Spector Club - Part 9

[iceboxbass]

I have to put my Spectorcore 5 fretless up for sale to defray some vehicle repair costs. Here's the thread if anyone is interested: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/spector-spectorcore-5-fretless-756532/

I was interested in buying a SpectorCore 5 a few weeks ago but I couldn't find any audio tracks to listen to the tones. How's it sound?

Can anyone give me their thoughts on http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/spector-spectorcore-5-fretless-756532/

I'm in the market for a new versatile/"inexpensive" bass... that is one that I have my eye on... just need some pros and cons... currently with and Ibanez EDC700 (main workhorse) and Fender Jazz Custom....

I had a Fender Jazz bass before buying my first Spector which is a Legend 4, the exact black cherry as the one you're looking at. I couldn't believe the difference in the neck action and tones! I thought, WOW! This is what I'd been missing!!! Difference is like night & day! The Spector has so much more playability and the tones are warmer, more rounded, and smoother. A year later a bought an 80's NS-2A Spector, I wanted to try a neck-thru, wow...the neck action is as smooth as butter! Note Sustainability is forever! Incredible instrument! Now it's my main axe. Go for it! You won't be disappointed. I'd recommend a used NS-2 or 5, the Euro 4 & 5 are lower in price than the USA models and the quality in craftsmanship isn't that much different I've been told. I've not personally seen or played a USA built Spector bass. I've owned a Spector Euro Rebop 5 DLX and it was an awesome workhorse. Very powerful! I paid $399.00 used. The NS-2A I paid $499.00 used but is in like new condition. My Legend 4 I paid $299.00 used only 5 months but the guy needed some $$$, it looked brand new, guy played it 4-5 times in his house. There's some great deals out there because a lot of guitar stores don't know what Spectors are. Good luck! Look at eBay, CL, TB, and GC.

Do you have pics to tide us over until The Day?

Sorry...the only pic that I copied from the eBay site came out way too fuzzy. Hardly recognizable. I'll be posting pics the day I get delivery though.

 

[Thundar]

So, what do you think of the NS2J? What genres is it best suited for tone wise. I hear it sounds more like a piano than a bass...

I never had the pleasure of getting to play a Kramer NS2J, but I did own an NS2 JAR...and I traded it off for a Euro. It was a great bass, but I came to realize I prefer the tone of a Spector with P/J's.

 

[KPJ]

I was interested in buying a SpectorCore 5 a few weeks ago but I couldn't find any audio tracks to listen to the tones. How's it sound?

It sounds like a bass!

But seriously, I'm not sure sure if I'm very good at describing tone, but I'll try. It has a strong low mid sound to it, not muddy at all. With the piezo, you can get a very organic, acoustic tone. With the tone up all the way on the piezo, you will get a lot of finger noise as well as a very full tone. Harmonics ring out nicely and you get a nice mhaw on the higher strings. If I get a chance, I'll try to do some sound clips, but I will be pretty busy Friday and Saturday. The only recordings I have of it are videos of me playing it with a full band.

 

[iceboxbass]

Your band video would be cool.
I can't believe with all the Spector endorsed bassist that are playing the SpectorCore there's not any vids on YouTube. Makes me think that it's not that big of a hit or people are afraid to try it. ???

 

[JPSBassist]

What has happened to JPS??? I haven't seen him on here in weeks. /:

The rumours of my death by Spector avalanche were greatly exaggerated. Actually I only broke my arms, legs, ruptured my spleen and lost an eye.

But in reality I was on location for a few video shoots and then out of the blue my wife surprised me with a birthday trip to Nassau, Bahamas for a week. I got back day before yesterday and have been slammed getting SPECTOR website updates done. The new shopping cart should be finished shortly.

I saw several bands in Nassau. Strange to say that Ibanez rules that island. I saw one Squire J-Bass and three other bands with various different Ibanez basses. SRX models. So that was sort of a disappointment. One of the bassists I talked with had never heard of SPECTOR before.

So I whipped out my phone and showed him a good photo of my Redwood. He was impressed. But that island is so economically depressed... $200 guitars seems to be the way to go.

Pictures from the music videos coming shortly. And yes. They were SPECTOR Artists.

It's nice to be back. I paid extra for WiFi so I could check email and stay connected and it didn't ever work. So for 7 days I was in a complete media blackout.

So I spent quality time with the wife, sitting on the beach watching the world go by.

 

[iceboxbass]

Lol Welcome back! Glad you were able to have a great relaxing time with your wife JPS! I wonder how much your wife paid to keep the wi-Fi turned off ;D...

There's been a lot of new Spector buying since you've been away...that beautiful Euro 5 LX for $900.00 on eBay ended up being a bust...I paid and guy never sent me the bass...eBay refunded my $$$ though. On the up side though I have a brand new old stock NS-95 coming and it'll be here by Tuesday! Still in original manuf. Box, never sold or played. And it was $251.00 cheaper! Can't wait to post pics and make a report!
Cheers!

 

[southgabass]

I have that model in slate grey high gloss. 34' scale 4 string...
I love it, I get more range in tones and playability than the EDB600 I had.
If you like your Ibanez you love this bass. Have you played one, yet?

