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Why doesn't Spector improve their body design?

#61
@Gare Boo
Funny,
I own both the spector and the NS

IMG_20210828_213211.jpg

IMG_20210905_115556.jpg

My opinion is - what neck dive?
:D
 
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#62
Thorsoundcore said:
Ironically, I was just coming here to say I've never had any neck dive issues with my Rebop actually. Then again, my hardware is all (durable) plastic rather than brass/chrome/etc., so I'm sure that helps.

I've also found that a Comfort Strapp seems to pair incredibly well with Spector. I mention this as I recall hearing complaints about the locations of their strap buttons as well. I tried using other straps with my Rebop when I first got it, and I remember nothing else worked nearly as well. The other straps made me feel like I reallyyy had to stretch to reach those frets near the nut.

It could just be a personal victory, but in this situation the Comfort Strapp really lived up to it's name. It was comfortable to wear with my Spector in general, and easy to situate the bass and it's odd strap button placements to a comfortable place with my fretting hand as well (thus solving my issues of reach).
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I'm using comfort straps pretty much exclusively they are excellent and have the added bonus of being perfect to use with the neotech pouches for my wireless body packs
 
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#63
Gare Boo said:
Spector has a very comfortable body design, the all rounded edges, belly scoop, etc. However, why don't they make the upper horn longer to prevent neck-dive? As well as the distance from the edge to the bridge, the bass will be more balanced if there's not a lot of space between the bridge and the strap peg(even tho the peg was already moved up a bit but it doesn't help a lot.)

I know Spector's body shape is based on Ned Steinberger's design but even Ned himself extended the upper horn for a whole lot on his NS-Design basses, why doesn't Spector do so?
View attachment 4396707
View attachment 4396710
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Try this. Use photoshop, or any other photo modification program, and extend that upper horn to fix the issue. I think it would look utterly ridiculous to keep everything else the same and extend the upper horn. Maybe sinking the neck further in and putting the bridge right at the edge of the body would work. Try that as well.

If we were to see your ideas in action it would help up decide if it works or if it's hideous. :cool:
 
#66
As a long-time Spector owner, I have first-hand experiences the neck-balancing issues with several different models. In the end, it comes down to what is comfortable to you. We are all different.

Neck-dive may not be the correct term, but Spector basses tend to sit more horizontal than most basses.

NS-5xl: I had one with a water-cured redwood top. The neck wanted to go towards the ground and sat more horizontal than most. I sold it! (It's in my avatar pic)

Forte 5 - Luckily it was only a Guitar Center used purchase and I returned it right away. It wanted to sit horizontal again and I did not want to try solving that issue. it was $3000 used!

Rebobs - I found ONE Rebob 5 string that did not have balancing issues and every other one has had them

Euros (5 strings) - I have three that balance nicely. I replaced the tuners with Hip Shot Ultralites and moved the strap lock pin closer to the bridge (about an inch closer to it). I also use a 3" Franklin leather strap for each one. Other Euro's have had balancing issues after some of these modifications - I sold those

The upper horn does not reach the 12th fret, but basically hits the 14th and 15th fret. This makes the reach to the first fret MORE than just about every other bass on the market. (Some Alembic models have a similar reach). With my longer than average arms, this bass is VERY comfortable to me. I wear it low and at an angle. It just works for me.

The newer LT models are using lightweight Gotoh tuners: thank goodness! Also, there is no difference in tone with Hipshot Ultralites vs Schaller tuners. I was annoyed when Spector kept using those heavy things.
 
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#68
The first time I saw a new Spector I wanted one, until i tried one. We were not a good fit at all. With my failed attempt to like a Ric, it was not a bad bass except for finding a comfortable way to get at the strings with my right hand. The Spector hung wrong and my right arm was in an awkward and uncomfortable position when i played it.
 
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#69
I have a US-made neck through six string. It is heavy as hell, about 13.5 pounds. Not too surprising given that it is almost entirely maple with the exception of the fretboard, no chambering. Brass bridge. I mean the thing is a bodybuilder. There is some neck dive. It's not bad, workable. I have played it live a bunch of times and it doesn't bother me. All that said, it sounds better than anything else I have ever played. Just massive tone. When I record and compare it to other basses I have, every note is articulate, no mud. So I take the good with the somewhat bad and work within the parameters of the bass. I have not been able to find a lighter bass with perfect balance that comes close to the power this thing has.

If there are some minor ergonomic changes that could make it a better balanced bass then I would say kudos. However, it's a design that has stood the test of time and it would be hard to sell a different shape to those that want a Spector so I don't see it happening.
 
#71
I've always loved the look of Spectors, but I agree that the ergonomics are not for me. I finally tried a Euro 5 and confirmed what I anticipated by the bridge placement and upper hard strap pin alignment; long reach and poor balance.

I do think that placing the bridge close to the end of the body, carving out more upper fret access (due to the bridge moving back) and ensuring that the upper horn strap pin aligns with at least the 12th fret would go a long way in solving those issue for me.
 
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#75
What I have noticed recently is that the upper horn shape on the American basses has definitely changed but the new Euros appear still to be the omr shape. I had actually taken a screenshot on my phone yesterday afternoon to send to a friend when we were discussing this.

eqGUNH7.jpg


The model at the bottom is a Euro eity the classic sleek carve on the top horn. The model on the bottom is an Americsn with the new top horn carve. It's more squared off and looks slightly further away from the neck. Definitely not as elegant! Check out Reverb and you'll see a lot more carved exactly like that!
 
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#76
India_Sierra said:
What I have noticed recently is that the upper horn shape on the American basses has definitely changed but the new Euros appear still to be the omr shape. I had actually taken a screenshot on my phone yesterday afternoon to send to a friend when we were discussing this.

View attachment 4397471

The model at the bottom is a Euro eity the classic sleek carve on the top horn. The model on the bottom is an Americsn with the new top horn carve. It's more squared off and looks slightly further away from the neck. Definitely not as elegant! Check out Reverb and you'll see a lot more carved exactly like that!
Click to expand...

No bueno!
 
#77
India_Sierra said:
What I have noticed recently is that the upper horn shape on the American basses has definitely changed but the new Euros appear still to be the omr shape. I had actually taken a screenshot on my phone yesterday afternoon to send to a friend when we were discussing this.

View attachment 4397471

The model at the bottom is a Euro eity the classic sleek carve on the top horn. The model on the bottom is an Americsn with the new top horn carve. It's more squared off and looks slightly further away from the neck. Definitely not as elegant! Check out Reverb and you'll see a lot more carved exactly like that!
Click to expand...
I’m working with Spector now and I will even say I prefer the older classic horn that is on the Euros.
 
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#80
RichSnyder said:
I don't like the longer reach, but I'm short. Taller people probably find them super comfortable. Lots of choices out there and they sell plenty in the current configuration. Why change it up to please another demographic and lose your current demographic?
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I'm 6'4" so I guess that's tall. Reach not a problem for my arms, but I could see how a person of shorter stature might not like it.
 
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