Unable to afford the guitar he wanted, Stuart Spector crafted the first Spector instrument in 1974, an electric guitar (see below). Wanting to continue learning how to handcraft instruments, Stuart was taught machine woodworking from his friend & Brooklyn Woodworkers Co-Op founder, Billy Thomas. After some design experimentations in 1975 and early 1976, Stuart officially started the Spector Guitars Inc. company in 1976 with fellow Co-Op member Alan Charney, producing SB-1 basses & G-1 electric guitars.
Special Note
Below is a small sampling from my personal collection. Please check back often as I will be adding more instruments, never before seen photos, stories, & memorabilia on a regular basis!
Below is a small sampling from my personal collection. Please check back often as I will be adding more instruments, never before seen photos, stories, & memorabilia on a regular basis!
The First Spector Instrument
1974
1974
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Stuart made this guitar for himself, by hand, in his apartment in 1974.
When he decided to pursue building instruments, this guitar was disassembled, and for years was next to his desk at the Brooklyn workshop. The tradition continues...for decades I have kept this guitar next to my work desk.
Woods include a nicely figure maple body, mahogany neck, & ebony fretboard with 'vine of life' inlays.
Obtained in the early 1990s from the original owner, my dear friend Stuart Spector.
When he decided to pursue building instruments, this guitar was disassembled, and for years was next to his desk at the Brooklyn workshop. The tradition continues...for decades I have kept this guitar next to my work desk.
Woods include a nicely figure maple body, mahogany neck, & ebony fretboard with 'vine of life' inlays.
Obtained in the early 1990s from the original owner, my dear friend Stuart Spector.
Stuart Spector with his first instrument in 1974
Stuart in action circa 1975 & early 2018 !
You may have seen this photo in the past....
I took the 2018 photo & used this combined photo online.
You may have seen this photo in the past....
I took the 2018 photo & used this combined photo online.
The First Spector Bass
1975
1975
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After building the (above) first guitar for himself, Stuart started to receive instrument requests from fellow local musicians. There were more bass inquires than guitar requests as bass players seemed more open to embracing new designs.
The Brooklyn industrial waterfront, now mostly replaced by housing and retail shops, supplied Stuart with many world class hardwoods. He could be found here searching for the best pieces of industry standard woods, such as maple and rosewood, plus more exotic guitar woods such as ebony, African padauk, and walnut. His constant experiments led to the creation and launch of the first Spector instrument models, the G-1 electric guitar and the SB-1 electric bass.
This is the first bass guitar made by Stuart Spector. The design is one of two produced.
Features include walnut body wings, 1pc maple neck-thru neck, lined fretless ebony fretboard with 26 'frets', & DeArmond
guitar pickups.
The bass is currently missing its bridge, tailpiece & walnut pickup covers. After it has been restored in the near future I will update the photos.
The Brooklyn industrial waterfront, now mostly replaced by housing and retail shops, supplied Stuart with many world class hardwoods. He could be found here searching for the best pieces of industry standard woods, such as maple and rosewood, plus more exotic guitar woods such as ebony, African padauk, and walnut. His constant experiments led to the creation and launch of the first Spector instrument models, the G-1 electric guitar and the SB-1 electric bass.
This is the first bass guitar made by Stuart Spector. The design is one of two produced.
Features include walnut body wings, 1pc maple neck-thru neck, lined fretless ebony fretboard with 26 'frets', & DeArmond
guitar pickups.
The bass is currently missing its bridge, tailpiece & walnut pickup covers. After it has been restored in the near future I will update the photos.
The Second Spector Bass
1975
1975
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This is the second bass guitar made by Stuart Spector. The design is the second of two produced.
Features include walnut body wings, 1pc maple neck-thru neck, ebony fretboard with 26 frets, ebony tailpiece, brass bridge, & DeArmond guitar pickups with walnut covers.
This bass was lovingly restored for me by my friend Chris "Lumpy" Hofschneinder (RIP) in the 1990s with info and oversight from Stuart. Since the distance between the bridge and the tailpiece is longer than on a standard electric bass, Lumpy used a set of MTD strings (which were made to fit the 35" scale MTD basses) hoping these would be the right length for this bass....as you see they were not quite long enough.
Features include walnut body wings, 1pc maple neck-thru neck, ebony fretboard with 26 frets, ebony tailpiece, brass bridge, & DeArmond guitar pickups with walnut covers.
This bass was lovingly restored for me by my friend Chris "Lumpy" Hofschneinder (RIP) in the 1990s with info and oversight from Stuart. Since the distance between the bridge and the tailpiece is longer than on a standard electric bass, Lumpy used a set of MTD strings (which were made to fit the 35" scale MTD basses) hoping these would be the right length for this bass....as you see they were not quite long enough.
