Of all the things i learned in this video, the one that surprised me the most was that Madonna of all people would have some amazing bass lines in any of her music at all. I was headbanging to that 'Like a Prayer'. I never realized the bass in that song was so good before. Lolz
The bass line on "Like a Virgin" is pretty solid too. Bernard Edwards from Chic provided the bass there, along with "Material Girl", thanks to Nile Rogers producing & writing the guitar riffs.
Even if they sound nice: Would I buy a Spector if I'm in the market for a bolt-on?!? (Afterthought: If they revived that Spectorcore fretless series, well, maybe...)
I'd avoid their "entry-level" priced Asian stuff (recommending ibby, Yamaha, Cort and even HB instead) but, yeah, their Czech and US products crush everything in the "up-market" range.
Bolt on sits in the mix better. I like the sound of the neck through solo better for Would? and Like a Prayer, but also preferred the bolt on solo for Higher Ground. Both sound awesome, and Ian is amazing as always.
Great video and amazing bass playing. I appreciate you, Bass-Brotha! I'm really liking the sound from the Spector Bolt-On. Both basses sound great. I have a Spector NS-2J USA Bolt-On and a Spector Forte 4 USA Neck-Through and the sound from each bass is very different, being that, the Bolt-On has EMG Jazz pickups and the Neck-Through has EMG PJ pickup configuration. Both running with an EMG Active Pre-amp. I like the fact, that the Euro basses have the same PJ Pickup Configurations and electronics and the same woods, but they do have their own sound. The pickup placement and how the neck/body join together, can surely alter the overall sound, but the new electronics definitely have altered that Spector/EMG sound that we have known.....I'm really liking those Euros.
Since I can’t afford one rn I’ll hate on the one thing I don’t like… those fret markers. Maybe having more money will help me love the shape 😂. Great demo as always!
Love the neck through! Got a Euro LX with the poplar burl last month, man it kills! Seller put an Audere Classic preamp in it that is ultra-responsive and punchy.
Great tutorial as always..VERY tough..1st was going with the bolt on..but then the neck through, just how it seemed so crisp on the neck through..still..not a finer bass (s) to be found anywhere..and right about the bolt on for the heaver, rock..metal, etc..much thanks!!
The green neck through sounds so much beefier for AIC. Just love it. Like another commenter i dont know why i torture myself watching these vids while broke lol. I'll just continue lusting after that haunted moss green bass.
Surprise to me, I liked the bolt on better. I used to have an old neck-through that I kind of regret selling; but I tried a legend bass several years ago and it was noises as all can be. These Euros are sounding great though and I loved my old one! \m/.
In the early 90’s I had a Kramer Spector NS-2. I traded it for a Vigier Passion, because that was what Tony Sales played with Tin Machine (with flats and a pick!). That NS-2 was a great bass! Great design! Nobel Prize great. I loved the EMG’s too on that bass, both pickups or P, mostly cutting the treble a bit. I tried some Czech NS-2 basses in the early 2000’s. Great basses, with beautiful finishes. That’s why I feel you should not mess with that design. Or, perhaps use a JJ setup. Although I do not care much for neck through except for Spectors, it would be the green bass for me. It’s my favorite color too 😄. Curious about the preamp, although with EMG’s I tend to use them with everything set flat. The Spector (EMG’s with reverse P)and the various Yamaha BB’s and early TRB’s (Sklar era) are the only basses where the PJ setup really adds something beautiful tonally. 🖖
Classic NS-2 neck through in this particular comparison sounds more mellow to my ears .. great sound either way . But I find bolt on more aggressive with more upper midrange presence .. they are both awesome and it’s a hard choice to make because they are very similar yet different in a way
I lean towards the bolt on sound for all of the demos. It just cuts through better on every. If you want to be heard, get the bolt on. If you want to blend in more then get the neck through.
I'm really curious about the two 5 strings in the back. Recently bought a Euro 5 neck-through in white w/ J-J pickups and i really like the sound, but it is more trebely than I'm used to being a Fender guy... I think I would choose the neck-through because its pickup placement is near enough to the bridge for me.
