Spector tone

[Aharon]

You telling me this is ugly?

Link Removed

Yes. It looks like a hideous piece of furniture

 

[P-BASSLOVER]

Do Spectors have seperate battery compartments yet?
It's been awhile since I picked one up.

 

[NOLA Bass]

Blaspbemy!!!!!

In all honesty, I've never heard the spector tone on anything but a spector. Even the Warwick Streamers sound different. Not bad, just not that spector growl.

 

[NOLA Bass]

Do Spectors have seperate battery compartments yet?
It's been awhile since I picked one up.

No

 

[Double Agent]

As for the looks, they just arent very "rock n' roll". They look like a session musician instrument. Thats probably the best I can voice my subjective opinion. It's important to get an instrument you are happy with aesthetically.

YouTube the video for "Would?" by Alice in Chains and tell me again how it doesn't look like very "rock n' roll".

In any event, you're really pretty much screwed if you want Spector tone from any bass besides a Spector. I would say its equal parts wood selection, pickup placement, pickup choice, a hot preamp, massive bridge, and know how on the part of those who build the basses. Even if you could acquire all the individual parts, its not likely you would end up with a results that sounded the same as a Spector. Might be in the ballpark, but not the same. As crazy as it might sound, the shape itself might have something to do with the tone, where if you put all those components on a different body, it would not sound the same.

As a side note, I know you probably meant no harm, but referring to a bass that many of us find beautiful as "disgusting" isn't going to win you a lot of help around here (you said the Rex the least digusting of the Spectors). You might try to find a nicer way to phrase things so you don't accidentally insult the people you are seeking advice from. I took no offense, but others might. Its actually part of the TB rules not to comment on the looks of a brand or model of bass in a negative way.

 

[JMDT]

YouTube the video for "Would?" by Alice in Chains and tell me again how it doesn't look like very "rock n' roll".

In any event, you're really pretty much screwed if you want Spector tone from any bass besides a Spector. I would say its equal parts wood selection, pickup placement, pickup choice, a hot preamp, massive bridge, and know how on the part of those who build the basses. Even if you could acquire all the individual parts, its not likely you would end up with a results that sounded the same as a Spector. Might be in the ballpark, but not the same. As crazy as it might sound, the shape itself might have something to do with the tone, where if you put all those components on a different body, it would not sound the same.

As a side note, I know you probably meant no harm, but referring to a bass that many of us find beautiful as "disgusting" isn't going to win you a lot of help around here (you said the Rex the least digusting of the Spectors). You might try to find a nicer way to phrase things so you don't accidentally insult the people you are seeking advice from. I took no offense, but others might. Its actually part of the TB rules not to comment on the looks of a brand or model of bass in a negative way.

I do have a non-Spector that more or less is a Spector and sounds like one.

In the 90's Dean's top of the line series was made in the same Czech factory as the Euro Specors. They were made by the same craftsman on the same line with the same woods: alder body, maple top, wenge board, neckthrough, the massive locking bridge, and the active EMG pickups and preamp. I've never A/B'ed it with a Spector directly, but it sounds close enough.

As a sidenote, which EMG's are considered "the Spector sound": P/J, DC/DC, CS/CS, etc.

 

[Double Agent]

As a sidenote, which EMG's are considered "the Spector sound": P/J, DC/DC, CS/CS, etc.

Thats a good question. To me, the classic Spector sound will always be with the EMG P/J setup.

However, the DC/DC combo is becoming more and more popular and, given enough time, may be the sound that Spector is most associated with. A lot of that has to do with the popularity of 5-string basses, and Spector building one of the best 5ers in the industry for heavy rock.

Also, having owned a 4-string, and now owning my 2nd 5er from Spector, I would say that they have all had that typical Spector sound. I think the pickups can change the flavor to an extent, but the overall tone of the insrument shines through regardless of which EMGs are in the bass.

I do have a non-Spector that more or less is a Spector and sounds like one.

In the 90's Dean's top of the line series was made in the same Czech factory as the Euro Specors.

Did it look like a Spector? Might resolve the OP's dilemma if it doesn't. Got any pics?