Brochure circa 1976 featuring SB-1 & G-1
SB-1 #75
1975
1975
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The SB-1 was the first production Spector bass guitar model. Featuring a flat wide body, walnut body wings, maple neck-thru body neck, & Leo Quan bridge, with either a DiMarzio Model One or Model P pickup.
My early production SB-1 #75 was made in 1975. Note the (early spec) front control cavity rout with wooden cover.
The original owner bought the bass new in 1975. While visiting the workshop a few years later for a bass set up, Stuart serialized this bass #075 in honor of its production year on the back of its peghead.
Purchased from the original owner in Manhattan, New York.
My early production SB-1 #75 was made in 1975. Note the (early spec) front control cavity rout with wooden cover.
The original owner bought the bass new in 1975. While visiting the workshop a few years later for a bass set up, Stuart serialized this bass #075 in honor of its production year on the back of its peghead.
Purchased from the original owner in Manhattan, New York.
SB-1 #73877
1977
1977
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My SB-1 #73877 was made in 1977. Its features include walnut body wings, 4pc maple neck-thru neck, rosewood fretboard, wooden truss rod cover, matte finish, DiMarzio Model One humbucker, and a Leo Quan bridge.
Over the decades I have owned Spector basses with one, two, three, four, and five piece necks. Thankfully this particular four piece neck is very stable.
This bass is all passive. Its controls are volume and passive tone. The switch controls the phase of the pickup's coils.
I purchased this bass twice! Originally I purchased it in the early 1990s from the original owner in New Jersey. I have great memories of driving to Orange NJ, finding the owner's house, and doing a cash deal in his basement.
In 2005 I sold a couple basses including this SB-1 to a friend in Japan, who was also a dealer. Recently I was very fortunate to purchase this bass from its owner at that time, with the assistanace of another friend in Japan. The bass is in the same great condition as when I first owned it. It is a joy to own this bass once again!
Over the decades I have owned Spector basses with one, two, three, four, and five piece necks. Thankfully this particular four piece neck is very stable.
This bass is all passive. Its controls are volume and passive tone. The switch controls the phase of the pickup's coils.
I purchased this bass twice! Originally I purchased it in the early 1990s from the original owner in New Jersey. I have great memories of driving to Orange NJ, finding the owner's house, and doing a cash deal in his basement.
In 2005 I sold a couple basses including this SB-1 to a friend in Japan, who was also a dealer. Recently I was very fortunate to purchase this bass from its owner at that time, with the assistanace of another friend in Japan. The bass is in the same great condition as when I first owned it. It is a joy to own this bass once again!
SB-1 #56677
Lined Fretless
1977
Lined Fretless
1977
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My SB-1 #56677 was made in 1977. Its features include walnut body wings, 2pc maple neck-thru neck, rosewood fretboard, wooden truss rod cover, matte finish, DiMarzio Model P pickup cast in a special housing, and a Leo Quan bridge.
Over the decades I have owned Spector basses with one, two, three, four, and five piece necks. Thankfully this particular two piece neck is very stable.
This bass is all passive. Its controls are volume and passive tone. The switch controls the phase of the pickup's coils.
Purchased from a friend in Illinois.
Over the decades I have owned Spector basses with one, two, three, four, and five piece necks. Thankfully this particular two piece neck is very stable.
This bass is all passive. Its controls are volume and passive tone. The switch controls the phase of the pickup's coils.
Purchased from a friend in Illinois.
SB-1 #331
1979
1979
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An uncommon SB-1 with maple body wings and flame maple tone block on the back of the body! The 1pc maple neck is a comfortable full size NS neck, since this particular bass was made near the end of the SB era.
Other specs include a DiMarzio Model P pickup set, a passive tone control, two mini switches (instrument mute, DiMarzio Dual Sound phase selector), a wooden truss rod cover, and a clear gloss finish.
Note the standard NS peghead shape!
Purchased from a friend in Germany.
Other specs include a DiMarzio Model P pickup set, a passive tone control, two mini switches (instrument mute, DiMarzio Dual Sound phase selector), a wooden truss rod cover, and a clear gloss finish.
Note the standard NS peghead shape!
Purchased from a friend in Germany.
SB-1 #331 on my workbench
The cover of a vintage Leo Quan bridge instruction booklet
G-1 #272277
1977
1977
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The G-1 was the first production Spector electric guitar model.
My G-1 #272277 was completed in July 1977.
