Paulhauser

24 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

Tell us a bit more about this recording session you've just done @Paulhauser sounds good! 

Thank you for the interest @Al Krow

This was the  final bass session for the next LP of my band 'Divided'. We do original songs and have a style that is a mix of '80s rock, modern heavy music, electronica and so on. 

These songs that I have linked below are a kind of preview of said record so you can get the idea (I played the NS-5XL pictured above on all of the tracks) These are not the final mixed, more like demo versions that we released. But you'll get the idea.

The record - called Behind your neon eyes- is going to be released in one month by Nail records. 

34 minutes ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

This is an amazing premium buckeye burl top. Congrats. Hope to ever have enough dough to get a NS2 or 4 with such a cool top in an inferno high gloss finish. The most recent US Spectors with that kind of top; however, are rather underwhelming

 

 

 

 

These are killer tops and yes the inferno red can be very nice as well. I think the complexity of the buckeye burl goes very well with the NS shape, I have two NS-5Xl with buckeye, they are really different but both very beautiful. 

18 minutes ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

Wow. Wow. Wow. What a stunning finish. Love it!🤩

Thank you. All the glory goes to Stuart Spector and co. It has nothing to do with me other than being a lucky man to own it. 🙂

2 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

Haha, indeed! 

But the rest of my post was not entirely humbug either, was it?! 

Not at all! 🙂 Spectors do rule, at least for me. I have some other great basses from other makers which I enjoy but I'll always get back to square one. 
This pic was taken this morning after finishing a long recording session yesterday. Ever since I got this NS-5XL a few years back this is my main recording bass ( I'm too protective to take for most of my gigs)

1 hour ago, Al Krow said:

These really are excellent basses aren't they?! But it's a slippery slope et cetera...😁

 

See what you did there? 🙂 @cetera

3 hours ago, ead said:

They only made 50 of the '77 version according to PJ Rubal.  He's getting the final production numbers for the '79 for me at some point.

Please share if you'll get the answer from PJ. Awesome man he is, the best customer service I have ever experienced in the muisc biz. Kind of miss him from Spector since the Korg buyout. 

2 hours ago, ead said:

Whilst I don't have any proper tools to measure, I have just had a good look at them side by side and can feel no noticeable difference between the two.  Both necks are delightful 

I also have a 1977 and enjoy it so much that contemplating buying a 1979, too. Even if I don't use 4 string basses much but this is such a fun bass to play.

3 hours ago, Al Krow said:

Just really enjoyed having both 40TWs in humbucker mode with neck pup on 10/10 and bridge on 5/10 to add in a slice of sweetening mid-cut. 

Now wondering if the hassle and expense of replacing these pups with the 40P5 and 40TWX is actually going to be wise move, or whether to double down and load these pups on a different Spector body at considerably greater expense! Decisions, decisions...

 

Keep it like it is for the time being if you enjoy the sounds you get from it. I recorded and played loads of gigs with my Euro5 with the original TWs in it and they ARE great! The P ads a different vibe, not better but different. Really you should have another Spector and do the mods with that - I did so and enjoy having a number of options. 

40 minutes ago, julfam said:

Agree 🥰 Got mine a few weeks ago, I am like a kid (ok technically, my 4th... made the mistake of selling the first 2, but definitely keeping mine now). I am a hardcore fan

Very nice! Where did you get this? One of the best finish a Spector can have.....

9 minutes ago, cetera said:

1. Purple quilted maple US Spector NS2 with abalone crowns

2. Purple quilted maple US Spector NS2X (Spectorbird) with abalone crowns

3. Inferno red US Spector NS2 with abalone crowns (like the one in the JJ pic in the post above)

Hmmm.... I'm sensing a theme here....

I think it's time for you to finally get some Spectors....that's the theme I sense 😄

I'm very much happy with what I have so these 3 are not really a GAS list, more like basses that I keep getting back at. 

1. Spector Euro 4 LE 1979. I already have the 1977 limited edition and its one of the best Spectors I own (US models included) The quality is unreal and I'm sure it is the case with this 1979, too. 

2. Though it seems like marmite but I happen to love the MusicMan Bongo's design. This one has great specs and a stellar finish.

3. I have always been a fan of Japaneese workmanship and quality and i'm sure this Momose has it all plus a stunning look. Really don't needanother jazz but this really is a masterpiece. 