Wow, first rate playing and demo! I've been a Euro LX fan but don't currently own one. Really like the new preamp but would also like to hear the 5-string models. With the upper horn length, is neck dive an issue?
I just bought a Euro LX black matte stain two days ago lol. I bought it used but in mint condition so I only paid $1950. If there was a used mint Haunted Moss for $1950 I would have bought that instead.
That black matte is timeless, though. It rather looks graphite grey than black to me. And the warm rosewood complements the stylish looks... Yep, I own a five string version 😀
Recently I tried I spector 5 strings and I really liked the neck, but I'm a 4 strings player so I never tried any other 5 strings before. I just knew that the neck felt good and better than most other 4 strings I have tried that day (I like very thin necks). So I went out and tried a few 4 strings including some euro and I was disappointed by the necks, they are not the worst but they are not as thin as I imagined and I really struggled to understand the preamp knowbs. I'm yet to find a a bass that has a neck as good as my Cort A4 Korean made.
@@kevinpelepako7381- if the nut is *perfectly* cut then not really. But one of the main points of a zero fret is that the string height on the neck is determined by the fingerboard radius, just like every other fret played. The nut on a zero fret only determines and maintains spacing.
I'm a little confused about the available models. When I look up this bass on Spector's website and over at Sweetwater, it's a double humbucker. You seem to have a PJ version that I don't see anywhere. What's the scoop?
With the LX series the 4 string versions have a PJ configuration and the 5/6 have the double humbucker. Check out "Euro 4 LX" on our website or any authorized dealers to see the PJ version.
Any chance the LX nex.. err, necks are less chunky than the LT? I have violet gloss LT and it's a gorgeous instrument, but it's just too much for my dainty mitts.
Both sounds really nice but if I have to choose one I’ll go for the NT as I never been a fan of Spector BO. I like the bolt on with that p style pickup moved back and in my opinion I would have removed the bridge pickup. (Why not a brass nut on the BO??) Anyway nice demo as usual thanks so much!
You missed a critical Spector bass line, Learning to Live by Dream Theater. Yes JM used a Spector on Images and Words, should’ve been on this demo list
I've never heard the differences between bolt on and neck-through as clearly as I have in this video (unless of course, it's the pick up placement?) But to me, the neck-through sounded fuller and louder.
To be fair, it's important to note that the great Guy Pratt borrowed that effects setup and approach from the legendary Pino Palladino, to whom he gives full credit, of course, because he's awesome.
Bolt on sounds better to me, but it needs to be a humbucker! It needs to be thicker, not lower! I love look of the back of the neck through, but sound wise its the bolt on for me. Got it in 5 string?
@@OfficialSpector Cool thank you for the reply, can you tell me as of what production date, some retailers say all of their LXs have the upgrade but these have been setting in inventory for a while
I like that this preamp is closer in character to the Haz. I have 10 Spectors, all 5's of all varieties and I've got either a real deal Haz or Haz clone in all of them. In my collection I've got a hot rodded first gen Rebop 5 and a couple of old school solid maple NS-JH5s from when the USA bolt-ons still had the fully carved bodies and I really do like the bolt-ons. They don't give up anything tone-wise (the Rebop is almost indistinguishable from the others given the proper EQ settings) but they are so much lighter than the neck thrus. You're absolutely right that the pickup placement is the most important factor, even more so than the pickup type I think, although I've never really liked the dual DCs, especially the one in the neck position. Mine have all been swapped out for 40P5's except for the JH5s obviously and I have a Legend MK5 that's got a 40TW at the neck and a DC at the bridge that cops that JH5 tone when I don't want to bring them somewhere they might get damaged. Only thing I would change is I really do wish there were gloss finishes available on the LX's. That haunted moss would look even more awesome in gloss.
Would I buy a fretted bolt-on if I'm in the market for a Spector? Unlikely. But carbon reinforced necks are always a good thing, so I wish them all the success they can get :)
I am wanting one of these for the looks alone lol. I just don't think it'll work for country, gospel and CCM that I currently play. Maybe it will... who knows.
