Misdee Posted October 31, 2022 Share Posted October 31, 2022 That is good to know. If it were not for the pound being tragically weak against the dollar I would be doing my sums regards buying the USA NS bass I have always deserved. As things stand, it not even worth bothering.😕 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted October 31, 2022 Share Posted October 31, 2022 I have got a 2001 Euro and a 2021 RST. They are both very good basses, while not really being the same as each other. There is certainly no drop off of quality on the RST. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted October 31, 2022 Share Posted October 31, 2022 That's an ancient thread resurrection. I haven't tried a Spector for years - when I did, I was impressed by the quality and they were quite affordable, but I couldn't get on with the necks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greghagger Posted October 31, 2022 Author Share Posted October 31, 2022 11 hours ago, Woodinblack said: Cant imagine a Spector with barts, although I suspect they are the US barts rather than the bart licensed things that Ibanez use in their budget basses. I do have one with Agulars though and that is probably my favourite Yes these are the ‘proper Bart’s’! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted November 3, 2022 Share Posted November 3, 2022 Since this thread has the attention of Spector owners, just a quick note that I am trying to find a first generation Spector Ian Hill. In case this is of interest to one of you. Cheers Clarky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misdee Posted November 4, 2022 Share Posted November 4, 2022 I've made some tentative inquiries and calculations about how much a full tilt USA Spector would cost at the moment. It depends on the spec,of course, but about eight thousand quid or so for a really nice one, so far as I can work it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulhauser Posted November 7, 2022 Share Posted November 7, 2022 On 04/11/2022 at 00:59, Clarky said: Since this thread has the attention of Spector owners, just a quick note that I am trying to find a first generation Spector Ian Hill. In case this is of interest to one of you. Cheers Clarky Can't be of much help but I still have occasional regrets of not buying a 35" (!!) scale Ian Hill a few years back. Would love to have that tuned to BEAD, just my other (white) Euro 435 custom is. (And yes, it was 35" eventhough the specs said 34" in the listing and it had the Ian Hill sticker on the back of the neck) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SumOne Posted November 8, 2022 Share Posted November 8, 2022 (edited) My smutty opinion is that I get put off due to the look: (Warwick Corvetter and Gus Bass are the winners on that front though) Edited November 25, 2022 by SumOne 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted November 8, 2022 Share Posted November 8, 2022 IMO the European Spector basses are great quality for a production line made instrument. Fantastic fit, finish, workmanship. Can't really fault them. I think you get an awful lot for your £££ compared to Fender/Gibson stuff. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigthumb Posted November 8, 2022 Share Posted November 8, 2022 Recently bought a Euro LX that was listed on here for quite a while. I really don't understand why it took so long to sell but hey-ho. I bought it to replace a heavier bass that I was struggling with when using in the band and I'm so glad I did. The bass is superb in both looks and quality. As mentioned above, the workmanship is outstanding having all the attributes of a hand made instrument that would cost a hell of a lot more. I briefly owned a Euro LX around 12 years ago and found the neck like a club, very chunky indeed. However the one on mine is much slimmer thankfully and a joy to play. I've not had the chance to use it at a band rehearsal yet and I'm hoping to get to grips with the TonePump before I do. I've spent a fair time getting familiar with it at home and I'm struggling to get a tone that I like BUT I'm fully aware that what sounds great in the spare room can sound crap on stage. If I decide that the EMG TP configuration is not working for me I'd be looking at changing them to something that potentially will. Aguilar pups and pre are fitted to Spectors so I'm wondering what the differences are between them? Have Bartolini ever been used or tried I wonder? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greghagger Posted November 8, 2022 Author Share Posted November 8, 2022 48 minutes ago, bigthumb said: Recently bought a Euro LX that was listed on here for quite a while. I really don't understand why it took so long to sell but hey-ho. I bought it to replace a heavier bass that I was struggling with when using in the band and I'm so glad I did. The bass is superb in both looks and quality. As mentioned above, the workmanship is outstanding having all the attributes of a hand made instrument that would cost a hell of a lot more. I briefly owned a Euro LX around 12 years ago and found the neck like a club, very chunky indeed. However the one on mine is much slimmer thankfully and a joy to play. I've not had the chance to use it at a band rehearsal yet and I'm hoping to get to grips with the TonePump before I do. I've spent a fair time getting familiar with it at