Why is Spector so popular on TB?

[SuperTheBass]

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.

 

[Lackey]

Isn't the Cattle Decapitation guy also in Cryptopsy?

 

[Lackey]

Isn't the Cattle Decapitation guy also in Cryptopsy?

Holy Crow.... yes, and,... this tone is pretty...umm... Fieldy adjacent. Yikes.

 

[ole Jason]

Those clanky tones are popular because they actually cut through and make the bass fairly audible. It works in context I think.

 

[Goatrope]

OP, Did ya not see the @Barticus NBD? Oh my.

 

[Dincrest]

So there is plenty of people using them on recordings. Just not people I've heard of. Thanks for the link!

Yeah, a lot of those folks are session or hired gun players who've played with big stars. Classic case of bassists you have heard but haven't heard of.

You may not have heard of Guy Pratt, but you've heard him with Madonna, Michael Jackson, and others.
You may not have heard of Jonny Good, but you've heard him with Lady Gaga, Avril Lavigne, and others.
And how about Aaron Mills- dude's been playing Spectors since the brand's early days through multiple eras of music (Cameo to Outkast to Gwen Stefani). I love when he says his first Spector was powerful like a car with two engines.

 

[WayneP]

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

Curious question – I always thought Fenders and FSOs were the most popular bass on TB. I mean, they’re all over the “Show Your Basses” thread!


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[bassballs27]

Spector has a long list of artists:
Featured Artists Archive - Spector Bass

They’re a brand that has eluded me for a long time but I’ve been wanting to try one.

I’m an 80s kid and have had the chance to see The Spoons bass player Sandy Horne who plays Spector basses.
She sounds killer live.

 

[g-dude]

The only bass I own that is better than my Spector Euro 4LT is my Alembic.

Next bass will be a used Alembic, but wouldn’t mind having an extra Spector.

 

[_Some Dude]

This song....




But, to answer the OP, my biggest reasons were Mike Starr, Mike Inez, and Rex Brown.

 

[sylvanbass]

The only recordings that make me Spector-curious are by Alice In Chains.

They’re definitely well built instruments.

Interested to see what others post.

OMG...SAME!!!!!!! Most times when I see a beautiful Spector, my mind immediately goes straight to the Mike's of AiC (Starr and Inez). I've never owned one, but have played several and they were of course just wonderful. I sounded like a dude playing a regular old PJ (even with a pick) when I played them and not like Mike Starr, so I could never justify shelling out the money for one. I still wish I had one though.

 

[sylvanbass]

Love Inez's tone with Heart in this video.

 

[IPA]

a euro classic 4 in white is one of my dream basses

Eddie Jackson is a reason as mentioned before. Also they sound and play great. And they are just classic enough at this point to not feel like a betrayal of my sensitive sensibilities of my usual boomer fender basses I buy.

 

[sylvanbass]

a euro classic 4 in white is one of my dream basses

Eddie Jackson is a reason as mentioned before. Also they sound and play great. And they are just classic enough at this point to not feel like a betrayal of my sensitive sensibilities of my usual boomer fender basses I buy.

First Spector I ever picked up, I gave it the ole "Jet City Woman" test lol. I, not the bass, sounded horrible haha!! Not the best ryche song, but I was 16 and the only one I half ass knew from it being on the radio at the time.

 

[WG Plum]

My USA NS2 was phenomenal, a beautifully made bass. My goals changed and it didn't suit my new direction, but it oozed class.

 

[pb9717]

I think many players go through a Spector “phase”. IMHO. They’re certainly not as popular as FSO’s. Spectors offer a unique and distinctive sound thats the opposite of warm. Their “In your face” tone is an acquired taste, and depending on the variety/type of tunes you play, they will many times not fit tonally, unlike FSO’s. But their uniqueness is striking, and I know of no other bass that sounds like a US or Euro Spector. I’ve owned three different ones, and they all ended up being sold for a more traditional bass with a greater variety of tones. Read:Sadowsky, Elrick……But yea, they’ll knock you on your ass if your not careful.

 

[Barticus]

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?

I guess I asked the same at one point, but then decided to dive in since I had knowledge of them and prefer the smaller body size and curve over other designs. I also own and have owned several Warwicks and Mayones with similar attributes.

Have you played one? I’d suggest that’s where you might start, and you’ll begin to understand why.

I now own a Euro and a US NS 5, both great but the US is much more refined with slimmer neck and crazy beautiful top. Electronics are a bit different in each but both have that classic Spector growl.

They have amazing craftsmanship, play great, sound great and are super comfortable to play. Curved body with 35” scale and a clear and articulate B.

If you’re comfortable on large flat FSO bodies, they may not be for you and I know they’re not for everyone. But for me, the tone playability and comfort for a 4hr gig is fantastic. YMMV

My Euro LT

My US NS 5XL

 

[robertusf]

Tom Drummond of Better Than Ezra gets some pretty cool tone on his spector

 

[pb9717]

Spector Euro and US Fivers are also 35 foot, I mean….inch scale. And the bridge is mounted several inches from the bottom of the bass, so that nut/1st fret is sometimes in the next room. The smaller body is also an acquired taste in that it doesn’t support your forearm if you play with your wrist tilted down. An FSO player will need time to acclimate.

 

[Thundar]

Seriously, in the 80's and 90's. you could not swing a dead cat without hitting a Spector player/endorser....they were made by Kramer during later 80's and Kramer was EVERYWHERE. Rock, metal, pop, funk...they were huge...(Eddie Jackson of Queensryche inspired a huge number of rock players with his tone...Mike Starr of AIC would be another but there were soooo many more) .
I guess people quickly forget, but they were all over music videos at that time. I was a child of the 80's and I got my first Kramer Spector in about 1992 and I played that bass and that bass only for almost 20 yrs. After Kramer went belly-up it took Stuart Spector some time to get his trademark back and bring Spector back to its glory, but make no mistake...nothing growls like a Spector, Baby!