Bass Videos
Spector NS Dimension HP 5 Bass Review
A review of the Spector NS Dimension HP 5 Bass…
First off, I love doing reviews, but this one in particular is going to be difficult! Why you ask? Well, it’s really hard to put a great bass down long enough to talk about it, especially the Spector NS Dimension HP 5 Bass. Spector, as far as I know, has always been known as the ultimate bass for rock, progressive, and metal bassists, and I am here to tell you, that it’s not just for that. I know this for a fact, because I used it at a few church gigs, on a classic country gig, and even at a fall festival playing non-other than, wait for it… polkas!!! The Spector NS Dimension HP 5 Bass is well rounded for any type of musical genre and the compliments were many. Matter of fact, I was told that I have to play the Spector NS Dimension HP 5 Bass at another gig for an event in December. Why? They heard it and I was told that is the bass they want for their performances.
I want to mention, that many bassists have strings that they like to use and prefer, and while it is quite uncommon for me to do this, only for my most recent church gig, I did change the strings to a lighter gauge, which I prefer. There were no needed changes that had to be made, either with intonation or neck adjustment. The strings that do come with the bass are nickel extra long scale, so if you are going to change strings, make sure you get the extra long scale.
Getting into the nitty-gritty of this review, first off is that it is a multi-scale bass. At first, I was a little concerned, but that went away immediately as soon as I started playing it. For myself, the multi-scale neck was instantaneous in getting used to, not even really noticing that it was multi-scale. Secondly, I set the EQ on my preamp and bass amp flat as it does the work for you. It has an exquisite preamp that is going to be hard to beat. Tones are abundant and I think you will find the many tones, even deep dark rich tones that you can get with the Spector NS Dimension HP 5 Bass to your liking. Gigging and recording with it has made it one of my top go-to basses.
Getting into the specifications of the Spector NS Dimension HP 5 Bass, it is a 3-piece maple neck-through construction with solid alder wings. The fretboard is ebony along with 24 frets, offset dots and the 12th fret Spector logo inlay with a scale of 34-37” and a graphite nut. The electronics consist of EMG 45DC Humbucker pickups, a Darkglass Tone Capsule preamp which consists of +-12dB @70Hz for Bass, +-12dB @500Hz for Mids, and +-12dB @2.8kHz for Hi Mids. Controls consist of Master Volume, Blend, Bass, Mid, and Hi Mid controls. The bridge is individual brass saddles and the tuners are Sealed Die-Cast. All of the hardware is black. It is available in 4 different finishes, White Sparkle Gloss, Gunmetal Gloss, Plum Crazy Gloss & Black Gloss. The bass also comes with a very nice and well-padded gig bag.
Check out the Spector NS Dimension HP 5 Bass at a Spector Music Retailer today near you or online at spectorbass.com/product/ns-dimension-hp-5/
Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes
Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes…
It is always great to meet a super busy bassist who simply exudes a love for music and his instrument. Erick “Jesus” Coomes fits this description exactly. Hailing from Southern California, “Jesus” co-founded and plays bass for Lettuce and has found his groove playing with numerous other musicians.
Join us as we hear of his musical journey, how he gets his sound, his ongoing projects, and his plans for the future.
Photo, Bob Forte
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Visit Online
www.lettucefunk.com
IG @jesuscsuperstar
FB@jesuscoomes
FB @lettucefunk
Bass Videos
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
“These stories from the front are with real-life, day-to-day musicians who deal with work life and gigging and how they make it work out. Each month, topics may include… the kind of gigs you get, the money, dealing with less-than-ideal rooms, as well as the gear you need to get the job done… and the list goes on from there.” – Steve the Bass Guy and Shawn Cav
Bass Videos
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
Ian Allison Bassist extreme…
Most recently Ian has spent the last seven years touring nationally as part of Eric Hutchinson and The Believers, sharing stages with acts like Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix, Rachel Platten, Matt Nathanson, Phillip Phillips, and Cory Wong playing venues such as Radio City Music Hall, The Staples Center and The Xcel Center in St. Paul, MN.
