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Spector Legend Classic 4

Relayer71

Relayer71

Jun 25, 2009
4,336
8,324
NYC
#1
Are these good instruments? I know very little about Spector aside from the fact that lately I've been loving the body and headstock shape.

Sound isn't an issue as I'm not gigging currently, just recording my own material and I've always favored playing comfort (light weight, well contoured body, comfortable neck neck, no neck dive) over sound.

Anyway, I have a chance to get one at a great price but like I said, I know very little about them and there really isn't much mention of them on here. Was going to ask on the Spector Club thread but they're all about the high end models in there it seems!

Currently playing an Ibanez SR400QM, used to play a P Bass years ago (when I was a guitarrist but dabbled with bass) but I'm not sure I'm a "less is more" fan anymore and enjoy the flexibility of active electronics (though I love Jazz basses and am also considering a Geddy Lee). Also love the slim neck on the Ibby SRs.

So are they built well? Decent hardware? Sound good? I get the impression that I'm better off getting one of their high end models or none at all. Also, would be getting this at a great price but are they worth the regular prices they go for? How do they compare to an Ibanez SR? Almost seems like those Spectors are overpriced in comparison - again, unless they really are wonderful instruments and there just aren't many fans here? (and the SR500 & 600 are also excellent bargains)

Any opinions are welcome, thanks!
 
#4
I played a Legend 5 for a while, I can totally vouch for the build quality.
The playability was great, and I loved the sound. Only reason I sold it was I needed the cash.

The people who give the impression that you shouldn't bother with the higher end stuff are probably just gear snobs. I found the hardware to be fine.
Compared to the Ibanez SR's I think the necks are a bit thicker, but to me they feel more solid for that reason.

If you can get a good price I say go for it!
 
#5
seventhframe said:
The Spector club isn't all about the high end stuff. You're welcome to ask anyone about anything. There are some amazingly knowledgeable people there who will be thrilled to share their wisdom with you.
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Oh, I didn't mean to imply the folks at the Spector club wouldn't be helpful, just that I've scanned through those threads and seems most posts are related to the higher end Spectors. Although I may have asked this question there at some point and not gotten much of a reply, but not 100% sure about that.
 
#7
seventhframe said:
If it's a Spector, it's good!!
The Spector club isn't all about the high end stuff. You're welcome to ask anyone about anything. There are some amazingly knowledgeable people there who will be thrilled to share their wisdom with you.
Click to expand...

Yup, lots of good guys in the Spector club.

I play a Euro 5LX and have asked various questions about my bass in the club, and someone always helps. I also exchanged emails with PJ from Spector several times and always got an answer the next day.

I'm pretty set on buying another neck thru Spector, but those legends are great basses! I know two other players personally that use them, and they really are awesome basses.

In fact, I might have went with a Legend Classic 5 if I didn't get my Euro LX at such a good price.

Good luck!
 
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#8
DeivoxCarnal said:
I played a Legend 5 for a while, I can totally vouch for the build quality.
The playability was great, and I loved the sound. Only reason I sold it was I needed the cash.

The people who give the impression that you shouldn't bother with the higher end stuff are probably just gear snobs. I found the hardware to be fine.
Compared to the Ibanez SR's I think the necks are a bit thicker, but to me they feel more solid for that reason.

If you can get a good price I say go for it!
Click to expand...

I'm not sure how the Legend necks compare to the Euros, but my other bass is an Ibanez SRX 500 and it has a very thin neck. I don't find my Spectors neck too big, it almost feels perfect in my hands to be honest with you.
 
#9
Spectors, at any price level, are fantastic basses, and the Legends are no exception. Trust me, there are plenty of people in the Spector Club that own Legends, or have owned them in the past (and then fell victim to "Spectoritis" and moved up to Euros and USA models), and there are some of us, like myself, that still carry on the love for the Kramer models. Whatever model you choose....Nothing sounds like a Spector, Baby!
 
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#10
I play a legend classic 5. Great playing instrument. The sound is great, nice and growly, but it can be tamed if need be. The only gripe I have is that the bass and treble controls are boost only, but I still love the bass. The neck is thicker than that of my ibanez sr, but it's still plenty comfortable.
Also, be careful with the legend necks and hot temperatures. I got mine here on the classifieds, and when it got here the neck finish had some 'wrinkling' in it. At first I didn't know what to make of it, but I brought it to a local shop and they fixed it. A few weeks later I took it up to jazz camp, and it was in a case in a fairly warm car for a 90 minute drive. When I took it out, there was a bit of the wrinkling where part of the neck was in contact with the case. A little of the fuzz got stuck to it. Other than that, ive had absolutely no issues with it. It's easily one of the best basses in it's price range.
 
