Spector fans!?!

[ern500evo]

On 19/04/2025 at 18:38, Sean said:

LHZ-03 with everything up to 10 makes life very easy. The only adjustment I need to do is to roll off the treble for a couple of songs.

And I just happen to have a brand new LHZ 03 preamp that I’m about to list in the classifieds. I bought two, but have had a change of mind about what I’m doing with one of the basses in question. 😊

[Sean]

Another TonePumpectomy today. 

 

I said to @cetera and @Eldon Tyrell that I was going to time how long it takes me to do an installation without distractions and interruptions and it's about 45 min for a soldering installation including everything. It'd be a few mins less for an EMG flying lead installation but there's still a few joins when doing those.

 

This is my 4th.

 

I've got one to go but I am determined to understand that Darkglass Tone Capsule before it comes out. Then it'll be up for sale. Which reminds me,  is there a market for old TonePumps???

[attackbass]

Anyone ever use tapered B strings on thier spector? 

 

Just out a set on my LT5 today and the low b sounds like it's going through a harmonizer and not in a good way!

 

Never knew this was a thing. Luckily my I have a Dunlop artist deal so hoping I can just exchange the other 8 sets I have!! 😅

[Sean]

HAZ vs Darkglass Tone Capsule

 

I'm struggling with the DG.

 

I'm now completely acclimatised to running the LHZ-03s on 10 and rolling back the treble for a few songs. Awesome (like a hotdog 😉).

 

Is the DG designed for folk that have time to potch (mess about) with knobs and stuff? Why on earth would you hide one of the controls inside? Why would you design something that is unusable when dialed to 10? What am I missing with this thing?

 

I can get some nice usable sounds but I feel like a safe-cracker getting the shower temperature just right (another EI reference, sorry).

[Sean]

On 26/04/2025 at 10:48, attackbass said:

Anyone ever use tapered B strings on thier spector? 

 

Just out a set on my LT5 today and the low b sounds like it's going through a harmonizer and not in a good way!

 

Never knew this was a thing. Luckily my I have a Dunlop artist deal so hoping I can just exchange the other 8 sets I have!! 😅

I have a tapered 145 D'addario on my E5LX. No issues. 

Is there any looseness or rattling at the bridge or nut? Are all the saddle blocks tight? 

[attackbass]

Yep. Think the string taper is too long on the string. Same across more stingray and alpher but not as obvious on the stingray!

 

Something to so with the taper being too close to the the pickup, so it picks up overtones or something along those lines..

 

Hopefully I'll get to swap the sets.im If not they'll be used on my warwicks and 4 string basses! 

 

 

[bakerster135]

On 26/04/2025 at 21:46, Sean said:

HAZ vs Darkglass Tone Capsule

 

I'm struggling with the DG.

 

I'm now completely acclimatised to running the LHZ-03s on 10 and rolling back the treble for a few songs. Awesome (like a hotdog 😉).

 

Is the DG designed for folk that have time to potch (mess about) with knobs and stuff? Why on earth would you hide one of the controls inside? Why would you design something that is unusable when dialed to 10? What am I missing with this thing?

 

I can get some nice usable sounds but I feel like a safe-cracker getting the shower temperature just right (another EI reference, sorry).

I quite like the DG stuff generally though I do think the Tone Capsule was a total miss. With the Spector LT I think it was the worst possible pairing, totally removing any remnants of the classic Spector sound and leaving you with a low-mid mud pit. Also played a Thumb with one installed and that sounded even worse. Bin it.

[Paulhauser]

@Eldon Tyrell any news of the bass in transit?

[Eldon Tyrell]

1 minute ago, Paulhauser said:

@Eldon Tyrell any news of the bass in transit?

Thanks for asking, Paul. Well, looks like customs wondered whether or not the bass needed a CITES certificate. I was able to convince them that it did not need one. The bass is on the way to the local depot now and as soon as I have paid taxes and duties, it should get delivered. Probably on Wed or Thur. Then, after checking the neck shape, it will take me a few seconds to figure out whether I'll keep it or sell it here on via BD or BB. Nearly there (BTW, the bass arrived in the UK on the 7th!, that's THREE WEEKS AGO)!

[Paulhauser]

2 hours ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

Thanks for asking, Paul. Well, looks like customs wondered whether or not the bass needed a CITES certificate. I was able to convince them that it did not need one. The bass is on the way to the local depot now and as soon as I have paid taxes and duties, it should get delivered. Probably on Wed or Thur. Then, after checking the neck shape, it will take me a few seconds to figure out whether I'll keep it or sell it here on via BD or BB. Nearly there (BTW, the bass arrived in the UK on the 7th!, that's THREE WEEKS AGO)!

Fingers crossed for both the safe delivery and the preferred neck shape 🙂

Given your past with the necks haven't you thought about buying a run-of-the-mill used euro, shave the neck to your liking and refinish? (that's what I've done with the pink one)

[Paulhauser]

On 26/04/2025 at 11:48, attackbass said:

Anyone ever use tapered B strings on thier spector? 

 

Just out a set on my LT5 today and the low b sounds like it's going through a harmonizer and not in a good way!

 

Never knew this was a thing. Luckily my I have a Dunlop artist deal so hoping I can just exchange the other 8 sets I have!! 😅

I did, in fact several sets of Dunlop tapered sets were used on my Euro 5 LX and never had this issue. 
I had with other basses though, albeit with normal strings and the culprit was always the distance between the pickups (magnets) and the string, them being too close...

[Eldon Tyrell]

52 minutes ago, Paulhauser said:

Fingers crossed for both the safe delivery and the preferred neck shape 🙂

Given your past with the necks haven't you thought about buying a run-of-the-mill used euro, shave the neck to your liking and refinish? (that's what I've done with the pink one)

Thanks and good idea. Problem is, I am not really into neck shaving and refin. However, if someone knows someone who can do it, then it could be an option. 

[Paulhauser]

11 minutes ago, Eldon Tyrell said:

Thanks and good idea. Problem is, I am not really into neck shaving and refin. However, if someone knows someone who can do it, then it could be an option. 

I had mine made as I wouldn't want to do such things myself. Refinishing is too much of the same thing over and over, apply clear coat, sand, repeat,  and I'm not good in those. 

[attackbass]

6 hours ago, Paulhauser said:

I did, in fact several sets of Dunlop tapered sets were used on my Euro 5 LX and never had this issue. 
I had with other basses though, albeit with normal strings and the culprit was always the distance between the pickups (magnets) and the string, them being too close...

 

 

Yeah I know that issue of the string being too close to the pickup. It's not that unfortunately but westside distribution are being very accommodating and swapping the sets for me, so all on course to be sorted.

[attackbass]

I should mention that for a while I have had an issue with my playing my LT5 recently. Both standing up at gigs and sitting down practicing. It was like I was constantly fighting against the bass and could not get comfortable with it... honestly it was exhausting. I think this was probably due to my body and generally being exhausted from being a dad to a toddler and a bass player that has spent twenty plus years in vans and tour busses (it seems since I turned 40 it's all been catching up with me physically)

 

Anyway...

 

I switched the strap around from a Mono padded one with dunlop straplocks to a wide leather Levy one with just rubber strap stoppers. Couldn't believe the difference, don't know if itsbetter weight distribution or if the strap not being on straplocks has slightly shifted they way the bass hands on my body.

 

Played a wedding gig on Saturday. Felt absolutely fine all gig. Only downside was I picked up a bloody virus at it! 

[Paulhauser]

@attackbass yeah, I had the feeling of stating the obvious 🙂