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Spector question

Ken R

Ken R

Jan 14, 2007
1,045
1,314
Greater Knoxville TN
#1
What makes a Spector sound like a Spector?
Really, it's an honest question. I was watching a show last night and the bassist was playing a Fender Jazz which, while sounding really good, was no match for the Spector he played later.
The Spector sounded thunderous, ringing like an angry piano, while being deep and clear and in your face. It was a Czechoslovakian 5 string, neck thru, soapbars. It was Natural in color, I don't know if it was maple. But the sound, the sound! It captured my ears and really made me take notice. I now have to buy one in a 4 string version. But, what makes it sound like that? I have active basses, an Ibanez SB900, a Peavey Millennium, a Sterling Sub, and an older Hohner jazz. These don't sound like last nights Spector to my ears. My Spector Performer doesn't sound anything like last nights either. I will find the bass for me, but what makes them sound like they do? The guy playing it didn't change, the songs style didn't change, but the sound sure did.

Thanks for the help,
Ken R
 
#2
I own a couple of Spectors. The on board preamp and pickups is how he is getting that sound. Much hotter than a Fender. I also own several Fenders and prefer the sound to Spector but the Spectors are more comfortable to play.
 
#3
Ken R said:
What makes a Spector sound like a Spector?
Really, it's an honest question. I was watching a show last night and the bassist was playing a Fender Jazz which, while sounding really good, was no match for the Spector he played later.
The Spector sounded thunderous, ringing like an angry piano, while being deep and clear and in your face. It was a Czechoslovakian 5 string, neck thru, soapbars. It was Natural in color, I don't know if it was maple. But the sound, the sound! It captured my ears and really made me take notice. I now have to buy one in a 4 string version. But, what makes it sound like that? I have active basses, an Ibanez SB900, a Peavey Millennium, a Sterling Sub, and an older Hohner jazz. These don't sound like last nights Spector to my ears. My Spector Performer doesn't sound anything like last nights either. I will find the bass for me, but what makes them sound like they do? The guy playing it didn't change, the songs style didn't change, but the sound sure did.

Thanks for the help,
Ken R
Click to expand...

He's playing a Euro 5LX. They're a sandwiched maple wing body. The neck is 3 piece maple with reinforcement rods. They come stock with EMG TW pickups and the Spector Tonepump Pre-amp. A lot of guys swap out for a set of EMG DC pick-ups, though.

Kmonk said:
I own a couple of Spectors. The on board preamp and pickups is how he is getting that sound. Much hotter than a Fender. I also own several Fenders and prefer the sound to Spector but the Spectors are more comfortable to play.
Click to expand...

Nah. I disagree. It's the design. My Spector ReBop sounds like a Spector & I've swapped out the pick-ups & pre-amp twice.

Currently, it's running EMG 40J pickups with an EMG BQC pre, but I was getting the Spector tone with EMG 40HZs and a Tonepump, too. But the sound is definitely Spector. A lot of it is in the neck & body design & the materials used. Yes, there are slight variances in sound based on wood/bridge used...but you can always tell a Spector even if its guts have been changed. That said, having an active pre in the Performer would help capture some of that magic. The performers are all passive. :(
 
#4
awilkie84 said:
Nah. I disagree. It's the design. My Spector ReBop sounds like a Spector & I've swapped out the pick-ups & pre-amp twice.

Currently, it's running EMG 40J pickups with an EMG BQC pre. But the sound is definitely Spector. A lot of it is in the neck & body design & the materials used. Yes, there are slight variances in sound based on wood/bridge used...but you can always tell a Spector even if its guts have been changed.
Click to expand...

I disagree, my 4LX sounds much different than my Rebop. I have heard Spectors with different pickups that don't sound the same. Once you start changing parts, they do not sound the same, otherwise why change anything?

Here's a news flash for everyone, every manufacturer uses the same woods. Look at their websites. They are all using Alder, Poplar, Swamp Ash, Maple, Rosewood, etc. All things being equal, the preamp and pickups will have a noticeable effect on sound.
 
#5
IMO the classic NS-2 Spector sound comes from:

EMG pickups and placement (both pickups are closer to the bridge than in the traditional Fender P/J setup)
The HAZ Preamp (though the Tone Pump gives a great Spector tone too)
All Maple Neck through construction
Heavy Bridge

The first two are the biggest factors. Again, IMO.
 
#6
Kmonk said:
I disagree, my 4LX sounds much different than my Rebop. I have heard Spectors with different pickups that don't sound the same. Once you start changing parts, they do not sound the same, otherwise why change anything?

Here's a news flash for everyone, every manufacturer uses the same woods. Look at their websites. They are all using Alder, Poplar, Swamp Ash, Maple, Rosewood, etc. All things being equal, the preamp and pickups will have a noticeable effect on sound.
Click to expand...

I never said they sound the same. I said they sound like a Spector.

Also your "newsflash" comment comes off as douchy. ;)
 
#7
thisSNsucks said:
IMO the classic NS-2 Spector sound comes from:

EMG pickups and placement (both pickups are closer to the bridge than in the traditional Fender P/J setup)
The HAZ Preamp (though the Tone Pump gives a great Spector tone too)
All Maple Neck through construction
Heavy Bridge

The first two are the biggest factors. Again, IMO.
Click to expand...

I've found that Spectors have a specific acoustic sound to them, too. Almost grindy and it's to do with the neck design & bridge. That leads a lot towards the tone that's going into the pick-ups.
 
#8
Kmonk said:
Here's a news flash for everyone, every manufacturer uses the same woods. Look at their websites. They are all using Alder, Poplar, Swamp Ash, Maple, Rosewood, etc. All things being equal, the preamp and pickups will have a noticeable effect on sound.
Click to expand...

Another news flash.... Not the same thing at all.

Do you honestly believe the ash, maple, alder or other woods that Spector, MTD, Alembic, Sadowsky, etc. buy is from the same trees and treated the same way as at SX, Squier, Epiphone, etc.? Not a chance.
 
#14
awilkie84 said:
The Euro Neckthru series use the same woods & the bridge is brass, too.

The only difference is that the body is sandwiched maple, not solid wings and the pre-amp is different but very similar in tone.
Click to expand...

Not quite the same...Euro bridges are different from USA ones and made from some alloy not the brass. And the woods are different too. USA NS series are made from american maple, Euros from european maple. See the specs from Spector site. Ans yes, I've owned both - they sound different.
 
#16
awilkie84 said:
I've found that Spectors have a specific acoustic sound to them, too. Almost grindy and it's to do with the neck design & bridge. That leads a lot towards the tone that's going into the pick-ups.
Click to expand...
I thought just the opposite. When I play my NS-2s unplugged they sound very warm, woody and friendly. As soon as I plug them in the tone changes vice versa. I believe it's preamp and EMGs. The only thing which stays unchanged is a sustain due to massive brass bridge.
 
#18
Wow! I am learning more than I even thought about Spectors.

I will be getting a Euro4LX with the TW pickups and the tone pump preamp. Having said that, I am intrigued with the NS series!
One major purchase at a time!
Must sell a few to help fund the new Spector addiction!

Thanks guys!

Ken R
 
#20
I own multiple Spectors ( 5 currently / #16 coming tomorrow) it's the whole mix on the bass. the design, the woods , the hardware, the pickups and the preamp. lose any of those and it changes the mix a little but it will still sound like a Spector. Stuart has an amazing ear and is a great builder and designer.
The maple they use,the construction, the heavy bridge, brass nut, pups and the preamps. once you hear it, you can try to find something similar, but nothing else does it like a Spector. Thats the sickness we all share in the club lol. nothing else will do.
 

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