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Spector, Carvin, Brubaker Brute, Lakand, or...?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Mike Sorr, Dec 15, 2014.

  1. Dec 15, 2014 #1
    Mike Sorr

    Mike Sorr Supporting Member

    Oct 24, 2012
    Manchester, NJ
    I'm in the market for a new 5 string and I have a friend that swears by Spector. Spectors are one of those manufacturers that I've never really had all that much interest in, and don't really know much about. He has allowed me to play a few of his multitude of Spectors, all of which are the pricey American type, but he has lots of nice things to say about the models that normal people like me can afford too. The ones I played were impressive and felt good in my hands, but of course the least pricey one was still worth $2500 or so. Understanding that I have been mostly a Fender guy my whole playing life and currently own a few American Precisions and a Jazz, his advice to me is to sell everything and buy a good model Spector, like a Euro. My preference would be to possibly sell or trade my Geddy Lee and use the cash toward a Spector 5 model that doesn't cost ridiculous sums of money (I've never spent over a grand for a bass in my life). So, understanding that my knowledge of Spector instruments is limited, as is my willingness to spend over $1000, what advice would you guys offer me as far as what Spectors are worth looking at, and what is to be avoided? How do they stack up against, say, a used Skyline or Brubaker Brute? Should I just go ahead and sell my four string Fenders and buy a Euro? (I rarely play 4 string these days).
     
  2. Dec 15, 2014 #2
    Maxdusty

    Maxdusty

    Mar 9, 2012
    Michigan USA
    I would go and try a Spector Legend 5 and see if that does it for you. This is still a pretty decent Spector and goes for around $799 brand new. Used, they're about $500-600. Still great sounding basses imo.
     
    Mike Sorr likes this.
  3. Dec 15, 2014 #3
    OldDirtyBassist

    OldDirtyBassist

    Mar 13, 2014
    I had a Korean Spector NS 4 string and a Woodstock SSD. I can't believe how such a similar bass can have such a huge difference in sound and quality. Judging from that experience it's safe to say if you want that Black Album tone, you'll have to pay the six grand.
     
  4. Dec 15, 2014 #4
    Mike Sorr

    Mike Sorr Supporting Member

    Oct 24, 2012
    Manchester, NJ
    I saw a video the other day of a guy that got the most amazing tone I've ever heard using an ESP 6 string that costs under $500 new. I wouldn't spend six grand on a used car, never mind a bass. Maybe $600.
     
    Maxdusty likes this.
  5. Dec 16, 2014 #5
    OldDirtyBassist

    OldDirtyBassist

    Mar 13, 2014
    It doesn't have to be Spector then?

    Ever try a Dean Edge 6? They're extra long scale basses with 2 truss rod multi-laminate necks. They sell used for beans.
     
  6. Dec 16, 2014 #6
    Maxdusty

    Maxdusty

    Mar 9, 2012
    Michigan USA
    You can more than get a great sound out of basses costing much less than a grand. I would also recommend trying out some Warwick Rockbass basses that are around your price range. I actually prefer the sound of it over a Spector. Newer Warwick Rockbasses now have the same components and hardware as the German ones so the quality is exceptional.

    Check this video out: It's a 4 string Fortress, but they also make a 5er.
     
    Mike Sorr likes this.
  7. Dec 16, 2014 #7
    sumgruuvz

    sumgruuvz

    Apr 28, 2009
    Kansas
    You can find a used Spector Euro for around or under 1k. That's as close as your going to get to the USA NS-2 6k Spector. And it is a mighty fine instrument. You could probably find a used German made Warwick under 1k if you look around and wait. As far as the others go, I wouldn't know as I haven't ever played one. But Spector is the tone I like and that's where my money is. I had a Rockbass once and it was not a bad bass, but the ol' Spector bug got the best of me and I traded the Rockbass of for a Spector. It was worth it to me.
     
  8. Dec 17, 2014 #8
    Mike Sorr

    Mike Sorr Supporting Member

    Oct 24, 2012
    Manchester, NJ
    I have an opportunity to possibly buy the prototype Brubaker Brute headless singlecut. I love the idea of this bass, but I'm going to give it a spin on Friday to see if the reality is as good as the concept. Brubaker decided not to put it into production, but it just so happens the guy who currently owns it lives two towns over from me and is possibly interested in parting with it. If it's as good a fit as I think it will be it could be my last bass for a long time.

     
  9. Dec 17, 2014 #9
    seedokebass

    seedokebass

    Mar 21, 2009
    Minnesota
    I've always liked how Spectors looked/sounded, but any of them I've played didn't do a thing for me. Not sure why....

    I really dig my Skyline DJ5. Super solid bass, plays great. Tone is a bit more rounded on the high end, not as focused/bright/punchy as my 44-60. Vintage-y is how I describe it, great for fingerstyle and pick playing. I've had three Skylines so far (sold one recently, needed $$$) and wouldn't hesitate to buy another. The Skyline P5 was nice in the store. The only one I didn't care for (in a store, so YMMV) was the AJ 5 string. Probably just the setup/strings, but it just didn't impress me.


    Another brand I wouldn't hesitate to recommend is Warwick, especially used ones. I've had 6-7 of them, still own one (Thumb BO 4) that is just an amazing instrument. There are some great deals out there on German made Warwicks... haven't played any of the Rockbasses, but I would definitely look into the used German made ones.
     
  10. Dec 17, 2014 #10
    Sav'nBass

    Sav'nBass

    Jan 18, 2009
    Virginia Beach
    I have had two Laklands .. a 55-01 and a 55-02.. I liked my modded 55-01 (Audere PZ 4, Bart Mk5s) better than the stock 55-02 (LH3 Pre & LH Pups) ... I just got a Brubaker brute.. and I have to say this bass is just incredible.. Now maybe that is because of the electronics in it (Bart quads and an NTMB Pre) but even the feel of the bass is very cozy for me. It almost feels like a short scale bass .. but it isn't.

    I wouldn't look so much a brands though.. If I were you I would try to find any of these basses used here on TB or elsewhere and try them. Over the past 4 years I have been able to try 3 Kingstons, 2 Laklands, a Fender 24, a Brubaker Brute and a Peavey Cirrus ... all through TalkBass deals.. I still own the p[eavey, the 55-01 and the Brute.. but none of that would have been possible for me had it not been for TB. Take your time. It may take a while to find just what you are looking for but I am almost there... if not there.