I liked both, but the NT still sounded a bit better to my ears. With that said the Bolt On has a cool different thing, but at the same time I kinda prefer the classic :D
BTW if this bass guitar thing doesn't pan out for Allison he could be the main salesperson at Home Shopping Club. I'd probably have a house of things I don't need if Ian were on there. Cheers Ian!!
But seriously: in isolation I tend to prefer the bolt-on, but in the mix the neck-through is amazing. A bit like with P-basses. What sounds "shit" in isolation sometimes just works perfectly in the mix.
Of all the things i learned in this video, the one that surprised me the most was that Madonna of all people would have some amazing bass lines in any of her music at all. I was headbanging to that 'Like a Prayer'. I never realized the bass in that song was so good before. Lolz
Truth. All these years I thought it was a synth bass!
Spectacular!
The bass line on "Like a Virgin" is pretty solid too. Bernard Edwards from Chic provided the bass there, along with "Material Girl", thanks to Nile Rogers producing & writing the guitar riffs.
Ian Allison is an international treasure.
Truly!!
Spector just makes great sounding, beautiful basses. Someday I will own one.
Ian Allison Chains such a great demo! The bolt on slap sound wins for me. Wicked demo of both beautiful basses.
Aaah. I see what you did there. And its good! Also Makes sense now. He plays that bassline flawlessly… got em back in the playlist after tooo long.
Love Guy Pratt getting a shout out. One of my biggest influences. Dude is a monster
One of the greats!!
Neck through sounds better to me...I love that green, but man....I already have 3 Euros. I don't need to spend more money lol
Was Thinking the same thing! Cant stop the purchases of spector last few years, Too Many!
@@Bob-hb3qb 😆
Even if they sound nice:
Would I buy a Spector if I'm in the market for a bolt-on?!?
(Afterthought: If they revived that Spectorcore fretless series, well, maybe...)
Awesome demo - I love how much you love bass, Ian!
His enthusiasm is infectious!
The looks and the quality of the sound of these basses is absolutely stunning!!! Ian´s playing is very inspiring!
spector is the best bass brand ever
🤘😄
I'd avoid their "entry-level" priced Asian stuff (recommending ibby, Yamaha, Cort and even HB instead) but, yeah, their Czech and US products crush everything in the "up-market" range.
After my adventures with other brands I must agree 👍
I don’t usually prefer bolt-on bodies but there’s something about this one! 👍
The Neck through for me always and I love that green color!
I hope Ian gets a commission on sales because he single-handedly convinced me to get a spector next!
I always loved the line for Madonna´s song. Never see guys going for the original effects in the mix so thank you for that!
That intro riff was pure 🔥🔥🔥
That moss green neck through, oh yeah 🤘🤘🤘🤘
Ian Allison is the best vibes bassist. Super player
great demo Dude!!
I love the look of the green one!
Maybe it was a bad idea to watch this video while being broke...
Same dude. That green has me GAS'n
Bolt on sits in the mix better. I like the sound of the neck through solo better for Would? and Like a Prayer, but also preferred the bolt on solo for Higher Ground. Both sound awesome, and Ian is amazing as always.
Badass Basses!! I’ve always loved the Euro’s for their simplicity!! Thx for the heads up IAM…Love!!
They both sound amazing. Though I would favour the neck through. Nothing else in the world sounds like a Spector. Amazing riff. Tab & notation 😉
Great video and amazing bass playing. I appreciate you, Bass-Brotha! I'm really liking the sound from the Spector Bolt-On. Both basses sound great. I have a Spector NS-2J USA Bolt-On and a Spector Forte 4 USA Neck-Through and the sound from each bass is very different, being that, the Bolt-On has EMG Jazz pickups and the Neck-Through has EMG PJ pickup configuration. Both running with an EMG Active Pre-amp.
I like the fact, that the Euro basses have the same PJ Pickup Configurations and electronics and the same woods, but they do have their own sound. The pickup placement and how the neck/body join together, can surely alter the overall sound, but the new electronics definitely have altered that Spector/EMG sound that we have known.....I'm really liking those Euros.
