Spector Spectorcore Piezo Bass guitar Review

Hi, guys! Ok, I finally got round to doing a review of my Spectorcore Bass.

I’v played this for a good few months now, and as you know, I’ve also used it in all of my tuition videos. It resonated with me really well at the London Bass show, and continues to do so to this day.

This Bass is part of the Korean Professional series, which apparently (And I agree!) offer a unique tone, due to the mixture of Fishman Piezo Powerbridge, and the guitars semi-hollow body construction.

That threw me at first. I always wondered how a semi hollow body or a full hollow body would effect the sound on an electric Bass. I’ve always loved the tone of Electro-acoustic Basses, so when I picked it up and noticed the hole, I was immediately intrigued.

There’s also a hum bucking SSD pickup in the centre of the body, and this is what helps give this Bass a nice, wide range of tones. What I immediately loved when I played it at the show, was the tone I got when I planted my Bass nearly up full, and then just added a bit of treble. Whenever I play Bass, this is the place I always end up. I don’t want too much treble (who does?), but at the same time I don’t tend to go for the tone that many people like by putting their Bass up full.

I get why they do it. More Bass is good Bass, especially in blues etc, but I like to pull back a bit and add treble so those notes really ping and cut through. Especially when playing chordal, tapped, or slap and popped stuff.

This Bass really handles that well. We got on right away.

Saying that, I’ve heard other players play this, that have got a completely different tone to me, which is great for them. That just proves that the Spectorcore covers all tastes.

The finish on it is beautiful. Ultra Amberburst. Really nice to look at, especially in really good light. The neck is 3 piece Rock Maple, the fingerboard Rosewood, and the nuts, Graphite. It has 24 frets. These SpectorCore Models are powered by the Fishman Bass PowerBridge piezo and the 9-volt Fishman active PowerChip EQ System. There are four string, and five string versions. There’s also a fretless version (Yum yum)

Would I recommend it? Yes, I would. I’d tried a few Bass guitars that day at the show, and it was my initial reaction to this Bass that Caught Alex from Barnes and Mullins’ eye. I was sincerely impressed. More so when I heard the price these things go for! It’s light, sounds great, and looks great. What’s not to like?

Here’s a video of me playing one through my effects unit. If you’re a fan of my lessons, then you’ll also notice how great the Bass sounds dry.

At least give it a try, if you have the opportunity.

Kris

Ah, I remember the long summer days well. Wandering around with ripped Jeans, an undercut like Mike Patton, and talking like Beavis and Butthead. 1993. Summer. Beautiful.

One thing I learnt about the Bass guitar back then, is that a Bass guitar isn’t supposed to be carried over your shoulder like a big axe. Throughout that summer, I wondered why the action on my Bass was getting worse, and the neck was bending before my eyes! Not only that, it didn’t stay in tune, and it was forever getting huge chips in the body work! I wonder why!?

Don’t carry your bass by the neck. Don’t let it be out in the elements without protection. Get it protected with a Bass case. It should be obvious, but I thought I was so grunge that I was above (or below!) things like cases. They just didn’t look cool.  Don’t be like me.

I wouldn’t recommend one of those flimsy cases. They will give you limited protection, and you may as well not have a case at all. Not only does a good case keep your Bass guitar protected, but it also protects it from extremes of heat and cold. Extremes of these are bad, and can really mess with your tuning, as well as other things!

The best case to get is a hardcase. If you can’t manage that, try and get hold of one of those nice padded cases, that will give plenty of protection. They also come with nice big pockets that you can put spare strings, leads, plectrums, effects, and anything else you may want to put in there.  They also have straps, so you can put them over your shoulders like a rucksack.

I’ve had a good look around, and found these cases to of a good quality that I would recommend:

Get a good Bass guitar case!

Get a good Bass guitar case!

Get a good Bass guitar case!

Here’s a few ideas concerning jamming with different techniques in this song. I hope they help or inspire in some way!

Link references in video:

Slap and pop lesson 1:

The Major scale (Octave explanation):

Not just another Bass tuition book (Finger picking):

Taking a look at this Bass line, and the genius that is Kim Deal from the Pixies!

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Some tips and advice on how I prepare for gigging!

Great Bass line to learn here, Fat stringers!

Original, unique and fun. Thanks, Adam Yauch!

Greetings, Fat stringers, and Low-end lovers!

Here is a video of me putting my new Spector Bass through the motions. It’s literally right out of the box in this video!

Here are links to the Spector page, where my new Bass is featured:

And here is a link to the Barnes and Mullins website:

As I mention in the video, the Bass feels great. Not too heavy. Has a nice shape, awesome colour and almost plays itself because of the comfort. The sound is awesome. Enough low to maintain the low, but enough mid and high to really ping out those Bass chords, slap and tapping. Nothing is too muddy, and nothing has too much treble.

I’m still investigating this Bass, but I will get back to you with my findings!

Enjoy the video, my friends:

From the London Bass show, 2012…

Great day out! Here’s the video, Fat stringers!

…That Dave from the pub taught me!

And here is the hand and tendon exercise:

Hand and tendon exercise!