Spector Club - Part 7

[iceboxbass]

Here's pics of my Rebop 5 before/after replacing the nut with a brass nut. It's EVERYTHING I've heard and expected it'd be! WOW! :O The note sustainability is reeaally much much longer! Comparable to a neck-thru now. The tone is huge! Clearer! Bigger! Louder! I'd highly recommend it! I fell DEEPER in love with my Rebop 5! ;D BTW you can buy the brass nut for your Rebop 5 thru Spector by calling and talking with PJ Rubal. $25.00. Can't wait for the other 2 brass nuts to get here for my NS-2A & Legend 4 Classic. And yes...there will be pics for those 2 also. ;D

 

[jarrhead]

Yeah... it looks like it. I have the polo shirt and the T-shirt with the headstock on the back.

I'm not sure when that was taken out of the store. The store is handled by the main office. I actually don't manage it.

Thanks for bringing that up. I am working with PJ on some new design ideas. I'm going to try and have one or two made for me to wear at NAMM this year.

We'll see how that goes.

Bummer. Was gonna buy it, then we had to call Jo-Ann, then she never called back, then my mother never got around to ordering again,

 

[iceboxbass]

My 3 recipients of brass string nuts.

 

[jarrhead]

Give. Me. The. Amber. Now.

 

[iceboxbass]

Give. Me. The. Amber. Now.

That's my newest & Fav Axe. NS-2A Kramer era 80's.

 

[Callum_Carcass]

Since we're on the subject of replacement stuff, JP, do you think Spector will start doing more parts to sell that may not already be available, like a full brass Euro bridge, different coloured tuning pegs (black, gold, etc), nuts, you name it... ?

 

[iceboxbass]

Since we're on the subject of replacement stuff, JP, do you think Spector will start doing more parts to sell that may not already be available, like a full brass Euro bridge, different coloured tuning pegs (black, gold, etc), nuts, you name it... ?

I'll 2nd on that . I'd like to have a gold bridge for my NS-2A euro model plus gold tuners.

 

[rockstarbassist]

And I dream of a white 1983 Brooklyn NS-2... Leo Quan bridge and crown neck inlays...

I find it... the seller wants a fortune... I agree... I buy it and take it home... where my wife beats me to death with it.

LOL. Some dreams are great... others are not so great.

Ha I think I know which bass this is... I've contemplated nabbing it also; I just prefer the humbucker sound more so it's a tough call...

 

[JPSBassist]

Bummer. Was gonna buy it, then we had to call Jo-Ann, then she never called back, then my mother never got around to ordering again,

Sorry! I can tell you that the NY Workshop is in overdrive because of the end of the year and NAMM. So many new and cool things are coming.

I'll ask Jo Ann about the shirts. Hang in there. I'm working on some new, really cool designs. It's time we pumped up our cool-factor on the shirts and swag...

 

[JPSBassist]

Since we're on the subject of replacement stuff, JP, do you think Spector will start doing more parts to sell that may not already be available, like a full brass Euro bridge, different coloured tuning pegs (black, gold, etc), nuts, you name it... ?

I know some new products are eventually going to show up, they always do. As far as some of the OEM stuff like tuning pegs... we get them from Gotoh and Schaller and because they are going on new basses we have a deal... just like with EMG, Hipshot and Aguilar... but to resell them... I doubt we'll ever offer them.

There are plenty of retailers that sell EMG, Schaller, Gotoh, Aguilar, etc... that we'd probably not be able to offer a better price than what you can already find.

But if you ever need to know which model Schaller tuner, etc... we can point you in the right direction so you order the right parts.

Nuts, that's something I hope we get around to offering. I've replaced nuts on my Euro Spectors before and the wait can be long because they are made in the Czech Republic factory, just like the nuts for our USA Series are made in NY.

I've personally talked with PJ about the Euro bridges. There's not much that can be done regarding those at the moment. I've been lobbying for intonation screws, like the new USA Solid Brass Bridges have. They make life so much better if you change strings often (and I do). These are things that get addressed after NAMM every year. So late Spring when everything calms down (there's the build-up to NAMM and then a few crazy months of filling orders after) I'll make another good attempt. We'll see what happens.

 

[JPSBassist]

I'll 2nd on that . I'd like to have a gold bridge for my NS-2A euro model plus gold tuners.

Every couple of months we go through the bridge thing on this forum...

