Best Spectors?

[Sean]

Well, it's arrived! Value for money is [i]un-be-lievable[/i]. I can't find a flaw anywhere and I'm stupidly picky. fabulous fret work, not a buzz anywhere and the intonation is spot on so no input from me makes me really happy.

The action is what I call medium-low which is how I like it and now I'm off to put it through its paces for a few hours.

Photos tomorrow.

Thanks to WH and a special thanks to LukeFRC.

[LukeFRC]

even though ive seen it in the flesh.... picturessss!

[warwickhunt]

[quote name='LukeFRC' post='356245' date='Dec 16 2008, 06:04 PM']even though ive seen it in the flesh.... picturessss![/quote]

Rather than clog up threads with the same pics, mine is here... [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=34362"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=34362[/url]

[Josh]

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='356233' date='Dec 16 2008, 05:48 PM']As soon as I get strings to match my SSI I'm up for doing a direct A/B recording comparison between the EMG/Tonepumped Spector Euro and the MEC/MEC '90 SSI. That should be quite interesting as acoustically at the moment they are worlds apart. [/quote]

Ooo do tell.

[Sean]

Well, I've stopped for a break now, I'm getting sore

This is the most [i]different[/i] bass I've ever owned and it's instantly like-able to play. The pre-amp takes a bit of getting used to but I've found a few settings that really work with the bass by itself but it'll be Saturday at rehearsal before I find out what it sounds like in the mix and I'm guessing that this is where its magic will be.

If anyone is wondering what an ex-Sound Control liquidation bass is like when it arrives, it's exactly like a new one but a tiny bit dusty; this even had the original Sound Control sticker on it and I'm guessing that by the windings these are the original factory fitted strings and there's lots of life in them and very little tarnish. What brand/type are they? Anyone?

Also it's a killer P/J config but it makes me want to join a rock band.

[4000]

[quote name='Mike Brooks' post='302186' date='Oct 8 2008, 01:16 PM']Thought it was about time I added some pics of the beast I acquired in the Reverb sale 2 months ago....it's not possible to have too much Spector porn anyway.

[attachment=14507:DSCF0984.JPG]

[attachment=14508:DSCF0986.JPG]

[attachment=14509:DSCF1309.JPG][/quote]

Now that is gorgeous! I'm kind of thinking when I get some cash together I'd like another go at a Spector Euro LX....assuming I can find one at the right price. Unfortunately things to sell in the meantime...

[niceguyhomer]

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='356203' date='Dec 16 2008, 05:27 PM']Al, I had one in a Warwick Rock Bass and found the bass boost was lacking a little. That might say more about the pickups and bass more than the circuit but I thought I'd just chuck it into the mix.[/quote]

Thanks for that Steve, also considering an ACG 02 but, being a complete technophobe, I find them a bit complex to use. Gonna try Greene King's ACG loaded posse on Friday before our Kendal gig - I'll make my mind up then.

[GreeneKing]

Lookin' forward to it Alan.

The secret to me is to remember that on the ACG02 one knob does tone (this is of course a simplification but not a lie). So that makes it a lot easier than/more intuitive , if different than a 2/3 EQ system. The other knobs just basically tweak the resultant 'sound'.

Basically, I knock off all the treble, bin the peak boost and then get 'my tone' with just the low pass/blend.

Then try some resonant peak boost and fill in the treble/upper mids. Really isn't rocket science

Peter

[Kiwi]

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='356628' date='Dec 17 2008, 08:26 AM']Thanks for that Steve, also considering an ACG 02 but, being a complete technophobe, I find them a bit complex to use. Gonna try Greene King's ACG loaded posse on Friday before our Kendal gig - I'll make my mind up then. [/quote]
I think having some extra control with a midrange sweep of some kind is definitely a good thing. I haven't tried the AGC 02 myself but I'm quite happy with the U-retro.

[niceguyhomer]

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='356636' date='Dec 17 2008, 08:44 AM']Lookin' forward to it Alan.

The secret to me is to remember that on the ACG02 one knob does tone (this is of course a simplification but not a lie). So that makes it a lot easier than/more intuitive , if different than a 2/3 EQ system. The other knobs just basically tweak the resultant 'sound'.

Basically, I knock off all the treble, bin the peak boost and then get 'my tone' with just the low pass/blend.

Then try some resonant peak boost and fill in the treble/upper mids. Really isn't rocket science

Peter[/quote]


Oh my...I've gone cross-eyed

[cetera]

[quote name='Sean' post='356452' date='Dec 16 2008, 10:25 PM']Well, I've stopped for a break now, I'm getting sore

This is the most [i]different[/i] bass I've ever owned and it's instantly like-able to play. The pre-amp takes a bit of getting used to but I've found a few settings that really work with the bass by itself but it'll be Saturday at rehearsal before I find out what it sounds like in the mix and I'm guessing that this is where its magic will be.

If anyone is wondering what an ex-Sound Control liquidation bass is like when it arrives, it's exactly like a new one but a tiny bit dusty; this even had the original Sound Control sticker on it and I'm guessing that by the windings these are the original factory fitted strings and there's lots of life in them and very little tarnish. What brand/type are they? Anyone?

Also it's a killer P/J config but it makes me want to join a rock band. [/quote]


Congrats Sean! Looking forward to seeing the pics

The strings it comes with are Spectors own.... and I quite like them myself! Would be nice to get them over here at a reasonable price but they seem to be import form USA only...

