Phil Mann

It's a good debate, isn't it, how many basses should you have? Depending on your playing status dictates what basses you need I guess. It's always nice to collect something, mum's might like thimbles etc, but some instruments are real pieces of art and easily collectable, however, 'tool's of your trade' - how your accountant sees it, is also an important element. I use a Spector USA NS5XL, as my main bass, but when it needs servicing I need a back up, hence why I have another to support it. On some gigs I have to have a 5, so I won't substitute it for a four that's quick to hand, as it will change my approach and voicing. Then for Studio work, I have two Fenders, a Jazz and a Precision (I get calls that just ask for a "Fender Bassist", not an electric bassist) recording requests can be very exact, if you don't have the sound, you don't get the job. I also have a fretless, I've had numerous that I've sold, but my current is a five string instead of a four. This was a conscious decision when purchasing it, so that as many variables as possible are as similar as possibly to my fretted fives. This way I don't add any additional pressure on myself when sight reading etc, when the demand on my skills is greater, the last thing you need is changes in string distances and neck length's that may effect your intonation. The more areas you play in, the more tools can be accounted for, why do so many instrumentalist have so many pedals and preamps? Well it's because in a particular environment, you need a particular sound, it can become overkill in some situations, but it's the same approach with the amount of basses you own if it's a career. Mike Brooks will have some good words to share with you on this subject, he has a good collection of basses, much larger then my collection of five, and every one is accounted for, all for different playing situations and styles. It's obviously not a drag buying these 'tools' though, as we all know, I've already got my eye on another fretless! Thanks for reading! Phil

Mr King, You're my hero. Hope you're well fella, chat soon, and good to see you on here. Phil

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Hey Steve, Yeah, I'll be putting a long over due introduction onto the web site soon, but was going to wait until I took delivery of my new Spector from the states and kill birds with one stone...watch this space. Phil

I was still reading the Beano 18 years ago, not even thinking about basses! Anyhow...introducing.....Todd Cooke.....A huge Spector collector in the states, between him and PJ Rubal @ Spector, they pretty much have everything on the market! Both of their collections are viewable on Todd's site, it's well worth looking through to get an idea of pretty much everything ever made by the firm! [url="http://www.spectorworld.com/"]http://www.spectorworld.com/[/url] There's a really cool page on his web site that, if you have a minute, should all check out. The link below will take you to a load of mpegs, of the manufacture of the flagship USA models at the Woodstock factory, it may not be the Czech Republic made Euro models, which seems to be the focus of these postings, but it's a great inside look at Stuart and his team in NY. [url="http://www.spectorworld.com/spectortour.htm"]http://www.spectorworld.com/spectortour.htm[/url] Enjoy, Phil

Nice to see Mr. Brooks has joined the Spector family, about bloody time....

A stunning collection, well done for bringing together such a wonderful example of Stuart's companies work. I'm the proud owner of the first production Ns5XL (003), I'll post a few pictures when I take delivery of my custom Spalted Flamed Maple in October and kill two birds with one stone. Phil

Thanks for looking, Phil Mann

well Im pleased to say Im he man to chat too......I have both, give me a call. Phik