Spector Club Pt. 3 (Insert Clever Title Here)

[havuk]

I'm very much a fan of the "piano chime" of Stainless Steel strings as well, so take that with a grain of salt. My favorite strings for my fretted basses are D'addario ProSteels - wonderful "chime" but not at the expense of other areas. IMO they've got strong low-mids and low-end but not enough to overwhelm and be "boomy". Same with the high-end, present but certainly not enough to "take over". I'm also a fan of the "feel" of the strings - they're not "finger-rippers", but jut enough "grip" to keep your fingers from sliding off, and the perfect amount of string tension to keep my low B & E nice and tight without having to use heavy-gauge sets.

I also like Spector's own Steels, but honestly need to spend more time playing them before I can give an honest assessment about them - they're going on at the next string-change on my fretted 5-string.



Obviously there's the USA vs Czech Republic Quality argument, but from a purely practical POV, the ReBop DLXs (Euro Bolt-on) have an Alder back and Figured Maple (FM) or Zebrawood (on the "EX" Exotic Top models) front compared to the USA's Mahogany back and [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] depending on what Stuart's made up - typically the "standard" is Figured Maple for the "FM" models and Spalted Maple on the "EX". Body-wise I've found the US bolt-ons to not have quite the curvature/concave bodies that the NS design is known for - they're a little "flat" for lack of a better term, whereas the ReBop's have the standard fully curved NS body shape. The ReBops have the Classic Spector Locking bridge with aluminum base plate and Gotoh tuners in black, while the USA has a custom Hupshot bridge based off their A-style also with an aluminum base plate and brass saddles, along with Hipshot Ultralight tuners. Both have the 24-fret Spector neck/fretboard with Crown inlays in Mother-Of-Pearl, Rosewood on the ReBop, Pau Ferro on the USA. To my ears the ReBops are a mix of the classic Spector tone combined with a good-quality Jazz Bass, due to the bolt-on nature of the construction and body woods, where the Mahogany in the USA version gives it a more "midrange" tone - I hear Mahogany as a very "middy" tone wood that needs a bright top to "even out" the sound. Still, I'd like to pick up a USA bolt-on one day to compare the differences...

I'd say the biggest difference is the electronics packages currently. The ReBops come equipped with EMG-HZ Passive Pickups and the Spector OEM TonePump 2 boost-only preamp, while the USA bolt-ons come standard with EMG-CSTW pickups (Dual/Single-Coil switchable) along with an Aguilar OBP-3 3-band active preamp. That's a pretty big jump in electronics, and as much as I love my ReBops (EX Zebrawood-topped 4-string, Flame Maple 5-string fretted and lined fretless) I'm currently having 3 sets of Nordstrand Big Single pickups custom-wound to be installed with Aguilar OBP-3 preamps, which added a significant amount to what I've spent (even though I purchased mine about 2 years ago before a major price increase on Spector's part).

...and now I've just re-read your post wanting a comparison between the USA bolt-on and the Euro... I ASSumed the "Euro bolt-on". Someone can take over from here, but this is a pretty good comparison between the two bolt-on models. Dammit... Short Version: differences in body woods and construction. I think the biggest issue is whether you're a fan of bolt-on or neck-through construction. I myself am not, so if/when I do decide to upgrade to USA Spectors, it will be to the USA bolt-on models.

You may have missed the neck through part but you explained everything really well. I wasn't aware that the USA bolt on wouldn't have that curve, I like that, I may have to send it back for a euro model..

 

[chanson]

I think Spector should bring back the solid maple wings for the Euro series. At least have it as an option. Every time I see one it just kills me.

 

[Kwesi]

You may have missed the neck through part but you explained everything really well. I wasn't aware that the USA bolt on wouldn't have that curve, I like that, I may have to send it back for a euro model..

Ian did what would've done if I hadn't seen your post at 3AM . And since he did all that I'll cover the NT vs. BO part for ya.

In my experience, the BOs and NTs sound extremely similar. I'd go as far to say that if you dropped the Euro LX pickups (either EMG PJs or EMG DCs) there would be next to no discern-able difference. The only real difference I've found is that the NTs have more sustain while the BOs have more "snap" (think jazz bass when slapping or plucking really hard). I haven't played a USA BO though so I can't speak for them but the trend follows pretty evenly along the Legend and ReBop models. You really can't go wrong with either, I mean... they're Spectors

 

[Kwesi]

I think Spector should bring back the solid maple wings for the Euro series. At least have it as an option. Every time I see one it just kills me.

I think the alder works out perfectly. It tames a bit of the maples brightness and gives it a stronger bottom end, imo.

 

[chanson]

To each his own. It'd still be nice as an option

 

[Double Agent]

I think Spector should bring back the solid maple wings for the Euro series. At least have it as an option. Every time I see one it just kills me.

