Spector basses.

[paulbass]

Hi everyone, I've recently come across Spector basses and really like the look of them. I havent tried one out as of yet but i intend to soon.
The question is what are they like? have any of you guys and gals ever owned,played or know anything about them? I dont know anything about these basses at all. I currently own a warwick thumb bass which is brilliant but ive had it a long time now and was thinking of a change.
Thanks peeps

[Jellyfish]

I owned a Korean made Spector a couple of years back. It has been one of my only impulse buys (purchased without intending to buy any bass at all) it was that good. It was the NS2000/4 (I think) but it was a brilliant 4 string. Thru-neck, fully maple (so quite heavy) but a lovely thin neck and [i]so[/i] easy to play.

I sold it because I only play 5 strings, so I had intended to buy a European made 5 string and went to last years London Bass Guitar Show with the intention to try one out. I did try one out and it was thoroughly disappointing, or at least the 5th string was. Ended up walking away with a Dingwall Combustion instead. If you're after a nice change to a Warwick Thumb, the Spector will certainly give you that and it's quite a modern sound so it could suit you quite well. Depending on your budget though, there might be a lot of other (possibly better) options.

[gazhowe]

After playing a Warwick Thumb for 10 years I bought a Spector Euro 4 after being initially attracted by the look of the bass. It became my main gigging bass for 3 years and has a great tone. I still have it and only stopped playing it due to GAS to try other basses. The neck on mine feels quite chunky compared to my other basses but, from comments on Basschat, I'm led to believe that not all Spector basses have the same neck profile (mine was built in 2002 I think). IMO they are excellent basses and well worth checking out.

[RhysP]

There are quite a few Spector players on the forum, myself included.

Don't know if you've seen this, but here's a link to the Spector Porn thread:

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/78081-how-about-a-spector-thread/

Check out Cetera's collection - pretty impressive!

[ead]

I've had a Legend 4 (the original P/J with 3-band pre) that I owned for around 6 years so clearly something was right about it. Then an older NS-94 NT bass that I kind of regret selling. Thunderous tone, but sadly never quite got on with the painted neck..

Edited January 25, 2014 by ead

[paulbass]

Thanks for your comment guys. They really do look great i can see me trying some out and getting one. I do like that fat modern tone to a bass and the warwick gives that with a nice growl. If they sound anything like that i will get one.Its been a while since i brought a new bass.....but dont tell the missus!

[cytania]

I've got one for sale here.

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/227464-spector-legend-4-natural/

[Black Coffee]

I have a fiver which feels just about perfect.
Good quality basses, should try if you have the chance.

[Geek99]

I had the HS4, which is roughly the same as the Legend series.
Nice pickups, good electronics, very slim neck indeed and it never went out of tune. Bridge easy to restring as the strings are caught by the bridge, not threaded through like a Fender. Good range of tones.

It was very nice indeed and good value, but wasnt quite right for me.Too traditional in my taste perhaps.

[cetera]

Personally, best basses I've ever played..... I swear by them.
Whatever level you buy at..... Legend, ReBop, Euro or US you won't be disappointed. The second hand prices are silly cheap these days too so grab a bargain!

[cetera]

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1390656999' post='2347995']
There are quite a few Spector players on the forum, myself included.

Don't know if you've seen this, but here's a link to the Spector Porn thread:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/78081-how-about-a-spector-thread/"]http://basschat.co.u...spector-thread/[/url]

Check out Cetera's collection - pretty impressive!
[/quote]

Thank you darlin'

[Conan]

[quote name='cetera' timestamp='1390831066' post='2349964']
Whatever level you buy at..... Legend, ReBop, Euro or US you won't be disappointed. [/quote]

Well.... I was disappointed!

I really wanted to love my Euro but its ergonomics just didn't work for me. Excellent quality basses, with fantastic tone - but the shape was the thing that I just couldn't adapt to. I kept going back to my Status and J basses and they felt like old comfy slippers in comparison. YMMV of course.

As cetera says though, you can pick them up for pretty decent prices on here second-hand. In fact someone local to me is selling an NS2000 for £100!!!

[ern500evo]

If I were you I'd be PM'ing Conan and seeing if you can get that NS2000 for £100. I've had one for 14 years and although it's mainly a back up to my Warwick these days, I can't see me ever parting with it. Neck through construction, excellent build quality, 2 EMG Hz humbuckers, If you can get that for £100 I'd take their arm off, unbeatable value (unless it's a complete basket case of course)

[kyboo]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1390834272' post='2350032']
Well.... I was disappointed!

I really wanted to love my Euro but its ergonomics just didn't work for me. Excellent quality basses, with fantastic tone - but the shape was the thing that I just couldn't adapt to. I kept going back to my Status and J basses and they felt like old comfy slippers in comparison. YMMV of course.
[/quote]

I used to have love & hate relation with my bolt-on Spector. Amazing build quality and can get any sound of it (twin pickups) but it balances weirdly, small body and long heavy fat neck. I almost parted with it but fortunately I haven't. I figured that the problem was in the way I was hanging the bass on my shoulder and my posture alone. Now it keeps neck nicely up.

Give it a try.

Edited January 28, 2014 by kyboo

[lozbass]

I'm on my second now, a recent acquisition following disposal of a NS5 XL a few years ago (one of the gorgeous water-cured redwood tops). The new one is a US bolt-on and the outstanding build is just as impressive as the NS5. Playability and tone are absolutely first-rate and the ergonomics suit me phenomenally well - the bass is a shorty with the slightly less sculpted rear body. As much fun as I've had with a bass in years - inspiring and begs to be played. I've not played any Spectors apart from US so can't really comment. US versions really are worth a try

[Kiwi]

I have two NS5CR FMs and they both replaced Ken Smith BSR5GNs. Same growl, more midrange and I customised them with Wizard pickups, Noll parametric eq and coil splits for a bit more versatility. Amazing value for money and one is definitely a keeper. For a while, I also owned a Euro 6 with a spalted maple top and alder wings that came out of the Sound Control sell off. It was also a nice bass that I gigged for a while but it didn't have the mid range growl of the all maple NSCR5.

[TLBX]

I have a Korean Spector from 88/89 has been my only bass since getting it only retired it recently cause I got me a Euro Doug Wimbish at the start of the year super slim neck profile and classic tone.
I've tried the lower end Legend models which are also nice. Id recomend trying one out before parting with top money for the higher end machines...because when you try a Legend you be in GAS for an Ns or Lx soon enough.