 

[JMDT]

Did it look like a Spector? Might resolve the OP's dilemma if it doesn't. Got any pics?

She's on the left (obviously). The shape is different, but I believe the pickups are in the same spots or close.

 

[pjmuck]

Well if you don't like the look of a Spector, you can always get yourself a Rex:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I own many basses. As far as slap tones, NOTHING compares to a Spector, IMO. Alembic, EB basses (Stingray, Bongo, etc), Jazz, Ken Smith, etc. all have great slap tones, but my NSCRFM Spector tops them all in the slap dept. Tight, punchy, clear, with a cannon bottom that kicks you in the gut. Reminds me of the sound a basketball makes when you dribble on a hard wood polyurethane court. Unbelievable.

 

[Aharon]

YouTube the video for "Would?" by Alice in Chains and tell me again how it doesn't look like very "rock n' roll".

In any event, you're really pretty much screwed if you want Spector tone from any bass besides a Spector. I would say its equal parts wood selection, pickup placement, pickup choice, a hot preamp, massive bridge, and know how on the part of those who build the basses. Even if you could acquire all the individual parts, its not likely you would end up with a results that sounded the same as a Spector. Might be in the ballpark, but not the same. As crazy as it might sound, the shape itself might have something to do with the tone, where if you put all those components on a different body, it would not sound the same.

As a side note, I know you probably meant no harm, but referring to a bass that many of us find beautiful as "disgusting" isn't going to win you a lot of help around here (you said the Rex the least digusting of the Spectors). You might try to find a nicer way to phrase things so you don't accidentally insult the people you are seeking advice from. I took no offense, but others might. Its actually part of the TB rules not to comment on the looks of a brand or model of bass in a negative way.

Yes I have seen various performances of Would? The bass sound is what I would call "rock n' roll" but that dont change the way it looks, or my opinion on the band.I'd say a better example would be some early Meshuggah. Peter Nordin used a rebop I think.

Its actually part of the TB rules not to comment on the looks of a brand or model of bass in a negative way.

Well if this is true, then that is pretty funny. But I suspect that there is more room for opinion than that. I would understand if Stuart Spector and Ned Steinberger were offended by my opinion, but anyone who just plucked one off a shelf shouldn't have any reason to be genuinely upset.

Anyhow the "looks" debate seems to have taken over, although I am still very much interested in what makes a spector sound like a spector. Some good replies so far. I'm defo thinking that brass chunk of a bridge is a large contributer. I was thinking that the body weight and size (as opposed to the specific shape) would also be important. Maple is a pretty bright tonewood as I understand it and the neck thru's with their maple tops would perhaps have something to add? The bridge material I think is brass, whereas a lot of other bass briges use zinc or some sort of alloy.

Has anyone tried the Legend series and if so, how do these stand up tone-wise? Might help pinpoint what makes a spector tick. The "real" answer is that its a bit of everything, but I am also curious to know which specific features make which specific sounds or frequencies asociated with the spector tone.

Keep 'em coming!

 

[Double Agent]

Well if this is true, then that is pretty funny. But I suspect that there is more room for opinion than that. I would understand if Stuart Spector and Ned Steinberger were offended by my opinion, but anyone who just plucked one off a shelf shouldn't have any reason to be genuinely upset.

Promise I'll drop the looks stuff after this, but it IS true:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3207958&postcount=7

Some good replies so far. I'm defo thinking that brass chunk of a bridge is a large contributer.

Rebops have an aluminum bridge. Not as heavy as brass, but its still a large chunk of metal. Might have an effect.

I was thinking that the body weight and size (as opposed to the specific shape) would also be important. Maple is a pretty bright tonewood as I understand it and the neck thru's with their maple tops would perhaps have something to add?.

I can debunk the weight thing right now. My Euro neck-thru weighed 11.5 lbs. It was solid maple (it was an older CRFM, not the current Euro LX). My Rebop is under 8.5 lbs. and is a maple cap on alder. Both have plenty of that Spector tone.

