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Spector Club - Part 16

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#422
JPSBassist said:
No offense Grendle but this isn't exactly correct...

The USA 9v and USA 18v circuits are BOTH made by HazLabs... The ReBop has had many different circuits through the years but comes standard with the Czech-made TonePump now.

Regarding the USA circuits... I have both, and have compared them side-by-side.

The output on the 18v IS hotter than the 9v. This surprised me the first time I switched them out on the same amp.

The difference with the knobs is a minor thing... the three knobs of the 18v model have a stacked bass/treble knob so in reality it's pretty much the same setup as the USA 9v.
One knob for overall volume, one knob for blend, one for bass and one for treble.

The main thing is that the 9v and 18v USA Circuits are based on the older op-amp system which is known to loose signal when processing a lot of bandwidth from the pups. The reason the 9v USA Circuit is known for so much growl is because HazLab's and Stuart's (remember the HazLab/SPECTOR circuits are made to Stuart's specifications) solution for the signal loss was to add additional op-amp circuits and distort the overloaded signal... distort meaning "distortion". Which is the source of the growl.

Different manufacturers handle the op-amp signal loss problem differently... but the most common method for addressing this known issue is to add more voltage to the circuit, reducing the resistance.

The 18v USA Circuit does just that. And as a result the extra headroom provided by the additional voltage, creates a cleaner, less distorted sound. Not to say you can't get the 18v circuit to sound "growly" because you can... but you can also clean up the sound and get a clearer tone if you want.

I have to say that I prefer the sound of the 9v circuit better... but honestly I think it's because I prefer the P/J setup to dual humbuckers. There's more tonal range... it's almost a 3D sound effect from the P/J setup whereas the dual humbuckers tend to sound more alike (given their positions under the strings).

If I get time after BPL I'll record some samples with both for you.
Click to expand...

rockstarbassist said:
My ex-Brooklyn was P/J with a 9V and my NS-5 is 40DC's with 18V.
IME, the 9V gets a little dirtier/grittier quicker when you boost the onboard EQ. The 18V you can really crank the B and T controls and it still stays pretty freakin' clean. But that's why they match those certain pre's with the pickup configs. My P/J was more cutting/aggressive and not as big on the supportive/fundamental tone. My NS-5 is bigger and goes lower and a little more round- less direct and in your face.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info guys. It's good to know the differences between both and now it makes much more sense why they use each circuit.
 
#423
stjohn1299 said:
Between Graphite and Bone, I would think the difference would be negligible, with the bone maybe being the slightest bit darker, but I honestly don't think it would be a noticeable difference. Swap either of those for brass, however, and I think you would notice a brigther tone with the brass.
Click to expand...

When I switched out my former ReBop 5 DLX and my Legend 4 graphite nuts for brass nuts it made a world of a difference in the sustain and tone clarity plus bigger/rawer. You have all metal contact from bridge to nut. Less deadening. :bassist:
IMO, I highly suggest it.
 
#424
JPSBassist said:
No offense Grendle but this isn't exactly correct...

The USA 9v and USA 18v circuits are BOTH made by HazLabs... The ReBop has had many different circuits through the years but comes standard with the Czech-made TonePump now.

Regarding the USA circuits... I have both, and have compared them side-by-side.

The output on the 18v IS hotter than the 9v. This surprised me the first time I switched them out on the same amp.

The difference with the knobs is a minor thing... the three knobs of the 18v model have a stacked bass/treble knob so in reality it's pretty much the same setup as the USA 9v.
One knob for overall volume, one knob for blend, one for bass and one for treble.

The main thing is that the 9v and 18v USA Circuits are based on the older op-amp system which is known to loose signal when processing a lot of bandwidth from the pups. The reason the 9v USA Circuit is known for so much growl is because HazLab's and Stuart's (remember the HazLab/SPECTOR circuits are made to Stuart's specifications) solution for the signal loss was to add additional op-amp circuits and distort the overloaded signal... distort meaning "distortion". Which is the source of the growl.

Different manufacturers handle the op-amp signal loss problem differently... but the most common method for addressing this known issue is to add more voltage to the circuit, reducing the resistance.

The 18v USA Circuit does just that. And as a result the extra headroom provided by the additional voltage, creates a cleaner, less distorted sound. Not to say you can't get the 18v circuit to sound "growly" because you can... but you can also clean up the sound and get a clearer tone if you want.

I have to say that I prefer the sound of the 9v circuit better... but honestly I think it's because I prefer the P/J setup to dual humbuckers. There's more tonal range... it's almost a 3D sound effect from the P/J setup whereas the dual humbuckers tend to sound more alike (given their positions under the strings).

If I get time after BPL I'll record some samples with both for you.
Click to expand...


There ya go. I always thought aggie made the 18v circuit. When did haz start making them? do they still use aggi as well?

I should have been a little clearer on the voltages, I was refering to just the voltage to the pickups not the working voltage of the pre. Just from experience playing around over the years with emg's.

Good to always get it straight from the man!
 
#425
grendle said:
There ya go. I always thought aggie made the 18v circuit. When did haz start making them? do they still use aggi as well?

I should have been a little clearer on the voltages, I was refering to just the voltage to the pickups not the working voltage of the pre. Just from experience playing around over the years with emg's.

Good to always get it straight from the man!
Click to expand...

I know at least since '94 which is what my NS-5 is! :)
 
#427
iceboxbass said:
When I switched out my former ReBop 5 DLX and my Legend 4 graphite nuts for brass nuts it made a world of a difference in the sustain and tone clarity plus bigger/rawer. You have all metal contact from bridge to nut. Less deadening. :bassist:
IMO, I highly suggest it.
Click to expand...

agreed, only on open notes though. Good thing I play a lot of them lol. Some people will tell you different though, usually the nothing but the pickups matters club.
 
#429
Going through my Deluna Fest vids today! Can't wait to get these uploaded!
I'll let you guys know when they are and i'll post some links.

I think we played 10 songs total.

SPECTOR basses own all others!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
#431
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#435
jtarmino said:
A couple new Coda pics with my 2010 NS2...
Click to expand...
Double Saweeet!!!:D How're liking the Coda sound compared to your NS2 and over all???
bassgiant15 said:
Going through my Deluna Fest vids today! Can't wait to get these uploaded!
I'll let you guys know when they are and i'll post some links.

I think we played 10 songs total.

SPECTOR basses own all others!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Woohoo! :hyper: Can't wait to hear them!
 
#436
LimaGuy said:
Spector Good Price Alert

This was dropped down to $575 "Buy it now" or best offer.

2005-2006 4 string Zebra ReBop

Spector Euro Series ReBop Deluxe 4 string Bass guitar Zebrawood | eBay
Click to expand...

I don't need one. I don't need one. I don't need one. I don't need one. I don't need one. I don't need one. :ninja:

jtarmino said:
A couple new Coda pics with my 2010 NS2...
Click to expand...
Invalid Link Removed

Very Nice!



beatdatthang said:
Yeah, that's where I got it. "Feels So Good" by 311 off of Music. I'm a big 311 fan - well up until they released Evolver... since then, not so much.
Click to expand...

Music and Grassroots were my two fave albums - kind of lost interest after that. I was blown away when Music came out - I was asking the record store clerk if it was the new Urban Dance Squad - he said no, it was a group from Omaha - and the rest is history.
 
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