Why is Spector so popular on TB?

[_Some Dude]

Alot of us in the 90s watched bass players on Spectors, and I'd argue that they made a very recognizable body shape that was very much not a Fender. Once you knew that shape, you knew who was playing a Spector, and it was a lot of great sounds and bassists.

I think Warwick being popular in the early ‘00s helped keep the ball rolling by keeping the NS shape in the mainstream.

 

[r_bnks]

I mean, Kip Winger, what more do you need to say?

Yup. A phenomenal bassist, songwriter and composer.

 

[FRoss6788]

Wrong.

I loved everything about my Euro except the ergo's, and I tried.

If I have to fight with the bass or wear in such a way that's uncomfortable FOR ME, then that bass is not for me.

Not everyone's choices are based on brand bias.

It's interesting how offended you seem about why other people don't play Spectors.

 

[FRoss6788]

maybe...but I don't agree with that statement. Most people who say they aren't comfortable have a clear FSO bias. Get off my lawn types. I also think people they say its a reach to the low frets aren't wearing them properly. They wear them how they wear their FSO or whatever else they are coming from.
I will still be baffled. to each their own.

This should have been added to my prior post #183.

 

[_Obra_]

your loss

More for You

 

[bste9]

More for You

not really. I've never been happier with a bass than with my Spectors.

 

[bste9]

Wrong.

I loved everything about my Euro except the ergo's, and I tried.

If I have to fight with the bass or wear in such a way that's uncomfortable FOR ME, then that bass is not for me.

Not everyone's choices are based on brand bias.

It's interesting how offended you seem about why other people don't play Spectors.

baffling!

 

[GIBrat51]

First, this is a legitimate question and not meant to be trolling.

Some will disagree, but it seems to me that we like the gear we like in part because we heard it on the records we love: Jamerson’s Precision; McCartney’s Rickenbacker; Jaco’s Jazz; Johnson’s Stingray; the 1176 and LA-2A compressors; the SVT, etc.

Of course it’s not the sole reason. But I think it’s a major one. I love McCartney, but I hate the Rickenbacker. So I don’t play one.


That brings me to Spector. I’ve seen pictures of people using Spectors here and there (Flea? Sting? Some Floyd shows in the 80s and/or 90s?). But it doesn’t seem — to me, unless I’m missing something (I’ll admit I’m not huge on 80s bass players) — that it doesn’t have the appeal of the gear listed above.

So why’s Spector so popular on TB? What I am I missing?

Well...
Couple of things. First, I've never noticed that Spector basses were all that popular here. There is a Spector owner's club, but there are clubs for just about every bass you can think of. Personally? I've never been particularly interested in them; primarily because I don't much like the look of (most of) them. And, because although they do make some left handed ones? You'd never know it by their website...
Second? The main reason is - they just don't make anything that would fill a spot in my herd. Well, they do - but they have nothing that would make me replace the bass that's in that spot now. So... no; a Spector Bass is not something I'm going to rush out and buy...

I'd like to challenge the notion that everyone picks their instruments based on what famous players have used them. That's never been a consideration for me anyway. I pick an instrument based on its own merits and spectors are some of the best basses I've played. If anything I'm surprised they're not more popular than they are.

I'd have to agree - mostly. Yes, Sir Paul did play a Rickenbacker when I learned to play bass in 1968. But, what made me like Rick's, was the fact that I learned to play on one - a friend's lefty '68 4001.
I don't think I've ever bought any of my basses - or guitars - because somebody "famous" played one. Primarily, it was because I liked the way they looked, then heard somebody (not famous, in most cases) play one; and that I could get a left handed one. In most cases, if anybody "famous" ever played one of my basses? I never heard that they did...

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

I’m play Spectors because of their sound and their ergonomics. I initially expected them to be best suited for heavier styles of music, which they certainly are, but I also found their sound to be surprisingly versatile for other styles too.

IMO they’re very well made, and for me, they’re also nice to look at.

 

[_Some Dude]

I don't know why, but I see a lot of 6 string Spectors (on TB).

 

[roffe]

I've only tried one, an old NS-2, and it was great. Great quality, great sound. I've always liked the body shape and I wanted one for a long time. But they are very rare where I live, and when they do pop up they're not cheap. There's a much larger selection of used Warwicks so that's what I'm using now.

 

[Akami]

I love the hell out of Alejandra Villarreal's tone and playing.

View attachment 5482707

I just heard this band for the first time a couple months ago and immediately noticed that ultra cool Spector, which I'd mistakenly thought had died out.
She's got some really great tones out of that thing and they sure came up with a great finish for it too.

 

[poochiecheeks]

I get that…personally, I think the smooth contours and shape are cool, but can understand why some wouldn’t.

Not to disparage other basses people like, but for me, I have some kind of visual/mental association of the Warwick headstock with Shrek’s ears, the way the tuners are angled down.

LOL I will never be able to un see that now. Thanks

 

[got_the_bug]

I mean, c'mon...

 

[Stef_bass]

Ergonomic body, articulate sound, highly customizable (especially the 5s and 4s with soapbar), really well built, lots of tone portions available between the different pickup spacings of different lines and the multitude of pickup and preamp options, the necks are dreamy for the most part, and fantastic finishes. Note - many of these in the pic are 25+ years old and still look new. They're built to last.
View attachment 5482400

Nice family photo.

 

[Paul New]

When I think of Spector I think of Doug Wimbish.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Never owned or played one ….. but Stings white Spector made a huge impression on me. That unmatched Spector growl and punch is signature !!!

 

[VeryTallBassist]

Nice family photo.

Wow, my original post was a year ago to the day. The family has grown a bit since then

 

[Bass Viking]

Wow, my original post was a year ago to the day. The family has grown a bit since then
View attachment 7254073

Nice! Do you own other brands?

 

[VeryTallBassist]

Nice! Do you own other brands?

I have a Sandberg VM5 and a SBMM Stingray too. I'll be putting probably 2 of my Spectors up for sale soon and I'm deciding on what's next. I just really get along well with the Spector ergonomics and tone, so over time I've let go of whatever didn't work as well. I've consistently owned at least one Spector since 2001.