No I haven't played one yet but from everything I've read I felt it would be a good one to try out soon =D... my other options are an MTD Kingston Z.... a Sterling StingRay... Ibanez SR1400... G&L Tributes.. but the Spector was the first one in a line of them that I was looking at... was thinking of finding a holoflash or natural... not sure on finish yet... all comes down to how we get along =p

 

[southgabass]

They fit my $600-$1k range I was allowed to work with from the lady.... =D... my band has a show in Columbus GA tomorrow and maybe there I can find one to try out.... where I live the shop only really carries Fender and Ibanez.... gogogogo living in the sticks =D

 

[Tracebassplayer]

Sometimes you can find a new one in TB classifieds... for less than at the store.

 

[southgabass]

yup gonna be checking once i try it out... from what I'm gathering through my Ampeg SVT IV pro it should sound EPIC™.... at least I hope... my 2nd runner up in my mind (mind you I have yet to try any of these) is the MTD... so we'll see

 

[PhatBasstard]

The rumours of my death by Spector avalanche were greatly exaggerated. Actually I only broke my arms, legs, ruptured my spleen and lost an eye.

It lives!
OOooooooo.........

 

[JPSBassist]

It lives!
OOooooooo.........

 

[rockstarbassist]

SO, FINALLY, here she is!! Sorry for the meh pics but my main digicam crapped out a while back and just haven't replaced it. So my old as dirt Kodak had to step in :lol:.


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I will say this thing sounds VERY very awesome. It is so, how do I wanna put it, grindy, growly? I mean take your average Spector and then multiply that by 10 and you'll get close. It's strange but surprising in a good way. I'm not sure if I'm just so used to the 18V 40DCs or what but yeah for what I need, this tone already fits me a ton better.

One thing though and I was gonna ask JPS this- is that I was told the American 9V pre was in this. I haven't popped the back yet, but the B/T controls seem to be seemless (no "Center" detent) which makes me scared there's actually a TP in there. I didn't know the American HAZ 9V pre's came like this but if so that's fine, I just need to know where "0" or "even" is. I will pop the cover tonight and see what the circuit says.

I have my custom set of Circle K's on the way so hopefully she'll be set up in plenty of time so I can use her at our next shows on 4/15 and 4/16.
The neck is a lil thicker than my previous Brooklyn NS-2, for sure! But is not uncomfy in any way. Very solid.

 

[OneMoreRobot]

I love the body shape! If only it wasn't black...

 

[rockstarbassist]

Only comes in black.

 

[iceboxbass]

That bass is drop dead gorgeous in black!!! If the NS-95 didn't go good for me I was thinking of getting a REX5. I know they're not the same but close enough in the body anyways. Congrats! One gorgeous bass and I like your description of the tone too...I like grindy.

 

[crimson_basser]

So I spent quality time with the wife, sitting on the beach watching the world go by.

Its ok, youre back here with us now
We can get back to the important things in life.

 

[JPSBassist]

I will say this thing sounds VERY very awesome. It is so, how do I wanna put it, grindy, growly? I mean take your average Spector and then multiply that by 10 and you'll get close. It's strange but surprising in a good way. I'm not sure if I'm just so used to the 18V 40DCs or what but yeah for what I need, this tone already fits me a ton better.

Glad you like it. That's great that you love the sound. Because it had already been sold (and I knew you had purchased it), I never plugged it in or played it. I also never cracked the back plate for photos.

There should have been a CD-ROM with the photos I shot of it in the case. IF, for some reason they didn't make it to you, let me know and I'll get you another disk with copies. I shot that guitar in my studio against a green screen and in a black setup I use. Got some nice, clear and artsy photos of it.

One thing though and I was gonna ask JPS this- is that I was told the American 9V pre was in this. I haven't popped the back yet, but the B/T controls seem to be seemless (no "Center" detent) which makes me scared there's actually a TP in there. I didn't know the American HAZ 9V pre's came like this but if so that's fine, I just need to know where "0" or "even" is. I will pop the cover tonight and see what the circuit says.

Because I never opened it up I don't know. I can tell you that it definately DOES NOT have the 18v. There'd only be three control knobs plus there'd be a dual battery compartment on the back in addition to the control cavity.

I would think it would have the USA Circuit. But the lack of center indents would make me wonder if it didn't have an Aguilar circuit. I wouldn't think it would have the TonePump. But again, with prototypes, stranger things have happened.

I have my custom set of Circle K's on the way so hopefully she'll be set up in plenty of time so I can use her at our next shows on 4/15 and 4/16.

Let us know how it goes...

The neck is a lil thicker than my previous Brooklyn NS-2, for sure! But is not uncomfy in any way. Very solid.

Yes. The current USA Necks are a little thicker than in years past. But I agree with you, that thickness isn't an issue for me.

 

[iceboxbass]

Its ok, youre back here with us now
We can get back to the important things in life.

+1

 

[Tracebassplayer]

JPS...
Is there a brochure with ALL the models on it so when I'm at a dealer I can compare what they have to what is/was available?
I sometimes see what LOOKS like a Legend Custom but has ALL gold hardware and the salesman can't seem to tell me what model it cause the tag is gone and/or "it's been here a long time"...
I look on the website but, a lot of the time I don't see there what I have in my hand at the time. Kinda frustrating to not know WHAT you're buying...