Completely agree about the NS2. I think the reversed P helps tighten the lows up that EMG add which don’t work so well with other brands. I thought Eddie Jackson was a GK800 into a Hartke 410 for classic Queensrythe
Jason Newsted used a Spector to record the Black Album. Great video! Yesterday I was actually researching about Spectors to buy one to upgrade from my beginner bass because I just love that really bright and metallic sound of the basses. Do you have any idea if the cheaper Spectors (500-800$) are good and replicate that characteristic sound?
Yup - used it on garage days too. Any good bass with a solid EMG combo is gonna have that sound. That was kind of my point. Get something with a good feel, bright wood, and solid pickups and you are pretty much there, no matter what the brand. Good luck!
It's a little over the $800 mark that you are targeting. Still, I would strongly consider a Spector bass such as this... reverb.com/item/36202976-spector-euro-deluxe-rebop-4-bass-guitar-natural-w-case
I have 3 early (1990's) model Spector basses made in the Czech republic (one with SSD on the headstock). Eddie Jackson was most certainly an inspiration of my going the Spector route! Spector now has the youngest endorser (15 years old) Ale Villrreal of the Mexican hard rock band "The Warning." She is listed on the first page of the Spector website's "feature artists" page. Consider this the beginning of a new generation of Spector players. Warwick did not become successful until they made a 100% copy with the original version of their Streamer basses. Their Thumb, Corvette etc was not successful until the Streamer put Warwick on the map and had the resources to sign well known bassists to endorse their previously unpopular models. As previously stated,Newsted recorded the Black Album with Spector basses, including his rare signature model!
Nice video. No mention of the neck-through construction... this is also a part of the Spector sound along with the EMGs and HAZ. And also, the reverse P configuration to some degree.
Spector or not, P-J pickup combination is highly ubiquitous, and can get you a similar style of tone no matter what bass they're in. I've been spending a bunch of time making some of my own bass riffs recently and sharing them around some groups. Everyone always asks me where that tone comes from! My answer always begins with the P-J pickup set. There's just something magical about that combination that gives such a beautiful cutting tone.
@Nguyen Thai Bao Hoang Even if that's true (and I don't think it is), you can make any bass growl like a MFer with the right setup and technique. If it doesn't sound exactly like one particular brand of bass, so what?
But all Dingwall players DO sound the same, lol. I'm sure there is somebody out there, but to me I get tired of always hearing the Dingwall/Darkglass combo.
Rodney, I can't tell you how happy I am that you've done this video. I've often pondered this point myself (my term of choice? The "Clank"). However, I've never really gone much further than the PJ EMG setup. I certainly had no idea Dave Ellefson played a Spector, real eye-opener stuff my friend. I shall go off and watch your evolution video now, before I do have you already done a bass set-up video? I've got a feeling you may have done this already but if not, that would be useful for metal specific players.
@@RodneyMcG you are a Don amongst Mobsters my friend, I shall go back and have another look. I sorta thought you had but I've been a bit unkind to my brain cells over the years and they still haven't forgiven me lol. Btw, If you ever considered doing a lower tier Patreon membership to support you and your channel it may be something that could help. I'm not sure how that would fit with your strategy but given the current circumstances in the world right now and job/income insecurity it may "pay" to have more patrons spreading the load and you still being able to produce this fantastic content. I hope that my comment comes across in the helpful manner that I intend it to, the written word can be clumsy without vocal inflection and facial expressions etc so just imagine a great big hairy guy with a limp, smiling 😃. All the best, Rodney. Your work is always appreciated.
Hey Rodney : ) Another great video, for an iconic bass we ve seen being held by some of our idols ! I felt so nice when you did the Accept tone comment, cause my Squier PJ Affinity is about to undergo a pickup swap and i was thinking about the EMG line. In fact the Geezer set... but i am kinda lost in Emg 's site and i need to do the right choice : ) mind sharing some thoughts about a good set for a passive bass ? i play thrash metal and mostly fingerstyle, if that can help you in any way. Most of my tone comes from Tech21 BDDI. Thanks in advance for your advice : )
Sure. For passive, i think you're on the right track with the Geezer set. It's the only passive set i really like from them. If you go active at some point, then the options with EMG open up a bit.
Great video. You know I'm a Spector guy. Ive owned a number of them, no NS2s, all Euros. I run a bunch of different pickups in mine amd no matter what you put in a Spector, it sounds lime a Spector. Active, passive, DCs, single coils. Always sounds like a Spector. Im also a big 80s/90s Jackson fan. My Jackson qith EMG PJs sou do nothing like my spector.
