Spector Club Part 6

[PhatBasstard]

True. Which is the reason for the matrix PJ and I have been talking about. My mistake... I have a tendency to think about the major visual changes between the models. That's how I've had to learn them to keep them straight.

The numbers did start over and the aguilar was also put in. But the MOP inlays which had just started right before the model name change was the major cosmetic difference, the serials and circuit... you can't see that. When you look at the NS4/5CR-FM models as a whole, the majority are dot neck (which is why we went with dot neck photos to represent that model).

The info on the site, which is directly from PJ and approved by him and Stuart prior to the site going live states that later models of the CR-FM series had the MOP...

This is why we know that the past models section is going to have some flaws until we can drill down and sort of explain the changes more as they happened and not necessarily as the model names changed. If that makes sense. Many times there are some cross-overs... or in-between units that are made.

It'll come in time. I think because so many people do care about the details and of course most people who get older Spectors and fall in love with them like most of us have, want to know what exactly they've fallen in love with.

So we're asking people to be patient because the past models section is more about generalities by majority (of the models as described). Because there are in almost every Spector Imports model run some off shoot or between model oddities that really don't fit what the "official" description says. So what are they really?

That's really the best explanation I have. I don't think that PJ or anyone at Spector wants to re-write the model histories, but in trying to clarify what the major changes were visually (because we wanted to use photos) between identifiable models the occasional "yeah but what about this..." is unavoidable. At least with the Czech and some Korean basses.

While the MOP crown inlays were actually being put in 1 1/2 to 2 years or so prior to the switchover to the "Euro" tag in 2001 (that's still quite a few NSCR's with crowns), I seem to remember that it was possible (or maybe they just continued to make a few) to get dots on the latter NSCR 4 strings.
Not sure about the 5's, but I've never seen a NSCR 35" scale 5 with dots, so I'm guessing not.

 

[JPSBassist]

While the MOP crown inlays were actually being put in 1 1/2 to 2 years or so prior to the switchover to the "Euro" tag in 2001 (that's still quite a few NSCR's with crowns), I seem to remember that it was possible (or maybe they just continued to make a few) to get dots on the latter NSCR 4 strings.
Not sure about the 5's, but I've never seen a NSCR 35" scale 5with dots, so I'm guessing not.

And to be completely honest I don't know, except I was given the photos that are on the site by PJ... and the photos for all Euro Neck-Thru models up until the Euro4/5 are dot neck...
And the NS5CR-FM is 35" scale... go figure.

And all current Euro4LX and Euro4LX-TW models are available as 35" BEAD models... and those are still considered Euro4LX and Euro4LX-TW models. The 35" is an option. Instead of making them Euro4LX-35.

Another good example of how something like an option or new feature could be mistaken for a different model but is not a different model... just an option.

 

[PhatBasstard]

And to be completely honest I don't know, except I was given the photos that are on the site by PJ... and the photos for all Euro Neck-Thru models up until the Euro4/5 are dot neck...
And the NS5CR-FM is 35" scale... go figure.

Um...
Not to nitpick, but, how do you tell from the photo that it's 35" scale? I know it "says" in the description it's 35", but like you said, this is all still incomplete. It does have the Double S from the switchover, so maybe....

It seems the page is describing the earlier models (except saying the 5 is 35" scale), but totally ignoring the nearly 2 years of (mostly) crowns prior to mid 2001 and nearly 6 years of 34" scale 5 strings prior to 1999.

I know it's a process, but I think these "eras" are long enough and different enough to warrant notation (and pix ). Otherwise, non-Spectorophiles p) that have these models (and there are a ton of these crowned NSCR's out there) are going to be just as confused as they were with the old site.

 

[baconmpanada]

I have a question for the Spector club members, i got an SSD NS-95 bass, if the markings on the pickup is SSD, are these also EMG pickups?

 

[jarrhead]

Mmk, artist gallery and photo gallery are both nonexistant now.

Invalid Link Removed

 

[rovito]

I have a question for the Spector club members, i got an SSD NS-95 bass, if the markings on the pickup is SSD, are these also EMG pickups?

These pickups would be passive made for Spector.

 

[baconmpanada]

These pickups would be passive made for Spector.

so these are not necessarily EMGs is that correct?

These are passive pickups but the circuitry is active, is that correct as well?

 

[pickles]

Even though I've tried just about every bass under the sun, I'm a P-J-Ray guy all the way back. The NS-5 is such a different beast that my usual playbook doesn't seem to quite apply.

I first tried it with DR DDTs, which felt nice and played in tune all over the neck, but the basic sound was a little dark and if I boosted the highs I was getting some "click" in the mix that I didn't like. So I tried some pedulla nickels on it hoping I'd be able to get it brighter without being clicky ... those just plain sucked on it.

So I thought back about my favorite spector players and realized I had a set of Dean Markley Blue Steels laying around ... Now we're talkin! The B string is a little thuddy, but otherwise I am getting some good, mean, crushing tone with a pick. Slap sound is still a little sterile.