#11
Thundar said:
Spectors, at any price level, are fantastic basses, and the Legends are no exception. Trust me, there are plenty of people in the Spector Club that own Legends, or have owned them in the past (and then fell victim to "Spectoritis" and moved up to Euros and USA models), and there are some of us, like myself, that still carry on the love for the Kramer models. Whatever model you choose....Nothing sounds like a Spector, Baby!
Click to expand...

+100

I have had 8 spectors so far. All great basses . Their not light, and the neck isn't ultra thin like a sdgr. They are however ergonomic, comfortable to play, exceptionally well built, have good hardware, and have THE TONE. Its hard to go wrong with any model. I would recommended a NT though, bolt on guys love the legend classic and rebops though. Not your avg bolt on bass. The low end performers are still good but I don't care for them. I currently play a ns2000 (legend custom) and it competes with basses in the 1500-2000 range I would say. Built like a tank and sounds killer. Some consider the korean basses built "too well" but that's what Stu wanted. Same small shop building them since the 80's. Be warned, once you get into spectors, its hard to go to anything else. They tend to become the STD you measure everything else against. There are always guys in the club with basses for sale also. Their usually the pick of the litter too at reasonable prices . No snobbery in the club either! If its a spector or someone interested in them their welcome.
 
#12
I've got a Spector Performer bass and it's pretty intense, many people I've jammed with don't believe I got it for less than 300 brand new. I'm saying that if my sub 300 dollar Spector is great I'm sure just about anything above that trim level is well worth it's money.
 
#13
Thundar said:
Spectors, at any price level, are fantastic basses, and the Legends are no exception. Trust me, there are plenty of people in the Spector Club that own Legends, or have owned them in the past (and then fell victim to "Spectoritis" and moved up to Euros and USA models), and there are some of us, like myself, that still carry on the love for the Kramer models. Whatever model you choose....Nothing sounds like a Spector, Baby!
Click to expand...

+1
I have owned all different Spector models over the years from Spectorcore, Rebop, Euro and currently playing 2 Korean models NS2A and SSD NS-94, all of them have a slightly different feel(bolt on and NT) and with a variety of pickup and pre configurations they will just give you that Spector growl at any level. :cool:
 
#15
Answer your question? :D

Trust me, ask on the Spector forum if you have not. No snobbery there at all.

FWIW, I played a Spector Euro on Tuesday for a pro bass player who has been playing many years. He has a very very nice Fodera he was playing. He had a shop for years and was a dealer so he got the pick of the litters for all brands of basses.

He played my EuroLX4 after listening to it. He told me that in his opinion only about one of ten guitars or basses has a good sound. (and yes, he IS a snob lol.... his partner sells extremely expensive vintage guitars). He kept playing my Euro and adjusting the pickups and tones for various sounds, playing different parts of the fretboard, using various styles etc. He finally told me it was a "good" bass. He looked at me and told me it is a "very good" bass. High praise indeed for someone who can play just about any bass in the world that is actually for sale. I got mine off the internet, sight unseen. Set it up myself and started rocking. I have another Spector at the moment and it is killer sounding too. Just saying... :hyper:
 
#16
So whats the verdict on the Spector Legend 4? I'm still sifting through the massive amount of info on this site. It looks like the Legend 4 retails for about $550 or so now. That's quite a deal considering the Fender MIM Standard basses retail for $599. I have a few MIM Fenders, and the playability and build quality is great. All my MIM fenders sound great with stock PUPS. I just cant justify spending big $$ on the American Made stuff, and I certainly cant fork out the money for a hand built Woodstock NY made Spector. If anyone could give me their thoughts on a Spector Legend Classic $ that would be great. Thanks!
 
#17
Frankle said:
So whats the verdict on the Spector Legend 4? I'm still sifting through the massive amount of info on this site. It looks like the Legend 4 retails for about $550 or so now. That's quite a deal considering the Fender MIM Standard basses retail for $599. I have a few MIM Fenders, and the playability and build quality is great. All my MIM fenders sound great with stock PUPS. I just cant justify spending big $$ on the American Made stuff, and I certainly cant fork out the money for a hand built Woodstock NY made Spector. If anyone could give me their thoughts on a Spector Legend Classic $ that would be great. Thanks!
Click to expand...

I think that if you like MIM Fender gear you're going to like Spector more. YMMV, and if you have the ability I would try to play a similar one in a store near you before buying one sight unseen from a website.
 

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