I always liked David Ellefson and Rex Browns tones, so I bought a Jackson concert bass loaded them with EMG humbuckers, played it through a Sansamp Di and Hartke 4x10 400w cab and 350w head, using DR high beams strings, to fuse the two tones together. Subsequently I perfectly sound like a mix between the two, job done
I've only just realised the wonderful world of DR strings. I've always played either GHS Boomers, Rotosound, or D'Addario. I recently strayed off the beaten path to try some insanely cheap Warwick Red Stainless strings which for £10 GBP were absolutely dynamite but, I frequently speak with a wonderful guy called Aram Bedrosian. He's not only a talented bass player but a genuine person and he put me onto the DR's. I took the plunge on a set of High Beams and by Christ they're good strings! It necessitated a completely different setup due to how the strings oscillate and you just need to touch them to get a clear, almost piano-like note out of every fret. The high notes and harmonics are sickly sweet. Result? Depleted Bank account and my two other basses strung with Lo-Riders and a set of DR Neons on the shelf just for fun.... damn you, bass hobby
Hey Rodney, Dude I sincerely want to thank you for this Metal Bass Monday. Because I’ve been on the fence on whether to get it either a Dingwall or Spector and that definitely has made up my mind now. Because the band I’m in we tune down to C and I have my Bstring in open A. And I’m pretty sure the Spector could handle that easily,just like you said look at Alex Webster.. Thanks Again; Stan 🤘🏻
Hi Rodney from Vermont! I can't wait for the feature on Eddie Jackson. One of my favorite unsung bass heroes! Really enjoying the channel! Coincidentally I picked up a Spector Euro 4 about a month ago. Stay safe!- Best wishes- Brent
Spector for sure. But really the PJ or Soapbar set’s really always do it. PJs are grindy as hell and sound great for hard rock or metal. While soap bars and more brutal and more grunt and aggression for djent
@@RodneyMcG Said people always refer to the first two albums just because you see him with his white NS2. "That has to be the answer!" Its ALL in the brand and NEVER the accessories.
@@RodneyMcG Ugh, yes. I do understand that Mike Lull is a local building in the Seattle area and perhaps Eddie wants to help support his business. With that said, Eddie's tone sounds nothing at all like his in your face punchy, aggressive tone that he's know for. His tone is pretty hollow now.
Thanks, Mike. Dave has actually played a number of basses over his career. I did a profile of him where i go into some of them on the channel here, you may enjoy it.
Talking about the 90, i really loved the bass sound of Kyuss. Nikki's Bass Sound on the "Mötley Crüe" album was great too. Even if he was endorsed by Gibson back then, he probably used a Spector for the recordings
@@RodneyMcG Kyuss had a really great Basssound. One of the best sounds ever IMO. I also dig Type O Negative. They were special too . Haaa, you might be right on that with Nikki 😅 but the sound of songs like Hammered is awesome
It’s comes down to engineers having stock settings... Nashville has settings for Fender p and j, Spector, Alembic... even a Modulous Graphite ‘eq’ setting... Spector remind me of Phil Soussan in Ozzys band touring the Ultimate Sin lp Iirc Eddie Jackson was first introduced to EMGs by Gene from Kiss. I have had people raving to me about Darkglass stuff, but tbh, I’ve never found better than Tech21’s Sansamp... with a P fitted with DiMarzios
@@RodneyMcG It does the job, clank is great, but after a while it does become annoying, like a dripping tap... the same thing occurs with fretless in metal, it is REALLY tough to eq it correctly, to hear it, but doing so eats guitar frequencies. And I really remember the ‘Prog melodic Death’ thing that swamped the underground metal scene in the 00s where EVERYONE had to have Fretless Bassist, and trust me, most were terrible. (Steve D takes and admits the blame iirc) You must recall the ‘Stick chorus on Bass’ in the 80s... it’s the same thing I many ways, enough just makes it obvious and a bit overwhelming, not enough and ...what’s the point. I don’t hear what the fuss is about Darkglass. Maybe I prefer Passive because it’s sits nicely with everything I’ve had to do over the years, and I’ve never had a complaint from live or studio sound persons. Totally agree on the point made recently about Thinstringers telling me how I should be playing, and worse... I’m playing the USA next year. Milwaukee... looking forward to it.
I've always know Billy Gould for playing Zon basses. I could see Billy playing the Grabber and/or Peavy on "We Care a Lot" and perhaps Spector on "Introduce Yourself," not too sure though.
I use a combo of darkglass alpha omega hyper luminal, and duality pedals. I don’t aim for anyone’s tone and have achieved tons of different tones and use a few different combos depending on the track. If you listen to one genre of music you will likely adjust for that preference. I listen to everything and change settings for different tracks. The current project actually called me because of my ability to quickly adjust tones between songs.
Yes.............and no! IT's a bit of a crap shoot. A bolt on can often have more attack, and a neck through be a bit deeper, but that's no guarantee from bass to bass. I did a episode on tone wood myths that talks a bit about it.
The Spector Tonepump pre used in the Euro LX models is on par with the HAZ. I have 2 Euro 5LXs with Emg TWs and a Tonepump. They slay...but I run them through a EBS Microbass 3 and a Darkglass B7K to turn it pure metal.
@@Mud9 Thanks for asking. I use a Quilter Bassblock 800. Since I have all of my tone shaping coming from my basses and pedals, I just use a 5lb Head for a power amp. How about you?
Using an orange terror bass. Not really happy with the tone coming from that and the spector yet so I was curious what others were using with their spectors
@@Mud9 I used a 4Pro for a few years without Preamp pedals. I gradually introduced preamp pedal into my chain and discovered that I didn't need to break my back anymore, so I sold it for a Quilter. If you haven't yet, give a watch of Rodney's vids on Metal Bass EQ. You might get some good ideas from there?
