Spector Advice

[W1_Pro]

I'm thinking of getting a Spector. I don't know much about them so I'd be interested to hear from folks who do:

• Is it worth shelling out for a US bass over a Czech one?
• I'm not that keen on thick necks and I think I'm correct in saying that Spector necks are of a chunkier cut, but iirc there is a signature model which has a very slim and shallow neck profile. First of all, am I correct in this assumption or is it just wishful thinking on my part? If I am correct, what is the bass I'm after?
• Anything else worth considering?

Thanks all, for your help.

Stuart.

 

[warwickhunt]

Necks are generally fuller than many basses, the Doug Wimbish model is slimmed down.

 

I've owned US and Czech basses and for the money I'd not buy a USA over a Czech bass; preamp can be changed which is essentially the main difference (nicer figured woods on USA). 

 

The Warwick Streamer Stage I is a very similar bass, have you considered trying them both? 

[Big Bass Man]

Spectors are brilliant basses. Highly recommended. 
I have the Doug Wimbish signature Euro and that has the slimmer neck. It’s amazing.  

Edited yesterday at 19:22 by Big Bass Man

[Sean]

Just get out there and play some. They're quirky, they aren't like other basses.

 

I love Spectors.

 

I love motorcycles and have 2 KTMs, they're like Spectors, they're Marmite. I never recommend them, I just tell people to go and have a go. 

 

They don't sound like anything else, they have a longer reach, they have a weird neck profile, they are a league away from Fenders, they will make you a better person and after the end of the world, Spectors and cockroaches will probably be the only functional things left. And they make epic self defence weapons.

[Sean]

I'm in Glos, have 3 and you can come try mine if you're passing through.

Edited 13 hours ago by Sean
Autocorrect letting me down the first time!

[attackbass]

I love Spectors and have a Euro 5LT. Yes the necks are really deep and chunky and there is the extra reach on the neck but they are things I've adapted to and now actually love.

 

I played Warwicks for years and still have two but I sold my Streamer Stage 1 for my Spector and don't regret it. I prefer the tone, feel and they just seem very much more solid than the warwick! 

 

I think if you have unlimited financial resources then I think the US Spectors would be amazing, just for that extra touch of detail but the Euros are great basses. 

[W1_Pro]

Thanks for the responses folks. All very useful. I think then, what I need to do is try an EU Wimbush and go from there. They are not exactly  easy to find though!😆

Edited 15 hours ago by W1_Pro

[attackbass]

They have just relaunched the new wimbish model.

 

 

I would imagine bass direct would maybe get one at some point, may be worth sending them an email or maybe trying the US ones they have to give you an idea

[cetera]

I own 41 x Spectors of all years and models.

 

I would take a £2k Euro over a current £5k US model any day. There's just not enough difference to justify £3k and the resale price drop on a US model would be more substantial due to the smaller market at that price.

The thinnest neck is the 'Doug Wimbish' model (think 'Jazz' bass).

 

Most comfortable necks are found on the old Kramer Spector NS2 (US), NS2A, NS2B, NS2C (all Korean) and Spector (Euro) 'Ian Hill' signature models (all are discontinued).

 

On current models I believe the Ethos and Dimension HP have the most comfortable gloss necks.

The Pulse II has an outstandingly comfortable smooth satin roasted maple neck.

The Euro model does have a slightly chunkier neck but is the most accurate to the legendary US NS2 in all other ways, at a cheaper price and is the most popular model. There are various Euros though. The LX, the LT (with Barts - yuk!) and the weight relieved Euro Classic.

 

IMHO the best all round value for money for me is the Pulse II though. Looks and feels great and with a preamp upgrade to the LHZ, or an EMG BTS it becomes a monster. https://www.spectorbass.com/series/pulse-ii-series/

If you need any further assistance please reach out!

Edited 10 hours ago by cetera

[Bolo]

Spectors are not actually sold. They can only be cared for on lease from Cetera, who curates them all. Foster Spectors.

[LeftyJ]

16 minutes ago, Bolo said:

Spectors are not actually sold. They can only be cared for on lease from Cetera, who curates them all. Foster Spectors.

 

This could read like the start of a long list of Chuck Norris-style Spector Facts.

[Paulhauser]

As a past and present owner of nearly 30 Spectors (both US and CZ) I would like to point out that I have experienced some inconsistencies throughout the years in terms of neck profiles (and body carves / neck lenghts) for the same models / makes. My experiences are mostly with 5 string Spectors (with an equal measure of both 4 and 6 strings ) and I don't mean this in a wrong way as both the US and the Czech workshop employed a great deal of handwork so variability, especially for a 30+ years span is ineviteable. So by all means try as many as you can.... 

[W1_Pro]

Forty one Spectors. I thought I had a problem...😆. Thanks Cetera, thats good information from a man with some considerable experience of the subject.

 

[Sean]

5 hours ago, cetera said:

The Pulse II has an outstandingly comfortable smooth satin roasted maple neck.

 

IMHO the best all round value for money for me is the Pulse II though. Looks and feels great and with a preamp upgrade to the LHZ, or an EMG BTS it becomes a monster. https://www.spectorbass.com/series/pulse-ii-series/

 

 

Hmmm. This needs investigation from me.  I've never played (or even entertained the thought of) a bolt-on Spector but based on this I need to go and have a try. Have they been around long enough to be on the used market?

[cetera]

4 minutes ago, Sean said:

 

Hmmm. This needs investigation from me.  I've never played (or even entertained the thought of) a bolt-on Spector but based on this I need to go and have a try. Have they been around long enough to be on the used market?

Yes, seen a few Pulse II's about on the used market!

 

The Pulse I is pretty good as well. Seen those about too...

[Sean]

The neck profile.

 

I absolutely fly around on the Euro 4 necks. My hands are a size 9 glove but that profile is very comfortable to me.

 

The Euro 5 is more of a handful but I used to play 3 x 1h sets in an evening on an NS5-XL without issue.

 

Until you spend some time with one, you won't know. 

 

Those are just my Spector musings for this evening.

 

 

[Sean]

3 hours ago, cetera said:

Yes, seen a few Pulse II's about on the used market!

 

The Pulse I is pretty good as well. Seen those about too...

As if by magic, one came up for sale here today.

[Sean]

4 hours ago, cetera said:

Yes, seen a few Pulse II's about on the used market!

 

The Pulse I is pretty good as well. Seen those about too...

 

Are they the full NS body shape or are they "flat top". It's not evident in the pics (to my eyes).

[Terry M.]

I tried a Spector Euro 5 LX just today and the thick neck was what I liked about it,wasn't a fan of the gloss finish though. The quality however was stellar to the point that I can't imagine how much better a US model is (never played one)

[cetera]

2 hours ago, Sean said:

 

Are they the full NS body shape or are they "flat top". It's not evident in the pics (to my eyes).

Full curved NS body shape.