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USA vs Euro Spector

#25
I have both of them:
And like others here i'm not too excited about the tonepump,the USA is lighter than the Euro,neck is a little thinner as far as pick ups they have pretty much the same combo.
Another difference is the bridge and tuners.The only reason why i bought the USA bass is because it was used at a great price.
 
#26
rockstarbassist said:
I've had quite a few NS-Czech models (NOT the Rebops- the good 'ol solid maple NS4/5CRFMs) and if I were going import, I'd get those over the new Euro ones.
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The ReBop line certainly do fall into the "Czech"/"Czechor" model line, as they're the European-built versions of the USA-made Bolt-On basses. Those built since the "SSD" days of the '90s, whether they were the BOB Jazz-type design (Basswood w/ optional DLX Figured Maple top), the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]s (Ash-bodied 4-string w/ two EMG-J pickups), or the current [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] (Figured Maple or Exotic top such as Spalted Maple or Buckeye Burl with a Mahogany body) have all had laminated bodies that weren't Maple-based apart from the *extremely* limited edition [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] original 1983 first Spector Bolt-On model which came with a Maple body at the time. If you're not a fan or the ReBop line, that's fine and/or dandy (TM George Carlin) but please don't put them down by implying that they're not "worthy" of being in the same line as the Euro-built Neck-Thrus when they most certainly are.

As an owner of four ReBops of various string, wood & fret designs (4 & 5-string "EX" Zebrawood-topped, 5-string "FM Flamed Maple fretted and custom-ordered lined fretless models) I've thought about why there's such a *perceived* drop in quality compared to the Czech-built Neck-Thru models which are built right beside them in the same factory, and have not been able to come up with a *tangible* reason. Both come with the TonePump preamp standard (and seems a good amount of both replace them) and yes, the woods on the ReBop are different - Alder and Figured Maple or Zebrawood - but I've found that the changes accentuate the bolt-on nature of the bass and that the Alder back is a great tone wood for being topped with Maple or Zebrawood. I'm generally not a fan of N/Ts in general so the change from all Maple to the Maple/Walnut/Alder laminate meant little to me, but from the ones I have tried I actually prefer the latter, with a more solid low-end and less pure "sizzle" than the Maple-bodied versions. Again, my likes and dislikes are completely different than those that play the N/T Spectors... which is why I don't.

But neither over the awesomeness of the USA's. IME, they really are that much better.
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Awesome, very much so. "Better"... in some ways, yes (mainly the construction differences) and in other ways still juts "different". Comparing my ReBops to the USA Bolt-Ons I've played I actually prefer my Euro-built ReBops. I've never been a fan of Mahogany on basses, finding it too "middy" in tone and slow to attack as a fingerstyle player. I've found the tops on the USA BOs to not be thick enough to counteract that tendency, much prefering my Alder/Maple and Zebrawood-topped ReBops. In terms of the upgrade of electronics between the two I'm not a huge fan of EMGs so I'd replace the USAs electronics as I'm doing with my ReBops. I've mentioned to PJ that an alternate to Mahogany might be helpful as an option, as that's a "Purchase-killer" in my book.

...to give some advice on-topic and to the initial question, I'd say that if you're considering refinishing the bass to go with the Euro, as that would be a considerable loss in resale value to a USA Spector whereas it's far less to a Euro. Anything else you can pretty much upgrade yourself (pickups, preamp, etc) and even shave down the neck during a refinish if you find it to be a touch too thick (which is a main issue in the "USA vs Euro" question).
 
#28
rockstarbassist said:
The Rebops I've played were more on par w/ the legend stuff- definitely not in the same category as the original Czech models (non-Euro's) and much less the USA's.
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Interesting, because even the 2002-'04 1st generation pre-DLX ReBops (before they were "ReBops" and followed the pre-"Euro" naming as "NS-2J4/5CR") that were all-Alder bodies & dot inlays as opposed to the Spector Crowns were to my hands extremely well-made basses, and even better in a way if you prefer an Aguilar OPB-1 preamp to the Spector TonePump. I even owned one for a short period of time (I was able to upgrade at a minimal price to a "ZeBop") and the worst thing I can say is that I wasn't a huge fan of the oil finish compared to gloss. All my personal basses which span from 2007 to 2009 are in every way as quality as their neck-through brothers and sisters.

But if you don't like NT Spectors in the first place, then you don't really like Spectors, is what I'm taking away from this... ;)
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Now thems fightin' words! ;) It's not that I don't like N/T Spectors, it's that I'm not a fan of neck-thru basses in general... and having spent 5 years with a N/T 6-string as my main bass for sessions & live work (Industry Showcases and such) before re-assessing all my gear I know what factors I'm talking about. Again, owning 4 I can say with certainty that I love Spectors... just ones with neck bolts. :p
 
#30
rockstarbassist said:
(that being said- I'm about to order prolly an NS5H2- I like NT on 4's, but on 5's I like the different style attack you get w/ a bolt on ax)
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If not for that caveat, there would have been an "Anchorman"-style rumble... with, of course, no touching of the hair or face...

anchorman-anchorman-demotivational-poster-1258779602.jpg


:D
 
#32
In my experience Rebops have the same built quality as Euros.
Plus, i like black better than gold. Active emg's are the only difference. (here i have to state that the emg pickups are the same in both usa and euro models. I mean, an EMG DC of a usa spector is identical to an EMG DC of a Euro obviously)

As for the sound differences between a bolt on and a neck-thru, they become minimal when the factors of amp, strings, technique and others join the equation (imo)
 
#34
I'm back!

So what's the real difference?

I'm thinking of grabbing this stupid deal on a NS5CRFM for $695. It's got EMGs and the two-band EMG Preaamp. Some noticeable dings filled in with some stuff. Figure I could just sand it to be smooth with the bass and refinish it. Any idea how much it would cost to repair this baby?


048.jpg

053-1.jpg

045.jpg


So how would that compare to a USA? I'm actually forming a BTBAM Tribute band and just have loved every sound i've ever heard from any spector. I've played one and loved it.


And just for kicks..
l_02e8f4dde91342e8aab4647d2e7504ae.png

I <3 Dan Briggs. Lmao
 
#35
jarrhead said:
What are the pros/cons of having a Euro or USA Spector?

I know I can get a Euro around $1200 or so used, and a USA around $2500.

Five string.

After listening to BTBAM and Protest the Hero hardcore for a few months I got hooked on the spector sound and knew that's what I wanted. I then went into SamAsh and tried one and was just absolutely blown away. :hyper:

So what would I be getting for that extra $1300?
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Dan Briggs uses EMG-HZ and I'm pretty sure the guy from PtH does as well.
 
#37
XsorrowfoxX said:
I just got a Spector ns 2000/5 (The same bass Dan Briggs played for most of BTBAM) and I can vouch for it. I would say if you don't want to shell out 1000$+ for the "Spector sound" it's a good choice. I got mine for 350.
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Yeah he only recently upgraded.. I think he's had the same bass and amp his entire career up until a year or so ago.

Definitly don't need a euro or a USA to get the BTBAM tone. You might need that sunn 300 head though..
 
#39
diechris said:
Yeah he only recently upgraded.. I think he's had the same bass and amp his entire career up until a year or so ago.

Definitly don't need a euro or a USA to get the BTBAM tone. You might need that sunn 300 head though..
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Got it for $350 how can it possibly be an upgrade? His interview on The Great Misdirect DVD said he's had the bass since he was 16, a USA Spector. Since it's used on Colors and TGM, he would have changed less than a year ago.
 

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