I had one of the Spector ReBop's (Czech made), in the past and while the body felt great and it sounded great, I didn't get along with the neck 100%. In hindsight, I probably should have kept it but live and learn. As far as the Dingwalls, besides the sound being pretty identifiable, they are VERY easy to pick out visually. Their color schemes are also seem to be of the "love it or hate it" variety as well. I know we aren't supposed to listen with our eyes, but if you already don't like how they look, it will be an uphill battle from there. This is one area where Spectors shine. So many of their basses could just be hung on a wall as a piece of art - just absolutely beautiful wood grain and finishes. Even if they did suffer from the supposed Dingwall "they all sound the same" syndrome, you'd want one anyway just because they look so damn good. As far as future topics to cover, one of the things I could use some pointers on is muting. There are plenty of occasions where I'll have my right hand resting on the strings but still get unintended pull-off etc. I know this varies from finger style to pick playing so if you could provide both perspectives that would be awesome.
@ Rodney McG. I have one more comment add and would like your response on this. Of course Spector basses have the reputation of sounding aggressive as well as being pretty heavy in weight. As far as it being aggressive sounding. This also has turned off some players that otherwise enjoy the ergonomics, playability as well as the aesthetics. So, Spector has since introduced basses that have other wood types that are not as bright as maple in order to make it sound warmer. Also, there are other pickups and Preamps made by companies such as Aguilar, Bartolini and Fishman. With that said, there are plenty of Jazz and even a handful of country session players that have tracks recorded using a traditional equipped Spector without any issues. I would imagine that reducing the over all output level of the bass as well as tweaking the onboard pre would be enough to compromise the aggressiveness of the tone. So I am not sure why this is an issue with some and not with other non metal bassists??? As far as the weight, Spector has countered this by again, using lighter weight woods (even if the body wings' top is maple. Also producing models with a partially chambered body, using materials for the bridge other than brass, lighter weight tuners etc.
@@RodneyMcG True, perhaps in tandem being closed minded as well. There perhaps only a handful at most, "one trick pony" basses. The one that may lack versatility but will do that one thing or have that one sound and does it real well. I can see where in those cases it is either "love it or hate it." Although Spector is my personal preference, I have played basses by G&L, Pedulla, Zon, Vigier, Alembic, F Bass. They are all very nice instruments. Of those mentioned basses, the only one that did not come to jutifying its price was the Alembic ($11.5k street price in the late 1990s, ouch)!
It's simple, really: ease up on the EQ and if needed, turn the volume knob just a tiny bit and the sound cleans up and is less aggressive. Active EQ goes a long way and I don't think a lot of bassists realize this or they come from passive-bass world and crank up the EQ ALL THE TIME. Spectors, like other brands of basses, can be pretty versatile if you play around with the controls. Reminds me of the perceived issue with Rics that you can only get one sound.
@@lf170 I agree 100%! It's silly that players get turned off because they can't seem to be able to tweak the knobs. Also, Spector basses can be had entirely passive if that is one's preference.
Really looking forward to the deeper dive on Spector, they're not a brand I've gotten much if any exposure to as shops that I've been near have never had them.
@@crazeyjoe presently in Hillsboro OR, USA - There are likely multiple, maybe still open for the moment, guitar centers that probably have at least a couple Spectors around, but my local shop is mostly Fender/ESP LTD on the bass side. So this is definitely also a me problem on not going to larger stores that are more likely to have them on hand. The place before that was quite some time ago - about 20 years ago - and a very small shop located in Frisco Colorado, but at the time I was in middle/high school and not really looking at anything in the Spector price range even if they had them ;) ... but it was also an incredibly small store that, again, had a bigger focus on Fender than other brands to my memory.
@@RodneyMcG definitely a big part of it - though as in my reply to Joe - part of the problem is me and having a strong preference to whatever the non-big-box store is that's closest to me and not purposefully going to where other more niche / less common brands are more likely to be.
@@ChrisSchaffer Unfortunately, the closest small music store to where you are located at that seemingly has a Spector on hand is in Seattle (The Bass Shop). For what it is worth, they have this USA made BO neck on hand that is not overwhelmingly expensive ... www.thebassshopseattle.com/collections/basses/products/spector-ns-4h2-se-iii
I remember when you said that any active P and J could make the queensryche tone paired with line 6 gear and I found a cheap 100 dll yamaha with p and J, it's a passive bass but I have preamps that could emulate the sound and It did incredibly well lml. I do have a question for you, and may be you can answer me or maybe you've already made a video but why active and not passive. Every active bass I've own don't seem to cut through the mix and I don't have any dynamics with them, I know it has to do with compression but ever since I have this passive P and J I don't want to come back to active again, I mean it even sounds better that my BTB bass and they are several dollars away from each other. Now I'm on the lookout for passive basses with P and J with modern necks and 24 frets xD
There is no right or wrong answer. I used to use Dimarzio passives and got a good sound. I get a great tone from the Schecter Apoclypse. Follow the sound, not the construction.
I've always loved Ian Hill and I play a lot of Priest when I practice and he's been using Spector for quite a while. I'm buying a metallic blue Spector Performer 5 string for my next bass. For me Spectors and Jacksons make it easy for me to get the right tone.
I couldn't afford a Specter, so I went with Ibanez Ergodyne B (EDB400 and EDB605). Sounds good, but they are peaky as hell. I have to run a compressor or it's WAY too dynamic. Matter of fact, I think that's what the factory pickups are called, Ergodynamix or something.
