Spector release new 'Icon' series of basses

[cetera]

I'm guessing that these will replace the Pulse II basses, which appear to have ceased production....

 

 

[cetera]

 

[cetera]

 

[cetera]

https://bassmagazine.com/spector-introduces-the-ns-icon-bolt-on-series/

[RussFM]

With the NS name and inlays I thought they were US made at first, and wondered why they didn't have the usual deep neck pocket. Makes sense now, they're more like the old Legend construction (I never played a Pulse). They look great and no need for inlay stickers! I'll have to try one out.

 

The Frank Bello had Icon in the name too, is that how they're identifying the 'budget' range now?

[Cosmo Valdemar]

Hooray! They look like Spectors!

[Jonesy]

Those are really cool. I really like the inlays and gloss finish on the entry level model. 

 

I wonder how the aguilar pre amp and pups compare to the EMGs in the Pulse.

 

Fingers crossed they'll be a raft of 2nd hand Pulse sales for me to choose from soon 😄 

[JohnDaBass]

It would be great to include a short scale version of the new Icon bolt on range.

[NancyJohnson]

I've loved the Spectors I've owned (four) and I still own a EuroX, but my fear for Spector is that their business model is fast aping Fender and it's diluting its position in the marketplace ('Coming May 2027, the Fender Vintera III range, exactly the same as the Vintera I, but now it's III, innit?').  While I appreciate over the years there's been the occasional movement away from the NS body line, the market just seems to be saturated with variations on (more or less) the same design with models suffixed with LT/LX/LE, offered in different colours, pickup and preamp configurations.  

 

Obviously I realise that (like Fender) the company needs to continually mix things up to keep the range fresh and to stay in business, but as Gary says these new models are possibly just replacements for a discounted line...how different are they from these and ultimately does it make any difference?

[PRSMike]

If you watch the video carefully they show 3-D images of a neck through. If you look even closer there is a Blue one that has EMG pickups. This is all at the beginning where they talk about the ICON lineup. Since the Ethos has also been discontinued I suspect that soon there will be a neck through, EMG pickups aquiped ICON out soon. And there is no blue ICON Bolt on but there was a blue one sitting there during the video. I hope so since it will be an immediate purchase for me. 

[crazycloud]

Spectors are NT and have EMGs - all else seems wrong to me. 

[cetera]

5 hours ago, PRSMike said:

If you watch the video carefully they show 3-D images of a neck through. If you look even closer there is a Blue one that has EMG pickups. This is all at the beginning where they talk about the ICON lineup. Since the Ethos has also been discontinued I suspect that soon there will be a neck through, EMG pickups aquiped ICON out soon. And there is no blue ICON Bolt on but there was a blue one sitting there during the video. I hope so since it will be an immediate purchase for me. 

The 3D images are of the US custom shop as he discusses using the same dimensions/shaping. The blue one is a US custom shop. You can tell by the bridge, pickups, figuring, matching headstock and inlays.

[matbard]

It needs the BadAss original bridge, period.

[cetera]

10 minutes ago, matbard said:

It needs the BadAss original bridge, period.

They were only on the original late 70's/early 80's models and would make no sense on a lower level model.

[matbard]

1 minute ago, cetera said:

They were only on the original late 70's/early 80's models and would make no sense on a lower level model.

They are available only on USA Custom models. Time to bring that option on Euro series, too

[cetera]

8 minutes ago, matbard said:

They are available only on USA Custom models. Time to bring that option on Euro series, too

They are NOW, but this is an Indonesian lower level model so doesn't apply.

[PRSMike]

11 hours ago, cetera said:

The 3D images are of the US custom shop as he discusses using the same dimensions/shaping. The blue one is a US custom shop. You can tell by the bridge, pickups, figuring, matching headstock and inlays.

Yeah I agree with what you said. But look at 1.05m of the video, there is a different Blue on display. It makes sense that they are going to have other options in the ICON line as the Ethos has been discontinued. I have my fingers crossed. 

[Sean]

18 hours ago, PRSMike said:

If you watch the video carefully they show 3-D images of a neck through. If you look even closer there is a Blue one that has EMG pickups. This is all at the beginning where they talk about the ICON lineup. Since the Ethos has also been discontinued I suspect that soon there will be a neck through, EMG pickups aquiped ICON out soon. And there is no blue ICON Bolt on but there was a blue one sitting there during the video. I hope so since it will be an immediate purchase for me. 

Based on price and depreciation, what will these give us that a used Euro LX won't?

[Sean]

10 hours ago, matbard said:

It needs the BadAss original bridge, period.

The modern Spector bridge is superior to the BadAss. I'm happy to be educated but as someone who has had intimate contact with both kinds over many years, I don't see the advantage of Leo Quan's bridge on an NS style bass. 

[cetera]

1 hour ago, PRSMike said:

Yeah I agree with what you said. But look at 1.05m of the video, there is a different Blue on display. It makes sense that they are going to have other options in the ICON line as the Ethos has been discontinued. I have my fingers crossed. 

That's a US custom shop model too.

[matbard]

22 hours ago, cetera said:

They are NOW, but this is an Indonesian lower level model so doesn't apply.

Are you saying I can order a Spector Euro Classic with B/A?

[cetera]

No. They are available now on US custom models, anything lower than a Euro model would make no financial sense.

If you want one on a Euro then you'll have to look out for a limited run/dealer special order or organise your own order of minimum 20 basses.

 

I believe Bass Direct are looking at doing a custom run at some point which will have Badass bridges, but the price will probably be £2k+.

These Indonesian basses are sub £1k. 

[cetera]

Update on RRP prices for these basses, which should be available within the next 4-8 weeks:

 

Icon 4 Black or White gloss £819

Icon 4 Black Stain or Black Cherry £849

 

Icon 5 Black or White Gloss £839

Icon 5 Black Stain or Black Cherry £869

 

So you can expect to see them in the shops in the high £700's...... fantastic value! 

[Jonesy]

 

28 minutes ago, cetera said:

Update on RRP prices for these basses, which should be available within the next 4-8 weeks:

 

Icon 4 Black or White gloss £819

Icon 4 Black Stain or Black Cherry £849

 

Icon 5 Black or White Gloss £839

Icon 5 Black Stain or Black Cherry £869

 

So you can expect to see them in the shops in the high £700's...... fantastic value! 

 

 

Wow, I was expecting these to come in slightly higher than the Pulse 2. That's a pretty amazing price point for a bass with a lot of features that are considered upgrades on the Pulse. I'm looking forward to these hitting the shops, hopefully I can find somewhere with them and the Pulse in stock!

[cetera]

Yep coming in sub £900 is a sweet point for sure. I think these will be big sellers.....