Warwick Streamer LX vs. Spector Euro LX Comparison 

I agree with you on both points, Garryd. Once I get my pedal EQ + TonePump settings dialed in, the Spector absolutely sings! The only challenge comes in when I play a new genre requiring a wildly different tone or using a different rig.

@@gsimongear I feel like mec is just better than emg and it's crazy how many people say the exact opposite. Maybe for certain thumb basses they want to change the character of it could work but I really like the way they voice thier electronics. Interesting side note, I have a customized fretless bass that is using Spector custom soapbars and I find that it's actually very mid present. I think Spector knows how scooped the preamp gets so it was an attempt to counter that. If you get tired of EMG's I would suggest looking for a set of Spector customs. They are the same size as EMG's by the way. Even more interesting it would be cool to hear mec soapbars in that Spector and see what that does.

@@garrydhintz8017 that's awesome! I didn't know Spector customized their pickups. I can't say I've tried very many, but it seems like Spectors have more pickup variety versus Warwick, which seems to have MEC the majority of the time (which I'm absolutely fine with!)

@@gsimongear Spector had some custom wound stuff as well as SSD which are also an offshoot of that. Basically it's Spector's take on emg. They used them in a lot of the early 2000's Spectors. People seemed to prefer EMG so I'm not sure if they still make anything with SSD but they are definitely out there used.

The Spector is 17mm string spacing

"Woody" and "earthy" are great words to describe the Warwick tone! Thanks for watching.

@@bradsaville7790 thank you! Hope you have fun with it!

My thoughts as well! Warwick has made me rethink how low you can tune on a standard 34" scale. It makes me wonder how much scale length really matters, or at what length it begins to make a noticeable improvement in string tension and sonic punch.

Yep, in retrospect, I made a pretty glaring omission regarding the pickups. I'm a little less sold on the impact of tonewoods, however. Thanks for watching!

only cos thats how he has it and his output device dialed

Thanks so much Michael! For sure - they're both unique. I think the reason I like these brands is that they've both got a distinct sound. You know when you're hearing a Warwick, and you know when you're hearing a Spector.

Thank you so much Tony! Mike Inez has some solid bass tones!

@@gsimongear my favorite bass player & band. I know a lot of AIC.

It's cool hearing how old Warwicks still hold up to this day in build quality and sound. Thanks for watching and commenting!

Thanks for the feedback Nakoa! Yeah, I could organized those noodling clips a little better, instead of having the initial jam track be the only side-by-side comparison.

@@gsimongear you did great tho. These videos are a lot of work to put together which is why I never do em. Keep up the good work bro!

Exactly! We know technique and type of music/playing can change the sound drastically, so playing the exact same thing back to back is the best way to compare.

Thanks Mike! I've heard of that before, that there were some common players in the design of both basses, but I haven't looked into it beyond that. Appreciate the info!

@@gsimongear yeah there were law suits over it as well. Cheers!

Thank you so much!

Thanks for watching! Yeah, The mids are really where you hear the big differences between the two, although they're hardly similar in most other aspects besides the body as well haha!

Thank you so much! Juicy describes it quite well!

Yeah, that's the thing about the Tone Pump. If you use it at all, you get a bit of a scooped sound. But hey, no big deal - just crank the mids a bit on the amp! Thanks for watching!

That's a problem with the Spector marketing: until recently, they said the TonePump was boost only (like the HAZ), but it is in fact boosting AND cutting without a centre notch... so if you dial it back completely it's actually a -4dB bass cut and a -12dB treble cut.

For what it's worth, I find the intonation and playability of both bass B strings is a lot better with tapered strings. Thanks for watching!

Thank you! Appreciate the feedback. I definitely could've organized that better.

Glad it was helpful for you! The Ethos is definitely a great deal, especially when it comes to the price for those features.

Good point, I hadn't thought of it that way before. A good example of that is Alex Webster's signature Spector tone in Cannibal Corpse. It may not immediately stick out in the final mix but when he stops playing, or if you hear the isolated guitar tracks, then it sounds like something is missing.

Thanks Paul! "Strong" is a great way to describe the Spector tone!

Yep, the recording setup was the exact same! Ran direct into a Scarlett and applied the same Neural DSP cab sim (no additional EQ or effects). I had the Euro treble up to about 60% and the bass to 30%, while leaving the Streamer totally flat. I actually installed a fresh set of D'Addario NYXL's two days before on both basses, so I figured it'd be an ideal time for a comparison!

Good point! I'm not a Spector expert, but I believe the HAZ is standard for NS2's (?), which would probably be a more "true" comparison to a Masterbuilt Warwick. Regardless, I'd sure be interested to hear that as well! Thanks for watching.

Lol - I can understand the initial confusion, but after hearing them just once, and especially after playing them, you can absolutely tell a difference!