Lots of great Spector-love on here recently.... I'm getting lovely warm, fuzzy feelings.... finally everyone understands what I've been harping on about for years!

[GreeneKing]

It's here! Amazing quality and finish. Absolutely flawless and the action is good although the intonation needs a wee tweak.

The box was still taped with Sound Control tape.

As for the tone? Well I fell into the trap of treating it like a Ric with passive VVTT as opposed to active boost only VVBT. I had Bass and Treble to the max.

It was soooo boomy and I was turning all the gain and volume right down and thinking 'too much zing'.

Then a re-think, turn B&T fully back (after all its not 'cutting' anything) and reintroduce as required.

Bing Bloody Go!

Neck not as deep as I thought, no where near as deep as the Warmoth. Very nice to play in fact.

I will put some Nickels on (Extra Slinkies) at some point and gold knobs are a must.

Photos too.

Peter

[niceguyhomer]

Peter - pay a bit more and stick some DR Sunbeams on it, they're worth the extra and last (me) a long time. Both my Spectors are strung with them if you want to try them first on Friday.

[GreeneKing]

I'm already a huge fan of Sunbeams Alan. I prefer nickels and the Ernie Ball's are good too for less than half the price. Poor student see

Just done the intonation and the saddle securing screw was slackened right off, many turns loose. The saddles were also flat as opposed to tilting backwards. All now sorted.

I really like the idea of having no screws and springs to muck about with, just the serrated floor to the bridge to 'feel' the saddles along.

[cetera]

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='356904' date='Dec 17 2008, 01:10 PM']It's here! Amazing quality and finish. Absolutely flawless and the action is good although the intonation needs a wee tweak.

The box was still taped with Sound Control tape.

As for the tone? Well I fell into the trap of treating it like a Ric with passive VVTT as opposed to active boost only VVBT. I had Bass and Treble to the max.

It was soooo boomy and I was turning all the gain and volume right down and thinking 'too much zing'.

Then a re-think, turn B&T fully back (after all its not 'cutting' anything) and reintroduce as required.

Bing Bloody Go!

Neck not as deep as I thought, no where near as deep as the Warmoth. Very nice to play in fact.

I will put some Nickels on (Extra Slinkies) at some point and gold knobs are a must.

Photos too.

Peter[/quote]


Congrats Peter! Looking forward to pics of this too!

[niceguyhomer]

Oy cetera! Have you any comments re; other preamps?

[GreeneKing]

Here's one I bedded earlier.











Where's my tripod when I needed it?

[redzombie]

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='357044' date='Dec 17 2008, 03:21 PM']Here's one I bedded earlier.[/quote]

She's a beaut mate. Great pics!

[cetera]

Ah, she's lovely!!

I have her identical brother/sister.... bought from these very boards only a couple of months back!

Enjoy!!

[Josh]

[quote name='cetera' post='356781' date='Dec 17 2008, 11:15 AM']Lots of great Spector-love on here recently.... I'm getting lovely warm, fuzzy feelings.... finally everyone understands what I've been harping on about for years! [/quote]

I'd say unlike most basses that generate mass hysteria, Spectors are more subtle and much more worthwhile. For a mass produced bass (Obviously besides the USA's, which I shall be getting very soon ) the qaulity is staggering, the variety of tones is great and luckily are not a bass to be easily stereotyped, unlike Warwicks and Fenders etc...

Also, a little food for thought which I said to John but I'll say it here for future reference, how good must a mass produced £800 bass be if it has made me want to get rid of a bass of much higher value and craftsmanship? IMHO, they are amazing basses and I think I may have found the bass that is 100% right for me.

[warwickhunt]

Hmmm I'm not getting the big Spector love at the minute.

Time may well tell but I think it's less of a transition for me as I've so much experience with the early Warwick Streamers and contrary to popular belief the Spector doesn't mop the floor with the SSI they are just... different, yet similar in many ways!

[GreeneKing]

[quote]I think I may have found the bass that is 100% right for me.[/quote]

That's a phrase I've heard before

[quote]Hmmm I'm not getting the big Spector love at the minute.[/quote]

Do you need to give it some time John? Are you maybe subconsiously wanting it to dissapoint?

I would imagine it sounds a lot different to the Streamer. Maybe it needs to be given a blast in anger?

For a P/J I like the pup balance. So often it's weighted towards the P. I'm finding it does a good bridge pup tone as well as a capable more bluesy tone on the neck. I'm using very little boost on the bass and treble at the moment.

I'm off out to see the 'Blues Band' tonight and if I don't get myself ready I'll be late!!

Peter

Edited December 17, 2008 by GreeneKing

[Sean]

I have to agree with Peter, I'm amazed at the balance between the P and J - every other P/J bass I've had, I've ditched because the balance was poor and the J only ever barely coloured the P sound. With this you get the full articulation that you'd expect (want) with such a set up.

[Sean]

Cetera, are the body wings of these half maple, half alder in equal layers or are the maple bits thinner veneers? They look like half and half.

[Sean]

[quote name='Josh' post='357090' date='Dec 17 2008, 04:04 PM']how good must a mass produced £800 bass be if it has made me want to get rid of a bass of much higher value and craftsmanship?[/quote]

£800? £1500ish from Thomann!



***Sorry for the short successive posts tonight, my broadband keeps dropping out and long posts or big files seem to make it worse. I think.***

I'm not going to mess about with photos tonight either - too much hassle until this connection is smoothed out. I can assure you it is lovely though.