2 hours ago, NickD said:

I look at natural finish Spector 5s with lust, but probably won't ever get around to one, partly because most seem to have gold hardware, and partly because they look as if neck dive would be an issue.

I'm super sensitive to neck dive but none of my Spector Euro5's have any. So don't let that put you off. 

14 hours ago, Al Krow said:

Thinking this through, I'm not sure you would ever use a coil tap with a P configured pup so if I'm looking for a P/J config then a good combo would be neck 40P5 plus 40TWX for the bridge pup?

So a push/pull pot for the single / double coil bridge pup; bass and treble pots plus simple volume pot for the P.

I'm not sure I get your point as P's are not splitable. The TW is basically two J's parallel to each other and if you use the coil tap only one of them is working.  
I have a 40P5 /40J in one of my Spectors and that nails the classic Spector PJ sound. If you keep the TW at the bridge and split it you will get close to that. The only problem can be matching the volumes as the P has a strong signal and the coil tapped TW is already lower in volume so might be tricky. (on my 40P5/40J the J is much closer to the strings to get the same volume output)

Update: I have replaced the EMG 45DCs with EMG 45TWX's. While I liked the DCs I think the TWX has a slightly rounder sound that works well with the ebony board and ash/maple setup. The sound became less brittle in the upper registers, the low end slightly less the strong mids remained and became even more pronounced. Also one of my observations is that the Aguilar OBP seems to work better or more effective with this pickup, especially the lows. As I use the TWX's in my other Spectors I pretty much knew what the swap would do but still I'm happy how this turned out. 

16 hours ago, Al Krow said:

 

If that's correct my double J/humbucker configured EMG 40TW 5er has just got itself further embedded in my herd! I guess the solution is to get hold of a decent used Spector EuroLX and sub in a EMG 40P5  https://www.emg-pickupsonline.co.uk/emg-40p5/ for the neck pup.

11 hours ago, Billy Apple said:

I had DC's ordered with my Forte 5. When it came it had TW's, which on the coil-tap, split whatever sounded weedy. Sent it back and had the DC's put in... Bostin'!

I have a couple of Euro/US 5 string Spectors either with the DC or the TW (and have one with 40 housing P/J)

I like the X series DC in my main recording bass, crisp, wide and very powerful and works well with the HAZ preamp.

I happen to like my other one with the two TWX in it. In my experience the TWX is a big step from the TW as the volume drop is lot less when using the coil tap and the wholes sound is wider and more alive. So I would not worry much if the new models only come with the DC, replacing them with the TWX is not a big deal, it is fairly easy to drop in, hook up with the tonepump, the only thing to be aware of that the push-pull pots need wider holes so better take it to a luthier / skilled tech with appropriate tools. 

3 hours ago, Dov65 said:

Truthfully m8 i don't know why its LTD maybe some Spector guru could tell but here's original add

My Spector Euro is also from bassdirect and they told me the body is alder/maple but turned out it's full maple. (removed the battery compartment inside where the wood is unshielded / unpainted and it was clear upon inspection that the wing is one piece, not three) You might want to check out as this could be potentionally important info for some people - it was certainly so for me as part of the Spector heritage is the maple wings. I quite like the chrome hardware and piano black color, one day I will get a 35" version to match my white 435. 

Again, you have a beautiful and great sounding bass for sale and whoever ends up getting this will surely be satisfied.

Very nice! 

Is it the chrome hardware that makes this a limited edition?

Also it might have full maple for the wings as they used maple wings solid black and white colored Euros lately.

(I have a quite recent white Euro 4 and although it was advertised as a maple/walnut/alder in reality it does have maple wings. )

Anyway, good luck with the sale!

While I don't play, gig or record much fretless bass but those occasions do come up so I tend to keep one in my arsenal as when I need / have to / want to use it is very handy to have one which is suitable and set up for my preferences. How much you would use it is up to you - you might end up liking it a lot and trying to play everything on it for months in the end - I did it and was a lot of fun and great learning. Or you won't use it much. 

Mine is a lined 5 string fretless and depending on how much and how often I use it I can get around it pretty easily, sometimes I look at my fretting hand for positioning exactly where it should be, sometimes its muscle memory. 

