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Which onboard pre-amp for Spector/Kramer NS-2 with EMGs?

W

Winterpegbass

Aug 31, 2005
253
23
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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#1
I'm considering replacing the stock active electronics on my 1989 Spector/Kramer NS-2. It has EMG pick-ups so I'm wondering which onboard pre-amp/active electronics is most compatible with EMG pick-ups?

I've heard mixed views regarding Sadowsky pre-amp for EMGs on Talkbass.

Another option may be the Spector tone pump which gets dissed often on Talkbass.

Aguilar seems to be widely regarded and is used with EMG pickups.

Any other ideas/comments?
 
#2
Well if you've got the scratch, you can call up the Spector folks in woodstock and buy one of their custom HAZ Lab units. And once in a while you'll see one of the older ones pop up on the 'Bay - snag one of those if you can.

My experience with Spectors and EMG's is that EQ's that put out super deep frequencies (Sadowsky, Aguilar) are just too much of a good thing because the EMG's go so deep to begin with. The low end eats up the Spector growl. Thats just IMHO.
 
#3
That bass, as long as it is a true NS-2 and not an NS-2a, should already have the Hazlab pre in it unless it has been replaced. I own 3 Kramer era Spectors and that pre is one of the reasons I love them so much.

If it is not the original, then yes, I would talk to Spector about a Hazlab.
 
#5
It came with a hazlab pre when I bought it new in 1989 and it sounded great but it crapped out within one year. By that time Kramer had closed it's doors and it took a whole year for the music store that I bought it from to get another Hazlab pre and install it. It sounds OK but nowhere near as good as how it sounded with the original Hazlab pre.

This experience of has made me reluctant to buy another haz lab due to bad quality control eg breaking down and inferior second pre.
 
#7
The pre in my new US is stellar, so I'd think a new Haz Lab may be a good choice. Who knows what was going on in that time frame you got that replacement with the collapse of Kramer, etc.

I think the EMG is actually a good choice. I love the Aguilar preamp but do find it too much with the EMG's. I had a custom bass that had EMG/Aggie combo and ended up putting in the EMG Pre. I think you may be right that the Sadwosky is more of the same. I have the Tonepump in my Euro. It is ok if you like boost only.
 

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