zbass1976

Hey! Have more people had a chance to try the Blackstar U700 amp? I have a chance to buy one pretty cheap, but I don't see many reviews on this amp. What I do see looks great. Thoughts? First-hand experience? Thanks in advance! 

On 25/11/2019 at 04:34, thodrik said:

http://stringtensionpro.com/

D'addario have actually recently launched an app to replace the string tension chart PDF. I have been using it lately and it is utterly marvellous.

Simply find out the tension of your favourite 'standard tuning' gauge (in my case, 100-40). Then simply insert your preferred 'alternate' tuning (in my case C sharp standard aka 'Sabbath tuning') and then work out your preferred gauges from there by approximately matching the tensions. The app even works with fanned fret designs as you can set the scale length for each string. No more mental calculations from the PDF! 

For what it is worth, for drop C (C F C F) I use a gauges of 120, 90, 67 (70 will do) and 50. For a low A string under that, I would be looking at 145 at least, probably tapered. However, both of the OPs basses have longer scale lengths than my 34 inch scale basses. With the fanned fret design of Dingwall, I would suspect that you would need need to use as a large a gauges as I do. 

For the Spector, any standard Five string set with a B string of 135 would probably achieve a good solid low A. 

Thanks for your input! I appreciate you taking time to help. 

Hello! I have two 5 string basses that I'm needing dropped to two different tunings and I could use gauge suggestions:

1) Dingwall NG3  multi scale with a 37" will be tuned A, C, G, C, F.
2) 35" Spector  NS2000/5 will just have the B dropped to A and the remaining strings will stay standard... E, A, D, G.

Any suggestions for either or both basses will be appreciated. Thanks.

On 31/07/2019 at 02:44, Dov65 said:

Can't go wrong with a Legend imo, i picked one up for 300 quid..bought it to try something else away from Fender. Gutted all the electrics, stuck new pickups & preamp in also machine heads. Or just leave it as, cost just over the 600 mark all in..it's a cracking bass, i'm even more surprised i haven't sold it on

I went with the NS2000/5. It's a killer bass!

32 minutes ago, cetera said:

If you want the classic Spector sound then I'd say upgrade the neck pickup with an EMG 35P4 and the neck with either a EMG35DC or an EMG35J. Alternatively just put a set of two EMG 35DC pickups in it.
http://www.emgpickups.com/bass/extended-series.html

Your tone will come alive with these!

I imagine I'd need the EMG 40s instead of 35s for my 5 string, correct? 

12 minutes ago, cetera said:

Not really. If your BT has the easy clips you should be able to pretty much drop them in. I prefer to give mine to a proper guitar tech to do though...

Yeah, I'll end up doing that, I was just making sure I wouldn't need to do any body modifications or anything crazy like that. Lol 

I'm seeing quite a bit of EMG DC recommendations. I may try those. Since my bass has the passives right now, would it require a ton of modification to install actives? 

I'm a recent proud owner of an older model Spector NS-2000/5 bass. It came stock with EMG HZ pups and an EMG BTS preamp. I'd like to upgrade the electronics -- either just the pickups or the preamp, or maybe even both. With this bass, I will predominately play rock, acoustic rock, and some alt metal music. Anyone with NS-2000 or Spector experience have any suggestions for me? Thanks in advance!

11 minutes ago, DoubleOhStephan said:

Hmmm that does look like a NS, the top horn is definitely slim enough. 

I did find this on YouTube earlier, not sure if it is an NS, but that's what the owner in the video has called it... 

 

I saw this video, too. 

4 hours ago, cetera said:

I'd need to see a pic to know what bass you're looking at because, to my knowledge holoflash was never an option on the NS2000/4 and NS2000/5 range. I know - I tried to order a holoflash NS2000/4.

 

Sounds to me more like a later Legend thru neck...

