Spector Club - Part 12

[bassgiant15]

Well I was going to adjust the trim pot on my TP just to try it out and just found out I don't have an adjustable TP.

Does anyone know what they are set at if you can't adjust them? Was it 90%?

 

[Rockin Mike]

I believe the "setting" in the absence of a trim pot is the equivalent of a trim pot set at 100%.

I replaced my no-trip-pot TonePump with a trim pot version. The part was $100. Well worth it.

Reading some of the posts above and listening to the sound clip, I kinda wish I had sprung the extra bucks for the HazLab (9-volt USA circuit).

 

[JPSBassist]

Hey guys!

I went down to Hermosa Beach, just south of Venice Beach and Santa Monica to shoot SPECTOR® Artist Carlton Armstrong.

He's the bassist in the Chicago blues trio known as the Ronnie Baker Brooks Band. Ronnie Baker Brooks is the son of legendary Chicago Blues Master Lonnie Brooks. And he's got some sick, serious guitar skills.

Carlton, besides being a loyal SPECTOR® player for over 20 years, is a really cool guy, very open and friendly. He loves SPECTOR® basses and over the past decade has gotten Stuart to build several unique "Carlton" NS-5XL models.

Carlton sites Doug Wimbish as his biggest influence... with Eddie Jackson coming in 2nd. And his playing style is very similar to Doug Wimbish, but uniquely something that is Carlton's very own.

I shot a bunch of HD footage. These guys play hard. Two 1-hour long sets. They love to play and they don't like leaving the stage once there. They put on one HECK of a great show. A lot of music from three guys.

Lastly, Carlton is an endorsed Eden Artist and uses vintage tube Eden heads (800w) and an Eden 15" cab and a 4x10 cab. Ironically his head malfunctioned in to the first set and he used a backup SWR head the rest of the show. So that's why there was the SWR head in some of the shots. Before the end of the break between sets he already had arrangements from Eden to get a replacement head the next day.

His effects pedals are straight forward Boss.

I have to tell you that he's worked out a very unique configuration for the NS-5XL and his basses feel and sound amazing.

Carlton's custom USA NS-5XL models feature some unique choices such as they have a EMG CS pickup at the bridge and an EMG J at the neck. He prefers matte finishes and his bass's necks are natural, not stained. He also has the USA 9v Circuit installed in them, NOT the typical 18v system that goes in the NS-5XL. Lastly, being a "purist" and loving clean necks, he has a single Crown Inlay placed at the 12th fret. He had Stuart install Hipshot De-Tuners on the B string of both so he can drop them down to A.

His touring basses are:

USA NS-5XL - Spalted Maple (Red Matte Poly Finish) with EMG CS (Bridge) EMG J (Neck), USA SPECTOR 9v Tone Circuit, workshop installed Hipshot De-tuner for drop from B to A.

USA NS-5XL - Quilt Maple (Solid Flat Black Matte Poly Finish - Like the Mike Kroeger Bass) with EMG CS (Bridge) EMG J (Neck), USA SPECTOR 9v Tone Circuit, workshop installed Hipshot De-tuner for drop from B to A.

Video with great sound examples coming soon.

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[JPSBassist]

I believe the "setting" in the absence of a trim pot is the equivalent of a trim pot set at 100%.

I replaced my no-trip-pot TonePump with a trim pot version. The part was $100. Well worth it.

Reading some of the posts above and listening to the sound clip, I kinda wish I had sprung the extra bucks for the HazLab (9-volt USA circuit).

I think there's a special right now and the new TP is $99.00. I think it's well worth it. I have one in my NS-2A.

 

[Rockin Mike]

I think there's a special right now and the new TP is $99.00. I think it's well worth it. I have one in my NS-2A.

That is a killer price, cheaper than any other world-class preamp I've seen.

My Spector with the TonePump is the best sounding bass I have ever played including my Ibanez with an Aguilar OBP-3. The Aggie cost $150.

I'm just curious about the USA 9v circuit (aka HazLab) though, after hearing so many folks on this thread talk about it. Maybe it costs more because it's worth it!

 

[j.kernodle]

If you're gonna keep your Spector and want the Eddie Jackson, Doug wimbish or old mike Starr tone, the hazlab is worth it. The tonepump with trim pot is a good preamp based on samples I've heard. The old tone pump in my opinion is not a good preamp at all. But there's a good reason that mr. Spector wants that old antique hazlab in his 4500 dollar us NS2's.

 

[KsPiNeSh]

He prefers matte finishes and his bass's necks are natural, not stained.

+1000.

 

[JPSBassist]

That is a killer price, cheaper than any other world-class preamp I've seen.

My Spector with the TonePump is the best sounding bass I have ever played including my Ibanez with an Aguilar OBP-3. The Aggie cost $150.

I'm just curious about the USA 9v circuit (aka HazLab) though, after hearing so many folks on this thread talk about it. Maybe it costs more because it's worth it!