It also still doesn't quite get that classic NS-2 sound. From what I'm gathering from my searches, the difference is the DC pickups in the 5 string vs. the PJ in the NS-2. Has anyone here experimented with EMG 40P and 40J in an NS5? My searches have not turned up much because talkbass strips "NS-2" and "NS-4" from the search terms.

I've also got some DR Lo-Riders on the way to try out, see if they get me a little more growl while keeping that intense attack the markleys are giving me.

 

[JPSBassist]

Mmk, artist gallery and photo gallery are both nonexistant now.

Invalid Link Removed

Thanks for this.
Clear your cache, check it again!
It's fixed.

Artists galleries will start going up today!

 

[JPSBassist]

Um...
Not to nitpick, but, how do you tell from the photo that it's 35" scale? I know it "says" in the description it's 35", but like you said, this is all still incomplete. It does have the Double S from the switchover, so maybe....

It seems the page is describing the earlier models (except saying the 5 is 35" scale), but totally ignoring the nearly 2 years of (mostly) crowns prior to mid 2001 and nearly 6 years of 34" scale 5 strings prior to 1999.

I know it's a process, but I think these "eras" are long enough and different enough to warrant notation (and pix ). Otherwise, non-Spectorophiles p) that have these models (and there are a ton of these crowned NSCR's out there) are going to be just as confused as they were with the old site.

I agree. So does PJ. That's why we're eventually going to do a special page for the Euro models that'll have all of the detail and info in a matrix that shows the overlap.

One of my "wants" for the site is a serial number matrix that attempts to make sense of the various serial number changes.

I started a simple attempt with the headstock galleries.
It was so much easier with the earlier models when everything was made in the USA.

 

[rovito]

Even though I've tried just about every bass under the sun, I'm a P-J-Ray guy all the way back. The NS-5 is such a different beast that my usual playbook doesn't seem to quite apply.

I first tried it with DR DDTs, which felt nice and played in tune all over the neck, but the basic sound was a little dark and if I boosted the highs I was getting some "click" in the mix that I didn't like. So I tried some pedulla nickels on it hoping I'd be able to get it brighter without being clicky ... those just plain sucked on it.

So I thought back about my favorite spector players and realized I had a set of Dean Markley Blue Steels laying around ... Now we're talkin! The B string is a little thuddy, but otherwise I am getting some good, mean, crushing tone with a pick. Slap sound is still a little sterile.

It also still doesn't quite get that classic NS-2 sound. From what I'm gathering from my searches, the difference is the DC pickups in the 5 string vs. the PJ in the NS-2. Has anyone here experimented with EMG 40P and 40J in an NS5? My searches have not turned up much because talkbass strips "NS-2" and "NS-4" from the search terms.

I've also got some DR Lo-Riders on the way to try out, see if they get me a little more growl while keeping that intense attack the markleys are giving me.

I am a PJ guy myself and could not get into the DC pickups. I have 35P and 35J in another bass and they sound just like a traditional PJ setup. That is something I do like about the humbucker housing. You can swap out the configuration as needed. DC, PJ, JJ, DC+J...

 

[rovito]

so these are not necessarily EMGs is that correct?

These are passive pickups but the circuitry is active, is that correct as well?

Probably the HZ line with something changed. If you have bass and treble control then you have an active preamp out side of the pickups.

 

[PhatBasstard]

Probably the HZ line with something changed. If you have bass and treble control then you have an active preamp out side of the pickups.

They are made for Spector by EMG. They are supposedly one notch below the HZ's.

 

[bassboy01]

Hey JP, great job on the new Spector website. Leaps and bounds above the old one!

 

[JPSBassist]

Hey JP, great job on the new Spector website. Leaps and bounds above the old one!

Thanks! I'm still going through fixing little code bugs and the artists sections are going to go up today.

I think it is a great starting place. Now the site can grow and adapt as needed and hopefully be much more reflective of the great company we all know and love.

 

[CH Design]

Anybody in the OR area looking for a 5-string Rebop?

Looks like an older model Rebop (fingerboard dots) with a flame maple body. Only $399!

 

[peledog]

Link?

 

[CH Design]

Opps. It's in the Used Gear section at Guitar Center. I should have mentioned that in the first post.

 

[peledog]

LOL

Alright, here's the thing. I run my own business and things aren't too sunny at the moment, but I've got 4 new clients, so the next month will be a lot better.

I really wanted rockstarbassist's JAR reissue, but no $$.

In the near future, I need to get a 5er. I've never played one (extensively), and was wondering if I should go with a Legend Classic or Custom 5er?

Or should I look at a used ReBop?

 

[Callum_Carcass]

LOL

Alright, here's the thing. I run my own business and things aren't too sunny at the moment, but I've got 4 new clients, so the next month will be a lot better.

I really wanted rockstarbassist's JAR reissue, but no $$.

In the near future, I need to get a 5er. I've never played one (extensively), and was wondering if I should go with a Legend Classic or Custom 5er?

Or should I look at a used ReBop?

I'd say the Legend Custom, seems to be a lot more balanced than the Rebop, as well as having most if not all the electronics of the Rebop.
It might be Korean but Spector has got a very reliable Korean factory, excellent import models.

EDIT: Oh, and the neck profile I feel is better than the Rebop, a decent bit thinner.