Spector USA vs. Czech Euro 5

[KsPiNeSh]

Can anyone tell if the frets in the USA's get any more attention to detail than in the Euro's??

I owned 2 Euros and stil have a Euro LX to go alongside my US bolt-on - they both feel great and the fretwork looks and feels essentially the same to me. IMO, the build quality of the Euros is fantastic.

 

[Nino Valenti]

I disagree a little. I say the older solid maple Euro models were 70% of what the USA models are in construction, 50% in finishing and materials and about 70% in sound/tone.

I have to disagree a little with you.

I've owned about 10-15 Czech/Euro.. from SSD dot inlays, Script Logo Dots, Script logo Crown, Script logo Sandwich bodies.

The best European Spector I owned was my 1st one. It was an early SSD Dot inlay with no serial # and a Haz-Lab style preamp. I wish I still had this bass. NS4-CR. The neck was VERY similar to the 2 US 4's I owned, (Kramer Era NS2 and Woodstock NS4)

When I worked at Sam Ash (about 15 years ago) I saw a lot of Euro Spectors neck thru's and the quality is and has always been up there with the US series neck thru's

The necks through the years on the Euros 4's have gotten slightly chunkier but are still very comfortable to play.

The necks on the Euro 5's, IME have always been slightly chunkier than the US NS5's. The 2 US NS5's I've owned in the past (still own one of em) are probably the most comfortable neck of any Spector I've ever owned.

The Tone Pump Preamp, IMO, is the biggest downgrade Spector has done to the Euro line. IMO, it does not have the Spector Sound. IMO, all the European Sepctor basses I;ve owned that came stock with either the Haz-Lab style, EMG BTS and Aguilar OBP's have always had the Spector sound.

I can tell you from a personal standpoint... because I was a Spector owner and player before I started working for Stuart... The nicest guitar I'd ever touched was my Euro Spector... Until I got my USA. And the difference is really quite notable. And not that the Euro is anything other than the nicest bass you're likely to come across... the USA models are just that much more perfect. If that makes any since. They are heavier, more solid feeling, the necks are just about the same in feel, but the USA Bridge is massive and solid compared to the Euro... which again is not a cheap bridge by any means.

I can just about totally agree with this.

 

[rockstarbassist]

Before I got any US-models (including Brooklyn-era, SSD era, current US-era) I wouldn't have thought there's that much difference, but IMO the price points really do justify the upgrades IMO.
My next bass I was thinking I'd get a Euro NS-2, but after thinking about it, it'll probably be a "custom" US one. Or maybe another Brooklyn...

that being said, if you play both and are happy there, no reason not to play Euros. I did for years before I was financially able to get a few US models but if not, I'd be rocking some imports no question. I'd put the Euro's on par with just about any other US-made major-model line anyway, with maybe less than a handful of exceptions.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

I have a Czech-made NS4CRFM. It has an EMG P/J setup with an EMG BTS eq. It's a very, very nice bass IMO. I rarely play my 4's these days, but one of my daughters has taken up bass and has laid dibs on it, -when she outgrows her Fender Bronco bass.

IMO Euro Series basses are as nice as you'll find in their price range and Spector's customer service is as good as it gets. PJ Rubal is awesome.

There was a local guy here who had a Brooklyn-era NS back in the early 80's. It had walnut wings, single P-style pickup, with gold plated hardware and a gold plated Badass bridge. I played it as few times and was completely blown away by it.

Those US models with the maple fingerboards look sooo sweet. I'd love to own an NS-6 in dark trans red with a maple 'board!.

I can't say how the Euro models compare to the US models, but IMO the Euro models are fantastic. I'd imagine the US models are out of this world good.

 

[burny462]

Does anyone have any idea where to buy or what type of replacement tuning keys to buy for a spector Euro? I've spent all night trying to get this figured out.

 

[Ian Perge]

Does anyone have any idea where to buy or what type of replacement tuning keys to buy for a spector Euro? I've spent all night trying to get this figured out.

The Euro Bolt-On Basses (aka the "ReBop") uses Gotoh GB-7 tuners, and I believe the Euro LX neck-thru models use the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. You can always call Spector and I'm sure they can give you the absolutely correct info.

 

[bassgiant15]

I have a Euro 4LX and i'm getting a Legend 4 that i plan on refinishing and upgrading a bit, but man those USA models are nice!!!! I've played a couple before and all i can say is....me want!!!!