I read that the spider in the WS Ickes is a cheap one. I have no intention on swapping it out, I love the sound as it is. What am I really missing by not changing it, just curious?

I don't know about cheap, but it is an import spider and heavier than a #14. Technically, that would mean some loss of overall responsiveness and power in the trebles. Looking through the coverplates, you can see the difference in the size of the legs and webs on the spider in the Ickes model and those on the #14 in a Goldtone. But if you're happy with the sound, I wouldn't mess with it.

Edited by - SamCy on 07/22/2012 21:53:48

Every thing SamCy said. When I had my wechter scheerhorn apart the import spider was heaver than a #14 spider. And yes, if your happy with the sound that's great, I wouldn't mess with it.