I think so. But the main reason for the cost is that each USA Spector 9v Tone Circuit is hand-made here in the USA (NJ). Each has all four pots included (on the board) with the circuit. And because the circuit hasn't changed since 1979*, there are components which are costly and are harder to find these days that go into its making.

*The design of the board has been updated to accommodate the newer EMG pups, quick insert/no soldering wire connections, etc... but the design of the main circuit and the components used to create the circuit haven't changed; meaning nothing that would change the TONE has changed.

 

[LimaGuy]

Hey guys!

I went down to Hermosa Beach, just south of Venice Beach and Santa Monica to shoot SPECTOR® Artist Carlton Armstrong.

He's the bassist in the Chicago blues trio known as the Ronnie Baker Brooks Band. Ronnie Baker Brooks is the son of legendary Chicago Blues Master Lonnie Brooks. And he's got some sick, serious guitar skills.

Video with great sound examples coming soon.

Can't wait to see the video clips. I had to sneak to check if any clips were on Youtube, because their aint nothin' like some Chicago based blues. WOW...They are amazing and I love his unique finger style, his bass position and his stage swagger is amazing. Some of the words that I want to use to describe him wouldn't be appropriate on the forum, but this dude is just "sick" great. WOW...

He has a Spector Tattoo on his arm, correct?

P.S.
If anyone ever visits Chicago, make sure you visit Kingstonmines Blues club. I went there some years back and it is just an incredible experience of the Chicago blues scene.

 

[JPSBassist]

If you're gonna keep your Spector and want the Eddie Jackson, Doug wimbish or old mike Starr tone, the hazlab is worth it. The tonepump with trim pot is a good preamp based on samples I've heard. The old tone pump in my opinion is not a good preamp at all. But there's a good reason that mr. Spector wants that old antique hazlab in his 4500 dollar us NS2's.

I would agree that having both the newer TP and the USA 9v Circuit (Haz) side-by-side, that the original has a richer, warmer tone that I like better. But honestly not enough for me to want to replace the two TP-based guitars I have with the very costly USA 9v.

I'd also agree that the first generation TP lacked some refinements that the newer version does and it was sort of a mixed bag... that some of the older units came from the Czech factory sounding great... others not so much. Which was the main motivating factor for the update and change in 2008.

In all I think the TP is a great circuit and holds its own against many other JFET-based circuits on the market, namely the Aguilar OBP circuits... and they're great circuits... but I like the grit and growl you can get from the TP.

 

[JPSBassist]

+1000.

Here's a shot of what those necks look like... he had Stuart just blend the stain out and then the necks are natural finished like the Bolt-On models. It's a neat effect.

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[JPSBassist]

Can't wait to see the video clips. I had to sneak to check if any clips were on Youtube, because their aint nothin' like some Chicago based blues.

They're amazing live. And the lead guitarist from Morris Day and the Time was there and jumped on the stage for a moment and played with them. These guys are pretty funny too. Ronnie Baker Brooks is friends with Steven Tyler (Aerosmith... yeah that guy) and he told a funny Steven Tyler story and then they broken out into a full-rock-on version of "Walk this Way"... They also played "Are You Gonna Go My Way" by Lenny Kravitz and it was a true to the studio-version cover and it rocked.

WOW...They are amazing and I love his unique finger style, his bass position and his stage swagger is amazing.

He's very much like Doug Wimbish in his playing style at times... he taps the neck, his thumb/slapping style, a lot of things... you can see Doug's influence in his playing when you watch him.

I do like his fingerstyle. He doesn't gallop at all... he's a very good bassist, I have a clip of him warming up that's just BAD-A-

And his swagger is unlike anything I've ever seen. He makes these insane faces and it's because he's really into the music. It's really cool.

Some of the words that I want to use to describe him wouldn't be appropriate on the forum, but this dude is just "sick" great. WOW...

He's also one of PJ Rubal's oldest friends. They're both from Washington DC and met right after high-school in the local bass/rock scene. He's a great bassist and has been rocking custom SPECTOR basses for 20 years.

And yes, one of the best blues/jazz bassists I've ever seen. Like both Doug Grigsby (Michael Jackson, Teena Marie) and Darryl Anders (Tower of Power), he makes slapping look so effortless. And his timing is flawless.

He has a Spector Tattoo on his arm, correct?

Yes... but not the logo. The guy with the Double-S logo on his arm is Doug Grigsby. Carlton has a Doug Wimbish signature guitar on his arm. First time I'd ever seen that.

 

[j.kernodle]

jps. Always appreciate your insights and the time you put into the posts you make here.

 

[KsPiNeSh]

Here's a shot of what those necks look like... he had Stuart just blend the stain out and then the necks are natural finished like the Bolt-On models. It's a neat effect.

