Spector Mike Kroeger signature model

[ElBajista]

I put this post through the spell-o-punctuator and this is what came out!

Notice what a little punctuation and grammar will do? BS turned a blabbering, run-on post into a well-thought-out post that clearly put forth the poster's opinion, which I happen to agree with.

Bravo! Let's save the English language while we still can!

 

[timzrage]

I've got one. I'm certainly in the minority here because I like the look of it. Ofcourse it's not a AAAAA flame maple top or Zebrawood (both of which I love!) but it was also less much, much less expensive.

I needed a backup bass really bad and after trying endless basses in the same price range (that I paid) there wasn't anything that felt as nice. I played a few basses that were in the $1200 range (they wern't Spectors) that didn't play as nice. I really like the neck, which is a little less wide at the nut than my other bass. The NS body style is very, very comfortable as well.

After getting it home I realized that the nut wasn't done quite right and I will have to get it worked on; PJ at Spector has made it extremely easy to have this work done.

I had my first show with it this past weekend. I had to boost the low-mid just a tad and it sounded nice. My big problem is the pickups don't have the output of my "A" bass and while it sounded "nice" for a sub$1000, it wasn't quite right. I'll be investing in some EMGs and possibly an Aguilar pre amp (any other suggestions by the way? I mostly play metal).

It seems like it'll be a very nice and not too expensive bass for me. Oh yeah, I'm not much of a Nickelback fan but my last name starts with an "M" so it kinda worked for me......lol

 

[NS2A]

I really dig Spectors, hell I have one that I love playing...but I agree with the earlier statements, if you're gonna create a SIGNATURE instrument...make it different than the others

The Doug Wimbish model and the Ian Hill models aren't that different than the regular models.

I think the only difference with the Hill is it's black.

 

[dean owens]

ahhh, to me it's not that bad. can't stand the M on the third fret, but otherwise it's not a bad bass.

 

[vikingraider1]

I've got one. I'm certainly in the minority here because I like the look of it.

No you're not mate, I love the look of it and am seriously considering getting one. I love matt black guitars and basses, and hate the exotic wood / coffee table / rain-forest look of some guitars. Yeah they might sound OK but they ain't rock 'n' roll are they??

 

[aMUSEd]

yesterday I played this one not knowing that it's a sig bass. I really like the look, especially because it was different to most of the other basses which could be mistaken as a piece of furniture

I mean it's not an one-trick-pony, but it has a distinctive tone which fits perfect to all kinds of rock music.

At the end i was shocked when the shopman told me what the M stands for...but i'm still thinking about buying it

 

[mebusdriver]

I still don't understand why people feel the need to bash bands. I especially don't understand players bashing players. This guy started playing music for the same reason as the rest of us, respects music just as much, loves playing just as much, and god forbid, got his own instrument for his accomplishments. You like what you like and you don't what you don't. Nickelback may not be my fav. group but they sure are doing a lot better than I am.

I'm not gonna bash anybody that makes a living doing something they love. Especially a very good living, and ESPECIALLY if they're doing it playing bass. Keep whining guys, and they'll keep selling records and having a great time.

 

[ashtray9]

Be careful... if you play a lydian-dominant run your hands will melt before your eyes.

 

[etechstan]

Nickelback recorded with Dimebag and Billy Gibbons. Have any of you bashers accomplished anything near that?

 

[Lync]

If my name was "Mike" I would probably buy it.

 

[etechstan]

What if you had one of those ultracool nicknames that began with M?

 

[TimWilson]

There are two very different types of signature instrument arrangements, designed for two very different purposes. Both fulfill their own unique goals:

1) Make My Bass! When genuinely gifted/talented artists are approached by a manufacturer interested in creating the instrument that those players really want and will really play (for as long as nothing better comes along). They're far more than simple 'B-Sides" of current models: They're first-of-a-kind new instruments that truly reflect a real artist's wishes, e.g., Fender's Roscoe Beck and Stu Hamm basses, Yamaha's Sheehan basses, and Zon's Hyperbass.