@@gsimongear Amen to that mate! Totally different characteristics to them

Nothing wrong with cheap! The Fishman Fluence seem pretty neat. How do you think they compare to the "classic" EMG Humbucker Spector tone?

@@gsimongear I think the FIshmans do give a good approximation of that tone, but if you're specific about that sound, just stick with that. However, the Fishmans switch between humbucker and single coil, plus it has a 3-way tone selector toggle switch that changes between scooped, modern flat and classic mid-range bite. Not to mention the treble and bass tones to adjust however you like, so it is a far more versatile setup and is noiseless, even in single coil. As a comparison, I have a Schector SLS, also with Fishmans, but in that, they sound smoother. In the Spector, they sound more 'growly' and turning the bass and treble to just below middle brings out even more. I've never fitted any electronics before, so this was my first time and I have to say, it wasn't too difficult.

Cool, I didn't know that! Frankly, I'm still not sure how the thing works. It sounds pretty good posted, but it was a little hard for me to control.

@@gsimongear I've had a few Euros and the tonepump was always the weak point for me. I like a detent so I at least have a starting point when shaping my tone. I would have replaced them with a Hazlab but they're very expensive, and I never held on to them for very long either as the necks never felt great to me. I've recently bought a '96 Thumb 5 and it is an astounding instrument - I shouls point out, your videos are partly to blame 🤣

Thank you! How do the NS series compare to the Euro? I've always been interested in playing those, as I've heard the necks are slimmer than the Euro.

@@gsimongear the 2 USA basses I have are very similar to the Euro as far as the neck goes. The main difference is the preamps. The NS-4 I have has an 18 volt pre and the the NS-2 has the HAZ 9 volt pre. Both amazing in their own right! The euro I have has a tonepump pre and I love it as well. Great basses all around!

Thanks!

I'm a little partial to the Warwick too! I do have a Pro Series Thumb, with an ovangkol body, and that one certainly feels much lighter. That bubinga is dense!

Thanks Danny! It's becoming my favorite pickup configuration as well.

That's super interesting! Thanks man!

@@gsimongear absolutely.. In the early to mid 80s you could only get a spector in the US.

Wow, thanks for sharing that, Dean - I had always thought the USA & Czech instruments were the exact same body shape. I really appreciate the feedback and thanks for checking out the video!

It’s more so the dual coil emg setup gs the single coil jazz pickups and placement on the Warwick.

@@bassyboii wait did he have them in single coil mode or humbucker? I don’t think it was mentioned, unless I missed it.

@@deangomes6280 sounded like humbucker mode. Owned the same bass for a bit.

Thanks for watching Tim! Good point on the neck profiles. Given the choice, I prefer the thinner neck of the Warwicks as well. The Spector's not bad, but like you said, when switching from a Warwick one minute to Spector the next, the Spector neck feels chunky. I'd be curious to try an extended-scale Warwick - I'd argue that they already have one of the punchiest & tightest low B's with just a 34'' scale!

Neck of my Warw STD 5 corvette 1994 is fat. But I like it. Newest warw have many slim curve.

I've noticed that as well. Thanks for watching the video; I appreciate it!

For sure! Before owning either bass, I saw some pretty impassioned owners calling one or the other copycats, but after owning them, that can't be further from the truth.

@@gsimongear Agreed. I have both a Warwick and a Spector neck through and they're worlds apart in every way.

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

Nope! While I'm partial to Warwick, I can't deny I've got a soft spot for Spector too! Thank you for watching!

Yep! Definitely different. Only a slightly similar body shape.

Thanks Chris! I'm partial to Warwick as well, but that's just me - Spector makes phenomenal instruments in its own right!

Thanks! The Spector does have a unique punch when doing faster slaps like that.

Thanks Daniel! I won't lie; I enjoy the thick, classic Jazz bass tone! The ergonomics of Fender basses don't really match my preferences, but hey, that's why there's so many different basses out there to try!!

Nice! Yeah, that's my favorite part about Warwicks - the tone seems to work in nearly any mix with minimal EQ.

Big Thumb fan here as well! Thanks for watching.

Well to be fair he said they were the EMG 40 TW so they do have the coil split, but he doesn't say which mode he had it in lol. Both basses sound great though

I love the way you put that! Yeah, I do enjoy the Spector tone, but I find that in a mix, you've really got to play with the mids and bass to help it stand out and not he too boomy. I rarely have to do any EQing on Warwicks, isolated or in a mix.

Even then MEC soap bars sound very different from EMGs and Warwick places them in a different position closer to the bridge giving them a harder bite.

I definitely understand that! As much as I love the distinctive Warwick sound, I can't deny that there are times where a more subtle bass tone can come in handy though. Different tools for different situations, I guess. Thanks for watching!

They're definitely both beasts in their own right! Thanks for watching!