I think the alder works out perfectly. It tames a bit of the maples brightness and gives it a stronger bottom end, imo.

+1 to Kwesi. Alder also keep the weight in check. I have only sold one bass because it was too heavy. It was an all-maple NS5CRFM. My Rebop is under 8.5 lbs and it has upgraded electronics (active EMG pickups and an EMG preamp instead of HZs and Tonepump). Tonally, there is very little difference between the NS5CRFM and my Rebop. The NS5CRFM was a little bit more aggressive and the Rebop is a little more versatile, but they both had the trademark Spector tone. I have never felt like I took a step down by switching to the Rebop, it plays and feels every bit as nice as any neck-thru Euro I've played.

However, I have to admit....the all-maple basses were/are better looking IMO, even if they are heavy. They had some really great finish options on the older neck-thrus that you can't get anymore. Especially the trans purple and the emerald stain.

 

[NS2A]

The NS5CRFM was a little bit more aggressive and the Rebop is a little more versatile, but they both had the trademark Spector tone. I have never felt like I took a step down by switching to the Rebop, it plays and feels every bit as nice as any neck-thru Euro I've played.

Are the necks similiar between the 5 string Euro NT and 5 String Euro Rebop? It appears the neck isn't finished on the Rebop, so was thinking it may feel a bit thinner if that makes sense?

I've never owned a Spector 5, but when I've played a Euro NT 5, it just seemed too big for my hands. The 4's are great for me though. So I thought if it felt or was a bit thinner, it'd maybe work.

 

[havuk]

These are the two basses in question, the Euro is all black matte and the USA is Red matte, I like them both

The Euro model is about $400 less , what do you guys think?

 

[Double Agent]

Are the necks similiar between the 5 string Euro NT and 5 String Euro Rebop? It appears the neck isn't finished on the Rebop, so was thinking it may feel a bit thinner if that makes sense?

I've never owned a Spector 5, but when I've played a Euro NT 5, it just seemed too big for my hands. The 4's are great for me though. So I thought if it felt or was a bit thinner, it'd maybe work.

The Rebop neck is significantly thinner than the Euro LX and NS5CRFM necks that I've played. It's not as thin as something like a SR5 though, its more of a medium thickness where the neck-thrus are very thick, almost Warwick-like.

FWIW, I never had any problems with the neck thickness on the neck-thru models and I'm exactly a big dude (5'7"). But, they are pretty beefy and the Rebop neck is a much friendlier profile IMO.

These are the two basses in question, the Euro is all black matte and the USA is Red matte, I like them both

The Euro model is about $400 less , what do you guys think?

I would probably get the USA if you can afford it. With the bolt-on neck and the soapbar pickups, it will less of a typical Spector sound. But, it should have plenty of growl and be more versatile than the Euro. The P/J pickups on the Euro are more aggressive-sounding and harder to tame, and the Tonepump won't do anything to help. If you are playing hard rock/metal styles or slapping a lot, the Euro will be fine. It will give the stereotypical Spector tone that we all know and love. But, the USA bolt-on will yield a wider variety of tones while still sounding like a good Spector should. All IMO....YMMV

 

[Kwesi]

These are the two basses in question, the Euro is all black matte and the USA is Red matte, I like them both

The Euro model is about $400 less , what do you guys think?

Looking at that USA I'd say that it probably has a mahogany body which would produce a warmer tone. If the pickups are EMG 35TWs (and I believe they are) I'm betting you could probably get pretty close to the Euro 4LX tone by coil tapping though it would be even more growly due to the single coil pup instead of the split coil in the neck position.

You can't go wrong with either but I personally don't think that the difference is worth $400. Maybe $200ish. However, if that the USA had a natural finish... my opinion would change drastically in it's favor

 

[havuk]

what exactly is coil tapping? i've seen it mentioned but not sure what it is

 

[Kwesi]

what exactly is coil tapping? i've seen it mentioned but not sure what it is

I'm not the most technical when it comes to pickups and electronics but here's my super simple explanation of coil tapping:

It turns a humbucking/dual-coil pickup into a single coil.

That's about it, lol. But with EMG TWs it's a bit different. TWs actually have 3 magnetic coils not two, though only 2 are active at one time. Two coils, one in front of the other on top and one more below the top coil closest to the bridge. This way when you coil tap it your actually getting a stacked humbucker. Simply put it's two jazz pups, one on top of the other. All of EMGs J pups (except the JV series) are stacked humbuckers and they sound awesome to me.

Here's a diagram of the EMG TW design: Link Removed

 

[NS2A]

The Rebop neck is significantly thinner than the Euro LX and NS5CRFM necks that I've played. It's not as thin as something like a SR5 though, its more of a medium thickness where the neck-thrus are very thick, almost Warwick-like.

Thanks! That really helps. I really like the MTD necks - tried a Kingston at GC and liked how it felt, but didn't like sound a whole lot when plugged in. So, the Rebop may be my best bet. There's none around here though, so I'm going in kind of blind...

