P5... and just to confirm, the EMG 40J is the appropriate model, correct?

 

[VeryTallBassist]

So, we're definitely going to switch out the Dimension 5's Fishman pre and pups to a LHZ Haz and still need to talk about the options. For the traditional Spector PJ setup it should be the EMG 40P5... and just to confirm, the EMG 40J is the appropriate model, correct?

You probably want to call EMG and get a 40JR - that will put the J at the top side of the pickup rather than the bottom so it's closer to the original pickup placement.

 

[Reedt2000]

You probably want to call EMG and get a 40JR - that will put the J at the top side of the pickup rather than the bottom so it's closer to the original pickup placement.

Could just flip the 40 J, no? Logo would be on the othe side, but otherwise same thing right?

 

[VeryTallBassist]

Could just flip the 40 J, no? Logo would be on the othe side, but otherwise same thing right?

Absolutely. I did it for a little bit on one bass, but I'm a bit anal and the upside down logo bugged me. I don't think there's an upcharge from EMG, just a couple week lead time, so if I were to do it again I'd probably go that route.

 

[e.rich]

Here is my 2007 NS2 that I got back in September, it was originally natural clear but I had it refinished in trans purple and I think it came out great!!

View attachment 5312905 View attachment 5312906 View attachment 5312907

Bold choice with the purple. Goes great with those inlays. And props to your luthier. That's not easy to keep the signature intact. Looks fantastic!

 

[dpaul]

So, we're definitely going to switch out the Dimension 5's Fishman pre and pups to a LHZ Haz and still need to talk about the options. For the traditional Spector PJ setup it should be the EMG 40P5... and just to confirm, the EMG 40J is the appropriate model, correct?

It has been my experience that the 40J is a rather weak sounding pickup, no matter the variation (reversed, X-series). I never got good results with that particular pickup. I use a 40DCX in the bridge position on both my Spector 5 strings, and for me I find it to be the best sounding picking when paired with a 40P5(X) in the neck position. YMMV

 

[scuzzy]

It has been my experience that the 40J is a rather weak sounding pickup, no matter the variation (reversed, X-series). I never got good results with that particular pickup. I use a 40DCX in the bridge position on both my Spector 5 strings, and for me I find it to be the best sounding picking when paired with a 40P5(X) in the neck position. YMMV

DC/DC and P5X/DCX are both great combos that I'm currently using.

 

[VeryTallBassist]

It has been my experience that the 40J is a rather weak sounding pickup, no matter the variation (reversed, X-series). I never got good results with that particular pickup. I use a 40DCX in the bridge position on both my Spector 5 strings, and for me I find it to be the best sounding picking when paired with a 40P5(X) in the neck position. YMMV

I answered reverse J because I thought he knew what he was looking for, but I absolutely agree with you. The 40P5/40DC is a fantastic sounding combination and I've got it in two of my Spectors. Lately I've been kind of partial to the 40TW in the bridge position because it gives you the option to go with the J, which, while a weak pickup, affects the tone of the P at the neck a little bit differently than the humbuckers do and it works better for certain specific tones. I have not tried a 40TWX but I heard EMG lowered the output of the humbucker position to match the output from the single coil position. Not really sure I'd like that.

 

[Rod Harder]

This curly redwood NS-4 is now hanging with me. Loving it so far. Nice even tone from string to string all the way up the neck.


View attachment 5314520

That's a beauty Gary. Hope you're doing well sir!

 

[Holdsg]

Thanks Rod, life is grand. Hope you're doing ok in the GWN.

 

[ewe2]

I've been looking at the new Pulse II 4's and thinking that's not a bad axe with the reverse pups but the issue of active-only with no separate battery compartment is a bit of a worry. Has anyone gone the route of passive pups with a switch or is that a lost cause? Never been a fan of active-only for this reason but it's a damn fine-sounding axe, and I've wanted a Spector for that unique tone.

