Why doesn't Spector improve their body design?

[Gilmourisgod]

Nearly every Jazz bass I've picked up had at least a little neck dive, why dont they fix that? I'd say half the basses I pick up at GC are at least minor divers, its the first thing I check. Ergonomics have been a distant consideration for all manner of basses for decades. Ned's original Steinberger L2 design with the pivoting chestplate strap system was the most perfectly balanced bass I've ever played, but got largely relegated to the scrapheap of out of fashion 80's basses based purely on aesthetics. If ergonomics was a primary criteria for bass design, they'd look a lot more like an NS2. The Spectors do dive, but its otherwise a very comfortable bass to play, like a Jazz.

 

[Chickenwheels]

The original NS had a block of lead inlaid into the wood behind the bridge.

 

[TonyP-]

For all those Experiencing neck dive I highly suggest checking out these guys.

They make a 4” along with a 2.5” wide leathers.
Try a 4” and see if they resolves the issues.
At this point they are all I use and I’m all over the place on stage with no issues.
Guitar Straps | Custom Leather Guitar Straps | Bass Guitar Straps

 

[Dincrest]

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?

I'm with you there. Because of the horizontal balance and the neck jutting out too far left, first position was an uncomfortable reach for me. I used to have a Spector and though it was one of the best sounding basses I've ever owned, its ergonomics didn't work for me at all. I had the same issues with a Warwick Corvette I used to own. And this isn't even mentioning poor access to the uppermost frets.

But the Spector faithful like it just the way it is. Just like the Fender faithful say "Leo got it right the first time" the Spector club says "Stuart got it right. If it doesn't have [this specific set of exacting features] it's not a Spector any more." If Spector made their basses more like Jackson Spectras, a healthy portion of the TB community would be storming the Bastille with pitchforks and torches.

I feel like Spector and Warwick tend to be love it/hate it with very little middle ground. Excellent instruments, just not right for me. Whether I wore them punk low or jazz high (I prefer to wear my basses somewhat high), they were not comfortable to play.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

For all those Experiencing neck dive I highly suggest checking out these guys.

They make a 4” along with a 2.5” wide leathers.
Try a 4” and see if they resolves the issues.
At this point they are all I use and I’m all over the place on stage with no issues.
Guitar Straps | Custom Leather Guitar Straps | Bass Guitar Straps

If you contact them, they can make 3” straps as well. One offs will cost a little more, but they’re still reasonable.

 

[marijn van gils]

Jerzy Drozd fixed all those problems:

No neck dive, no stretching to reach the first fret (even though 35inch). Under 9lb. Big ergonomic difference from the Thumb I owned before!
And visually, IMO it also doesn't look worse than the shapes it was undoubtedly inspired on...

 

[Unmost]

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.

 

[two fingers]

View attachment 4397525

See.... yeah.... That's horrible. And it answers the question as to why they don't go that route.

Maybe the deeper set neck and moving the bridge closer to the edge would work. But that sure doesn't.

 

[marijn van gils]

See.... yeah.... That's horrible. And it answers the question as to why they don't go that route.

Maybe the deeper set neck and moving the bridge closer to the edge would work. But that sure doesn't.

Exactly! Like Jerzy Drozd did (see my post above).
And then, you can get away with slightly enlarging the upper horn. And to improve high fret access when the neck is set further into the body: move the lower horn a bit back.

 

[Mastodon2]

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!

The difference is quite stark when you look at them side by side like that. The older carve is definitely more aesthetically pleasing and flows with the body better. The new square carve and the horn being moved further away from the body seems to be something they've started after Kramer took over recently.

As for neck dive or ergonomics issues, I've never had any problems. I do wear my bass high and on a wide, padded leather strap, which given the curved body, seems to be what was intended when the bass was originally designed.

 

[Savage_Dreams]

I dont care how ergonomic or balanced this thing is. to me its just plain ugly. change the spector body shape and its no longer a spector. clearly enough people are ok with it to continue selling it.

View attachment 4396710

 

[socialleper]

Got 2 Euro 5 strings. No noticeable neck dive.

 

[Sparkl]

No idea what you guys are talking about. Neck dive has never been an issue, as long as you use proper non-slippery straps and aren't exactly dressed in a neoprene suit covered with fish oil, LOL.

 

[Scarysharkface]

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

What I can't get my head around is having a two-octave fingerboard that requires contortions to use.

John

 

[InhumanResource]

People who claim to know jackrabbits will tell you they are primarily motivated by Fear, Stupidity and Craziness. But I have spent enough time in jackrabbit country to know that most of them lead pretty dull lives; they are bored with their daily routines: eat, shag, sleep, hop around a bush now & then . . .No wonder some of them drift over the line into cheap thrills once in a while; there has to be a powerful adrenaline rush in crouching by the side of a road, waiting for the next set of headlights to come along, then streaking out of the bushes with split-second timing and making it across to the other side just inches in front of the speeding front wheels.Why not? Anything that gets the adrenaline moving like a 440 volt blast in a copper bathtub is good for the reflexes and keeps the veins free of cholesterol.

Thompson?

 

[InhumanResource]

I’m in the “couldn’t get along with the ergonomics” camp. Loved the tone, but moved on.

What are the necks like on these things? Just from looking I get the impression they are massively fat but unfortunately have never come across one in the wild.

The small body is an attractive idea.

 

[marchone]

I’m 6’-3” with a 35" sleeve length. I had a Czech NS-2 JA-R. It was very comfortable ergonomically. The first position was longer than my Fenders but I easily stretched for it. There was no neck dive. It would stay wherever I put it.

 

[hasbeen]

If everyone agreed on what a bass design "should" be, they'd all look alike.

 

[bassclef112]

For all those Experiencing neck dive I highly suggest checking out these guys.

They make a 4” along with a 2.5” wide leathers.
Try a 4” and see if they resolves the issues.
At this point they are all I use and I’m all over the place on stage with no issues.
Guitar Straps | Custom Leather Guitar Straps | Bass Guitar Straps

I had all of my basses on strap locks. I decided to try one of their 4" straps and I was sold. One thing - they are too thick to excavate for strap locks. I went with the oversize std pins and they work great. I have 5 of theses straps (3 dedicated colors and 2 floaters for the rest).
I have no problems with dive on my Spector. Highly recommended.
P.S. I wore out 2 Moody's.These will last a lifetime.

 

[TonyP-]

I had all of my basses on strap locks. I decided to try one of their 4" straps and I was sold. One thing - they are too thick to excavate for strap locks. I went with the oversize std pins and they work great. I have 5 of theses straps (3 dedicated colors and 2 floaters for the rest).
I have no problems with dive on my Spector. Highly recommended.
P.S. I wore out 2 Moody's.These will last a lifetime.

Hey @bassclef112 the old school schallers would be tough...BUT the new ones the S-locks from Shallers work like a champ and You don't vice grips to tighten them.

Here is the link
Schaller S-Locks - StewMac

I have 6 of these straps and I don't see myself using anything else.
Cheers