Eldon Tyrell

got some dark wood

Just now, julfam said:

Oh gosh... my ultra amber has an Ian Hill neck.. should I be worried?

Well, there are direct flights from B'ham to Zürich, so yes, you should indeed be very worried as your bass really kills 🤩

1 minute ago, julfam said:

Please dont end up ordering a NS2 inferno with DW neck... I'd have to break into your flat 🙉

Don't worry, it will be a NS2 inferno with an Ian Hill neck 😉

4 minutes ago, thodrik said:

I love the stripped back look. Generally I find Spectors to be a bit too ‘bling’ in terms of the finish colours and general massive levels of flame/burl. However every time I see a Forte I think ‘I would love to own one of those!’
 

Congrats!

 

Cheers. Yes, the Forte really has the ultimate "no-frills" look. I actually like the "bling" look more, esp. the burl/inferno red combo. I think I will go for that next (would have to be a NS-2) but they cost some crazy money. This could be good news for you if you want to own a Forte as I probably will then have to part with my two Fortes (my other Forte has EMG PJX pickups and the Aguilar OBP2, the finish is Vintage Tint Ash and only two were ever made in that finish. The other one belongs to PJ Rubal) to finance it 😎 

5 hours ago, julfam said:

Beautiful! Congrats!!

Those EMGX are a great (slight) improvement to the Spectors!
 

Have fun!

Cheers. The EMG DCxs are interesting. After having spent the last few hours playing the new bass, what can I say? Well, only for the second time (out of almost 20 basses) I owned, I am almost tempted to say that the bass has too much oomph. I know, I know, how can that ever be the case? Isn't more always better? 😎 The other bass with almost too much power was my G&L L 2000. Similar to that one, I have to reduce the master volume quite a bit to not make the windows of my living room pop out.

What else can I say after the first day? The action is great. Low without any buzz. Just perfect. The neck is ok. Not too chunky but not as slim as on my 77. I guess I am just too spoilt by my 77, which has the best neck of all my Spector basses (and the second best of all, after my Lakland Skyline 44-01). The weight is ok, not too heavy. I like the look of the wood grain a lot. The tone is good too. However, in direction comparison to my Mike Starr LE with the EMG PJs and the Haz 9V, I like the latter a bit more. It  just has THE tone for me.

So, all in all, the Forte is a nice addition to my collection but I guess my dream bass would have the neck of the 77, the pickups and preamp of the Mike Starr and, of course, a premium buckeye burl top in an inferno high gloss finish. Better start saving for that one then 😉 

1 minute ago, julfam said:

Nice mate! Running to see that.

in the meantime, I couldn’t help but take the baby out for a pic... sorry I am obsessed 

 

There really is only one word: Perfection! 

On 25/06/2020 at 19:58, Eldon Tyrell said:

Sorry, could not resist. Sneak preview. Look what's hopefully arriving tomorrow. Cannot wait!!! 😎

 

Update: Posted some more photos today in the thread: "NBD - May the Forte be with you". Well, as a Star Wars fan I just could not resist 😉

Look what arrived yesterday - My long-awaited Spector Forte 4 in Trans Black Satin. It is a custom order that is modelled on a NS 4. It comes with 2 EMG 35DCX humbucker pickups, 3 knobs (volume, blend, stacked bass and treble), and the HAZ 18V preamp. It differs from a NS 4 by having swamp ash wings, no fancy tops, no high gloss finish and no inlays. It is pretty much a no-frills version of the NS 4. As I do not own and have never played a NS 4, I do not know how close it comes to the original. However, what I do know is that the sound is huge (sorry, neighbours 😉 and it nicely complements my other Spector basses. Big shout-out to Mark and Ash at Bass Direct for making it happen!

4 hours ago, julfam said:

I could own any of the 2.. They are both amazing. I cried the NS4 for years and I finally re-joined the Spector club a few months ago.