@@RodneyMcG Side by side for feel, they are VERY close to Specter. Nice neck for as flat as they are. Thumb anchor for finger playing is a bit vague compared to a P&J setup.
I agree, they don't cut through a wall of guitars like a Spector does. Rex Brown left Music Man and went with Spector because his Spector basses was able penetrate the Dimebag wall of guitars! Now, for a band style such as AC/DC, the MM bass works!
I've always been in awe of Alex Webster's playing, and tone, He could be right at home in Jazz fusion band, as easily as he is with death metal. If i am not mistaken, doesnt he use EMG humbucker pickups, and not P & J ?
You should look up the side project he did a while back - Blotted Science. Its all instrumental and basically death metal jazz fusion. He's used P's or P/J's on a lot of the earlier recordings: th-cam.com/video/1xIbCEdtWzw/w-d-xo.html
@@macathunorcent5492 I have them. Amazing stuff. Ron Jarzombek comes up with some very unique ideas. Im sure you are familiar with his band Watchtower? Their bassist, Doug Keyser does some insane playing on their albums.
You hit pay dirt on this one. Hit it again on "the dingwall" sound. Different will always get you pegged and filed. Then you wont be different anymore. Kinda what the whole aftermarket music industry is aimed at I would gather. And I hear you when you say that dialing your own tone in will be paramount if you want to use that instrument in the future. The high zing in the temper of the strings really rings out. NGG did very well for them. Now everyone gets to wait for the craze to die down before they get to write with them again. Prolly will keep them out of recording studios indefinitely. And those are almost gone as well. And the Spector sound was never "outed" like this for the whole world, so no one noticed except the artists. So no great craze and peak allowed Specter to quietly maintain their market. Good for them. Hope all is well on the east coast. I am still in the west and terrified. Cheers!
Another superinteresting vid - thanks Rodney! Candidly, I don't understand why bassists went the active pup route with their scooped and irritating processed tones, when we had such incredible examples of passive pup's organic and mid forward tones of say Geddy Lee, Steve Harris and Billy Sheehan. Active pups can sound great solo but disappear in the mix, pushing the bass even farther back in the mix until engineers start saying, do we really need bass? Just listen to Metallica's bass-less And Justice For All LP.
Can't say i agree there. I consider it a matter of taste, but active pickups don't have to be scooped by nature, and I know just as many passive ones that are scooped (duncan spb is one example ) and there are a Massive amount of forward in the mix active tones. Jason's missing bass parts had nothing to do with his tone, it had to do with not being in the mix at all! He's loud as hell on the Black album and garage days, both are active spector basses. Thanks for checking it out!
@@RodneyMcG I submit to your greater experience as have only heard scooped actives and non-scooped passives. The EMGs your reference as metal tone template sound scooped to me...any examples of non-scooped actives in metal?
@@cacaman17 I do prefer more of the Tech21 offerings, and Darkglass isn't really my thing. I wouldn't refuse to demo something from them if I thought there was some value in it though. Thanks for the kind words on my sound!
Completely agree about the NS2. I think the reversed P helps tighten the lows up that EMG add which don’t work so well with other brands.
I thought Eddie Jackson was a GK800 into a Hartke 410 for classic Queensrythe
He was live, but there's always some changes in the studio. At one point they used a 18" speaker in an airplane hanger to get the huge bottom end.
@@RodneyMcG that’s amazing 😀 Which album is that?
@@davidlovellbass4761 mindcrime
@@RodneyMcG that’s crazy, it’s the last thing I’d think of to get that tone.
@David Lovellbass That's usually the case
Jason Newsted used a Spector to record the Black Album. Great video! Yesterday I was actually researching about Spectors to buy one to upgrade from my beginner bass because I just love that really bright and metallic sound of the basses. Do you have any idea if the cheaper Spectors (500-800$) are good and replicate that characteristic sound?
Yup - used it on garage days too. Any good bass with a solid EMG combo is gonna have that sound. That was kind of my point. Get something with a good feel, bright wood, and solid pickups and you are pretty much there, no matter what the brand. Good luck!
It's a little over the $800 mark that you are targeting. Still, I would strongly consider a Spector bass such as this... reverb.com/item/36202976-spector-euro-deluxe-rebop-4-bass-guitar-natural-w-case
I have 3 early (1990's) model Spector basses made in the Czech republic (one with SSD on the headstock). Eddie Jackson was most certainly an inspiration of my going the Spector route!
Spector now has the youngest endorser (15 years old) Ale Villrreal of the Mexican hard rock band "The Warning." She is listed on the first page of the Spector website's "feature artists" page. Consider this the beginning of a new generation of Spector players.
Warwick did not become successful until they made a 100% copy with the original version of their Streamer basses. Their Thumb, Corvette etc was not successful until the Streamer put Warwick on the map and had the resources to sign well known bassists to endorse their previously unpopular models.
As previously stated,Newsted recorded the Black Album with Spector basses, including his rare signature model!
SSD were great
Nice video. No mention of the neck-through construction... this is also a part of the Spector sound along with the EMGs and HAZ. And also, the reverse P configuration to some degree.
Good point!
