NOW SOLD.......Spector Bantam Bass, Euro Series, Short Scale £800 Cambridgeshire, UK

[surfguy13]

This is a really lovely Spector short scale (30") bass from the Euro Series which are made in the Czech Republic.  I've had it for several years now and have managed to keep it as close to mint as its possible to get.  I cannot see any dings and marks on it but the white gloss reflects so much light it is really hard to be 110% sure.  However, my other half has given it a really good look over and she can't find any marks, scuffs, dings either.  It comes with a Spector gig bag that is unused and mint.  

It has a pair of EMG 35DC pickups and a EMG BTS active EQ circuit.   Controls are 1) bridge volume 2) neck volume 3) stacked bass cut/boost and treble cut/boost.  

Top wood (cap) is USA figured maple and the body wood is chambered European alder.  Neck is 3-piece maple with graphite rods and the fingerboard is rosewood.  Nut width is 1.50".  Finish is high gloss.

Bridge is a Spector aluminium locking unit and tuners are Gotoh GB-77. 

I have weighed it several times on digital scales and I seem to get several different readings each time but essentially I think it is 3.5Kg or as near as dammit.  Feels incredibly light and well balanced on a strap.

I was about to stop playing altogether about 4 years ago due to arthritic lumps on my hands, mainly on my right hand.  Someone mentioned trying a short scale as they have lower string tension (which I wasn't aware of) and eventually sold my long scale basses and bought this Spector, having first tried a few short scale basses and not being very impressed!  The lower string tension actually did make a significant difference at first but now, 4 years down the line, the lumps on my knuckles are such that I simply can't play any more and so sadly everything has had to go.

The Bantam sounds wonderful and never felt like a compromise after 50 years of playing long scale basses.  The EMG pickups and active EQ work really well and are incredibly versatile.  I was been using an old Trace Elliot head and have been astounded what a wide range of sounds I can get from the bass.  The build quality and the finish are just amazingly good; no corners cut and to my eyes and ears every bit as good as a USA series Spector.  It has the scooped back as with all Spector basses which makes it so comfortable on a strap.

I am very happy for anyone to come and try it whilst observing distancing etc etc.  Just sold my amps/cabs and used our integral garage to do that so they could be tried out in an inside/outside environment. Worked really well. 

I am also happy to ship the bass, if required, as I have a shipping carton and loads of packing material to wrap the bass in.  

I have tried to take decent photos and failed miserably; I think this is due to the high gloss white finish.  Light seemed to reflect massively wherever I tried.  So have taken some shots in the garden and some in the house.  I will happily take more photos if anyone needs them.  I will paste a couple of photos below and provide a link to my Imgur ablum where there are loads of photos and you can zoom in/out:

https://imgur.com/a/AXYditY

 

 

Edited June 20, 2021 by surfguy13

[three]

Beautiful! I play Spector Shortys in the main and I think the Bantam is the European equivalent. Electronics apart, I’d assume all the woodworking is very similar in quality. Fantastically playable, ergonomic, powerful and versatile instruments. This looks like an excellent price too. Good luck - I can’t see this lasting long

[surfguy13]

34 minutes ago, three said:

Beautiful! I play Spector Shortys in the main and I think the Bantam is the European equivalent. Electronics apart, I’d assume all the woodworking is very similar in quality. Fantastically playable, ergonomic, powerful and versatile instruments. This looks like an excellent price too. Good luck - I can’t see this lasting long

I'd be interested to know what the difference is between the European version and the Shorty.  Apart from electronics.  Given that the Euoropean basses are made under license I guess they have to reflect the quality associated with Spectors.  I have rarely seen a better built bass, everything is just perfect.  

Totally agree about the versatility and they are effortless to play.  Feel really ergonomic.    

Yup, I hope we can find it a new home!  🙂

 

Edited June 18, 2021 by surfguy13

[petecarlton]

Beautiful! So sorry to hear the reason for your sale. Good luck with it.

I'd have been in the market if I hadn't just got myself a SBMM shorty Stingray. 

👍

[surfguy13]

6 hours ago, petecarlton said:

Beautiful! So sorry to hear the reason for your sale. Good luck with it.

I'd have been in the market if I hadn't just got myself a SBMM shorty Stingray. 

👍

Thanks @petecarlton.  The Shorty Stingray sounds really nice.  Heard lots of good things about them.  I really like the long scale Stingray and I'm sure it sounds very close if not identical to that.  How are you getting on with it?

[petecarlton]

4 hours ago, surfguy13 said:

Thanks @petecarlton.  The Shorty Stingray sounds really nice.  Heard lots of good things about them.  I really like the long scale Stingray and I'm sure it sounds very close if not identical to that.  How are you getting on with it?

Really well, thanks! It has all the growl and brightness of the classic Stingray in a smaller and lighter package. I'm really loving it and can't recommend it highly enough. 

[surfguy13]

13 hours ago, petecarlton said:

Really well, thanks! It has all the growl and brightness of the classic Stingray in a smaller and lighter package. I'm really loving it and can't recommend it highly enough. 

That's great......shortscale used to be a huge compromise in just about every area but now there are some really fine options out there.  Like you say, the weight is a huge bonus, particularly with MM basses!

Edited June 20, 2021 by surfguy13