Thanks Jason!!
Since I can’t afford one rn I’ll hate on the one thing I don’t like… those fret markers. Maybe having more money will help me love the shape 😂. Great demo as always!
Neck through all day!
That bolt on gets my vote for all!
Neck through my favorite tone!!!!!!!!
I love the moss color but would have loved it if they did the Aguilar PJs. Damn. Gorgeous!
Love the neck through! Got a Euro LX with the poplar burl last month, man it kills! Seller put an Audere Classic preamp in it that is ultra-responsive and punchy.
Great tutorial as always..VERY tough..1st was going with the bolt on..but then the neck through, just how it seemed so crisp on the neck through..still..not a finer bass (s) to be found anywhere..and right about the bolt on for the heaver, rock..metal, etc..much thanks!!
I like the sound of the bolt on, probably because of the placement of the neck pick up.
I have 3 specter bolt on. Two 4s and a 5. I love em.
I humbly prefer classic pick up placement neck through on the songs 1 & 2 and bolt on for the 3rd
The green neck through sounds so much beefier for AIC. Just love it. Like another commenter i dont know why i torture myself watching these vids while broke lol. I'll just continue lusting after that haunted moss green bass.
Ian’s make this songs playability so easy!!! 😂😂😂
In my experience, having the neck pickup further forward toward the neck gives you a thicker, fuller tone, which I generally prefer.
I'll take both! Oh yeah!
Surprise to me, I liked the bolt on better. I used to have an old neck-through that I kind of regret selling; but I tried a legend bass several years ago and it was noises as all can be. These Euros are sounding great though and I loved my old one! \m/.
Give the LX bolt-on a try and see! 🤘
I love all of your Spector presentations Ian. Now I want to go play my warwick thumb JD 86
In the early 90’s I had a Kramer Spector NS-2. I traded it for a Vigier Passion, because that was what Tony Sales played with Tin Machine (with flats and a pick!).
That NS-2 was a great bass! Great design! Nobel Prize great. I loved the EMG’s too on that bass, both pickups or P, mostly cutting the treble a bit.
I tried some Czech NS-2 basses in the early 2000’s. Great basses, with beautiful finishes.
That’s why I feel you should not mess with that design. Or, perhaps use a JJ setup.
Although I do not care much for neck through except for Spectors, it would be the green bass for me.
It’s my favorite color too 😄.
Curious about the preamp, although with EMG’s I tend to use them with everything set flat.
The Spector (EMG’s with reverse P)and the various Yamaha BB’s and early TRB’s (Sklar era) are the only basses where the PJ setup really adds something beautiful tonally.
🖖
I'm actually digging the bolt on. I love 70's spacing on Jazz Basses, though, so maybe the pickup placement is what does it for me.
If you dig a Jazz pickup close to the bridge, you'll love the LX Bolt-On!
I would love to hear a comparison between the Euro lx Bartolini and EMG
Classic NS-2 neck through in this particular comparison sounds more mellow to my ears .. great sound either way . But I find bolt on more aggressive with more upper midrange presence .. they are both awesome and it’s a hard choice to make because they are very similar yet different in a way
I lean towards the bolt on sound for all of the demos. It just cuts through better on every. If you want to be heard, get the bolt on. If you want to blend in more then get the neck through.
The LX Bolt-On definitely punches! 👊
I'm really curious about the two 5 strings in the back. Recently bought a Euro 5 neck-through in white w/ J-J pickups and i really like the sound, but it is more trebely than I'm used to being a Fender guy... I think I would choose the neck-through because its pickup placement is near enough to the bridge for me.
Sound great! I'm thinking about buying a new 4 lx or 4 cst. A comparison between the new 4 lx and 4 cst would be great! 🤘
...and the 5lx vs. cst vs. dimension
I prefer the neck-thru because I love a neck pickup that's closer to the neck. Purely personal preference for playability. Say that three times fast.
Purely personal preference for playability. Purely personal preference for playability. Purely personal preference for playability. 🥵
Phwoah. Got that bad boy chugging like the Pacific Railroad.
