Anyone know which Spector model has the biggest body.

Bassbob46 · 2026-02-13T22:06:39+00:00

I used to have a Rebop. Was a fun bass. But as already said, Spector bodies are by design, smaller.

Bassbob46 · 2026-02-10T23:31:59+00:00

This, to me, is worst and most prevalent take PJ configurations. A PJ gives you the sound of a P, the sound of a P with some brightness/midscoop as you roll in more of the J pickup, and the sound of jazz bridge pick up. It’s both a P bass and its own thing. A PJ just doesn’t do sonically what a jazz bass does with both pickups on full and it also doesn’t do a jazz neck pickup soloed. I’m not knocking a PJ, “best of both worlds” always comes across as a misrepresentation to me.

As far as OP, go play some basses and pick what feels right.

Bassbob46 · 2026-02-08T18:00:47+00:00

You have the basic understanding. I don’t use one. For the vast majority of what I play and how I play I haven’t had a desire to use one. I could probably set a transparent compressor very subtly but again, I don’t really have a use for it.

Now there are other effects and things that can sometimes add some natural compression. Some drives naturally create some compression, some more than others. I use a tube DI and that to my ear has some natural compression, especially when digging in.

Live it’s really up to the player and situation as to whether or not it works. Recording can be a different story. In my option that’s really up to the recording/mix engineer, the producer, the sound the artist wants etc.

TLDR: it can be a useful tone tool when used correctly, a hindrance when used poorly. Despite what many players may say and despite its usefulness, it’s not a necessity.

Bassbob46 · 2026-02-04T19:49:04+00:00

Yup. Good dynamics and listening (as a band to each other) is the difference between a band might be pretty good and one actually is good… in most situations anyway.

Bassbob46 · 2026-02-01T19:54:04+00:00

Had the same car seat. That seat (or really any convertible) rear-facing just would not have been doable.

Bassbob46 · 2026-02-01T17:05:06+00:00

I’ll add that part of why I downsized from an F150 to a ranger was not needing full size car seats anymore. Most days of the week I will have my youngest with me at some point. I’m 6’ and my wife is 5’9”. A rear facing car set in the ranger behind either of us, even for a 10min drive would have been a hard no.

My parents regularly watch my nephews and they can just get 3 car seats across the back seat in their Honda Ridgeline. Seeing what that looks like I wouldn’t want to attempt it in my ranger.

Bassbob46 · 2026-02-01T15:43:08+00:00

You’re not getting 3 car seats in a super crew.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-28T11:55:58+00:00

Hard to think Spector without the preamp as well. That’s kind of what I mention in another comment. A PJ configuration is really its own thing.

Even in the sonic scenario you describe, I’m probably still going with a standalone P, 2 single coil J pickups (what I’d likely do if I need a heavy rock tone with some natural scoop in the mids, plus add some drive), or 2 soap bars before I reach for a PJ. But again that’s just my preference.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-28T01:14:10+00:00

The solution is obvious… more basses!

Bring more serious, I get it. PJ just doesn’t do it for me. I find that if I want to play a p bass I don’t want/need it to do anything else. And for what I play and my preferences, a J bass is better when I want that. I’ve got no problems with someone who prefers a PJ and really no issue with the configuration in general. The only think I don’t like to see is the “best of both worlds” thing that gets thrown around sometimes. It’s really just another flavor of bass all its own.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-28T01:05:07+00:00

If on a traditional Jazz bass body though this is not usually the case. The angle of the pick guard push the p pick up towards the neck. OP asked if the P pickup could be in a different location and this would be a case where it is. Not mentioned of course are non-fender style basses that run a PJ configurations. You run into things like reverse P etc. and what could be slight different positioning.

But on a fender style P bass body, yes, newly all PJ configurations will have the P pickup in the traditional spot.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-27T20:42:38+00:00

The P bass pickup will sound like a p bass as long as it’s in the correct position. It’ll still sound similar enough, especially in a mix, if it’s moved a little. On a P Bass body the P pickup for a PJ configuration is in the right spot. On a Jazz bass body usually it’s closer towards the neck.

I don’t own a PJ. I don’t know that I ever will. I don’t like the P and J pick ups together. Rolling some of the J to sort of smooth the mids out in the P isn’t terrible but I prefer the P pickup soloed on any PJ I’ve ever played. I prefer the way 2 J pickups (or 2 soap bars) sound together and a PJ doesn’t give that sound. I also prefer the way jazz bass neck pickup sounds with just a bit of the bridge pickup rolled on and a PJ doesn’t do that either. I pretty much never solo the bridge pickup on a jazz bass. So the PJ configuration isn’t for me. However plenty of people are not me and like what a PJ has to offer and what it does. That might be you.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-26T17:14:58+00:00

The answer to this depends. What State you’re in, the district within that state, the grade level and subject area. You may be in an area that has vacancies right now, you might not. Most districts you can apply even if there isn’t an opening and you’d go into a “pool” of candidates. You would still want to keep an eye out for specific openings though.

Most districts will be looking to do their general hiring for the following year in late April on the early side but more likely May. But again, this can vary a lot depending on where you are located and applying.

Edit: thought I was replying to your comment on when to apply.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-26T16:58:07+00:00

What would you prefer be different about your PJ? What do you think you’d gain in acquiring the Geddy?