If you can afford I think it is good to have one and the Sire is certainly not a huge invesment but a great value ( so I heard)

Alternatively you can order online, use the return period for deciding what you think of all the above so you have a safety net. 

Have fun!

15 hours ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

 I think most solid colour (white and black) Euro's have, or at least, had solid maple wings. The other LXs have a slice of walnut in the middle.

This is true, but info on this is confusing. I think it is in the last few years that solid black and white Euro 4/5s have maple wings as it was communicated on the official spector site. But dealers seem to be confused as  I have a quite recent white Euro435 and it has full maple wings but was advertised as having the sandwich body. 

(If one is wondering how do I know it I removed the separate battery compartment which is not shielded nor painted so it is visibly one piece vs the maple/walnut/alder)

2 hours ago, Misdee said:

I suppose whether it is worth the extra money depends on what premium you place on having the real thing.

If you just want a tool to use the Euro will probably do a very satisfactory job for you. If, however, you  have always wanted to own and play a nice example of the iconic American bass guitar brand that is Spector then only the USA- made bass will do.  And there is nothing wrong with that point of view, however irrational it may seem to some, . I love Spector basses , wish I owned one,  but I wouldn't want a Euro version , no matter how good they are. 

I have to agree except for the 'real thing' part.  I hold Euros in very high regard, I have 4 Spectors from the Czach factory and they are some of the best basses I have ever had. This is why I have them and use them almost daily along with my US made ones. They are from different eras, different models and while I see your point that they are not made in Woodstock for me they are as real Spectors as one can get. 

However, I am glad that I own 2 of the only 450-ish pcs of NS-5XL's that were produced in the Woodstock era by Stuart Spector. Also own a Forte/NS-6XL pre-Korg. Might be irrational for some but not for me, there is more to it than just the sound or the price. Call it the result of clever marketing or hero worshipping or such but after many years of longing I was able to get these instruments and I am super happy with them. For me any of them worth the extra money I have spent on them over a Euro model. For full disclosure I have bought them used but the same goes my Euros, too 🙂

36 minutes ago, Lunatique said:

The SDGR line is sort of their low to middle-range line, so I guess it's fine that it doesn't look too high-end with that logo. 

Not really, my SR5006 is one of their most expensive bass models and still has the same logo...albeit in gold 😄

Cracking bass you got  btw, I own 2 Ibby SR sixers, the aforementioned SR5006 and a 3006 and used to own a 506 in two versions and I have to say that for me they are some of the best designed 6 string basses, you have the range but the bass still feels sleek and compact. I also happen to like the Barts though the electronics in the 5006 is subpar, but anyways I use it in passive so no big deal. 

Very nice collection but is surely misses a US or Euro Spector 4 string with PJ pickups 😄 

Btw lovely fingerboard on that fretless SR

It is your bass and you are free to do whatever you want with it. There are only two considerations I think, one is that if the mod doesn't give you what you hope for it is impossible to go back to original and the second is the mod will negatively effect the resale value (but then again you might never want to sell it for the reasons you described)

3 minutes ago, 4000 said:

Spectors really don’t work for me at all, which is one of the reasons I didn’t include them.😉

We can't be all the same 🙂

Spectors (Euro and US) are my main instruments for more than a decade, they are the perfect combination of sound and ergonomics for me. 

I do have a Stingray 5 which I like a lot. The Thumb 5NT was a major disappointment for me both ergonomically and sonically. But some of the best fretless sounds I've ever heard came from Thumb's plus I quite like the sound of the NT6 Thumbs (must be the pickups and positions of them) so it may have been that particular instrument. 

(almost) always take, never needed.

I'm not a professional player in the sense that it is not my main source of income but I act like one 🙂 So I'm always prepared and would not let any problem with my gear affect the show or even get noticed.

I play Spector Euros live for many years and never had any technical problems with them, neither did I break a string. 
But I always carry a backup bass (another Euro) for the main gig I have which has samplers, clicks and rear screen projecting all set up for the show and there is no way I'd stop that for changing a string or such. I use wireless but always have a cable at hand (happened once or twice that the wireless went off or the receiver was kicked out of stage 🙂 )

Since I go direct most of the time I don't carry amps or cabs so bringing two basses in a double gigbag is not an issue.