Paulhauser

I have owned and own several Spectors from almost every level: Korean, Euro and US. I have to say that one of the biggest pro for this brand is that their products are of very good value in every price segment they have products. I can recommend Spectors without any doubt in any level really. Assuming you are a 4 string player, a Euro 4 would be a really good backup for the SR, but not just like that. The PJ pickup config has a great variety of sounds, it nails the P tone quite well, with the J added it sounds really growly and fat. These basses are built exceptionally well with well thought out ergonomics Ergonomics and sound were the two things that won me over for Spector and after going through many other basses I have settled for them as my main basses. Any specific question you have I'm happy to answer....

Congrats! I'm a happy user of several Spector basses and love them! And don't forget:

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1488341721' post='3248056'] It's also hugely expensive. Handmade in Japan, like the Adam Nitti bass. I believe it is 14mm string spacing, which is tight! [/quote] There is a budget modell called GVB36 which is not that expensive as the Japan-made GVB1006 http://www.ibanez.com/products/eb_detail17.php?year=2017&area_id=3&cat_id=2&series_id=65&data_id=161&color=CL01

I've just received a bass from Michele. The whole transaction was like the one everyone wishes an international transaction to be. Easy, great communication, fast response and a no-nonsense approach. I would happily deal with Michele anytime soon and wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone to do business with!

I used to have a JM2. The string spacing is 18mm at the bridge if I remember correctly. It was tighter than the usual TRB spacing (19mm) I liked the ergonomics of the neck but did not like the overall ergonomics of the bass. Sounded quite good but that's subjective. If I was on the market for a tighter spaced 6 string bass with 34" scale i'd rather look at some Ibanez Premium or Prestige Soundgear six string basses. (16.5mm) Those are what I ended up with after going through many a six string basses.

A Spector Euro 4 will cut through just about everything, has quite a good range of sounds, great ergonomics and it does not cost a fortune. edit: i'd choose the Stingray from the list in the OP. But for me Spector works better (used a couple of Stingrays in the past)

I think the measure of the "fretless fretboard chewing by roundwounds" depends a lot on whteher you bend the string sideways or not. Most of the marks I have seen on fretless boards were clearly results of this technique which is quite unnecessary on a fretless... Also as Grangur pointed out, playing technique, light touch can also make the difference. I prefer the sound of the coated boards and I do not like flats much. Should I have a fretless bass (which currently I don't) I'd use Elixir strings as I belive that coated strings are not only easier on the skin but on the fretboard, too. ( I use Elixirs on my fretted basses lately and I like them quite a lot)

Can't help your wallet, there is no reason for not buying it. I had a couple of Yamahas before (not the model you've tried) but they were great instruments of high quality. If you liked how it sounds and feels then you are set, as there is nothing to worry about the build quaility or such.

Much wise things have been said by previous posters so I will not repeat those. Just a pro and a con from my experience I think the process itself is such a great experience. Thinking and planning and looking for parts and options and all of that. Narrowing down all the options of pickups, hardware, woods, shapes, etc. looking at other basses for what you like, what you don't. I really enjoyed that part of the process of my custom build. The con was that while the bass that was made for me was the most comfortable ever, the sound was just not there. It was sounding ok, but not great, not something that blew me away. After fiddling and trying to get used to it for some years I have sold it off with a huge loss. It did not put me off from having another custom in the future, but one can not be 100% certain that the final product will click or not as you can not try before buy. That is the advantage of the off the shelf basses (and 2nd hand ones) Having rediscovered Spector basses some years ago I realized that what I need is right there with off the shelf instruments...

I just don't judge any bass on the basis of whether it is passive or active. Happens that all my basses are active though some of them has active/passive switch or EQ bypass. But I rarely fiddle much with the knobs, I just have a preferred setup and that's it.

Yes, quite overpriced I think. Apart from that, these are great basses.

Well done! The tuners look great and a weight save at the headstock area is always a good thing in my book. Nice Spector btw! Really like the color.

I just wonder how much these new models and the last couple of years' standard models dilute the brand image of Fodera. They have been always known of makers of individual, customizable instruments of the highest quality. What they do with the Standards and these newer models makes complete sense from a business point of view but takes away the magic for some, I think.

