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Why is Spector so popular on TB?

#62
It's popular here because it's an iconic brand with many very popular bass players who have been heard playing them. Also they have relatively cheap basses that you can get anywhere online all the way up to hand built boutique quality and honestly even the budget performer series are cool. Also, I had a great conversation with PJ from Spector and I like how well I was treated by Stuart's people. They seem like a great company. So that's why.
 
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#63
Thegreatzambini said:
I think it’s simple. They have a long track record in the industry for being quality and have a specific sound that people like.
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l’ve been a been a long time Spector nut, but only within the last 4 years motivated to search out and get my dream Spectors.

I got a ‘78 Spector NS-1 last year. A month ago I got a ‘72 Precision. I love both in their own ways. I love one more though.

I can tell you which one was built better by a looong shot.
 
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#65
Always loved my US Spector and hated myself after I sold it. When it came time to do a full custom, you can definitely see the Spector influence in my decisions. I just wish Purple Heart photograhed better.

IMG_1453.jpeg


IMG_1448.jpeg
 
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#67
They are popular because of one main reason - Ned Steinberger is a master of design.
Same as Franz Von Holzhausen for Tesla.
The NS shape is just something your eyes and mind can't resist. It's a brilliant design, accompanied by nice woods, shiny finishes, crisp electronics and that gold-bar bridge - so the bass sounds exactly like it looks.

Plus the price is not impossible for this entire package.

The Warwick streamers which are based on that shape create the same feeling.

You know you'll enjoy playing them just by their looks.

I mean..



SS1.png


WS.png
 
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#68
The most comfortable, easiest to play, and best sounding basses I own. Stingray Specials come close 2nd place for thunderous sound but not as easy to play. The also make lower end and mid grade stuff in Asia that I am told people love.

The Euro line while not cheap, are exquisitely made and the custom USAs are in a league of their own with fit finish and sound.
 
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#70
I'm 50. I played Fender Jazz Basses as well as Lakland Jazz Basses for decades. I was always intrigued with Spector basses because in High School I was listening to bands like Skidrow, Queensryche and Judas Priest all of whom had bassists playing Spector. In the 90's Alice In Chains and Pantera emerged...Spector. Newsted....Spector.
Not only did I like the tone and its uniqueness but I liked the fact that there really aren't any other basses quite like Spector (Until Warwick came along and APPEAR to be Spector-like but really are vastly different). Back about 10 years ago I had the opportunity to play a Spector and was immediately sold on them for the following reasons:

1. Unique look
2. Unique and Identifiable tone.
3. The neck being in between a Jazz and P Bass and having a little girth to it just felt comfortable whereas Jazz and P Basses were never quite 100% comfortable for me.
4. Versatility of the Reverse P Pickup combined with the J.
5. Lightweight

Since then I have sold all of my basses except 1 Lakland and 1 Fender and I currently own 7 Spector Euros.
 
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#72
40Hz said:
I wonder if that’s a more recent phenomenon? My late 90s Euro is one of the best balanced basses I own. But is one of the bolt-on models rather than a neck-thru. Interestingly, most of the basses I’ve played that exhibited noticeable neck dive were neck-throughs, so I wonder if that is a contributing factor in the equation.

Still, some (but not all) Spectators can be on the heavy side. Alejandra Villanova of The Warning recently got her own signature Spector and requested it have a redwood body to keep the weight down. So now I’m hoping Spector will start doing more basses with lighter woods going forward.
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Mine are both new era and have no neck dive issues either

Wasnex said:
But AFAIK they are prone to neck dive, which IMHO is a huge negative.
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#74
they are very comfortable for my body-build. they sound incredible. i don't have a usa, but I have two all maple euro's, and their build quality is top notch. plus I love the look of them. the majority of non-bass players have no idea what they are. it's low key awesome.
 
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#78
Just Wrong said:
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?
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What makes you think that they’re popular?
 

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