Spector or not, P-J pickup combination is highly ubiquitous, and can get you a similar style of tone no matter what bass they're in. I've been spending a bunch of time making some of my own bass riffs recently and sharing them around some groups. Everyone always asks me where that tone comes from! My answer always begins with the P-J pickup set. There's just something magical about that combination that gives such a beautiful cutting tone.
Truth!
I beg to differ 😉
@Nguyen Thai Bao Hoang Even if that's true (and I don't think it is), you can make any bass growl like a MFer with the right setup and technique. If it doesn't sound exactly like one particular brand of bass, so what?
But all Dingwall players DO sound the same, lol.
I'm sure there is somebody out there, but to me I get tired of always hearing the Dingwall/Darkglass combo.
I've heard them used differently - Lee Sklar being a great example, but some lame players have definitely pigeon holed it.
@@RodneyMcG good point
Love my Spector euro 4lx. Makes all my other basses feel like junk and sounds great.
What amp you use with it?
@@Mud9 A Hartke HD 150 and I have a Ampeg micro cl stack
Rodney, I can't tell you how happy I am that you've done this video. I've often pondered this point myself (my term of choice? The "Clank").
However, I've never really gone much further than the PJ EMG setup. I certainly had no idea Dave Ellefson played a Spector, real eye-opener stuff my friend.
I shall go off and watch your evolution video now, before I do have you already done a bass set-up video? I've got a feeling you may have done this already but if not, that would be useful for metal specific players.
I have done a bass setup video. Go back a few weeks on Metal Bass Monday and it's covered in there. About 4 episodes I think.
@@RodneyMcG you are a Don amongst Mobsters my friend, I shall go back and have another look. I sorta thought you had but I've been a bit unkind to my brain cells over the years and they still haven't forgiven me lol.
Btw, If you ever considered doing a lower tier Patreon membership to support you and your channel it may be something that could help. I'm not sure how that would fit with your strategy but given the current circumstances in the world right now and job/income insecurity it may "pay" to have more patrons spreading the load and you still being able to produce this fantastic content. I hope that my comment comes across in the helpful manner that I intend it to, the written word can be clumsy without vocal inflection and facial expressions etc so just imagine a great big hairy guy with a limp, smiling 😃.
All the best, Rodney. Your work is always appreciated.
Awesome video! Rachel Bolan, Rex Brown. You're absolutely right, they really did have a huge impact in metal.
Defintely!
Bolan never recorded with a Spector. But he's the reason I got into them
Hey Rodney : ) Another great video, for an iconic bass we ve seen being held by some of our idols ! I felt so nice when you did the Accept tone comment, cause my Squier PJ Affinity is about to undergo a pickup swap and i was thinking about the EMG line. In fact the Geezer set... but i am kinda lost in Emg 's site and i need to do the right choice : ) mind sharing some thoughts about a good set for a passive bass ? i play thrash metal and mostly fingerstyle, if that can help you in any way. Most of my tone comes from Tech21 BDDI. Thanks in advance for your advice : )
Sure. For passive, i think you're on the right track with the Geezer set. It's the only passive set i really like from them. If you go active at some point, then the options with EMG open up a bit.
Great video. You know I'm a Spector guy. Ive owned a number of them, no NS2s, all Euros. I run a bunch of different pickups in mine amd no matter what you put in a Spector, it sounds lime a Spector. Active, passive, DCs, single coils. Always sounds like a Spector. Im also a big 80s/90s Jackson fan. My Jackson qith EMG PJs sou do nothing like my spector.
I had a Euro and loved it. Build definitely makes a difference. I have EMGs in all my basses. Some sound Spector like, some don't.
I always liked David Ellefson and Rex Browns tones, so I bought a Jackson concert bass loaded them with EMG humbuckers, played it through a Sansamp Di and Hartke 4x10 400w cab and 350w head, using DR high beams strings, to fuse the two tones together.
Subsequently I perfectly sound like a mix between the two, job done
Excellent!
I've only just realised the wonderful world of DR strings. I've always played either GHS Boomers, Rotosound, or D'Addario.
I recently strayed off the beaten path to try some insanely cheap Warwick Red Stainless strings which for £10 GBP were absolutely dynamite but, I frequently speak with a wonderful guy called Aram Bedrosian. He's not only a talented bass player but a genuine person and he put me onto the DR's. I took the plunge on a set of High Beams and by Christ they're good strings!
It necessitated a completely different setup due to how the strings oscillate and you just need to touch them to get a clear, almost piano-like note out of every fret. The high notes and harmonics are sickly sweet.
Result? Depleted Bank account and my two other basses strung with Lo-Riders and a set of DR Neons on the shelf just for fun.... damn you, bass hobby
Alice in Chains "Would" definitely the prime ex of the NS-2 tone.
True!
Hey Rodney,
Dude I sincerely want to thank you for this Metal Bass Monday. Because I’ve been on the fence on whether to get it either a Dingwall or Spector and that definitely has made up my mind now. Because the band I’m in we tune down to C and I have my Bstring in open A. And I’m pretty sure the Spector could handle that easily,just like you said look at Alex Webster..
Thanks Again; Stan 🤘🏻
Good luck, Stan. Let me know how it goes.
I play a spector in similar tunings and it is absolutely monstrous. You won't be disappointed!