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Interesting,as I wouldn't consider the neck on my 5H2 a "natural finish" -maybe in appearance, but it has some kind of satin coating on it that I have a tolerate/hate relationship with. The oil-finish Euro I had last year had the perfect Spector neck for me... the only bass I've ever sold that I wouldn't mind having back

 

[iceboxbass]

SPECTOR NS2A BASS - KRAMER KOREAN IMPORT 1987-1990
Item condition: Used
Ended: Jul 25, 201114:11:32 PDT
Sold For: GBP 1,150.00
Approximately US $1,884.16

Wowser!!! I should've asked more for my sunburst NS-2A! Maybe advertised in the UK? Mine was a Kramer model with serial # stamped on back of cover.

That is correct.
From the Spector Website
Earlier models of these Kramer import guitars and basses did not have a serial number. Later models had a four digit serial number located on the back plastic electronics cover. Each serial number started with "NS".

How she playing and sounding?

+1 I concur!

Hey guys!

I went down to Hermosa Beach, just south of Venice Beach and Santa Monica to shoot SPECTOR® Artist Carlton Armstrong.

He's the bassist in the Chicago blues trio known as the Ronnie Baker Brooks Band. Ronnie Baker Brooks is the son of legendary Chicago Blues Master Lonnie Brooks. And he's got some sick, serious guitar skills.

Carlton, besides being a loyal SPECTOR® player for over 20 years, is a really cool guy, very open and friendly. He loves SPECTOR® basses and over the past decade has gotten Stuart to build several unique "Carlton" NS-5XL models.

Carlton sites Doug Wimbish as his biggest influence... with Eddie Jackson coming in 2nd. And his playing style is very similar to Doug Wimbish, but uniquely something that is Carlton's very own.

I shot a bunch of HD footage. These guys play hard. Two 1-hour long sets. They love to play and they don't like leaving the stage once there. They put on one HECK of a great show. A lot of music from three guys.

Lastly, Carlton is an endorsed Eden Artist and uses vintage tube Eden heads (800w) and an Eden 15" cab and a 4x10 cab. Ironically his head malfunctioned in to the first set and he used a backup SWR head the rest of the show. So that's why there was the SWR head in some of the shots. Before the end of the break between sets he already had arrangements from Eden to get a replacement head the next day.

His effects pedals are straight forward Boss.

I have to tell you that he's worked out a very unique configuration for the NS-5XL and his basses feel and sound amazing.

Carlton's custom USA NS-5XL models feature some unique choices such as they have a EMG CS pickup at the bridge and an EMG J at the neck. He prefers matte finishes and his bass's necks are natural, not stained. He also has the USA 9v Circuit installed in them, NOT the typical 18v system that goes in the NS-5XL. Lastly, being a "purist" and loving clean necks, he has a single Crown Inlay placed at the 12th fret. He had Stuart install Hipshot De-Tuners on the B string of both so he can drop them down to A.

His touring basses are:

USA NS-5XL - Spalted Maple (Red Matte Poly Finish) with EMG CS (Bridge) EMG J (Neck), USA SPECTOR 9v Tone Circuit, workshop installed Hipshot De-tuner for drop from B to A.

USA NS-5XL - Quilt Maple (Solid Flat Black Matte Poly Finish - Like the Mike Kroeger Bass) with EMG CS (Bridge) EMG J (Neck), USA SPECTOR 9v Tone Circuit, workshop installed Hipshot De-tuner for drop from B to A.

Video with great sound examples coming soon.

Cool stuff JPS!!! can't wait to hear them! That's an awesome idea for a fiver to have a drop down tuner to A! I'd love that!!!

 

[Basstovsky]

That's some serious bass face!

I have to say I also find having a humbucker bridge pickup with a jazz pickup in the neck position feels very flexible to me, I have a carvin with that setup (and I shoehorned a 9V Haz-copy pre into the bass for a little Spector goodness) and it works great in a 3-piece group.

 

[peledog]

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Wow, almost want to get it just to 'mod' - maybe refinish it.

200 bones for a Rebop?

 

[streetknight]

Is there a way to tell what model and if it is a US made Sector? I saw one in a shop a while back, but didn't really know what it was at the time, want to go check it out this week...I know it was used and they wanted 700 for it....TIA

 

[Josh Pelican]

I think I'm going to get a BQC system soon. I'm waiting out a bit longer in hopes to get one used. I was tempted to go with Aguilar, Bartolini, or Audere, but the BQC is most tempting because of the EZ Connectors. I love the Audere preamp in one of my basses, but the BQC is much cheaper. I'm mainly just looking to upgrade it for cheap so I can have some mids.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Wow, almost want to get it just to 'mod' - maybe refinish it.

200 bones for a Rebop?

Damn! I would buy it (without hesitation) if I was in Orlando. I would rip the stickers off and get it refinished in Dragonburst or that perfect blue/blackburst. He probably won't ship it.

 

[LimaGuy]

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Wow, almost want to get it just to 'mod' - maybe refinish it.

200 bones for a Rebop?

Looks like this guy already picked her up.
He has a thread about a ReBop re-paint and he is in Central Florida.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/spector-rebop-repaint-795960/