...and you re-joined the club with one of the best looking Spector basses I have ever seen 🥰

8 minutes ago, cetera said:

A US Forte NS4..... nice score!
Looks like Bass Direct.... am I right?

What are the pickups? DC or 35P4 and 35J?

Yes, it is Bass Direct. Well spotted.

The pickups should be EMG 35DCX humbuckers. Will hopefully find out later today. I actually haven't seen or played the bass in person yet. The photo BD sent me is all I've got so far (that's why I called it a sneak preview). Just hope it will arrive undamaged. My last deliveries from other retailers had issues, so fingers crossed!

1 hour ago, bakerster135 said:

@Eldon Tyrell That's a beauty! A US NS4, yes? Realise you might not even have it yet, but I'd be interested to know how the sound differs to the NS2 P/J pickup configuration?

Where did you get it, out of interest? I've been scouring the UK shops for the last few months for a US NS2/4, and no one seems to have them at the moment...

Thank you! It is a US Forte 4. Unfortunately, I do not possess a NS2.  @cetera may be able to answer your sound difference question.  

I ordered it from Bass Direct back in January. I got all my Spectors from BD. Great variety (BTW, they currently also have a very nice Forte 4 with PJ config in stock).

Sorry, could not resist. Sneak preview. Look what's hopefully arriving tomorrow. Cannot wait!!! 😎

5 hours ago, Burns-bass said:

Music shops open now. Go and give one a go!

I agree. You have to check them out in a store, side by side and then go for one or the other. Only then you will know whether or not the US model is worth the extra money for you. For me personally, the feel of the neck is the most important criterion. It either feels right or it does not. In the past, I bought basses and told myself that I would get used to the neck but that did not happen and I sold these basses (including a 2018 Professional P bass that has a 63 neck, which I did not like). All the other things (tuners, bridge, pickups) can be replaced easier than the neck. 

7 hours ago, Kev said:

Also note it’s still listed as 1 in stock on the website, full price and not B stock.  They’re just hoping someone will not ask for a discount or refund, once they have your money.  Sharp practice, not good at all 😕

Something similar happened to me recently. Ordered a P bass from a retailer. When it arrived, I noticed that it clearly had a shielding issue and I sent it back with tracked delivery. On the day the retailer received it, it appeared back in stock. Well, they either immediately fixed the issue or they just relisted it. I guess it was the latter. Not cool 😠 

2 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

The fairer comparison on price would be the US NS2 then? 

I guess the fairest would be to compare the LT with FF pickups/preamp to the recently launched LT with Bartolini/Darkglass. Is the former £400 worth more than the latter? I would say no but in the end it will be to the market to decide. Maybe people will go for it, maybe not. Maybe retailers will have to lower the price. We'll see. The new LT also started with £2,050 and is now down to £1,899. Another example: G&L's Fallout bass started with £1,749 and is now down to £1,299. It really is the good old demand&supply and maybe there will be enough demand for a LT with the FF for £2.3k. Well, it won't be me and in best Dragon's Den manner: "I am out" 😎 

2 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

It is a punchy price, but a USA made Spector will set you back double that! And also need to factor in the £: € exchange rate is 15% less than it was 3 years back, when the older stock were being made and sourced. Tbf I really don't think a European or Brit is going to be any less capable of making a great bass than his US counterpart?

Having said all that, if you can get a decent one used that's gotta be a plan!

Of course I was not trying to give the impression that the US builders are better than the ones in CZ. The CZ has a very long tradition of making excellent instruments, not only basses. It was more a cost argument, esp.  in comparison to the complaints about the 2k for a new Stingray Special, knowing that Cal is a very, very expensive place to do business (and to live). 

On 15/06/2020 at 18:10, Eldon Tyrell said:

Me too. Would be great to check out the new Euro Classic (in red of course).

The new Euro LT in fade black with the Fishman Fluence pickups also seems to arrive soon, but check out the price: £ 2,719 😭 Who is going to pay that much for a Euro???

https://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-dept/bass-guitars/spector-bass-euro-4lt-black-fade-gloss

Well, looks like I won't get one for my self-made Mike Inez signature bass after all. Does anyone have a Euro LX TW for me? 