 

[r_bnks]

Mine are:
J/40DC with SNC Haz (NS-JH5)
J/40TW with 18V Haz (NS-JH5)
40P5/40DC with refurb KHaz (NS2000/5)
40P5/40DC with Czech Haz (NS5CRFM)
40P5/40TW with LHZ (Rebop5)
40P5/40TW with LHZ (NS5CR)
40P5/40CS with LHZ (Skyler Acord)

Different but close.

Yea, It's all down to the EMG - HAZ core sound, regardless the type of the EMG. N
I never liked the Aquilars and Bartolinis in a Spector.

 

[ynot12]

It has been my experience that the 40J is a rather weak sounding pickup, no matter the variation (reversed, X-series). I never got good results with that particular pickup. I use a 40DCX in the bridge position on both my Spector 5 strings, and for me I find it to be the best sounding picking when paired with a 40P5(X) in the neck position. YMMV

DC/DC and P5X/DCX are both great combos that I'm currently using.

I answered reverse J because I thought he knew what he was looking for, but I absolutely agree with you. The 40P5/40DC is a fantastic sounding combination and I've got it in two of my Spectors. Lately I've been kind of partial to the 40TW in the bridge position because it gives you the option to go with the J, which, while a weak pickup, affects the tone of the P at the neck a little bit differently than the humbuckers do and it works better for certain specific tones. I have not tried a 40TWX but I heard EMG lowered the output of the humbucker position to match the output from the single coil position. Not really sure I'd like that.

Yea, It's all down to the EMG - HAZ core sound, regardless the type of the EMG. N
I never liked the Aquilars and Bartolinis in a Spector.

It's been a while since I've thought much about the ideal setup for a 5 string. But thank you all for reminding me about the EMG J… I remember now that it's weak sounding. This feedback has been tremendously helpful. Definitely going to share it with my buddy. You guys rock. Thank you!!
Tony

 

[Jason Bonilla]

I've been looking at the new Pulse II 4's and thinking that's not a bad axe with the reverse pups but the issue of active-only with no separate battery compartment is a bit of a worry. Has anyone gone the route of passive pups with a switch or is that a lost cause? Never been a fan of active-only for this reason but it's a damn fine-sounding axe, and I've wanted a Spector for that unique tone.

I mean at that point you'be pretty much eliminated the key factors that make that bass sound good to you.

 

[bste9]

I've been looking at the new Pulse II 4's and thinking that's not a bad axe with the reverse pups but the issue of active-only with no separate battery compartment is a bit of a worry. Has anyone gone the route of passive pups with a switch or is that a lost cause? Never been a fan of active-only for this reason but it's a damn fine-sounding axe, and I've wanted a Spector for that unique tone.

why is it a worry? I've never had a battery die on me. Change them out once or twice a year and forget about it. Making a Spector passive? Just get a Fender

 

[drooartz]

New bass day for me! Brought this one home yesterday.

About a year ago I was pulled back into a full band after 20ish years of only playing in acoustic duos, lots of upright/guitar/mandolin. During those 20ish years I sold my old NS2C (shouldn't have) since I played it so rarely and the battery was always dead when I needed it. Should have kept it, but there you go.

Saw this Euro 5RST in a local store last year while shopping for a good 4-string. Noted it looked cool, but wasn't interested in a 5-string. Fast forward a year and after a circuitous bass year I'm in the market for a 5-string. Stopped by the store and they still had the very same bass! Played it against all the other 5ers they had in the shop (some nice stuff) and this won out. Got a good deal on it as well since it had been in the shop so long -- I'll say it was just waiting for me.

 

[PaulS]

Great finish! Enjoy!

 

[Relayer71]

Loving the retro vibe here with the finish and maple board with dot markers; gorgeous!

Spector USA NS-2 Bass Guitar - Sonic Blue, Sweetwater Exclusive

Spector USA NS-2 Electric Bass Guitar - Shell Pink, Sweetwater Exclusive

 

[AgingEngineer]

So, we're definitely going to switch out the Dimension 5's Fishman pre and pups to a LHZ Haz and still need to talk about the options. For the traditional Spector PJ setup it should be the EMG 40P5... and just to confirm, the EMG 40J is the appropriate model, correct?

That's exactly what I have in both my Rebops, and is a great combo for that classic Spector tone!