Hi Rodney from Vermont! I can't wait for the feature on Eddie Jackson. One of my favorite unsung bass heroes! Really enjoying the channel! Coincidentally I picked up a Spector Euro 4 about a month ago. Stay safe!- Best wishes- Brent
He is an under appreciated bass beast! Congrats on the Euro - had one myself and loved it. All the best from Michigan!
Spector for sure. But really the PJ or Soapbar set’s really always do it. PJs are grindy as hell and sound great for hard rock or metal. While soap bars and more brutal and more grunt and aggression for djent
"To sound like Eddie Jackson, you HAVE to have that Spector man!" - every Spector enthusiast ever.
"Looks at Eddie Jackson playing a Lull bass"🤔
@@RodneyMcG Said people always refer to the first two albums just because you see him with his white NS2. "That has to be the answer!" Its ALL in the brand and NEVER the accessories.
I believe Eddie stills record with his Spectors nowadays, Lulls for live shows
@@RodneyMcG Ugh, yes. I do understand that Mike Lull is a local building in the Seattle area and perhaps Eddie wants to help support his business. With that said, Eddie's tone sounds nothing at all like his in your face punchy, aggressive tone that he's know for. His tone is pretty hollow now.
@@ntbhoang Even on the recordings, Eddie had not had that Spector tone for quite some time. The bass sounds much more subdued.
Great video. I was not aware that David Ellefson played Spectors at one point. I thought he always played Jackson/ Charvel.
Thanks, Mike. Dave has actually played a number of basses over his career. I did a profile of him where i go into some of them on the channel here, you may enjoy it.
@@RodneyMcG Matt Freeman of Rancid is another player who gets some heavy tones out of Squire and Fender P Basses.
Talking about the 90, i really loved the bass sound of Kyuss. Nikki's Bass Sound on the "Mötley Crüe" album was great too. Even if he was endorsed by Gibson back then, he probably used a Spector for the recordings
Kyuss was great. Not sure it was always Nikki on the recordings to be honest
@@RodneyMcG Kyuss had a really great Basssound. One of the best sounds ever IMO. I also dig Type O Negative. They were special too .
Haaa, you might be right on that with Nikki 😅 but the sound of songs like Hammered is awesome
It’s comes down to engineers having stock settings... Nashville has settings for Fender p and j, Spector, Alembic... even a Modulous Graphite ‘eq’ setting...
Spector remind me of Phil Soussan in Ozzys band touring the Ultimate Sin lp
Iirc Eddie Jackson was first introduced to EMGs by Gene from Kiss.
I have had people raving to me about Darkglass stuff, but tbh, I’ve never found better than Tech21’s Sansamp... with a P fitted with DiMarzios
I've gotten some great tones with Dimarzio P
@@RodneyMcG It does the job, clank is great, but after a while it does become annoying, like a dripping tap... the same thing occurs with fretless in metal, it is REALLY tough to eq it correctly, to hear it, but doing so eats guitar frequencies.
And I really remember the ‘Prog melodic Death’ thing that swamped the underground metal scene in the 00s where EVERYONE had to have Fretless Bassist, and trust me, most were terrible. (Steve D takes and admits the blame iirc)
You must recall the ‘Stick chorus on Bass’ in the 80s... it’s the same thing I many ways, enough just makes it obvious and a bit overwhelming, not enough and ...what’s the point.
I don’t hear what the fuss is about Darkglass.
Maybe I prefer Passive because it’s sits nicely with everything I’ve had to do over the years, and I’ve never had a complaint from live or studio sound persons.
Totally agree on the point made recently about Thinstringers telling me how I should be playing, and worse...
I’m playing the USA next year. Milwaukee... looking forward to it.
Rex Brown of Pantera, Billy Gould from Faith No More and even Sting used Spector bass to great succes
True! They were everywhere.
@@RodneyMcG Rex had previously endorsed Music Man then said once he got his hands on a Spector, he said it was like going from 80mph to 200, lol.
Bill Gould used a Grabber bass.
Gould used peavey for a long time as well
I've always know Billy Gould for playing Zon basses. I could see Billy playing the Grabber and/or Peavy on "We Care a Lot" and perhaps Spector on "Introduce Yourself," not too sure though.
I use a combo of darkglass alpha omega hyper luminal, and duality pedals. I don’t aim for anyone’s tone and have achieved tons of different tones and use a few different combos depending on the track. If you listen to one genre of music you will likely adjust for that preference. I listen to everything and change settings for different tracks. The current project actually called me because of my ability to quickly adjust tones between songs.
Versatility wins every time!
In your opinion does neck through vs. bolt on make a big difference in tone?
Yes.............and no! IT's a bit of a crap shoot. A bolt on can often have more attack, and a neck through be a bit deeper, but that's no guarantee from bass to bass. I did a episode on tone wood myths that talks a bit about it.
Mike Starr and Newsted for me! Wherever I may Roam bass isolated track sounds huge. Ampeg+Spector for the win :)
2 killer bassists with great tone!
The Spector Tonepump pre used in the Euro LX models is on par with the HAZ. I have 2 Euro 5LXs with Emg TWs and a Tonepump. They slay...but I run them through a EBS Microbass 3 and a Darkglass B7K to turn it pure metal.
What amp do you use?
