SPECTOR® Owners Club

[Murch]

Thanks so much! I've never owned a Spector but pretty much everything else. I was impressed with the feel and playability of the instrument. So much so that I bought a new NS Pulse II in Black Matte. It feels so good to play. Tonite is the first gig and I'm counting down to the start time. I got a fairly good deal as well. Normally $1099.99 everywhere, I got it for $975 no tax and free shipping.
Now you mentioned replacing the Tone Pump Jr preamp. What would you recommend?View attachment 6979906

Not that you were asking me, but I would go with an LHZ Haz clone. I have an Aguilar OBP-2 in my Euro 4LX which has lots of boost and cut on tap but not a ton of character.

 

[ChileRelleno]

Nobody?
Also interested in maybe the PJ style Euro, but again not sure if a humbucker will fit completely covering the P pickup route. If anyone can measure the outside dimensions of the P pickup that'll be great, thank you.

is this thing on?

 

[PhishPhan22]

Okay. So need a little help once again from the club. I've been really really working with the genzler Magellan 800'head with my Spector euro 5 Lt with the DGTC. I use to hate the TC if I'm honest but it was I admit a lot of lack of fully understanding Eqs a what's actually happening in the selected frequencies and now I've played other high end basses "Ken smiths, PRS grainger 10 tops," to get an idea what it is I feel I'm missing. I've been told rumor about Spector changing the old Euro 5 Lts getting all taken back a swapped out from the Tc. But I'm sure I'm screwed lol . Idk if that's even true but I will say every single other Spector has been amazing vs mine. The 4 string augilar Pjs, Barts, an then I played a 5 string with a real
HAZ in it. Wow. lol ssoooo I've learned to dial in the tone cap decently. A the mid hump is nice for cutting through the mix. I enjoy raking/ghost but I can't decide on changing the preamp to a more wide frequency one like the Bart pre to match the pups. I feel like an have been told by a lot on here a people I trust it would make a lot of diff. Just hard for me to commit without knowing the sound ya know it's not like a pedal buy' an after the price I'm just like ugh. BUT I do feel it's a great bass, an the darkglass isn't as bad as I make it sound just not my cup.

I notice I gravitate more to the clear but hifi sounding Pbass sound that's in a lot of jam band players or funk gospel players. This Ken smith I got to plug in that a local shop owner has was amazing! But that's obvi Ken smith. lol but I did look up the electronics I think I just want a wider range a one that's more clear. I hate shelling out money without knowin more or being able to demo it but I have a feeling the Bart pre would open up a lot.

 

[PhishPhan22]

I've had the privilege of owning multiple LTs and multiple LXs over the last few years (currently own an LX 6). Both are quintessentially Spector, but each are their own beasts, and it's hard to say either is better as they are both brilliant. It comes down to taste. I've come to prefer the LX, and I've learned I am a TonePump+EMG guy all the way. The Bartolini+Darkglass combo in the LT is very nice, but the EQ points weren't for me. The fundamental tone is similar, which I think comes down to the pickup placement and overall construction being the same (as far as I know). I will also say I am slightly biased as I will take EMGs over Bartolini any day.

IME, the LX is a little more "in your face" but I love how it can be very warm and then very bright. The TP and EMGs are the sound I hear in my head and suit my playing. I play lots of styles, from musical theatre to progressive metal, and the LX is at home in everything.

I loved the LT, but I had trouble dialing it in to what worked best for me. However, I loved it for modern progressive metal. It's a very clean tone and accepts varying level of distortion well. I also loved having an ebony fingerboard on the LT. The rosewood on my LX is great, but I do tend to prefer ebony overall.

Not entirely sure if that was helpful or just muddied the waters. Happy to answer any other questions.