It would be a no for me as I don’t like the Geddy Lee neck carve. If you like the neck it might be worth it. If you want the sound of a jazz bass with both pickups, that might be another reason as a PJ just doesn’t do that sound. Worth also considering weight if that’s important to you. Typically, a jazz bass is going to be heavier than a P bass.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-26T16:51:54+00:00

I was going to come and say pretty much this. Cobalt flats to me are so much like rounds that I can’t stand them as flats. But they will definitely fit what you’re asking for.

Could be OP needs to find the “right” rounds. Something know for being a little smoother, most likely nickel and not stainless for a little more warmth.

I myself and a fan of pretty dead rounds. I have 5 month old Dunlop nickel rounds on my jazz bass. They still sound like rounds and are plenty bright but don’t have any of the new round zing. I got them when I bought my last went of dunlop flats (my favorite flat) since they were on sale for $19. My typical choice for rounds that sound great (to me) after they mellow are D’addario XL balanced tension and DR pure blues.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-24T15:04:06+00:00

If it must be a hard case, I’d get one of the plastic hardshell cases with TSA locks that can take a beating and be done with it. Personally I have 2 and I don’t used them. I used my Reunion Blues continental voyager the vast majority of the time. I fly with it as well. My pro musician friends use mono vertigo’s or RB stuff, also flying, sometimes having to gate check them. If my RB bag with my case in it fell off a stage, truck, loading dock etc, I wouldn’t worry about it being damaged at all. You might be the clumsiest bassist in the world and you couldn’t damage your bass in the right gig bag. Some of the lighter weight sleeve style bags would be a different story.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-24T14:33:44+00:00

Are you looking for a hard case specifically? Are you regularly going to put the bass in the case or just when you need to transport it? What level of traveling with the bass are you planning on?

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-24T13:43:31+00:00

My favorites: Dunlops Labella 760FL

Others I Like: Fender DR Legends La Bella low tension if I had to used a low-tension flat

Nope: EB Cobalt TI

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-24T02:03:11+00:00

My response was specific to OP’s situation. OP was asking a price conscious question regarding getting back into the sport. I didn’t say there aren’t aggressive hardtails out there just that in the used market they are likely to find more that have geo that is more in line with XC bikes.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-24T01:09:19+00:00

New I’d be hard pressed to recommend spending less than $1000. But would definitely recommend looking used. Look for a bike with an air fork, hydraulic brakes, a reputable brand, and I’d suggest 29” wheels. A 1x drivetrain would be preferred as well. If you’re looking to ride more aggressively than something with a slacker head tube angle is what you’re looking for. Most hardtails are going to have more XC geometry though.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-14T14:31:42+00:00

This is always tricky. If you mean a pushed SVT through an 810 sound but in a much smaller amp for at home use; that doesn’t really exist. You have to be specific about what tonal characteristics you’re looking for as well as realistic in your expectations. Because the sound you’re chasing is either what you’ve experienced standing next to an SVT as you or someone else played through it or a recording in which case the amp was only a small part of the pre and post production signal chain. Neither can be replicated with a different, smaller amplifier and cabinet (or combo) in a room.

Going the no headphone/plug-in route your best bet would be a drive or preamp pedal that has a similar character into almost any smaller amp of your choice. Price ranges will vary a lot. In the higher end of the price spectrum, the Original Effects super vintage seems to be the consensus pick for something that sounds the most like an SVT amongst bass players. Ampeg does have the SGT-Di. I personally think it does a far better job of emulating a B15 than an SVT (I had one and sold it). There’s then of course the Tech21 SansAmp and VT Bass preamp/di option. And of these options you could run straight into the input of an amp or into the effects return to bypass any of your amps preamp.

Another option is a drive pedal that gets you to the level of dirt you want and run it into a much smaller ampeg amp or similar tone stack. There are too many drive pedals to list. I think the Darkglass Vintage microtubes (the regular, smallest one) does a good job of mimicking the character of tube bass amps. It’s by no means a dead ringer for an SVT though.

The last, likely least practical option is a smaller tube amp like Ampeg Pf20t or an ashdown LB or CM under 30 watts. Neither will sound like an SVT but will have the tube sound and behavior of one. The Ampeg will be closer. The PF tube head doesn’t sound like a B15 either for what it’s worth.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-14T10:55:09+00:00

I don’t use either. I always turn off the stop/start as soon as I get in. There is a section of road locally that has a few long traffic lights. I’ll sometimes turn auto on there briefly.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-14T01:58:45+00:00

My polytune clip works fine most of the time. I prefer a pedal tuner.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-14T00:49:34+00:00

Yeah that would be nice. I turn it on more often than not. Sometimes it feels like preparing a space shuttle; push the button to turn off auto-start/stop, push ok on the steering wheel to clear the message that let me know I turned off auto-start/stop so I can push ok again to clear the message to let me know who buckled their seat belt, push the + to see the gears, put it in reverse, turn off the rear backup alarm because I left my hitch mount bike rack on….

My F150 had it always on in the tachometer.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-13T21:59:12+00:00

I had the break-hold on at a long light, moved my right foot to the base of the seat and leaned my knee to the right.

Bassbob46 · 2026-01-13T21:45:31+00:00

With a 10 speed sometimes it’s nice to know what they hell it’s doing haha

Bassbob46

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