I had a chance to meet up with him at the Sellersville Theater in Eastern Pennsylvania to catch up on everything bass. Visit online at ianmartinallison.com/
Bass Videos
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
Spector Launches Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II…
Spector Musical Instruments expands their celebrated Woodstock Custom Collection with the Volume II series – a breathtaking series of 12 handcrafted, one-of-a-kind bass guitars, each one masterfully designed by members of the Spector team. Crafted in the Spector USA Custom Shop in Woodstock, New York, these works of art go beyond musical instruments and expand the boundaries of Spector Bass design.
Spector’s iconic design lays the foundation for the Volume II collection. Each bass showcases a unique vision, including the selection of tonewoods, electronics, captivating finishes, and intricate design details. The collection highlights Spector’s commitment to craftsmanship and artistry and the individual people and stories that make up the team.
“The Woodstock Custom Collection was such a huge success, and we had so much fun with it that we couldn’t wait to do it again,” said John Stippell, Director – Korg Bass Division. “With Volume II, we’re expanding on everything we learned from the first collection, as well as pushing our design and Custom Shop team even further. These basses are a testament to the inspiring talent, creativity, and skill of every person on the Spector team. I’m excited for all of these basses and love how they tell the unique stories of all involved.”
Visit online at spectorbass.com/
Bass Videos
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model…
After playing a limited edition Dingwall live with Duran Duran, John Taylor has launched his
Dingwall Guitars production model, loaded with a Rupert Neve Designs preamp and
Rio-inspired graphics.
Dingwall’s major launch for 2023 was the limited edition Rio Dream Bass, featuring an
innovative Rupert Neve Designs onboard preamp. A year later, the range has been bolstered
with the Canadian company now offering unlimited access to its continued collaboration with
John Taylor of Duran Duran.
Dingwall CEO Sheldon Dingwall says the basses are a response to Taylor’s upfront bass style.
“John’s bass playing with Duran Duran really imprinted on me how a bass should fit into a band mix. The combination of tastefully busy syncopation, his punchy tone, and tight performance immediately drew my ear. His basslines have always had a special combination of energy and elegance.”
The John Taylor Signature model follows the formula of the limited edition Rio Dream Bass,
combining a lightweight Nyatoh body with three neodymium pickups to produce what Dingwall deems “wonderful playability and tones that display a rare clarity and refinement.” The JT Signature model also updates the Rio Dream Bass with a range of new colors; Metallic Black, Primrose, Cranberry and Seafoam Green, as well as a new 5-string variant.
Other specs include a bolt-on Maple neck, a Pau Ferro multi-scale fingerboard with the ‘Rio Eye’ inlaid at the 12th fret, and Dingwall’s new ‘Minimalist’ bridge. The headstock sports lightweight tuners and a Rio-inspired graphic that complements the body stripes, designed by longtime Duran Duran collaborator, Patty Palazzo.
Finally, an onboard preamp designed and configured in collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs, whose studio consoles have long represented the pinnacle of high-end audio engineering, promises a clear voice that balances punch and sustain. “Duran’s breakthrough single, the title track from 1982’s Rio, was originally recorded on a Neve console, so the history was already there,” says Sheldon. “But the team at Rupert Neve Designs absolutely nailed the tone.”
Like the Rio Dream Bass, the JT Signature has also been configured to Taylor’s own personal
specifications. “It all started when I was in Toronto about six years ago,” says Taylor. “A friend
showed me a Dingwall bass on his phone. I loved how it looked and immediately said to my
tech, ‘You’ve got to reach out to these guys!’”
For further information on the range options, head to dingwallguitars.com
Interview With Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes
Working-Class Zeros: Episode #2 – Financial Elements of Working Musicians
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
