Conan

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1370124458' post='2096823'] I can't see any walnut layer on the pictures of the bass in the link you posted. [/quote] That's true. But on the actual bass it is there. Will post pics tomorrow after band rehearsals (been playing cricket today!)

[quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1370084424' post='2096290'] The LX has a walnut layer running through the body and also has the adjustable trimpot Tonepump circuit.[/quote] Well, now I'm really confused as my new bass has the walnut layer but lacks the tonepump trimpot!!!

Try lots of brands and gauges and see what you like best!! What your fingers like best may not be what your ears prefer (and vice versa), so it it not an easy question to answer. Flats or rounds?

Some of you guys might well enjoy this track.... featuring NK on lead vocals and our own JD1 on bass! [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T64YKHUY1dA[/media]

[quote name='waldflote8' timestamp='1370119989' post='2096740'] I had looked at the set list online - memories of seeing them at ingliston in 83 [/quote] I was at that gig too! Next to the stinky chicken factory!!! In fact, despite being a massive Rush fan (but not on the way that this thread might suggest!) that is one of the reasons why I was less than heartbroken that I couldn't make it to the SECC on thursday. Bands should not be playing in these great airship hangars. Anyone who appreciates good sound knows this - including the bands.So where did it all go wrong?

As bass players, we can get too fixated on our own sound. How does the [i]band[/i] sound? Has anyone commented on how crap the bass sounds?

Yes, Gone to Pieces was recorded at half speed and then speeded up. I remember reading this in an interview with NK at the time. And he played a Wal!

This is the particular bass... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/207063-spector-euro-4lx-natural-finish-for-trade/page__p__2090017__hl__spector__fromsearch__1#entry2090017"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/207063-spector-euro-4lx-natural-finish-for-trade/page__p__2090017__hl__spector__fromsearch__1#entry2090017[/url]

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1369992830' post='2095241'] Really? I've always found them to be on the chunky side which is why I like them. It's not the Doug Wimbish signature model is it? That has got a very skinny neck apparently. [/quote] I'm not sure exactly [i]which[/i] model it is! There is not much by way of identification on the bass at all... The headstock has the Spector logo on the front, and on the back there is the usual "Handcrafted in the Czech Republic etc" and an ID number - NB4273. I bought it as a "Euro 4LX". Obviously the 4 refers to the number of strings... but does the LX refer to the scale length? I've measured it and it appears to be 35". I'll take and post some pics later, but the finish is natural and looks like maple. I was not expecting the neck to be so slim, as I say. It is almost reminiscent of an Alembic series I neck, and it does not appear to get much thicker (i.e. wider) from nut 24th fret! It is taking a bit of getting used to, but is nice to play.

And I thought this thread was going to be about Spector Euros! Hello and welcome!

Ant just bought my Geddy Lee Jazz bass... even though I didn't really want to sell it! Excellent communications throughout and quick payment made in faith. A top basschatter and someone with whom you can deal with total confidence. Highly recommended!

Oh well, as it turns out this particular bass doesn't have the trim pot anyway! It arrived yesterday and I had a quick noodle. Despite the old, dead strings it still has an amazing amount of top-end available from the tonepump - almost too much! I gave it a good clean, some new strings and a bit of a set-up and will try putting it through its paces later today. Plays very nicely, but what a skinny neck it has! Not "front-to-back" but "top-to-bottom" if you know what I mean. Totally the opposite to my Status... feels nice in my hands though.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1369851653' post='2093553'] Thread from a while ago about the Tonepump, including info from the guy who designed it who says it is indeed cut/boost: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/93320-spector-tonepump-is-not-boost-only/page__hl__tonepump"]http://basschat.co.u...e__hl__tonepump[/url] [/quote] What a fascinating thread! Cheers for pointing that one out So if you put the treble control in its midpoint, it will be pretty much flat - but the bass control in a similar position will still be giving a reasonable amount of boost! Assuming linear travel on the pots of course.... How odd!

Hmmmm. I watched the video. Twice in fact! But I'm still a little confused about their use of the term "sweet spot". All you are doing is adjusting the actual output signal level of the tonepump aren't you? Or am I missing something? Having the output at its highest setting might cause some distortion of your preamp I guess, and having the trim set at its lowest value will mean a quiet output from the bass that would entail turning the gain upon the amp. But is there anymore to it than this? Are we simply talking about matching the output of your Spector bass to the output(s) of your other bass(es)? I think I must be missing something here! Also, it is my understanding that the Tonepump only [i]boosts[/i] bass and treble - whereas that video talks about boost [b]and cut[/b] of the two frequencies...

Just had a very pleasant visit to Si's palatial abode in leafy Smogland... I left my BF Vintage and came away with his Compact and some UK currency. An extremely easy deal with a lovely guy who has some very nice basses with some exceedingly old strings on 'em! Highly recommended

Try your Geddy first!!

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1369768904' post='2092604'] Watch the f***in' video - that's what I posted it for! [/quote] I was saving the video until I had the bass.... don't want to jinx it or something - you know what these couriers can be like!! Then all will be revealed...

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1369756230' post='2092374'] Do you know if the one you've just bought has the Tonepump with the volume trim control or not? [/quote] No idea I'm afraid. It has been owned by a couple of basschatters to date, but that is a question I haven't asked. When it arrives, where would I find the trim pot? Is it external or in the control cavity?

I totally misread the thread title...

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1369744607' post='2092188'] I love the Tonepump circuit, I think it sounds fantastic... it just sounds great as it is. [/quote] Now [i]that's[/i] what I wanted to hear!

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1362470726' post='2000058'] I've never played a Spector. In a nutshell, what am I missing? [/quote] Heh heh! Not for long! I've just pulled the trigger on a Euro 4LX on here, so within the next 48 hours I should be able to answer my own question!! One thing that does confuse me slightly is the talk about the active preamps. There doesn't seem to be much love for the Spector Tone Pump. Why is that? I can see the advantage of the EMG systems (particularly the ones with the midrange controls) as presumably they are highly compatible with their own pickups; but what do people see (or hear) as the shortcomings of the TP circuit?

Ad bought a Roland MicroCube guitar amp for me (well, from my son to be accurate!). Great comms and prompt payment made in faith. What's not to like? Highly recommended!