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Spector Club Pt. 3 (Insert Clever Title Here)

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#923
Wraithwrider said:
As promised, the 'mod post'.

I've already replaced the 2EQ 18v Hazlabs cut and boost pre-amp in my Spector NS5XL. I have to own up to using a pre to get my tone to a greater extent. It works for me. I like the low mids to be emphasised and seldom use bass or treble boost so the Euro was always vulnerable for some similar surgery.

The standard U-Retro fitted the 3 hole NS and I tucked the two switches away into the cavity (it'll only be used in active mode anyway). I got John to combine the separate volume and blend on the U-Retro Deluxe 5 knob to give me 4 knobs to fit the Euro and to include a passive/active pull on the added passive tone control (effectively a Sadowsky VTC).

So I now have vol/blend, mid cut and boost with sweep, treble cut and boost with bass boost and treble bright 'pull', passive tone with passive only pull (passive tone works in active too.

Here's some photos of the switch done today:
...
Click to expand...


Awesome!

Do those knobs have black on the top? They definitely look sharp on the white bass!

Im just waiting on playing my Euro a few times more before I do the switch. Plus Id like to record a few samples to compare for you guys, but my sound card is out for repairs.

Looks good Peter!
 
#925
crimson_basser said:
Awesome!

Do those knobs have black on the top? They definitely look sharp on the white bass!

Im just waiting on playing my Euro a few times more before I do the switch. Plus Id like to record a few samples to compare for you guys, but my sound card is out for repairs.

Looks good Peter!
Click to expand...

I have the mixed set on the NS but plumped for all gold on the Euro. I'm not a huge fan of gold hardware but it sure suits a white bass.

Peter
 
#926
The gold on the white bass definitely looks slick.

Got some good playing in on the Euro tonight. Definitely not digging the Tone Pump.
Im gonna give it a few more days before I swap it out though. Just to see if I cant get something I like out of it.

This is my first active bass, definitely forgot how aggressive they are. Ill definitely have to tame the attack, edge and bite on it. It could be the strings too.

Anyways, all in all, I love the clarity and the definition in the active pickups. But, there is lots of room for improvement, enter East pre amp. ;)
 
#927
Out of context, but I just wanted to show some love to the HAZLAB preamp. Im glad that Spector is offering the Aggie, and the EMG, as well as the Tone Pump, for those of you that want those sounds or controls, but for me the sound that shaped the 80's for bass, was EMG pickups and HAZLAB preamps. BTW, for those of you that didnt know, HAZLAB also made preamps for Fodera, Ken Smith, and Steinberger basses as well. The 83 Fodera Monarch that Victor Wooten plays the most, still has a HAZLAB preamp in it, with the stock EMG's. I realize that HAZLABs would rather modify the circuit and bring it up to date, and maybe make it smaller, but if it works, it works, dont change it, just offer another option for those who want more. On a side note, I did a session today with another maker's PJ5 bass, and it rocked, which proves the point that even 60 year old designs can still be hard to beat and newer isnt always better. Loving my Spector's.
 
#928
bobunit said:
Yeah, but it doesn't have a natural finish. ;) Btw, thanks.
Click to expand...

*Hisssssss* My interest has been adverted... luckily for you :ninja:

In all honesty, It sounded good enough for me to honestly consider going non natural for once! But alas my cash is tied elsewhere and even if it weren't it's probably out of my price range.

In other news... I miss my Spectors :(

With my decision to go all 5 strings (at least until I really think I'm ready for 6) my Euro 4LX has also been sold. It's really starting to hit me because I just can't get the tone my Spector made from my Sandberg, as sweet a bass as it is. Thing is, there's a SSD NS5 for sale (at a great price too!) near me that I've been pining at for months. If if get out of my current monetary jam I'm either grabbing a Sadowsky or that NS5. Here's hoping :)
 
#930
fretless_guy said:
This is going to be a little off topic but, ... If anyone out there has an older Spector Euro 5-string with dots on the fingerboard and a 34" scale, would you be able to take a measurement from the nut to the center of both pickups for me? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Actually, I think the pickups are in the same place on 4-string ReBops too. Anybody out there have one and a tape measure?
 
#931
fretless_guy said:
This is going to be a little off topic but, ... If anyone out there has an older Spector Euro 5-string with dots on the fingerboard and a 34" scale, would you be able to take a measurement from the nut to the center of both pickups for me? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
If it will help, I have a US 34" scale 5 string I can measure when I get home.
 
#932
bobunit said:
If it will help, I have a US 34" scale 5 string I can measure when I get home.
Click to expand...

That might! Does it have two soap bar pickups that look to be in the same spot as this one?
SpectorNS5CR_1.gif
 
#935
Yeah, there is no denying they are tanks, but i have found that the right strap (I really like Mono brand straps) and position really makes a difference. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] is a tone sample of it. About 2:04 into the tune, it really shines. We recorded this on a Zoom H4. I think I love it almost as much as my Spectors... Almost. ;)
 
#936
bobunit said:
Yeah, there is no denying they are tanks, but i have found that the right strap (I really like Mono brand straps) and position really makes a difference. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] is a tone sample of it. About 2:04 into the tune, it really shines. We recorded this on a Zoom H4. I think I love it almost as much as my Spectors... Almost. ;)
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's the tone. Similar to a Music Man but beefier. Great tune too.
 
#938
Spot that tune?

The same line repeated on the NS5XL and the Euro 5 LX. Both basses fitted with a U-Retro with identical settings. Recorded direct into an Edirol R-09HR and saved as a .wav file.

Guess which is which?

Oh and yes I'm no brilliant bassist ;)

Link Removed

Peter
 
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