@@Mud9 Thanks for asking. I use a Quilter Bassblock 800. Since I have all of my tone shaping coming from my basses and pedals, I just use a 5lb Head for a power amp. How about you?
Using an orange terror bass. Not really happy with the tone coming from that and the spector yet so I was curious what others were using with their spectors
@@Mud9 I used a 4Pro for a few years without Preamp pedals. I gradually introduced preamp pedal into my chain and discovered that I didn't need to break my back anymore, so I sold it for a Quilter. If you haven't yet, give a watch of Rodney's vids on Metal Bass EQ. You might get some good ideas from there?
How about a tour of your home studio? And your suggestions for setting up one's first DAW at home?
Coming up soon!
I had one of the Spector ReBop's (Czech made), in the past and while the body felt great and it sounded great, I didn't get along with the neck 100%. In hindsight, I probably should have kept it but live and learn. As far as the Dingwalls, besides the sound being pretty identifiable, they are VERY easy to pick out visually. Their color schemes are also seem to be of the "love it or hate it" variety as well. I know we aren't supposed to listen with our eyes, but if you already don't like how they look, it will be an uphill battle from there.
This is one area where Spectors shine. So many of their basses could just be hung on a wall as a piece of art - just absolutely beautiful wood grain and finishes. Even if they did suffer from the supposed Dingwall "they all sound the same" syndrome, you'd want one anyway just because they look so damn good.
As far as future topics to cover, one of the things I could use some pointers on is muting. There are plenty of occasions where I'll have my right hand resting on the strings but still get unintended pull-off etc. I know this varies from finger style to pick playing so if you could provide both perspectives that would be awesome.
Thanks for the suggestion!
@ Rodney McG. I have one more comment add and would like your response on this. Of course Spector basses have the reputation of sounding aggressive as well as being pretty heavy in weight. As far as it being aggressive sounding. This also has turned off some players that otherwise enjoy the ergonomics, playability as well as the aesthetics. So, Spector has since introduced basses that have other wood types that are not as bright as maple in order to make it sound warmer. Also, there are other pickups and Preamps made by companies such as Aguilar, Bartolini and Fishman. With that said, there are plenty of Jazz and even a handful of country session players that have tracks recorded using a traditional equipped Spector without any issues. I would imagine that reducing the over all output level of the bass as well as tweaking the onboard pre would be enough to compromise the aggressiveness of the tone. So I am not sure why this is an issue with some and not with other non metal bassists??? As far as the weight, Spector has countered this by again, using lighter weight woods (even if the body wings' top is maple. Also producing models with a partially chambered body, using materials for the bridge other than brass, lighter weight tuners etc.
People tend to be tribal and brand snobs. That accounts for a lot of it. They tend to hear with their eyes
@@RodneyMcG True, perhaps in tandem being closed minded as well. There perhaps only a handful at most, "one trick pony" basses. The one that may lack versatility but will do that one thing or have that one sound and does it real well. I can see where in those cases it is either "love it or hate it." Although Spector is my personal preference, I have played basses by G&L, Pedulla, Zon, Vigier, Alembic, F Bass. They are all very nice instruments. Of those mentioned basses, the only one that did not come to jutifying its price was the Alembic ($11.5k street price in the late 1990s, ouch)!
It's simple, really: ease up on the EQ and if needed, turn the volume knob just a tiny bit and the sound cleans up and is less aggressive. Active EQ goes a long way and I don't think a lot of bassists realize this or they come from passive-bass world and crank up the EQ ALL THE TIME. Spectors, like other brands of basses, can be pretty versatile if you play around with the controls. Reminds me of the perceived issue with Rics that you can only get one sound.
@@lf170 I agree 100%! It's silly that players get turned off because they can't seem to be able to tweak the knobs. Also, Spector basses can be had entirely passive if that is one's preference.
100% agreed!
Really looking forward to the deeper dive on Spector, they're not a brand I've gotten much if any exposure to as shops that I've been near have never had them.
It's sad that it's hard to get our hands on good gear before buying. One of the losses in retail going online I guess.
What part of the US or the world are you located?
@@crazeyjoe presently in Hillsboro OR, USA - There are likely multiple, maybe still open for the moment, guitar centers that probably have at least a couple Spectors around, but my local shop is mostly Fender/ESP LTD on the bass side. So this is definitely also a me problem on not going to larger stores that are more likely to have them on hand.
The place before that was quite some time ago - about 20 years ago - and a very small shop located in Frisco Colorado, but at the time I was in middle/high school and not really looking at anything in the Spector price range even if they had them ;) ... but it was also an incredibly small store that, again, had a bigger focus on Fender than other brands to my memory.
@@RodneyMcG definitely a big part of it - though as in my reply to Joe - part of the problem is me and having a strong preference to whatever the non-big-box store is that's closest to me and not purposefully going to where other more niche / less common brands are more likely to be.
@@ChrisSchaffer Unfortunately, the closest small music store to where you are located at that seemingly has a Spector on hand is in Seattle (The Bass Shop). For what it is worth, they have this USA made BO neck on hand that is not overwhelmingly expensive ... www.thebassshopseattle.com/collections/basses/products/spector-ns-4h2-se-iii
Are there any other brands that make maple body basses?
Can't really think of many besides the Peavey tl, and older carvins - pre88
Would love to see you play Spector bass someday bro, love the channel!
