SPECTOR® Owners Club

[bassgiant15]

Could be the BTC Sort of looks like my BQC a little bit. Does it have concentric knobs (can't tell from the picture). I'm not sure if the BTC has concentric knobs, but the BQC definitely does.

Hard to say. I do see that it says BT REV A and has these 2 switches as well.
Sorry guys I may have to hit up EMG. Just know that some of you guys use this one.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

The NS-2 I ordered back in October is complete and on it's way. Estimated delivery date was June, so getting it a few months early was a nice surprise. I'm just hoping it sounds as good as it looks!

 

[VeryTallBassist]

The NS-2 I ordered back in October is complete and on it's way. Estimated delivery date was June, so getting it a few months early was a nice surprise. I'm just hoping it sounds as good as it looks!

Northern lights is currently my favorite finish. Beautiful!

 

[songwriter21]

NBD...Eurobolt 5 in metallic blue. The finish is sooo pretty in person. Got this as new-old-stock from a shop in the Columbus area. It set up beautifully, and growls like a Spector should. Only weird thing is that the Aguilar OBP-2 is way quiter than passive mode (no trim pot, also). The controls work as they should, but I've never experienced this. Not really worried, seeing as I use passive mode 90-95% of the time anyway. Is that normal for said preamp?

 

[Drifter8230]

NBD...Eurobolt 5 in metallic blue. The finish is sooo pretty in person. Got this as new-old-stock from a shop in the Columbus area. It set up beautifully, and growls like a Spector should. Only weird thing is that the Aguilar OBP-2 is way quiter than passive mode (no trim pot, also). The controls work as they should, but I've never experienced this. Not really worried, seeing as I use passive mode 90-95% of the time anyway. Is that normal for said preamp?

Sweeeet color, very nice NBD

If it's new "old stock," have you changed the battery? At least in experience, I know that the sound gets "clippy" and "dirty" when the battery gets low...but maybe the OPB-2 is different . When I received BOTH of Euros, they needed new batteries within days.

Could be a loose wire/faulty solder point? Might be worth investigating or taking to a tech!

 

[Barticus]

NBD...Eurobolt 5 in metallic blue. The finish is sooo pretty in person. Got this as new-old-stock from a shop in the Columbus area. It set up beautifully, and growls like a Spector should. Only weird thing is that the Aguilar OBP-2 is way quiter than passive mode (no trim pot, also). The controls work as they should, but I've never experienced this. Not really worried, seeing as I use passive mode 90-95% of the time anyway. Is that normal for said preamp?

When engaged, the OBP2 should not be quieter than passive mode, it should be the same level. Once engaged it gives you a +-18db boost so you should be able to go passive then switch on active and stay at the same level until you boost things nicely.

 

[ThePreacher]

The Tonepump in a bag means LHZ HAZ is in. I like it. My new tech was blown away by how good it sounded. After a brief test run, I am quite pleased with the results. The Tonepump was good, I liked it and even used it for some sessions. Pretty punchy and aggressive, the low A distorted when attacked so I thought that was kind of HAZ-like, having no other HAZ experience. The distortion was hard to control. The LHZ HAZ is a much finer sound, more of a warm drive without the harshness... (pinkies UP) a nice bell tone expansion if you will. Can't wait to hear it wrapped with a bow on my band's next single. Spector Euro 5 with the classic EMG P/J setup. Had to be soldered as my EMG's did not come with the quick detach, so my tech installed them. So there is my take, no former HAZ to now I has the LHZ HAZ experience.

 

[songwriter21]

Sweeeet color, very nice NBD

If it's new "old stock," have you changed the battery? At least in experience, I know that the sound gets "clippy" and "dirty" when the battery gets low...but maybe the OPB-2 is different . When I received BOTH of Euros, they needed new batteries within days.

Could be a loose wire/faulty solder point? Might be worth investigating or taking to a tech!

When engaged, the OBP2 should not be quieter than passive mode, it should be the same level. Once engaged it gives you a +-18db boost so you should be able to go passive then switch on active and stay at the same level until you boost things nicely.

Ya know, after having set my basses up for almost twenty years now, I found out it was indeed the simple dead battery issue. A new Duracell brought the preamp to life.

 

[AgingEngineer]

The Tonepump in a bag means LHZ HAZ is in. I like it. My new tech was blown away by how good it sounded. After a brief test run, I am quite pleased with the results. The Tonepump was good, I liked it and even used it for some sessions. Pretty punchy and aggressive, the low A distorted when attacked so I thought that was kind of HAZ-like, having no other HAZ experience. The distortion was hard to control. The LHZ HAZ is a much finer sound, more of a warm drive without the harshness... (pinkies UP) a nice bell tone expansion if you will. Can't wait to hear it wrapped with a bow on my band's next single. Spector Euro 5 with the classic EMG P/J setup. Had to be soldered as my EMG's did not come with the quick detach, so my tech installed them. So there is my take, no former HAZ to now I has the LHZ HAZ experience.


View attachment 7206047

I'm glad you are digging the LHZ!!! Looking forward to what you think after you get some time with it live and in the studio!