home and I'm struggling to get a tone that I like BUT I'm fully aware that what sounds great in the spare room can sound crap on stage. If I decide that the EMG TP configuration is not working for me I'd be looking at changing them to something that potentially will. Aguilar pups and pre are fitted to Spectors so I'm wondering what the differences are between them? Have Bartolini ever been used or tried I wonder? Hey there, I started this thread. I fitted my Spector with Bartolini pickups for the same reason as you. I just couldn’t find the sound I wanted out of the EMG’s. I thought the Barts worked really well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mario_buoninfante Posted November 8, 2022 Share Posted November 8, 2022 (edited) Not a Euro or US made, but I own a Spector Legend Classic 4 that has Bartolini PJ by default and I think it sounds really good. It's mellower than the classic Spector EMG sound, but has common traits for sure. It's as if it's a bit more vintage (despite being and sounding like an active bass). Getting back to the main topic (Are Spector Bass Great Basses?), I'd like to add my 2 cents based on my experience with a Korean made. While I do appreciate I never played a Euro or US made one, I can say that the Legend Classic punches way above its weight. It is really well made, I didn't find a single defect on it, the finishing is great and it just sounds great. It was new at Bass Direct for less than 500£ and it definitely sounds like a way more expensive bass. The only thing, it took me a while to get used to the Tone Pump Jr (mainly because pots aren't centre notched), but not because I didn't like it, instead simply because it is different from any other pre I ever played with (also I mainly had passive basses in my life). It does boost your lows and highs quite a lot (12/16 dB I think). Here's also a video with a Euro fitted with Bart pups Edited November 8, 2022 by mario_buoninfante 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigthumb Posted November 8, 2022 Share Posted November 8, 2022 1 hour ago, greghagger said: Hey there, I started this thread. I fitted my Spector with Bartolini pickups for the same reason as you. I just couldn’t find the sound I wanted out of the EMG’s. I thought the Barts worked really well. Were the Barts paired with the TonePump? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf1e Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 (edited) 11 hours ago, bigthumb said: Recently bought a Euro LX that was listed on here for quite a while. I really don't understand why it took so long to sell but hey-ho. I bought it to replace a heavier bass that I was struggling with when using in the band and I'm so glad I did. The bass is superb in both looks and quality. As mentioned above, the workmanship is outstanding having all the attributes of a hand made instrument that would cost a hell of a lot more. I briefly owned a Euro LX around 12 years ago and found the neck like a club, very chunky indeed. However the one on mine is much slimmer thankfully and a joy to play. I've not had the chance to use it at a band rehearsal yet and I'm hoping to get to grips with the TonePump before I do. I've spent a fair time getting familiar with it at home and I'm struggling to get a tone that I like BUT I'm fully aware that what sounds great in the spare room can sound crap on stage. If I decide that the EMG TP configuration is not working for me I'd be looking at changing them to something that potentially will. Aguilar pups and pre are fitted to Spectors so I'm wondering what the differences are between them? Have Bartolini ever been used or tried I wonder? Mine came with Bartolini from new. Don't know if it was an option or not as it was a B stock from Andertons because it had a fairly large chip in the finish. I digress sorry. I love the sound of it with the barts but have never played another one so can't tell you difference. From what I have seen others have said it is a softer or warmer sound with barts than emg's. The barts are a different configuration as well being soap bars Edited November 9, 2022 by Ralf1e Add files and text 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigthumb Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 The preamp is going to play a huge part in the tone, probably more so than the pups. I'd be interested to know what preamps are fitted to the basses that aren't equipped with EMG's. I have a Roscoe bass with Bart pups and preamp and it sounds as sweet as a nut. I'd defiantly prefer a warmer tone in any of my basses. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greghagger Posted November 9, 2022 Author Share Posted November 9, 2022 12 hours ago, bigthumb said: Were the Barts paired with the TonePump? I brought a preamp directly from Michalik who makes the preamps for Spector. https://michalik.cz/index 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 12 hours ago, bigthumb said: Were the Barts paired with the TonePump? I have an LT with Bart'sv(unused/surplus/for sale kids). It's got a Darkglass tone circuit. Don't read this as being Darkglass=dirty mush (like the Stingray/Darkray); it's just an active circuit AFAIC, cut/boost. I know people get all wound up about what's under the cover, but the Darkglass circuit works fine and is perfectly functional; it is just one facet in the entire signal chain. I've got John East circuits in a handful of basses and don't really see much difference in what each circuit gives over another, my desired tone comes from outboard gear (GED/dUg stomps). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf1e Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 14 hours ago, bigthumb said: Were the Barts paired with the TonePump? My Barts were paired with a tone pump which I haven't turned down as some people recommend 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flaviusm Posted November 9, 2022 Share Posted November 9, 2022 (edited) I have a NS-5XL (EMG pickups + Haz Lab 18 V preamp) and I can say YES, IT'S GREAT! But, for the people who don't like too much their scooped sound, I have some tips. When I received the bass I put DR Hi Beams on it. It was ok, but... I mean the sound was huge, tons of pressure, but not really for my taste. I changed the strings and I put Elixirs nickel and my bass died. Then I put DR Sunbeams. There it is! Another bass! Much better than Hi-beams. I couldn't believe that a set of strings could affect the sound so much. But the search continued... I have a bass (non-Spector) with reverse P - reverse P configuration and my thoughts turned to it. So, I bought for my Spector an EMG 40P5 pickup and I put it in the neck position (instead of 40DC) and I can say the bass sound is now 100% for my taste. Not really like a reverse P - J configuration which I preferred until then, but stronger, so... I'm happier! I don't know how it would sound with two of EMG 40P5, because that pickup was the only one I found in Europe. Let's hope I will find another one in the future. (A little bit) later edit: maybe it's good to know that I play in a metal band and that "clank" is mandatory 🤘. No mids, no strong clank. Edited November 9, 2022 by flaviusm 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigthumb Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 I have a set of Elixirs nickels coming today which (as mentioned above) will hopefully smooth things out and take away some of the zing. I'm pretty sure the strings on it are steels of some sort which I'm not keen on. Defiantly worth a try and if they do 'kill' the tone I can fit them to something else. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flaviusm Posted November 11, 2022 Share Posted November 11, 2022 On 10/11/2022 at 08:48, bigthumb said: I have a set of Elixirs nickels coming today which (as mentioned above) will hopefully smooth things out and take away some of the zing. For sure will do. I'm curious about the result. For me Elixirs on Spector were not good only because I have a thick wall of distorted guitars that I have to cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigthumb Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 On 11/11/2022 at 12:43, flaviusm said: For sure will do. I'm curious about the result. For me Elixirs on Spector were not good only because I have a thick wall of distorted guitars that I have to cut. Well, I finally got around to fitting the strings on Sunday. They certainly are more mellow than the strings I had on before but what I'm finding is that I'm struggling to find mid frequencies that I'm comfortable with. I'm doubting that the strings have anything to do with this but more the preamp. I spent some time with the bass tinkering with the EQ on both the amp and bass. Amp being an EBS TD650 through an EBS Neo 2x10. And TBH struggling to find a pleasing sound but what I will say is the sound isn't bad and needs to be tried at volume with the band. It's likely that it'll sound phenomenal live and cut through like a knife but at home, it sounds nowhere near as good as my Roscoe bass (all Bartolini). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf1e Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 On 09/11/2022 at 05:48, Ralf1e said: Mine came with Bartolini from new. Don't know if it was an option or not as it was a B stock from Andertons because it had a fairly large chip in the finish. I digress sorry. I love the sound of it with the barts but have never played another one so can't tell you difference. From what I have seen others have said it is a softer or warmer sound with barts than emg's. The barts are a different configuration as well being soap bars By the way it is much darker than that picture shows it being a deep dark red cherry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mario_buoninfante Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 On 31/10/2022 at 14:16, Misdee said: I suppose a pertinent question is are Spector basses as great as they once were? Now that Stuart Spector has retired and Korg have taken over the company, I would be interested to hear from Spector afficionados if the basses are still made to the same standard Has Stuart Spector actually retired? Korg did acquire the company, but I think Stuart Spector is still working. I could be wrong though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mario_buoninfante Posted November 14, 2022 Share Posted November 14, 2022 On 01/09/2019 at 10:00, Defo said: Spectors are most definitely great basses, incredible in fact. The only problem I have them is that they sound too much like Spectors!!! How's that a problem that a bass sounds too much like itself? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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