Spector Club - Part 12

[peledog]

the ns2-j was abolt on neck wasnt it ?

Yeah, here's one from the Casiopea bassist

photo I scanned from my copy of Bass Magazine

BASS MAGAZINE (

 

[LimaGuy]

My first guess is it's a fake.

It looks like a first generation Euro-Series body that's been refinished. There is some nice quilt to come out of the Euro shop...

So it looks to me like someone took a Euro-Series (early Euro) SPECTOR, refinished it... put in a Haz circuit from a Kramer, changed the hardware to Gotoh's, not realizing that although the newer post 1998 models have Gotoh tuners, this model to be from 1986 (the date on the circuit... which means it's an authentic 9v Kramer-Era circuit in this puppy) it would have had Schallers and the larger (current shape/size) USA Bridge... not the Leo Quan.

My final thought is FAKE.

I just came accross this Japan Spector Fan site.

I think JPS appears to be correct with the early Euro idea.

This bass looks like a similar maple. Double-S looks in the same area as the suspect model.

Spector Fan Community in Japan - No.0050 Mr.about me

Only thing I will respectfully correct; the bridge on the suspect model is a Schaller bridge for sure.

 

[loend68]

Here is a good place to see the Double-S logo placements on different series.

From a fellow Club member cetera.
Posted in April 2010. (I admit I have this saved in my favorites as I use this for Spector Porn)

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/my...-wal-pedulla-hamer-jackson-fender-etc-648179/

About the bridge. as JPS mentioned:
"NO SPECTOR has ever been made with that bridge. It's a replacement. And you can see that it DOES NOT fit the body routing. The back edge of the bridge sits outside the route, looks like the inside has been filled in some and it's sitting a little off regarding being level..."

The routing on a NS-2A bridge is just short of the width of the J Pickup. While the routing of a USA bridge is wider then the J Pickup.

It appears that the Schaller bridge is on top of a routed area shorter then the J Pickup.

I would go with early dot neck NS4CRFM with a replaced bridge. If you look at the 3rd picture down in cetera's porn collection the left of the two black NS basses has a similarly placed double S logo on the headstock.

 

[jarrhead]

I don't want to give out any details because I know you'll all take up the chance to snatch a Spector.


What is the MOST you guys would pay for a used Legend Custom or NS2000/5?

 

[stflbn]

Does anyone here know from experience if Ernie Ball Coated Slinkies will fit on a 35" Spector or not without the tuner end tapered string getting down into the nut or beyond?

 

[grendle]

Does anyone here know from experience if Ernie Ball Coated Slinkies will fit on a 35" Spector or not?

Yep with about 6 inches to spare

 

[stflbn]

um, there isn't 6" to spare before the tapering even on a 34" scale 5-string bass.
I'm assuming you're talking about the entire string length. I'm talking about when the string starts to taper down from the main width.

I just don't happen to have any of the coated slinkies laying around to check.

 

[jarrhead]

um, there isn't 6" to spare before the tapering even on a 34" scale 5-string bass. I'm assuming you're talking about the entire string length. I'm talking about when the string starts to taper down from the main width.

I just don't happen to have any of the coated slinkies laying around to check.

I laughed really hard when I read his post at first too.

He means 6 inches PAST the headstock/nut.. which is good.

 

[jarrhead]

More importantly, how do you guys identify a legend custom from an NS2000?

 

[stflbn]

He means 6 inches PAST the headstock/nut.. which is good.

Yes, but thats total string length. Not what I'm that concerned about.

Let me rephrase... "I'm trying to make sure the wide main part of the strings extend out beyond the nut"

 

[loend68]

More importantly, how do you guys identify a legend custom from an NS2000?

Legend Custom is set neck with a maple body, but usually has a figured maple veneer on top. If you look at the back of the body you'll see that it's not as figured. It also has a black (plastic?) nut.
NS2000 is fully neck through. Solid maple body with no veneer and has a brass nut.
I also believe the bridges may be slightly different.

Both are nice, but I'd probably grab the NS2000 first.

 

[bobunit]

Just so happens, this was just listed on ebay.

1986 Spector NS-2 Bass Natural | eBay

Since there are some not usual specs on this one.
It should be bringing alot of conversation tonight along with alot of GAS.

I'm going to go against the grain and suggest this is not a czech republic instrument. The tuners have been identified as Gotoh brand and a CR would have Schallers. Ream the holes, drop in the Gotohs and none the wiser right? Anyone wonder where the screw holes are? The ones for the 90 degree lug that appears on a Schaller M4 found on early CR basses.

The bridge is certainly not correct for any Spector bass (I've seen). Although the Schaller bridge covers the route, it doesn't look to fit the route in the body either. So what goes there? Not a Euro bridge. The Schaller should be 3.125" wide. A CR/Euro bridge should be 4" wide.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Does anyone have a spare TonePump they want to let go of for *really* cheap?

Doesn't need a trim pot as the bass it will go in has a VERY low output. I don't want to spend much on a TP just because the TP was NOT part of my plan for that particular bass, but it seems like an interesting idea to try...