Unfortunately, or actually from my standpoint, fortunately, the bridges are all different sizes between the series. All of the Korean-Made, Czech-Made and USA bridges are different sizes.
Why is this good? Well if the Euro and USA was the same size, you'd have people replacing bridges and trying to pass off Euro models as USA models on Ebay. And PJ and I already have enough to do helping people now with the old, "I bought this on Ebay or from a pawn shop... what is it?"
The NS-2A bridge is the same size as the current Legend Series Bridge.
You can buy a gold one here:
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I know the picture is of a black Legend Bridge... but you'd be ordering a gold one.
As far as gold Schaller Tuners... those older Schallers have an anchor screw that is 90 degrees from the body... meaning if you look at the headstock while the guitar is sitting in a rack, the anchor screws come out of the tuners to the left or right... towards the center of the headstock. Not below the tuners as the current ones do.
They are Schaller M4 tuners and run $134.79 a set. You can get them here:
Link Removed
You can buy any bridge from us you'd like, but the Euro and USA bridges are too large for the routed hole on your NS-2A and you'd risk destroying the finish and the playability of the guitar if you tried to route it out larger.
I'd recommend going with the Legend 4 gold bridge if you really want to make the switch.

Ironically, I'm about to switch the gold hardware on my Euro4LX-Classic out to black. As a bassist who uses a pick (a lot) I anchor my palm on the top front of the bridge. I've worn through the gold finish and honestly, my Euro4LX-TW-35 has the black bridge and tuners and I like the look better.

I'm thinking about ordering the USA NS-2 I'm gassing for with the black USA bridge and tuners as well. It's one less thing to have to polish/keep clean. Lately, time has been something I don't have a lot of.

 

[JPSBassist]

This is an OFFICIAL LIST OF ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM SPECTOR®

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Those of you headed to NAMM in January, put this on your calendar! Saturday, Jan 15th we will be having our 1st Annual SPECTOR Artists Zone gathering. Many top SPECTOR artists including Doug Wimbish, Rex Brown, Robbie Merrill and members of this forum like DieChris (Christian Waiau of Kill the Masses) will be there to meet and greet. It's going to be a cool time! Visit... our website for the official press release!

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‎20 year road veteran and master guitar tech Mikey Vernon (Quiet Riot, Godsmack, Primal Fear, Styx, Great White) has been kind enough to write down some notes on setting up your Spector Bass. This makes a nice companion with the detailed setup instructions from the SPECTOR TECH GURU Jimmy Eppard (who is a SPECTOR Witch... Doctor I'm tellin' ya!) has in the tech section of the site. CHECK IT OUT!

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OK... I know this is about guitars and not basses, but it's sort of a glimpse of some things to come. So I thought you'd all get a kick out of this:

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Stuart Spector Designs Announces the introduction of the SPECTOR Vintage Electric Guitar Body Style. This is an unfinished but sanded solid lightweight Ash body ready for your electronics, hardware and neck. Made in our NY Workshop from a template custom designed by Stuart himself. Click this link to learn more!

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[PhatBasstard]

I've been lobbying for intonation screws, like the new USA Solid Brass Bridges have. They make life so much better if you change strings often (and I do).

FWIW, I wanted these 20+ years ago when I got my NS2. The Spector bridge worked great....once you got the "balancing act" of working with bridge saddles that pivoted on only two kitty-corner screws with no intonation screw to help with stability, under your belt.

Operationally, I love the Spector bridge.
Set up? Not so much.
I love the way the "A" bridges look on the US bolt-ons.
Retro fitting those would be a pain though.

If they do the intonation screws on the Czechs, I'm all over it for my current #1 workhorse Euro4.
It will keep me from ordering the US one and getting the dremel tool out.

 

[JPSBassist]

Operationally, I love the Spector bridge.

Set up? Not so much.

I love the way the "A" bridges look on the US bolt-ons.
Retro fitting those would be a pain though.

I totally agree. Once set and locked down, it's one of the most stable bridges... EVER...

Set up was a pain before the intonation screws on the USA bridges. I agree.

And the Hipshot A bridge is a seriously great bridge. I love the Hipshot A. I think Stuart really was smart and looked long and hard before deciding to go with it. And I don't think he could have made a better choice. It's a great light-weight alternative to the USA bridge.

If they do the intonation screws on the Czechs, I'm all over it for my current #1 workhorse Euro4. It will keep me from ordering the US one and getting the dremel tool out.