Featuring a flat body, solid walnut body wings, maple neck-thru body neck, an ebony fretboard with 22 frets, and DiMarzio P.A.F. and Dual Sound pickups. The brass tailpiece was fabricated at the workshop. I really enjoy using this guitar for songwriting and recording guitar tracks!
When viewing the SB-1 bass and even G-1 electric guitar, one can see the body design elements that Ned kept when modifying the SB-1 to become the NS-1.
My G-1 #272277 was completed in July 1977.
Featuring a flat body, solid walnut body wings, maple neck-thru body neck, an ebony fretboard with 22 frets, and DiMarzio P.A.F. and Dual Sound pickups. The brass tailpiece was fabricated at the workshop. I really enjoy using this guitar for songwriting and recording guitar tracks!
When viewing the SB-1 bass and even G-1 electric guitar, one can see the body design elements that Ned kept when modifying the SB-1 to become the NS-1.
Picture Sleeve for Steve Martin's "King Tut" 45rpm record single (1978), featuring Lou Reed's personal G-1 guitar.
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Brochure circa 1977 featuring G-1, NS-1 (prototype!), SB-1
NS-1 Mock-Up
March 1977
March 1977
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A rare behind the scenes look at the making of the Spector NS body shape.
Ned Steinberger redesigned the SB-1's flat & wide body, giving it gentle curves with an overall reduced size which was quite revolutionary at the time.
Next came moving the design from paper to reality. This mock up bass was the first attempt at a 'real' NS instrument. It was made using a defective SB-1 neck (the truss rod pushed thru the back of the neck) and many small pieces of wood for the body wings to best determine the curvature of the body.... & to see if this crazy bass design would work at all!
The NS-1 Prototype bass (see below) was also produced in March 1977.
Obtained in the 1990s from the original owner, my good friend Ned Steinberger.
Ned Steinberger redesigned the SB-1's flat & wide body, giving it gentle curves with an overall reduced size which was quite revolutionary at the time.
Next came moving the design from paper to reality. This mock up bass was the first attempt at a 'real' NS instrument. It was made using a defective SB-1 neck (the truss rod pushed thru the back of the neck) and many small pieces of wood for the body wings to best determine the curvature of the body.... & to see if this crazy bass design would work at all!
The NS-1 Prototype bass (see below) was also produced in March 1977.
Obtained in the 1990s from the original owner, my good friend Ned Steinberger.
NS-1 Prototype
March 1977
March 1977
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The NS-1 Prototype is the world's first curved body bass guitar. Designed exclusively for Spector by fellow Brooklyn Woodworker Co-Op member Ned Steinberger.
This was a reduced size & contoured version of the SB-1.
The NS-1 Prototype features walnut body wings, an extra piece of walnut behind the bridge, & a pickup that Ned wound & had cast locally in clear epoxy. Its second strap button is located on the back of the body, much like his Steinberger headless basses.
Stuart tweaked the original design to help with its balance & playability.
This bass is a true piece of electric bass guitar design history.
Fun Fact : This bass appears in the above circa 1977 brochure as the example NS-1 !
Purchased in the 1990s from the original owner, my good friend Ned Steinberger.
Another Fun Fact :
This bass included its wooden hardshell case which Ned crafted. It retains his handwritten "Orig NS" tag on the handle.
This was a reduced size & contoured version of the SB-1.
The NS-1 Prototype features walnut body wings, an extra piece of walnut behind the bridge, & a pickup that Ned wound & had cast locally in clear epoxy. Its second strap button is located on the back of the body, much like his Steinberger headless basses.
Stuart tweaked the original design to help with its balance & playability.
This bass is a true piece of electric bass guitar design history.
Fun Fact : This bass appears in the above circa 1977 brochure as the example NS-1 !
Purchased in the 1990s from the original owner, my good friend Ned Steinberger.
Another Fun Fact :
This bass included its wooden hardshell case which Ned crafted. It retains his handwritten "Orig NS" tag on the handle.
NS-1 #182
1978
1978
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My NS-1 #182 was completed in 1978.
Features include walnut body wings, 1pc maple neck-thru neck, wooden truss rod cover, DiMarzio Model P pickup cast in a special housing, and Dan Armstrong Yellow Humper active tone controls.
The earliest NS-1 basses were all passive. Next, the Dan Armstrong "Yellow Humper" active tone controls were added. They were followed by the Spector/HAZ active tone controls, started in 1978.
Purchased from a friend in Arizona.
Features include walnut body wings, 1pc maple neck-thru neck, wooden truss rod cover, DiMarzio Model P pickup cast in a special housing, and Dan Armstrong Yellow Humper active tone controls.