I'll take both thanks lol
Hey there, the basses look and sound gorgeous! Any information on how much they weigh? 🤔Thanks in advance!🤘
Wow, first rate playing and demo! I've been a Euro LX fan but don't currently own one. Really like the new preamp but would also like to hear the 5-string models. With the upper horn length, is neck dive an issue?
they're so prettttttttyyyyyyyy 😱😱
Thanks!!
This is cool and everything, but why does the bolt-on have no battery compartment?
I feel like the neck-through with the traditional sound stood out more in the mix than the bolt-on. I feel like the bolt-on got lost more.
An LX 5 stings is on my Christmas list.
🎅🎅🎅
I just bought a Euro LX black matte stain two days ago lol. I bought it used but in mint condition so I only paid $1950. If there was a used mint Haunted Moss for $1950 I would have bought that instead.
That black matte is timeless, though. It rather looks graphite grey than black to me. And the warm rosewood complements the stylish looks... Yep, I own a five string version 😀
I'd want the neck thru only because I like the space between the pickups for finger playing.
Am I the only person who absolutely adored the Tone Pump preamp???
R.I.P. Tone Pump
Usefull preamp! Kinda misunderstood and underrated imo.
Recently I tried I spector 5 strings and I really liked the neck, but I'm a 4 strings player so I never tried any other 5 strings before. I just knew that the neck felt good and better than most other 4 strings I have tried that day (I like very thin necks). So I went out and tried a few 4 strings including some euro and I was disappointed by the necks, they are not the worst but they are not as thin as I imagined and I really struggled to understand the preamp knowbs.
I'm yet to find a a bass that has a neck as good as my Cort A4 Korean made.
Missed opportunity for a zero fret on these lovely basses.
Do you really need one with the brass nut tho?
@@kevinpelepako7381- if the nut is *perfectly* cut then not really. But one of the main points of a zero fret is that the string height on the neck is determined by the fingerboard radius, just like every other fret played. The nut on a zero fret only determines and maintains spacing.
I'm a little confused about the available models. When I look up this bass on Spector's website and over at Sweetwater, it's a double humbucker. You seem to have a PJ version that I don't see anywhere. What's the scoop?
With the LX series the 4 string versions have a PJ configuration and the 5/6 have the double humbucker. Check out "Euro 4 LX" on our website or any authorized dealers to see the PJ version.
Any chance the LX nex.. err, necks are less chunky than the LT? I have violet gloss LT and it's a gorgeous instrument, but it's just too much for my dainty mitts.
Did they finally recess the rear cover so that it's flush to the body?
Nope 🙄
Bolt-on for slap / neck-through for everything else 😏 btw Ian, do the EQ and balance controls have a center detent?
I tried them on Guitar Summit 2024. They have it :)
Neck through on Would and Like a Prayer. Bolt on Higher ground.
Because of the pickups placement closer to the bridge, the bolt on neck version sounds more bitty to me which I dig a lot.
If I buy one, will it sound like in this video, and not like on non-Spector videos? ;)
Both sounds really nice but if I have to choose one I’ll go for the NT as I never been a fan of Spector BO.
I like the bolt on with that p style pickup moved back and in my opinion I would have removed the bridge pickup. (Why not a brass nut on the BO??)
Anyway nice demo as usual thanks so much!
The players that got me hooked on the Spector sound was
Kyle Kyle
Rachel Bolan
Eddie Jackson
Tracy Wallach
You missed a critical Spector bass line, Learning to Live by Dream Theater. Yes JM used a Spector on Images and Words, should’ve been on this demo list
Ooh good shout!
I've never heard the differences between bolt on and neck-through as clearly as I have in this video (unless of course, it's the pick up placement?) But to me, the neck-through sounded fuller and louder.
To be fair, it's important to note that the great Guy Pratt borrowed that effects setup and approach from the legendary Pino Palladino, to whom he gives full credit, of course, because he's awesome.