However, I think you may be on to something with the tonewood. Normally a maple top doesn't have a huge effect on tone, but on my Rebop the maple top is actually 1/2 to 2/3 of the body. There is at least as much maple as there is alder, if not more. So, the common ingredients so far are a massive bridge, a heavy dose of maple in the body, and an active preamp.

Has anyone tried the Legend series and if so, how do these stand up tone-wise? Might help pinpoint what makes a spector tick.

The 1 or 2 Legends that I've played stack up pretty favorably. I think that the cheaper import models(Performer, etc.), all of which have been discontinued by now I think, all fell really short. But, the Legend sounds very much like a Spector. The tone of the Legends is a little less complex IMO than a Euro LX or a Rebop, and that may be because of the EMG HZ/SSD pickups with a lesser pre than the Tonepump or the less massive bridge or the different bodywood composition. It's still a Spector though. That's probably about all the help I can offer. Hope its at least a little helpful.

 

[Doodaddy]

You telling me this is ugly?

No no no. It's gorgeous. Don't you listen to him!!

 

[Thundar]

Regardless if its a Kramer, Samick, SSD, or modern day Spector...its gonna sound like a Spector....Euro's, NS-2A's, ReBops, USA's...they are all gonna have "the" sound...change out the preamp and pickups all ya want (although Ive never heard a Spector with Barts)..I think its still gonna growl and its still gonna make ya smile from ear to ear Ive got two Kramer NS-2C's that are completely passive..and are bolt-on neck...and they have some of the best Spector growl there is...its in the design (IMO of course)

 

[loend68]

What about an old Spector Bob bass or the NS94 or NS95? Similar tone I think, but different body shape....esp. the Bob series...

 

[hands5]

I've owned 3 Spectors and played a few besides the ones I've owned. I've only played 1 Legend and the rest were all Czech made. Every single one of them snarled like an angry pitbull. Loads of growl. I've never had an issue with Spectors lacking in the personality department. But I have experienced being let down by basses that others on TB rave about, so sometimes I guess its about the way the bass responds to a different set of hands.

OP, if you really like the Spector tone, you can probably grow to appreciate the looks. The way the bass is carved is done very much on purpose and is as functional as it is cosmetic. There are literally dozens of people on TB who hated the looks of the EBMM Bongo until they played one, but they grew to like it once they gave it a chance. Its nice to have an instrument that is beautiful, but ultimately it is the sound and playability that matter most in an instrument. You won't get the Spector sound in any other bass (but if you do, please let me know), so I would advise you to get one you can afford and see if the looks don't grow on you. Used Rebops and CRFMs are very affordable and excellent values in terms of what you get for your money. Otherwise, whatever bass you buy is probably just going to let you down in the end. You may like its looks better, but you won't be happy because it won't have the tone you seek.

FWIW, I didn't think they were ugly but I didn't care about the looks of Spectors until I played one. It was just a Legend, but it stayed with me for a while after I played it. Ever since then, I think Spectors are some of the most beautiful basses in the world. That is what turned me into the Spector-holic I am now. You should definitely not knock them until you play one. It might change your perception.

The Dean Edge ( neck thru ) Pro sounds damner just like it.

 

[(b)Assman]

I second that. I just think they look stupid. That's just me. I also think most wood grain looks stupid and that's all personal preference. I like my axe looking as good as it sounds.

 

[Captain_Arrrg]

...I am still very much interested in what makes a spector sound like a spector....

Stuart Spector is magic.

But this isn't really about tone, is it?

 

[rysker6]

Buy a Warwick!!! or in your budget case a Rockbass!!! the Rockbass Corvette isn't that expensive and there are similarities between Warwick and Spector, Warwick prevailing ofcourse, give it a shot

 

[ysand]

Buy a Warwick!!! or in your budget case a Rockbass!!! the Rockbass Corvette isn't that expensive and there are similarities between Warwick and Spector, Warwick prevailing ofcourse, give it a shot

huh?

 

[rysker6]

He said he didn't want to spend Spector money, and there is always the Warwick Spector debate, so, I said why not a Rockbass (made by Warwick) (inexpensive) doesn't really look like a Spector.... Dont know why your confused