Thanks! You never know what may pop up 😉
I remember when you said that any active P and J could make the queensryche tone paired with line 6 gear and I found a cheap 100 dll yamaha with p and J, it's a passive bass but I have preamps that could emulate the sound and It did incredibly well lml. I do have a question for you, and may be you can answer me or maybe you've already made a video but why active and not passive. Every active bass I've own don't seem to cut through the mix and I don't have any dynamics with them, I know it has to do with compression but ever since I have this passive P and J I don't want to come back to active again, I mean it even sounds better that my BTB bass and they are several dollars away from each other. Now I'm on the lookout for passive basses with P and J with modern necks and 24 frets xD
There is no right or wrong answer. I used to use Dimarzio passives and got a good sound. I get a great tone from the Schecter Apoclypse. Follow the sound, not the construction.
I've always loved Ian Hill and I play a lot of Priest when I practice and he's been using Spector for quite a while. I'm buying a metallic blue Spector Performer 5 string for my next bass. For me Spectors and Jacksons make it easy for me to get the right tone.
Both killer basses.
I couldn't afford a Specter, so I went with Ibanez Ergodyne B (EDB400 and EDB605). Sounds good, but they are peaky as hell. I have to run a compressor or it's WAY too dynamic. Matter of fact, I think that's what the factory pickups are called, Ergodynamix or something.
I've heard good things on them.
@@RodneyMcG Side by side for feel, they are VERY close to Specter. Nice neck for as flat as they are. Thumb anchor for finger playing is a bit vague compared to a P&J setup.
What about MM Stingray?
Excellent basses, but I don't think the MM is a defining sound across the board.
I agree, they don't cut through a wall of guitars like a Spector does. Rex Brown left Music Man and went with Spector because his Spector basses was able penetrate the Dimebag wall of guitars!
Now, for a band style such as AC/DC, the MM bass works!
I've always been in awe of Alex Webster's playing, and tone, He could be right at home in Jazz fusion band, as easily as he is with death metal. If i am not mistaken, doesnt he use EMG humbucker pickups, and not P & J ?
Yeah, he moved on to a double DC set, then went to his signature Seymour Duncan set.
You should look up the side project he did a while back - Blotted Science. Its all instrumental and basically death metal jazz fusion. He's used P's or P/J's on a lot of the earlier recordings:
th-cam.com/video/1xIbCEdtWzw/w-d-xo.html
I've heard that. Insane stuff!
@@macathunorcent5492 I have them. Amazing stuff. Ron Jarzombek comes up with some very unique ideas. Im sure you are familiar with his band Watchtower? Their bassist, Doug Keyser does some insane playing on their albums.
@@macathunorcent5492 have you seen this vid of Alex playing with Victor Wooten , and Steve Bailey?
th-cam.com/video/nA_4Wzjo7fg/w-d-xo.html
You hit pay dirt on this one. Hit it again on "the dingwall" sound. Different will always get you pegged and filed. Then you wont be different anymore. Kinda what the whole aftermarket music industry is aimed at I would gather. And I hear you when you say that dialing your own tone in will be paramount if you want to use that instrument in the future. The high zing in the temper of the strings really rings out. NGG did very well for them. Now everyone gets to wait for the craze to die down before they get to write with them again. Prolly will keep them out of recording studios indefinitely. And those are almost gone as well. And the Spector sound was never "outed" like this for the whole world, so no one noticed except the artists. So no great craze and peak allowed Specter to quietly maintain their market. Good for them. Hope all is well on the east coast. I am still in the west and terrified. Cheers!
Great analysis. Things are going great here, my best to your time back west!
I think there are more Kiesel and Warwick in tech death than Spectors.
Another superinteresting vid - thanks Rodney! Candidly, I don't understand why bassists went the active pup route with their scooped and irritating processed tones, when we had such incredible examples of passive pup's organic and mid forward tones of say Geddy Lee, Steve Harris and Billy Sheehan. Active pups can sound great solo but disappear in the mix, pushing the bass even farther back in the mix until engineers start saying, do we really need bass? Just listen to Metallica's bass-less And Justice For All LP.
Can't say i agree there. I consider it a matter of taste, but active pickups don't have to be scooped by nature, and I know just as many passive ones that are scooped (duncan spb is one example ) and there are a Massive amount of forward in the mix active tones. Jason's missing bass parts had nothing to do with his tone, it had to do with not being in the mix at all! He's loud as hell on the Black album and garage days, both are active spector basses. Thanks for checking it out!
@@RodneyMcG I submit to your greater experience as have only heard scooped actives and non-scooped passives. The EMGs your reference as metal tone template sound scooped to me...any examples of non-scooped actives in metal?
Curious as to why u don't review darkglass?
Mostly because there are about a billion videos on them already.
@@RodneyMcG O ok thought it was a sound preference, you do have an great sound!
@@cacaman17 I do prefer more of the Tech21 offerings, and Darkglass isn't really my thing. I wouldn't refuse to demo something from them if I thought there was some value in it though. Thanks for the kind words on my sound!
Basically an alternate universe in which Glenn Danzig plays bass and is knoweldgeable. Count me in.
😂😂😂🤘 Love that!
Fun fact: Ned Steinberger was the one to first reverse the Precision pickup.
True!
Alex Webster.