Update: Looks like the £2,719 for the Euro LT with the Fishman pickups and system is the list price and the retail price will be more like £2,300. Well, in my view this is still way too much for a Czech made Euro. I still remember how people complained about the new EBMM Stingray Specials costing 2k. These are made in California, one of the most expensive states in the US (e.g., the minimum wage in Cal is almost 4x times the min wage in CZ). Yes, the LT has the fancy FF pickups and preamp and a toggle switch but that does not justify £700 more than a Euro LX and £400 more than a regular LT. 

Guess I have to wait for a TW to show up on the used market 😒

2 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

The new Legends are also NT, so have drop dead good looks to match!

..and here in action

1 minute ago, Al Krow said:

The new Legends are also NT, so have drop dead good looks to match!

Agree. Here is a good demo too:

1 minute ago, Al Krow said:

So what's the deal with the Fishman pups?

Have to fess that having decent pups are a big  deal for me and pups that deliver a full rich tone or growl have me gushing!

They have three different voicings. However, I am only interested in the two voicings in Mike Inez's sig pickup, to replicate his tone in AIC:

12 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

Typical eh - you can only get soapbar format for the 5 string Euro LX! 

Yes, not cool.

I guess I could get a Legend NT. Great bass. Used to have one. However, the TW has push/pull pots and the FF pickups also have a push/pull pot, so a swap would be easier. 

1 minute ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

I had the distinct feeling that the poor chap at Andertons was a bit clueless.

I've moved on a bit from the TW idea now, but who has them, out of interest?

https://reverb.com/item/6542079-spector-bass-euro-4lx-tw-matte-black-stain

Ferris Music - Never heard of them and the photo they show looks more like a stock photo and like the actual bass(es). So, not sure. 

8 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

@Eldon Tyrell there's a mint 2007 Euro LX in the FS, on for a good price and seller is willing to take offers. If I was after a 4 string, I'd have been sorely tempted, myself! 

 

Cheers. I saw that one that. Super fair price and it looks great (very unusually thick walnut slice) but I need a TW as I want to replace the pickups with the Mike Inez Fishman Fluence Legacy pickups. The pickups are only available as soapbars (and shape and size-wise look similar to the EMG soabars). Unfortunately, Fishman won't release them as Ps, Js or PJs, already checked with them.  

10 minutes ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

That's crackers. I've been quoted £1999 for tye new classic by Bass Direct. 

I'd take anything Andertons say with a pinch of salt at the moment.  I spoke to them last week about the Euro TW they have on the website. Despite being discontinued,  the chap there insisted that not only could they order them, they come in the standard Euro colour schemes.

I think the Euro Classic will be a bit cheaper than the LT with the Fishman Fluence pickups and preamp but £2.7k is just ridiculous. For that money you can almost get a US Forte (I bought my Forte last year for £3k).

Not sure from where Andertons wants to order the TW for you. B&M is the UK distributor and they do not list it anymore:

https://www.bandm.co.uk/catalogsearch/advanced/result/?manufacturer[]=38

I guess the only chance is to get it from a retailer that still has it in stock and I know of one that has two in stock (or so they claim). Maybe we should give them a call and ask for a good deal for us? 😎

2 hours ago, cetera said:

I believe all new models are currently delayed (due to Covid-19 etc). I'm still waiting on the new Euro Classic range to hit the UK. Need to try a solid red Euro Classic with EMG BT circuit...

 

Me too. Would be great to check out the new Euro Classic (in red of course).

The new Euro LT in fade black with the Fishman Fluence pickups also seems to arrive soon, but check out the price: £ 2,719 😭 Who is going to pay that much for a Euro???

https://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-dept/bass-guitars/spector-bass-euro-4lt-black-fade-gloss

Well, looks like I won't get one for my self-made Mike Inez signature bass after all. Does anyone have a Euro LX TW for me?