The Spector Euro tone. Might upgrading my electronics and pickups help me achieve this tone?

[MatthewKeys]

I was recently saving up for a Spector Euro 6lx, but a few days ago a trb6p became available to me, which I am now on the verge of purchasing. As far as I'm aware, this bass is the complete opposite of the Euro tone, and no amount of signal processing will help me get close to it (someone please correct me if I am mistaken).

My current bass is a Yamaha TRB1006 (which I'll be keeping). Because my purchasing plans have changed, and I'm a poor student I will not have the means of acquiring the Spector for a very very long time. I LOVE the playability of my trb1006 (small string spacing, fat neck), and would be very up for the idea of upgrading the electronics and/or pickups in this bass if people here think I'd be able to get a similar tone.

If it is a realistic possibility, what pickups/preamp would you suggest. Would I need to upgrade both or just one component?

The tone I speak of can be heard in the verses of this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km0Byzc4UfM

Tech specs of trb1006 here: http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical-instruments/guitars-basses/el-basses/trb/trb1006/?mode=model

Thanks in advance!

[Conan]

I'd have thought it would be practically impossible to do what you want to do... but something like a POD might get you somewhere close?

[Mog]

Quick answer would be to change the preamp in the TRB to a Tonepump and lob some EMG pickups in there as well. As an aside, IMO, that is not the typical Spector tone. Its very HiFi and that should be possible with a TRB. The bass tone in Actors would be a better representation of the classic (Euro) Spector Growl. Again IMO this is classic Spector tone. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhs0JD6XJyQ[/media]

[MatthewKeys]

[quote name='Mog' timestamp='1383673574' post='2267501']
Quick answer would be to change the preamp in the TRB to a Tonepump and lob some EMG pickups in there as well. As an aside, IMO, that is not the typical Spector tone. Its very HiFi and that should be possible with a TRB. The bass tone in Actors would be a better representation of the classic (Euro) Spector Growl. Again IMO this is classic Spector tone. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhs0JD6XJyQ[/media]
[/quote]

Have you played a TRB6P? (Not sarcasm). I haven't played one, but the general consensus seems to be that it's everything the TRB1006 is but 10x better.

[Mog]

Aye I have done. The neighbour had one for years. Got rid of it when he got a Sadowsky 5. The Neck-through and piezo do give a different tone compared to the 1006 but IME it wasn't too much better. Then again I've never been drawn on the piezo thing on an electric bass. I don't see the point.

[MatthewKeys]

[quote name='Mog' timestamp='1383675188' post='2267544']
Aye I have done. The neighbour had one for years. Got rid of it when he got a Sadowsky 5. The Neck-through and piezo do give a different tone compared to the 1006 but IME it wasn't too much better. Then again I've never been drawn on the piezo thing on an electric bass. I don't see the point.
[/quote]

But you think the electronics/pickups on the 6p are 'hot' enough (probably wrong terminology), to get a similar thunderous active tone like the Euro?

I will obviously be playing this bass before I buy it.

[Mog]

They wont give you the same result as a Spector straight out of the box but with a little work from the SVT you should get (almost) the same result or very close to it.

I'm assuming you want the slightly overdriven/grindy tone that's associated with Spectors? If that's the case then any active with decent electronics running through something like an MXR M80 or a EBS Microbass etc. will give you similar results. Just blend in some OD (20%-30%)with the clean signal.
Spectors pump out a lot of low mids IME so boosting them on the guitar should also help.

[MatthewKeys]

I have an Aguilar AG500 now! Doesn't sound as great as my old svt4 but it's so much lighter and cheaper. I have a Tech 21 sansamp so hopefully that helps.

Thanks for chiming in.

[ambient]

Here's my TRB6P, straight into Logic X via a Focusrite interface. No eq, effects or anything in Logic, the EQ was set flat on the bass, both controls at 12 o'clock, the mid select switch up.

Sorry about the playing I rushed it just so's you can hear it.

I've found it to be very versatile, the EQ isn't the most versatile out there, but the bass is over 20 years old. The sound is good from the offset though, the the purpose of the pre is to just add to it.

[url="https://soundcloud.com/ambientbassist"]https://soundcloud.com/ambientbassist[/url]

Just added another quick one, this time with some EQ in Logic.

Also some slap as requested, this is quite a versatile bass. The slap sound (excuse the playing, I don't do slap), is better than my Modulus and my Marcus Miller.

Edited November 5, 2013 by ambient