2) Rent My Name! As is the case with the Spector Kroeger model, Epi's Sixx Bbird, and Fender's Wentz, often a manufacturer makes a popular bass-holder a sweetheart deal in which the player allows the maker to slap his name on something that wouldn't otherwise raise a moment's interest on the bass market in return for money (or a truckload of the basses that player really WILL use... Rarely their 'signature' model)

 

[TBalls]

There are two very different types of signature instrument arrangements, designed for two very different purposes. Both fulfill their own unique goals:

1) Make My Bass! When genuinely gifted/talented artists are approached by a manufacturer interested in creating the instrument that those players really want and will really play (for as long as nothing better comes along). They're far more than simple 'B-Sides" of current models: They're first-of-a-kind new instruments that truly reflect a real artist's wishes, e.g., Fender's Roscoe Beck and Stu Hamm basses, Yamaha's Sheehan basses, and Zon's Hyperbass.

2) Rent My Name! As is the case with the Spector Kroeger model, Epi's Sixx Bbird, and Fender's Wentz, often a manufacturer makes a popular bass-holder a sweetheart deal in which the player allows the maker to slap his name on something that wouldn't otherwise raise a moment's interest on the bass market in return for money (or a truckload of the basses that player really WILL use... Rarely their 'signature' model)

I definitely agree with this. However, I think there are certainly times when a genuinely gifted player helps make the brand. Case in point, Fodera's VW Classic. He made what was a basically stock Monarch Deluxe an icon. Fodera pretty much pulled a "Rent My Name!" after the fact. I do realize there are some differences between the VW Classic and other Monarch models, but I don't think his original was a "Make My Bass!" type of situation. I am by no means an expert on the subject, so please correct me if I'm mistaken.

 

[TimWilson]

I definitely agree with this. However, I think there are certainly times when a genuinely gifted player helps make the brand. Case in point, Fodera's VW Classic. He made what was a basically stock Monarch Deluxe an icon. Fodera pretty much pulled a "Rent My Name!" after the fact. I do realize there are some differences between the VW Classic and other Monarch models, but I don't think his original was a "Make My Bass!" type of situation. I am by no means an expert on the subject, so please correct me if I'm mistaken.

No, you're absolutely right: In many cases, a great player makes an existing bass iconic and the maker, naturally, capitalizes on that. Fender has done that many times: Fender's Jaco, Franklin, and Geddy basses come to mind: Essentially (I said essentially, gals) stock models that were made popular by great players.

I asked a while ago why Stu Hamm switched from the Kubickis he made famous. I heard unconfirmed but convincing stories from reliable sources that Stu approached Phil Kubicki and asked for a signature model, one with a P pup between the Kubi pups. (Stu had a few of his stock Kubis modded that way). Phil declined. Who knows why. Stu was understandably disappointed, and approached Fender. The rest is, well, y'know.

 

[rad87gn]

 

[RS]

Because Kroeger is in Nickelback, who are an unnatural perversion of all that is good, right, and rockin'.

What he said.

 

[pablomigraine]

THREAD RESUSCITATION!!

(he gets a signature model) Because he sells lots of records.

I often find myself wondering why more people don't realize this fact. Signature instruments aren't to reward someone for being a great player. They're an investment in somebody who sells alot of records, and stand a good chance to boost sales for bass companies because of their popularity. I guarantee you that Spector will sell more Mike Kroeger basses than they would if they gave a signature model to some under the radar jazz-fusion or funk monster of a bassist.

Correct. Thats why, pain me tho it does to say, David Vincent (Morbid Angel) gets a $300 signature from Dean, and Will Lee gets a bagillion dollar signature from Sadowsky....

Because Kroeger is in Nickelback, who are an unnatural perversion of all that is good, right, and rockin'.

Agreed.

Ok so.... I HAVE ORDERED THIS BASS. (audience gasps..**). Now let me explain why.... First off, years ago I bought a Spector Rebop when they first came out. I actually have long preferred passive pickups in general, and now that I have my Genz Benz rigs offering over 9000 EQ options I play all passive basses almost exclusively.

