Ben Pearson Spectre questions

[scrub-buster]

I just picked up an old Ben Pearson Spectre bow.  It's 45#28" and AMO 52".  I'm still pretty new to FG bows.  Is the string length 4" less than the AMO?  It didn't have a string.  Is this bow too old to use modern string material?  I have no idea when it was made.  I have some B55 but would rather use 8190, 8125, or D97.  Any suggestions on brace height? 

I've been looking for an inexpensive recurve to try to refinish.  I'd like to sand it down, add snake skins, and then put a new finish on it.  This bow is the length that I like and the grip feels good in my hand.  The bow has black and tan swirls and a red stripe in the riser.  I like the way it looks.

I got a great deal on it.  I bought this bow and 2 brownings in a package deal at the Tennessee Classic last week.  I did not like the brownings but the deal was so good that I couldn't pass it up.  I wiped the dust and rain off of the brownings and sold them a few minutes later for $10 more than I paid for all three.  So I got the Ben Pearson for free and put $10 in my pocket. 

[limbshaker]

That was my first bow lots of years back. Rode my bicycle to a yard sale and bought it for 5 bucks. Still have it, but it's on loan to a buddy long term haha.

If I remember right, it has real thin tip overlays. If I were to try a Fast flight type string, I'd pad the loops up real good and fat.

Cool little bows. Mine never seemed like a speed demon, but it was nicely made and shot smooth for a short bow. I liked it a lot better than the Kodiak Mag I'll tell you that.

I haven't got a clue on brace height, but string length should be around 4" shorter. So a 48" string should get you started. Id get a Flemish style so you'll have a little more range to twist it up and tinker with brace height.

Post up some pics!

[scrub-buster]

It has thin red tip overlays.  I twisted up a 48" 10 strand flemish B-55 string with loops padded to 14 strands.  I just do not like the feel of B-50 or B-55.  I don't know why, maybe the larger diameter.  I'll test the length out tomorrow and probably make a new string out of 8190.  with padded loops.  I'll take some pictures of it and post.  Thanks for the help.

[limbshaker]

It has thin red tip overlays.  I twisted up a 48" 10 strand flemish B-55 string with loops padded to 14 strands.  I just do not like the feel of B-50 or B-55.  I don't know why, maybe the larger diameter.  I'll test the length out tomorrow and probably make a new string out of 8190.  with padded loops.  I'll take some pictures of it and post.  Thanks for the help.

Yep that sounds like what I remember mine to look like. I agree, I don't care for B50 either. Always feels soft and thick.

You know you might could make you some "extra" tip overlays and glue them on over the original ones. Should look pretty good if you blend in the edges nicely. Might be worth a try, especially since you are in it for free.

But with a good padded loop it will probably be fine regardless.

Good luck with it! 

[scrub-buster]

I put a 49" string on it to see what it looked like.  I didn't measure the brace height but it looks OK to me and it shot good. 

[Orion]

What is an FG bow?

[limbshaker]

Yours looks awesome! Mine is nearly all black, doesn't have near the figure yours has. Cool find there!

Wonder what the wood is?

[scrub-buster]

What is an FG bow?

Fiberglass bow

[Orion]

Interesting.  I've been shooting sticks for more than 60 years and never heard the laminated wood and fiberglass construction, or solid fiberglass, for that matter, abbreviated to FB.  Think maybe cell phones and texting had something to do with it.  Learn something every day. 

[arrow30]

I have one of those, and the wood is spectacular,super grain, dark and light. keeping it for when I get old......er.

[scrub-buster]

Interesting.  I've been shooting sticks for more than 60 years and never heard the laminated wood and fiberglass construction, or solid fiberglass, for that matter, abbreviated to FB.  Think maybe cell phones and texting had something to do with it.  Learn something every day. 

I hate the cell phone abbreviations.   I picked up the FG from the primitive archer forum.  Fiberglass is a bad word on that site so it is referred to as FG. 

[mahantango]

Those old Pearson shorties were great bows Imo. Greatly underrated. My daughter shoots 52" Mach I which is very similar. Vastly better shooters than the more desirable Bear kmag.