Eric

This is where I'm running into trouble. I play jam so we get heavy some what but for funk a stuff I just idk I can't get along with it and I really think it's the preamp. After doing a lot of reading, research, I think for what darkglass was wanting a metal it's amazing. But for clarity more for gospel funk sounding it sounds limiting. I'm hoping putting in the Bart NTMB is going to help. I've played on ALL the other spectors the 4 string pjs make me
Jelly. But the LTs build an B string are amazing. I think the pups aren't even that bad. I've not changed many preamps especially onboard but it looks like in theory adding somthing much more wider an actually has a treble may just be the touch I need. Or hope

I guess I'm just curious what will I hear when I but the new preamp in? Will it be that noticeable and worth the money I think the pups are fine cuase I've heard a Spector with Barts with diff pre that wasn't bad. But which one would you mod vets try first or would you sell the bass. I do love the spector tone my
Gut tells me in theory the better mroe wider range in all frequencies, 18 volt, higher output all would I hope get me there but I wanted to make SURE it wasn't me an a lot was me needing to learn to dial in. But now I have it's just to much mids for me a turning the preamp down is obvi not ideal.

 

[Dave Hill]

Thank you for the kind words, @VeryTallBassist! You were one of very earliest players to take a chance on the LHZ, and I sincerely appreciate all the support and feedback from the early days to today. I never would have imagined that a "what if" post from 2 years ago would turn into legitimate business, and I am regularly inspired to keep doing new things as the suggestions and feedback keep rolling in.

I have a LHZ ready to go in my Tonepump-equipped Euro4 LX.

What should I expect after the swap?

 

[Lowendchamp]

Hope to officially join this club as I finally replaced the one that was stolen from me! It's an early 2000s Korean made four string. Maybe not as high quality as a Euro, but every bit a fine instrument. My original model even accompanied me to war and back twice on my ship.

 

[VeryTallBassist]

I have a LHZ ready to go in my Tonepump-equipped Euro4 LX.

What should I expect after the swap?

Besides the chorus of angels and women throwing their undergarments at you on stage? Expect a sound that is very dependent on your right hand. When you dig in, it will break up a little bit, but never lose clarity or articulation. Expect the tone controls to be musical and not harsh. You could dime them both and still sound good, although the sweet spot for me seems to be bass around 50% boost and treble somewhere between 50% and 75% boost.

 

[Barticus]

This is where I'm running into trouble. I play jam so we get heavy some what but for funk a stuff I just idk I can't get along with it and I really think it's the preamp. After doing a lot of reading, research, I think for what darkglass was wanting a metal it's amazing. But for clarity more for gospel funk sounding it sounds limiting. I'm hoping putting in the Bart NTMB is going to help. I've played on ALL the other spectors the 4 string pjs make me
Jelly. But the LTs build an B string are amazing. I think the pups aren't even that bad. I've not changed many preamps especially onboard but it looks like in theory adding somthing much more wider an actually has a treble may just be the touch I need. Or hope

I guess I'm just curious what will I hear when I but the new preamp in? Will it be that noticeable and worth the money I think the pups are fine cuase I've heard a Spector with Barts with diff pre that wasn't bad. But which one would you mod vets try first or would you sell the bass. I do love the spector tone my
Gut tells me in theory the better mroe wider range in all frequencies, 18 volt, higher output all would I hope get me there but I wanted to make SURE it wasn't me an a lot was me needing to learn to dial in. But now I have it's just to much mids for me a turning the preamp down is obvi not ideal.

Hmm, I have the DGTC in my Euro 5LT and at first didn't love it. So I played with the low mid control in the cavity to adjust it to where the high mid and the bass controls on the front gave me the tonal palette that I was looking for. I also adjust the volume controls to favor/blend the neck ot bridge pickup as necessary for the songs that I'm playing as well. I've learned that it only requires very minor adjustments to get the tones that I need now. I like the way the preamp gives an almost compressed sound when digging in.

I like it so much now that actually bought 2 more for some of the custom builds I'm doing in the SBO 24.

I also have the HAZ in my NS 5XL, and once I changed from 18v to 9v I love it to, but definitely sounds different from the TC. Playing live, this preamp is pretty amazing. If I dig-in I can get that grindey tube sound when needed. So right hand dynamics can play a huge difference in the tone using the HAZ.

If that's what you're looking for (classic Spector tone) then go for the LHZ HAZ clone, that will get you there.