[quote name='Sibob' timestamp='1484180260' post='3213423'] In any case, I think their target market are Fodera players (of which there a great many who happily spend the money), who want a P bass by Fodera. Not necessarily a player who isn't already 'in the fold' who's after a P bass. [/quote] ^^This

The Portamento is one of my favorite form the bunch. I also quitel like the SRSC805, wish they'd do a 33" version of it, the SR paltform is much better for such idea than the BTB of which they already done a 33" version.

I quite like it. It adds character. Nice bass btw! And if your wife likes it, then what's the question? Keep it...happy wife, happy life. ;-)

I have a Spector NS-4cr that has EMG PJ in it and I really like it. Just as said above, it is NOT sterile, flat or hifi. Lots of low end, great mids and sweet high. I run it the EQ bypassed most of the time and it is great as it is. (obviously that fact that it is in a Spector also helps ;-) ) I have recently had very good results with other EMG's as well, especially with the new X series. So if I was on the market for a PJ setup, I'd try their PJ X. Also the Geezer Butler sig is a great passive pickup from EMG, too. I'm not really and EMG fanboy but lately I had very good results using their products. Also quite easy to buy (and flip if they don't work for you)

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1483723851' post='3209628'] A bit tricky... ...but doable. Anybody have a bandsaw i can borrow? [/quote] Nice Yamaha TRBs!

There is a discussion of this http://basschat.co.uk/topic/297902-interesting-new-ibanez-even-for-a-traditional-player/

[quote name='No lust in Jazz' timestamp='1483611146' post='3208610'] I'm not sure that this is a problem with this bass or a fundamental design problem. One would expect that the string would be flat on the frets with the bridge in its lowest position. [/quote] That's my thinking, too.

I had this issue once with a different brand's bass. I took the saddle out and have a luthier grind about 2mm off from the lower side of the saddle. The bass has monorail bridge so routing of the wood was more difficult than this and worked like a charm and I'm happy ever since. The bass was bought used, I was not super happy that it had to be done, but I wanted low action and there was no other way. If I'd be buying a new bass and not being able to lower the string as much as I want it would be quite an issue for me.

I had one many years back and sold it only as it was 4 string and I played 5 string basses. Maybe I'm biased as I own several Spectors but this brand has never let me down, regardless the price level. Enjoy and congrats!

I think the main goal behind the Ibanez Bass Workshop is to get people talk about Ibanez. They churn out interesting bass designs, none of which are completely new or never done before, run some small batches and have people talk about them. So in a way it is a clever marketing solution because there is not a lot to talk about for ex the zillionth version of the new Soundgear 5 string with xy top and z neck. For the record I love my Prestige Ibanez SR basses, but they are doing more or less the same for 20+ years and it is getting harder to get excited about the new model year's finishes, colors etc. With the Bass Workshop they get the excitement back to the brand for a certain degree and its also great for increasing brand image. I think the Soundgear platform is great, really like the singlecut version and the fanned fret ones as well. I like this one in the OP as well but would be good that they'd do a 'normal' 7 string version, too. Soundgear design seems to fit better for extended range than the BTB of which they already done a 7 string version.

[quote name='ZilchWoolham' timestamp='1483477491' post='3207566'] EDIT: I suppose someone could make a neck where the frets are recessed and flush with the board, but pop out upon pulling a small lever. [/quote] This has been already done. Remember seeing a video of frets popping in and out of the fretboard. Here it is: https://youtu.be/ft3t0YjfXEc

I use the Billy and the Billy deluxe, too. I've never ever used or like distrotion before I got the first edition of the BS Drive pedal but I use quite a lot ever since. The reason for that is that with the blend knob I can add just a small amount of dirt, grit without altering the original signal. It does not loose any low end, actually it does not touch the original signal, just adds the distortion and with the blend you can dial in the amount you like. The compressor in it is a great feature, too (works quite like the Multicomp which I also own and use for years) I can't comment on the comparison with the Darkglass product(s) since I've never tried one in flesh. I've toyed with the idea of getting a B7K but after going through soundsamples and videos of it I have decided that it is not offering anything more for me that what the Billy already does and again, I do not use heavy distortion (which the Billy also can do, too) I'm partial to the EBS pedals because they work really well (love their amps, too) but Darkglass is putting out great products, too. The Billy costs less than a B3K (or B7K)