4 hours ago, cetera said:

I'd need to see a pic to know what bass you're looking at because, to my knowledge holoflash was never an option on the NS2000/4 and NS2000/5 range. I know - I tried to order a holoflash NS2000/4.

 

Sounds to me more like a later Legend thru neck...

4 hours ago, cetera said:

I'd need to see a pic to know what bass you're looking at because, to my knowledge holoflash was never an option on the NS2000/4 and NS2000/5 range. I know - I tried to order a holoflash NS2000/4.

 

Sounds to me more like a later Legend thru neck...

3 hours ago, TheGreek said:

This very thing on ebay recently - bass sold for £225 - bargain for somebody

I'm seeing this one on Ebay and it's selling for $700 USA (not sure what that translates to in EUR). I'm hoping I can talk him down some. 

I am looking at a Spector 5 String neck thru (or set neck) bass and I'm gathering as much info as I can. Can anyone help me decide which model this is? I do know that it has EMG HZ pups, black hardware, active tone controls, and the Holoflash finish. 

Someone listed it as a Legend, but I'm not sure that it is a Legend. Any help would be appreciated. And yes, I have emailed JP at Spector already, but I'm waiting for his response as we speak. 

Since I've apparently posted in the wrong thread, I will be moving this topic to the correct thread. Geez, I hope you guys can forgive me. Lol

4 hours ago, visog said:

Do we not do 'Bass Guitars' thread any more?

I am new here, and I didn't scroll down far enough to see the Bass Guitars thread. Forgive me, master. I have learned from my mistake and will behave better from now on. 

4 hours ago, HazBeen said:

I think this is a 2004 or 2005 SSD period bass. As per the Spector Resource page.

Edit: 2006-10 due to black hardware

I thought it could've been that particular year model, too, but I didn't see the Holoflash finish as an option...

39 minutes ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

I would hazard a guess that it isn't a Legend.

If it's not a Legend, what else could it be? 

56 minutes ago, ead said:

Not sure if the Spector ones have obvious year codes.  Email PJ Rubal at Spector and he'll sort you out.

I sent him an email. Thanks. 

I am looking at a Spector Legend 5 neck thru and I'm gathering as much info as I can. With a serial number, can I figure out what year this bass was built? Thanks! 

Info I do have: 
EMG HZ pickups (2 humbucker)
Active tone controls, possibly Aguilar 
Legend neck thru body
Holoflash finish

20 hours ago, chris_b said:

Being semi-pro doesn't mean you can't aspire to be better. I know a lot of excellent semi pro players who don't settle for anything but the best they can be. You can be a brilliant player and still have a day job.

It's too late now, but if you want to improve your playing then things like this can help.

IMO we usually get a bigger push if we have outside help. SBL or one to one lessons and a desire to be a better player are all parts of the way forward. Chose which one works for you.

 

Did you join?

Yes I did. I took the plunge.  And from  what I've seen so far, I think I can benefit from it. And yes, I'm always looking at ways that I can improve my playing, so I was hoping that a technique course would show me things that maybe I've missed out on, or correct some potential bad habits of mine. Time will tell what all I will gain from this course. Thanks for your insight! 

Hello fellow bassists! I'm new here. My name is Zach and I'm Texas (USA). I've been playing bass since 1992, and my styles range anywhere from basic rock, to funk, country, blues, a little basic jazz, and heavy metal. I own a Fender American Standard 5 string P bass, a Hamer USA Cruisebass 5 string, an old 94 model Ibanez SR1205FL bass, an Ibanez BTB1406 6 string, a Schecter Stilleto Custom 4 string, and an old D'Armond Pilot Plus 4 string. I play through a Mesa Boogie M9 Carbine and SWR 8x10 fridge cab, and also a Fender Rumble 500 combo with a Mesa 2x10 extension cab. Thanks for letting me join your UK ranks! Cheers!

I have 5 hours left to enroll in this Accelerator Program. I'm a semi-pro bassist of 26 years, would this program be beneficial to me? Any last minute advice would be appreciated!