I played a show last night with my NS 5XL and kind of giggled at some of the times where I needed that grind to come into play during a song and then if I backed off with my right hand, it was smooth as butter again. Can't wait to watch the video from the gig to hear that sound.

 

[Barticus]

Okay. So need a little help once again from the club. I've been really really working with the genzler Magellan 800'head with my Spector euro 5 Lt with the DGTC. I use to hate the TC if I'm honest but it was I admit a lot of lack of fully understanding Eqs a what's actually happening in the selected frequencies and now I've played other high end basses "Ken smiths, PRS grainger 10 tops," to get an idea what it is I feel I'm missing. I've been told rumor about Spector changing the old Euro 5 Lts getting all taken back a swapped out from the Tc. But I'm sure I'm screwed lol . Idk if that's even true but I will say every single other Spector has been amazing vs mine. The 4 string augilar Pjs, Barts, an then I played a 5 string with a real
HAZ in it. Wow. lol ssoooo I've learned to dial in the tone cap decently. A the mid hump is nice for cutting through the mix. I enjoy raking/ghost but I can't decide on changing the preamp to a more wide frequency one like the Bart pre to match the pups. I feel like an have been told by a lot on here a people I trust it would make a lot of diff. Just hard for me to commit without knowing the sound ya know it's not like a pedal buy' an after the price I'm just like ugh. BUT I do feel it's a great bass, an the darkglass isn't as bad as I make it sound just not my cup.

I notice I gravitate more to the clear but hifi sounding Pbass sound that's in a lot of jam band players or funk gospel players. This Ken smith I got to plug in that a local shop owner has was amazing! But that's obvi Ken smith. lol but I did look up the electronics I think I just want a wider range a one that's more clear. I hate shelling out money without knowin more or being able to demo it but I have a feeling the Bart pre would open up a lot.

Another thought, this helped me tremendously. I never would have been able to dial in these preamps without the use of good headphones or in ear monitors versus just listening to it through an amp. I practice with IEM's in all the time so I can hear all of the intricacies of the preamp and that helped me to dial in both of these preamps to get what I need. Without that, there's no way I could've gotten to a good knowledge base of how these preamps can be adjusted.

Give it a try, you might find that you're able to get what you need out of that tone capsule after all. You could also convert it to 18V to see if that gives you more of what you're looking for as well.

Oh, and definitely pop open the back control cover to adjust the low mid control as you're doing your testing, this will help.

 

[Dyerseve14]

Hey guys and gals, what is a fair price for a Spector SB-1 in good condition, all original. Prices online seem to vary wildly from about 1500 to 8000USD!

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

Spector club members; if suddenly you were without your Spector(s) & had to pay full price for a new one (only one), what would it be & why? Btw - I keep hearing the Tone Pump Jr. pre is no good, anyone agree? Thanks.

EDIT: as I won't be able to side by side test a gloss finish Spector Euro vs a matte finish one, is there anything I should be aware of? I've had both types of finishes and as far as playability I don't really have a preference. But I'm not sure if there's anything to be aware of regarding Spector Euro gloss vs flat. Thanks.

For me it would be a Euro-6LX.

Because a PJ setup is my favorite I'd probably swap out its EMG TWs with EMG P-X/J-Xs. I might also swap out it's Tonepump with an EMG BTS or an LHZ, but I'd first give the Tonepump a fair shake, because I do like it's sounds, but I've never used one live.

 

[AB Nate]

Spector club members; if suddenly you were without your Spector(s) & had to pay full price for a new one (only one), what would it be & why? Btw - I keep hearing the Tone Pump Jr. pre is no good, anyone agree? Thanks.

EDIT: as I won't be able to side by side test a gloss finish Spector Euro vs a matte finish one, is there anything I should be aware of? I've had both types of finishes and as far as playability I don't really have a preference. But I'm not sure if there's anything to be aware of regarding Spector Euro gloss vs flat. Thanks.

This is what I would buy right here if I found myself looking for one today.

https://www.talkbass.com/classifieds/spector-forte-6-usa-built.1654894/


This is what I have.