 

[Drifter8230]

The Tonepump in a bag means LHZ HAZ is in. I like it. My new tech was blown away by how good it sounded. After a brief test run, I am quite pleased with the results. The Tonepump was good, I liked it and even used it for some sessions. Pretty punchy and aggressive, the low A distorted when attacked so I thought that was kind of HAZ-like, having no other HAZ experience. The distortion was hard to control. The LHZ HAZ is a much finer sound, more of a warm drive without the harshness... (pinkies UP) a nice bell tone expansion if you will. Can't wait to hear it wrapped with a bow on my band's next single. Spector Euro 5 with the classic EMG P/J setup. Had to be soldered as my EMG's did not come with the quick detach, so my tech installed them. So there is my take, no former HAZ to now I has the LHZ HAZ experience.


View attachment 7206047

Awesome! Mine is currently at tech being installed . I'll have mine on Monday/Tuesday!

 

[Rod Harder]

2 part question here - does anyone know if the standard EMG / 25K volume pots used in the Spector basses are the regular or long shaft versions? I need to order split shaft versions so that I can use the push on knobs with my LHZ-04 preamp. Second question, if I can't get the split shaft 25K pots does anyone have a line on where to get the Spector knobs with the dual set screws for the solid shaft pots?

@AgingEngineer - what are your thoughts?

 

[VeryTallBassist]

2 part question here - does anyone know if the standard EMG / 25K volume pots used in the Spector basses are the regular or long shaft versions? I need to order split shaft versions so that I can use the push on knobs with my LHZ-04 preamp. Second question, if I can't get the split shaft 25K pots does anyone have a line on where to get the Spector knobs with the dual set screws for the solid shaft pots?

@AgingEngineer - what are your thoughts?

They are short shaft. However, I've had no issues drilling out the push on knobs and getting them to work.

 

[Rod Harder]

They are short shaft. However, I've had no issues drilling out the push on knobs and getting them to work.

Thank you sir!

 

[AgingEngineer]

They are short shaft. However, I've had no issues drilling out the push on knobs and getting them to work.

2 part question here - does anyone know if the standard EMG / 25K volume pots used in the Spector basses are the regular or long shaft versions? I need to order split shaft versions so that I can use the push on knobs with my LHZ-04 preamp. Second question, if I can't get the split shaft 25K pots does anyone have a line on where to get the Spector knobs with the dual set screws for the solid shaft pots?

@AgingEngineer - what are your thoughts?

If you go to EMG and order the 25k volume pot, you can select Split Shaft with the "Short Shaft (Strat) 10mm" option, and they'll be the same size as the standard Spector pots. I've also got a couple prototype volume pots left that we'll start selling in the LHZ shop next month.

 

[frankie5string]

To those curious, the only passive EMGs are the HZs, which are simply passive DCs (many aren't aware of this).

Are you sure about that? The DCs wouldn't work passively. The two coils are fed into different parts of the preamp chip. The HZ pickups are wired like a traditional humbucker. That would make them quite different.

 

[_Some Dude]

I know some of you guys like the EMG preamps. I believe this is one that I have (probably gonna sell it too).

Anyone know if this is the BTC preamp?

It's a BTS. (BTC uses a concentric pot for the EQ, BTS is separate pots for the EQ).

The one with the dip switches is the actual preamp. The other one might be an ABC. I don't have one handy to compare it to.

 

[songwriter21]

Are you sure about that? The DCs wouldn't work passively. The two coils are fed into different parts of the preamp chip. The HZ pickups are wired like a traditional humbucker. That would make them quite different.

I read that on here, but forget specifically where. Regardless, they sound great with the gain up.

 

[rude-hornet]

New to the forum, so maybe a dumb question, but have the Spector Euro 5 strings (with EMG soaps) always been 40DCs?

The new lineup has more options, but even then, it's easy to tell the difference between the LX, RST, CST, etc just by looking at it. I don't think they offer the 5 LX with anything other than 40DC?

But when looking at older Euro 5 strings, is it safe to assume it's a 40DC if it's an EMG soapbar? And not a 40CS, 40J, etc?

 

[VeryTallBassist]

New to the forum, so maybe a dumb question, but have the Spector Euro 5 strings (with EMG soaps) always been 40DCs?

The new lineup has more options, but even then, it's easy to tell the difference between the LX, RST, CST, etc just by looking at it. I don't think they offer the 5 LX with anything other than 40DC?

But when looking at older Euro 5 strings, is it safe to assume it's a 40DC if it's an EMG soapbar? And not a 40CS, 40J, etc?

From the factory? Yes, except for a few years in the mid 2010s they offered the LX with dual 40TWs. Those are easy to tell because the EMG logo is copper colored.

 

[rude-hornet]

I figured I might as well share the family ... Been playing this green Euro 4 since I bought it new in 2003, but in the past year I've finally expanded. It started with my first 5 string (the NS pulse, and what a revelation that was!). I then took the plunge on a USA custom shop order (Black and blue, maple top/back, HAZ pre) which arrived last month! And then finally, I couldn't pass on this NS-5CR I saw online for a great price. A little worn / rough around the edges but plays great! Now I've got an LHZ preamp on the way for the NS-5CR, which should make for a killer 4/5 tandem!