If I knew for sure I was keeping my Euro5LX, I'd replace the preamp with either a new TP, or an EMG and put the current non-trim TP into this particular fretless (4-string MM-style, all passive right now). However, I'm less-than-halfheartedly trying to sell the Spector and some other basses to purchase an upright. Not really a wise move, selling the Spector...

Thanks.

 

[jarrhead]

Legend Custom is set neck with a maple body, but usually has a figured maple veneer on top. If you look at the back of the body you'll see that it's not as figured. It also has a black (plastic?) nut.
NS2000 is fully neck through. Solid maple body with no veneer and has a brass nut.
I also believe the bridges may be slightly different.

Both are nice, but I'd probably grab the NS2000 first.

I've been trying to find an Amber Quilt NS2000 for two years... and just saw the first thing close to it since then.. what seems to be an Amber Quilt Legend Custom.

Should I grab it or wait possibly forever? Haha. I've seen two NS2000/5s pop up on this site and one on ebay.. none in amber.

 

[LimaGuy]

Regarding the "suspect" NS-2 ebay bass
1986 Spector NS-2 Bass Natural - eBay (item 370532652682 end time Aug-15-11 13:40:34 PDT)

I sent an email to PJ about this when I first saw it.

PJ responded and said the seller actually emailed him about it too.

His response regarding this bass.

"yes so much of that bass is not right...tough to say
exactly what it is. when there's no proof of what something is....yikes!!

my best guesses are:
not USA
not Czech (many years too early for that)

either:
re worked/re finished NS-2A...but no set screw holes
for the Schaller tuners....

probably, if legit, early Asian NS-2A sample..."

P.S.
A reminder to spread the word of the new Spector Facebook page.

Visit Spector | Facebook and "Like" and show some Spector love.

 

[chrisloe]

Wait another day and you can order a replacement Euro Bridge with intonation screws. They're here. Just got clearance from PJ to list them on the SPECTOR site. So no need to route your "Dougie" for a USA. Put a new Euro bridge with intonation screws in it.

Awesome! Can't wait to check it out!

Thanks Patrick!

 

[grendle]

um, there isn't 6" to spare before the tapering even on a 34" scale 5-string bass.
I'm assuming you're talking about the entire string length. I'm talking about when the string starts to taper down from the main width.

I just don't happen to have any of the coated slinkies laying around to check.

Yeah sorry about that, I ment total length. Must have read before you edited. I would say if in doubt take it to the store have em open it up n see.

 

[cjmodulus]

I've been trying to find an Amber Quilt NS2000 for two years... and just saw the first thing close to it since then.. what seems to be an Amber Quilt Legend Custom.

Should I grab it or wait possibly forever? Haha. I've seen two NS2000/5s pop up on this site and one on ebay.. none in amber.

You wouldn't happen to be a BTBAM fan, would you?

On a side note, does anyone know what kind of pre the ns2000s had?

 

[JPSBassist]

Regarding the "suspect" NS-2 ebay bass
1986 Spector NS-2 Bass Natural - eBay (item 370532652682 end time Aug-15-11 13:40:34 PDT)

I sent an email to PJ about this when I first saw it.

PJ responded and said the seller actually emailed him about it too.

His response regarding this bass.

"yes so much of that bass is not right...tough to say
exactly what it is. when there's no proof of what something is....yikes!!

my best guesses are:
not USA
not Czech (many years too early for that)

either:
re worked/re finished NS-2A...but no set screw holes
for the Schaller tuners....

probably, if legit, early Asian NS-2A sample..."

P.S.
A reminder to spread the word of the new Spector Facebook page.

Visit Spector | Facebook and "Like" and show some Spector love.

See Sam! Your first impression was correct... NS-2A.

PJ and I discussed it. The bridge ground wire is a big indicator here. They've never set the Euro models up for passive pups (meaning neck-thru models).

My argument was that it could have been a newer bass that was put together and the date is only because an older circuit got put in it. But PJ seems to lean towards NS-2A.

The only issue I have with the NS-2A is that it's figured like some of the early Czech basses... the body is too figured for the NS-2A. Any of you with clear finishes can see that the wood is rather plain.

And the neck where the headstock meets is more Euro-looking. That more rounded transition into the headstock is a Euro thing. My NS-2A has a very firm ridge just like my USA NS-2 and NS-4 models.

 

[loend68]

I'm going to go against the grain and suggest this is not a czech republic instrument. The tuners have been identified as Gotoh brand and a CR would have Schallers. Ream the holes, drop in the Gotohs and none the wiser right? Anyone wonder where the screw holes are? The ones for the 90 degree lug that appears on a Schaller M4 found on early CR basses.

The bridge is certainly not correct for any Spector bass (I've seen). Although the Schaller bridge covers the route, it doesn't look to fit the route in the body either. So what goes there? Not a Euro bridge. The Schaller should be 3.125" wide. A CR/Euro bridge should be 4" wide.

Yeah....sounds right to me.......I missed some of the finer points!