 

[TomSawyerAM]

Hi all! Just traded for a 4 string Euro LT with Bartollini pickups and the Darkglass pre, Power Slinky strings. I love it finger style, so good! But when I use a pick, the low E sounds amazing but the A, D and G are very sharp and harsh sounding. I have the treble turned way down and even have the treble reduced in my Helix pre-set but it's still very harsh and metallic.

It's definitely the bass, my Schecter and Fender don't sound like that through the same settings. Any thoughts on how to reduce that high metallic edge?

 

[Barticus]

Hi all! Just traded for a 4 string Euro LT with Bartollini pickups and the Darkglass pre, Power Slinky strings. I love it finger style, so good! But when I use a pick, the low E sounds amazing but the A, D and G are very sharp and harsh sounding. I have the treble turned way down and even have the treble reduced in my Helix pre-set but it's still very harsh and metallic.

It's definitely the bass, my Schecter and Fender don't sound like that through the same settings. Any thoughts on how to reduce that high metallic edge?

Congrats, awesome bass… I love my LT5.
The DGTC is a dual mid (no treble) and bass. The low mid control is in the control cavity, open the cover and adjust along with the bass and high mid. Once you're happy with the range of adjustment, leave the mid and close it up.

 

[AB Nate]

Hi all! Just traded for a 4 string Euro LT with Bartollini pickups and the Darkglass pre, Power Slinky strings. I love it finger style, so good! But when I use a pick, the low E sounds amazing but the A, D and G are very sharp and harsh sounding. I have the treble turned way down and even have the treble reduced in my Helix pre-set but it's still very harsh and metallic.

It's definitely the bass, my Schecter and Fender don't sound like that through the same settings. Any thoughts on how to reduce that high metallic edge?

Perhaps check your pick up height's?

 

[E_strat]

Managed to get my LT back from Music Go Round. The folks there helped me out so the only difference I had to pay was the tax. Probably gonna kick myself for letting go of the LX 6, but what can ya do. Knowing me I'll probably be back in a few months to pick it up. Anyway, here's my trusty LT that I picked out personally from Sweetwater last year. Going to try the EMG X pickups as soon as funds permit.

 

[Barticus]

Managed to get my LT back from Music Go Round. The folks there helped me out so the only difference I had to pay was the tax. Probably gonna kick myself for letting go of the LX 6, but what can ya do. Knowing me I'll probably be back in a few months to pick it up. Anyway, here's my trusty LT that I picked out personally from Sweetwater last year. Going to try the EMG X pickups as soon as funds permit.

Nice!
I've got the twin
I have black hardware to do the swap on mine, but the gold has grown on me.

 

[E_strat]

Nice!
I've got the twin
I have black hardware to do the swap on mine, but the gold has grown on me.

Seeing yours around lately gave me the bug to get mine back! Love those purpleheart knobs btw. I also have black hardware to put on as well, but I'm fond of the gold too. For reference, here's a pic of mine from a few months ago when I did have black hardware on it.

 

[Barticus]

Seeing yours around lately gave me the bug to get mine back! Love those purpleheart knobs btw. I also have black hardware to put on as well, but I'm fond of the gold too. For reference, here's a pic of mine from a few months ago when I did have black hardware on it.

Ooh nice, thanks for posting that!
Yeah, they are great basses. Mine has become my primary practicing bass and my NS5XL has become my primary gigging bass.

 

[Musicman81]

Congrats, awesome bass… I love my LT5.
The DGTC is a dual mid (no treble) and bass. The low mid control is in the control cavity, open the cover and adjust along with the bass and high mid. Once you're happy with the range of adjustment, leave the mid and close it up.

According to the Spector website it's actually:

Bass-Cut/Boost
Treble- Cut/Boost
Mid (inside the control cavity).

I had a recent Euro 5LT with this setup and it definitely sounded like boost/cut treble to me.

I know all the other Dark Glass pre's are high mid instead of treble. This one may have been designed this way specifically for Spector. I've been known to be wrong before though