Parece com o som do meu Music man HH! Muito bom
Bolt on sounds better to me, but it needs to be a humbucker! It needs to be thicker, not lower! I love look of the back of the neck through, but sound wise its the bolt on for me. Got it in 5 string?
When is the "New" preamp available in the LX series? The Spector site doesn't say anything about it.
All LX basses (neck-thru and bolt-on) now feature the new Legacy Preamp!
@@OfficialSpector Cool thank you for the reply, can you tell me as of what production date, some retailers say all of their LXs have the upgrade but these have been setting in inventory for a while
@@michaelcurnutt The new LX basses hit stores July 15th, 2024. The day this video was released!
Ampeg cab used..size? And which Amp?
.
*Yep, that pre-amp screams DarkGlass.*
*P.S. The NT would be my choice, but that goes for any bass where that option is available.*
actually listening to the whole video. I like the bolt on for the like a prayer and Higher ground better. But I personally wouldn't have a use for it.
That green finish is SO SEXY
💚
Bolt on but... green!
That's an option! All of the new Bolt-On and Neck Thru LX 4 and 5-string basses are available in all four finishes, including Haunted Moss!
I like that this preamp is closer in character to the Haz. I have 10 Spectors, all 5's of all varieties and I've got either a real deal Haz or Haz clone in all of them. In my collection I've got a hot rodded first gen Rebop 5 and a couple of old school solid maple NS-JH5s from when the USA bolt-ons still had the fully carved bodies and I really do like the bolt-ons. They don't give up anything tone-wise (the Rebop is almost indistinguishable from the others given the proper EQ settings) but they are so much lighter than the neck thrus.
You're absolutely right that the pickup placement is the most important factor, even more so than the pickup type I think, although I've never really liked the dual DCs, especially the one in the neck position. Mine have all been swapped out for 40P5's except for the JH5s obviously and I have a Legend MK5 that's got a 40TW at the neck and a DC at the bridge that cops that JH5 tone when I don't want to bring them somewhere they might get damaged. Only thing I would change is I really do wish there were gloss finishes available on the LX's. That haunted moss would look even more awesome in gloss.
When will these beauties be available in Germany?
Should be landing at stores any day!
@@OfficialSpector Ah ok, because Music Store in Cologne says January 2025.
Would I buy a fretted bolt-on if I'm in the market for a Spector?
Unlikely.
But carbon reinforced necks are always a good thing, so I wish them all the success they can get :)
...and that green hue is gorgeous!
I am wanting one of these for the looks alone lol. I just don't think it'll work for country, gospel and CCM that I currently play. Maybe it will... who knows.
You should try one! Especially if you're a 5-string player, a LX could be a great fit for those genres!
Ok....I need my basses back dude.
No Zender?
Never heard a bad spector
keep in mind there is a reason the stradivarius was not a neck thru, they are not automatically better.
Darkglass always brings the next level shit. In my opinion
Bolt on for would.
Will you ever do a video about Zon basses?
on the Spector UA-cam channel??
@@thewaldfe9763 No, I mean on you channel or SBL
I liked both, but the NT still sounded a bit better to my ears. With that said the Bolt On has a cool different thing, but at the same time I kinda prefer the classic :D
Alice in Chains - Wood: Neck thru,
Madonna - Like a Payer: Bold on
RHCP - Higher Ground: Neck thru.
I would just be lucky to even own a spector someday..
BTW if this bass guitar thing doesn't pan out for Allison he could be the main salesperson at Home Shopping Club. I'd probably have a house of things I don't need if Ian were on there. Cheers Ian!!
Neck through sounds better. Would was just not the same with the bolt on
Neck Thru a touch better .
Neck thru or bolt on?! 😩
bolt-on higher ground slap. so nasty! we are not worthy! iM@
Both basses are lacking one string each, so it's hard to tell 🤷♂️
But seriously: in isolation I tend to prefer the bolt-on, but in the mix the neck-through is amazing. A bit like with P-basses. What sounds "shit" in isolation sometimes just works perfectly in the mix.
Sweepstakes for one of these when LOL.
Ok you ghot me 😂