I'm right there with you. The differences in size between the USA and the Euro is 0.25 inches on the narrower side. I'd consider it if my Euro4LX Classic wasn't gloss finish.

I don't think it's an "if" but more like a "when" regarding the changes to the Euro bridge. PJ pushed for years to get the redesign on the USA and Stuart agrees, the reception has been overwhelmingly positive. No word on "when" it might happen. But I'm going to bring it up to Stuart at NAMM.

 

[Nino Valenti]

I had a gig with both bands on 12/10 and I used my NS-5 along with my Valenti SMJ5.

Theorem:

Glasshouses:

 

[crimson_basser]

JP, just wondering how one would go about getting to NAMM as a Spector artist. If given the chance in the future I would jump all over that.

Id just have to find me a cheap way to get to California

 

[Murphys Law]

Ordered THIS:

Spector NS5-H2 FM
quilted maple top /
mahogany back
ebony fretboard / mother of pearl inlays
black cherry stain matte
Hardware black
2 EMG 40CSTW Humbucker
Aguilar OBP-3 preamp
with Case

Last Thursday.
Now the wait begins...

 

[iceboxbass]

Every couple of months we go through the bridge thing on this forum...

Unfortunately, or actually from my standpoint, fortunately, the bridges are all different sizes between the series. All of the Korean-Made, Czech-Made and USA bridges are different sizes.
Why is this good? Well if the Euro and USA was the same size, you'd have people replacing bridges and trying to pass off Euro models as USA models on Ebay. And PJ and I already have enough to do helping people now with the old, "I bought this on Ebay or from a pawn shop... what is it?"
The NS-2A bridge is the same size as the current Legend Series Bridge.
You can buy a gold one here:
Invalid Link Removed
I know the picture is of a black Legend Bridge... but you'd be ordering a gold one.
As far as gold Schaller Tuners... those older Schallers have an anchor screw that is 90 degrees from the body... meaning if you look at the headstock while the guitar is sitting in a rack, the anchor screws come out of the tuners to the left or right... towards the center of the headstock. Not below the tuners as the current ones do.
They are Schaller M4 tuners and run $134.79 a set. You can get them here:
Link Removed
You can buy any bridge from us you'd like, but the Euro and USA bridges are too large for the routed hole on your NS-2A and you'd risk destroying the finish and the playability of the guitar if you tried to route it out larger.
I'd recommend going with the Legend 4 gold bridge if you really want to make the switch.

Thank you JP for the resource URL!

Ironically, I'm about to switch the gold hardware on my Euro4LX-Classic out to black. As a bassist who uses a pick (a lot) I anchor my palm on the top front of the bridge. I've worn through the gold finish and honestly, my Euro4LX-TW-35 has the black bridge and tuners and I like the look better.

I'm thinking about ordering the USA NS-2 I'm gassing for with the black USA bridge and tuners as well. It's one less thing to have to polish/keep clean. Lately, time has been something I don't have a lot of.

Yeah there's pro's and con's to consider for sure...I don't pick...tried it a few times, thought it sounded too much like a guitar...one of my electric guitar players in our band made a statement,"That's a Bass. It should sound like a Bass,not an electric guitar." LOL That's his opinion only. Maybe as I get more playing under my belt I'll find a time when a pick gives that certain song the right sound.
True...it takes a little more cleaning to keep gold looking shiny...but it looks sooo GOOD!

 

[iceboxbass]

Ordered THIS:

Spector NS5-H2 FM
quilted maple top /
mahogany back
ebony fretboard / mother of pearl inlays
black cherry stain matte
Hardware black
2 EMG 40CSTW Humbucker
Aguilar OBP-3 preamp
with Case

Last Thursday.
Now the wait begins...

Congrats man! Can't wait to see pics posted here!

 

[JPSBassist]

JP, just wondering how one would go about getting to NAMM as a Spector artist. If given the chance in the future I would jump all over that.

Id just have to find me a cheap way to get to California

Talk with PJ.

He's the NAMM/Artist decision maker. NAMM gives us so many badges. So once they are assigned, that's it. Some of our artists sometimes get in with other endorsements. Like EMG or Aguilar or a string company. It just depends on what's available, etc...

It can be a juggling act. But PJ does an awesome job of accomodating people who really want to make and appearance.

Hotels in the area are not cheap. Anahiem is insane any time of the year because of Disney Land... but NAMM is a set deal so every year musicians from around the world book rooms.

NAMM is insane. Guitar makers to tuba makers and every instrument in between.