 

[Rickett Customs]

Coil Tap: (the jist)
when you have the wire go around the bobbin say 2000 times in total, what you do, when you make it, is spin it around 1000 times, have a wire lead out of the bobbin and back and then spin it around 1000 more times. That way, you can have the pickup give you a sound with either the wire run round 2k times (as normal,) or with a switch, a sound with 1k times around.

Coil Split:
is where a humbucker (a pickup with 2 individual coils) has one coil shunted to ground leaving the other coil working.

I believe Kwesi is actually referring to "Split" and not "tap"

 

[JEDI BASS]

Played a show w/ The Veer Union last night. Their guy had 2 killer Spectors, the 5er had a spalt top, 4 banger was a flame maple I think, trans black or dark purple maybe. Didn't think it'd be cool to pull 'em off the rack to inspect for details, haha. But, those guys were cool, had some of us on the van for drinks. I stayed w/ my lady and friends at the merch table.

 

[Steady]

Here's my Spector, a Euro Rebop4, the older style with the all-alder body. Purchased from Bass Central a couple years ago (this pic is still on their website I think!)....
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Ian Perge]

Well, I'm glad my screw-up was able to cause some quality discussion - I'll do my best to continue to screw-up now and in the future...

I think Spector should bring back the solid maple wings for the Euro series. At least have it as an option. Every time I see one it just kills me.

I think the alder works out perfectly. It tames a bit of the maples brightness and gives it a stronger bottom end, imo.

Err... +1 to both of the above? As I'm known for not being a huge fan of the N/T Spectors, when I think about it I realize it's most likely the all-Maple construction (bodies & necks) that bring out the brightness that turns me of from them, and that I'm much more open to the laminate Maple/Walnut/Alder bodies of the LX models, which I do agree "fill out" the sound and the bottom-end better than the all-Maple models. But I can also understand that a good deal of plays do like the solid Maple wings for both tonal as well as the visual aspects, and it would be nice to see Spector bring them back as an upcharged option.

These are the two basses in question, the Euro is all black matte and the USA is Red matte, I like them both

The Euro model is about $400 less , what do you guys think?

I'd go with the USA Red Matte if it were my money (or if it wasn't and I'm simply giving my opinion. ) DA nailed the differences between the pickups and electronics, and the $400 difference is going to a better grade of Figured Maple (which on Spectors aren't so much "the top" as they are "half the freakin' body - I was amazed when I got my Zebrawood-topped ReBop DLX EX and saw that it took up as much room as the Alder "back" did, and is sonically noticeable) as well as a major financial as well as tonal upgrade in the pickups and preamp, from EMG-HZs and a Spector TonePump Jr. to EMG-35TWs and Aguilar OBP-3. Toss in the "USA Spector" aspect, and should you have to sell it you're likely to get a much better return on your investment... and you're talking to someone who *loves* his euro-made ReBops, but won't ignore facts regarding the resale value.

I believe Kwesi is actually referring to "Split" and not "tap"

He's actually got it dead-bang. Because of their proprietary active design, EMGs can't be traditionally "Coil-Tapped" nor exactly "Coil-Split". As he said, the TW-series have two coils side-by-side for the "Dual Coil" operation, along with a third placed underneath one of the top coils. When the pickup is switched to "Single Coil", one of the upper coils is shut down (like a "Coil-Split" design) but then and the upper and lower coils act as a stacked single-coil, giving you the vast majority of the traditional tone of a single-coil but keeping the also-traditional 60 cycle hum out of your electronics. It's a somewhat odd system, really a workaround by EMG due to their original designs but has worked well since they came out with it, and they tend to use "coil split" in describing it as it's at lease 1/2 correct and more recognizable than the above or Kwesi's description.

 

[MisterMagician]

Hmm... I think I just found MY Spector.

And that Bass is the USA [FONT=arial, helvetica]NS-5H2-FM.

Mahogany body,[/FONT] Pau Ferro fingerboard[FONT=arial, helvetica], EMG CS-TW pickups, bolt-on neck, and Aguilar OBP-3 preamp... all from the USA custom shop



Anyone have any personal experience with this Bass? This is it. This seems like the Bass I have been looking for for the past two years. This will be the weapon I conquer the world with.
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[Captain_Arrrg]

See first post- flame maple NS-5H2.

It's the greatest bass ever made... If you want something more specific than that let me know!

 

[bobunit]

Hmm... I think I just found MY Spector.

And that Bass is the USA [FONT=arial, helvetica]NS-5H2-FM.

Mahogany body,[/FONT] Pau Ferro fingerboard[FONT=arial, helvetica], EMG CS-TW pickups, bolt-on neck, and Aguilar OBP-3 preamp... all from the USA custom shop

[/FONT]

Hey! No pictures?!?!?