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Spector NS2, growl?

A

Ami_M

Aug 13, 2009
15
0
#1
I saw a 1983 spector NS2 for sale at a local listing for $1200. This is the spec the guy posted:
neck : quartersawn maple
fretboard : brazilian rosewood with mother of pearl inlay
body : bubinga or walnut (not sure)
pickup : EMG P-J
electronic : spector tonepump
bridge : leo quan baddass I

I've hunted around the net for a review of the tone, but apart from "NICE!" "AMAZING" and general cry for awesomeness, I couldn't find any description of the sound.

So if anyone has a hands on experience with these, I'd really appreciate it (and whether it's worth the price tag). But most important of all, does it GROWL? :cool:

Edit: pics I've pilfered:
http://img88.imageshack.us/i/dsc02388.jpg/
http://img44.imageshack.us/i/dsc02389lyp.jpg/
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#9
Since its walnut wings instead of maple, most likely a Hazlab pre instead of Tonepump and uses the lighter badass bridge, it won't growl as brightly as the all maple basses in the 80's and certainly not a much as the current basses with the Tonepump.

Still, nice bass.

I'd say the Wick's have a different growl. If you play current metal, I'd say a Wick or a newer Spector would have a closer tone to an older Spector. Depending on your amp and effects though, you could dial that in.
 
#10
Ami_M said:
Yes, I so desire the GROWL!

Curiously, how does the growl compare to say, a warwick?
Click to expand...

Different shades of growl. In a Metal context you could compare the tone of the NS2, which is well represented in Queensryche's Empire or Alice in Chains' Dirt to the tone of a Warwick Thumb which is really pronounced on Mudvayne's LD50. If you don't follow the heavy stuff then feel free disregard this info :D For twelve hunge, I'd be so all over that even though I'm not a fan of woodgrain, by and large.
 
#11
XtraLongScale said:
Different shades of growl. In a Metal context you could compare the tone of the NS2, which is well represented in Queensryche's Empire or Alice in Chains' Dirt to the tone of a Warwick Thumb which is really pronounced on Mudvayne's LD50. If you don't follow the heavy stuff then feel free disregard this info :D For twelve hunge, I'd be so all over that even though I'm not a fan of woodgrain, by and large.
Click to expand...

Great description. Spector growl would be more in the high mids when the warwick growl is more in the low mids. Both are equally present in the mix and does the same job, just differently.
 
#12
Metal? Seems like I'll have to disregard that info, I only play jazz and listen to mellower songs ;) I just have a really bad GAS for some growling right now, although my Fender j bass provides enough of it - with a pick - but it's not enough. Though I'll check out those songs for reference. But from the the posts (much thanks for the replies, btw), the warwick/newer spector seems to be much more in my alley. I'm into the dark, low mid growl. I'll still check the item out just because, though.

Though yes, the finish is a bit lack luster :(
 
#16
Although I am quite disheartened to know that the growl isn't really what I'm looking for, I wonder if this can be remedied by adding a different pre-amp or modding it to 18v. I think the emg p/j should stay though, I'm an absolute fan of emgs. But if somehow replacing them with something else like nordstrand would be better, I'm totally on to it. Does string choice play into the equation as well? I'm currently using DR black beauties .045.

I should be able to test the item tomorrow or in two days, so in the mean time I'd like to know how I can... turn it into THE GROWL OF A THOUSAND CHEETAHS. YARR.

I really like what I'm hearing from the net, so if all goes well, this should be my main axe... if I could get it to growl. Recommendations and advice, anyone?

Also, how would describe the tone? Dark and warm or bright and trebley?
 

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