I firmly believe the rebop was a very carefully thought out product. Spector had long been the flagship for bright, beefy loud modern bass tones IMHO.... and the Rebop was introduced as a humbucking Spector-Jazz.... and thats how it sounded... like a very beefy passive jazz. I loved it, and in fact missed it sorely after selling it to finance my American NS-JH5.

I actually quite like the matte black finish. There is no poly finish Ive ever seen that didnt look a mess under stage lights so Ive always preferred natural oiled finishes, but I think the matte black will also look quite nice. The finish also makes for a very fast neck IMHO.

As far as the comments regarding what Mike actually plays onstage and records with.... he does not use Warwicks now, altho he may have in the past. He records everything with his Cured Redwood USA neck-Thru or his passive Signature model.... which has nothing in common with the production signature other than the finish, the pickups and the stupid fretboard inlays. Mike's actual touring MK5 signature basses are custom made, passive, USA neck-thru's made specially for him. Why Spector didn't offer this upmarket version in addition to the downmarket MK5 version like they did with the Rex Brown model is beyond me. I would sport for the difference in a heartbeat.

And what about that stupid "M"? Well I can tell you Im waiting on quotes from 3 different people to have it popped out and filled. The big question we're waiting on is whether it can be made to look good that way or whether the process will be more involved (ie sanding down to below the inlay route and putting a veneer on top of it and trying to get it to match closely enough to be undetectable.)

I will post a review when I get the bass and have a week or so to put it thru the paces.

 

[JPSBassist]

There are two very different types of signature instrument arrangements, designed for two very different purposes. Both fulfill their own unique goals:

1) Make My Bass! When genuinely gifted/talented artists are approached by a manufacturer interested in creating the instrument that those players really want and will really play (for as long as nothing better comes along). They're far more than simple 'B-Sides" of current models: They're first-of-a-kind new instruments that truly reflect a real artist's wishes, e.g., Fender's Roscoe Beck and Stu Hamm basses, Yamaha's Sheehan basses, and Zon's Hyperbass.

2) Rent My Name! As is the case with the Spector Kroeger model, Epi's Sixx Bbird, and Fender's Wentz, often a manufacturer makes a popular bass-holder a sweetheart deal in which the player allows the maker to slap his name on something that wouldn't otherwise raise a moment's interest on the bass market in return for money (or a truckload of the basses that player really WILL use... Rarely their 'signature' model)

OK. Here's the deal guys. If you want to listen with an open mind I can tell you EXACTLY what the deal with this model is...

Mike Kroeger approached Stuart about customizing some of the numerous USA Series NS-5XL models he'd purchased. These customizations were more about the electronics and not so much the neck inlays and that sort of thing.

Mike believes that passive electronics pass more "unaltered" sound through the guitar. So once out to the amp you can do what you want with it.

He personally wanted some rather interesting customizations for his basses, this being based on his experience in the studio and on tour. And Stuart was intriqued by the idea.

So... Why have the "Signature" model for this guy be a lower-end model? It's not. Sure, the Professional Line is Spector's entry level line. But the passive pickups have nothing to do with making a cheap signature bass... Mike's $7000 USA models have the same pickups.

AND FOR THAT MATTER... I know for a fact that you CAN order a USA Series MK-5 this is hand-made by Stuart and crew and is IDENTICAL to the ones Mike plays... and it will also have passive pickups. So you can get a USA Series MK-5 or a Pro Series MK-5.

Spector doesn't do stuff because it's marketable. If that was the case, they wouldn't make half their line. Stuart and PJ are about player experience, first and foremost. And you cannot beat the quality of their basses, even the Korean-made Pro Series basses.

Many players like the different tone of the MK-5 models. So don't knock them. I'm not a five-string guy and I don't care for passive pickups... that's my thing... but I also wouldn't own a ReBop for the same reason. ALL REBOP Models are Passive Pickup models.

You have to move to the USA Series basses to get an active pickup Spector bolt-on.