The earliest NS-1 basses were all passive. Next, the Dan Armstrong "Yellow Humper" active tone controls were added. They were followed by the Spector/HAZ active tone controls, started in 1978.
Purchased from a friend in Arizona.
Late 1970s NS-1 Brochure
NS-1 #210
1978
1978
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My Brooklyn era NS-1 #210 was handcrafted in 1978.
Features include walnut body wings, 1pc maple neck-thru neck, wooden truss rod cover, DiMarzio Model P pickup cast in a special housing, and Dan Armstrong Yellow Humper active tone controls.
This bass has a very pronounced curvature of its body. It is 'super curved'! I have seen at least one other Brooklyn NS-1 with this feature.
The gloss finish has areas of wear giving this bass a great patina.
Purchased from a friend in Pennsylvania.
Features include walnut body wings, 1pc maple neck-thru neck, wooden truss rod cover, DiMarzio Model P pickup cast in a special housing, and Dan Armstrong Yellow Humper active tone controls.
This bass has a very pronounced curvature of its body. It is 'super curved'! I have seen at least one other Brooklyn NS-1 with this feature.
The gloss finish has areas of wear giving this bass a great patina.
Purchased from a friend in Pennsylvania.
NS-1 #325
1979
1979
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My Brooklyn era NS-1 #325 was handcrafted in 1979.
Features include walnut body wings with a cherry tone block on the back, 1pc flame maple neck-thru neck, wooden truss rod cover, matte finish, DiMarzio Model P pickup, and Spector/HAZ 9v active tone controls...note this circuit's early version control layout.
Also note the start of the black peghead front spec. Additionally, 325's peghead ears, visible on the back, are maple...unlike my older NS-1 basses #182 and #210 which use darker wood for their peghead ears.
This bass is in amazing condition for its age and has a wonderful full yet articulate tone.
Purchased from a friend in Canada.
Features include walnut body wings with a cherry tone block on the back, 1pc flame maple neck-thru neck, wooden truss rod cover, matte finish, DiMarzio Model P pickup, and Spector/HAZ 9v active tone controls...note this circuit's early version control layout.
Also note the start of the black peghead front spec. Additionally, 325's peghead ears, visible on the back, are maple...unlike my older NS-1 basses #182 and #210 which use darker wood for their peghead ears.
This bass is in amazing condition for its age and has a wonderful full yet articulate tone.
Purchased from a friend in Canada.
NS-1 #354
1979
1979
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My Brooklyn era NS-1 #354 was handcrafted in 1979.
Features include cherry body wings with a slightly darker cherry tone block on the back, 1pc maple neck, cherry veneer peghead face, cherry peghead ears, wooden truss rod cover, gloss finish, DiMarzio Model P pickup, and Spector/HAZ 9v active tone controls...note this circuit's early version control layout.
Purchased from the original owner, my friend Billy Thomas, the founder of the Brooklyn Woodworker's Co-Op. This was his personal Spector bass, made for him in 1979.
Features include cherry body wings with a slightly darker cherry tone block on the back, 1pc maple neck, cherry veneer peghead face, cherry peghead ears, wooden truss rod cover, gloss finish, DiMarzio Model P pickup, and Spector/HAZ 9v active tone controls...note this circuit's early version control layout.
Purchased from the original owner, my friend Billy Thomas, the founder of the Brooklyn Woodworker's Co-Op. This was his personal Spector bass, made for him in 1979.
NS-1 #354 on my workbench
NS-1 #663
1983
1983
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My NS-1 #663 was crafted in early 1983. It was made to look like a late 1970's NS-1, but with EMG active P pickups. Other specs include walnut body wings, rosewood fretboard with dot markers, gold hardware including a Leo Quan bridge, oil and wax finish, and a Spector/HAZ 9v active tone controls.
This bass is incredibly punchy sounding and full of midrange!
Purchased from the son of the original owner (RIP) in Germany.
This bass is incredibly punchy sounding and full of midrange!
Purchased from the son of the original owner (RIP) in Germany.
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NS-1 #663 on my workbench
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Brochure featuring NS-1 & NS-2 basses plus some artists
NS-6 Prototype Electric Guitar
"004 VIN - E - BILT"
1978
"004 VIN - E - BILT"
1978
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This is the first NS-6 electric guitar. Handcrafted by Spector employee Vinny Fodera for himself with permission from Stuart & Ned. Additionally it was used by Ned for his experiments.
"004 VIN - E - BILT"
Its serial number is 4 which does not correspond with Spector's serial numbers but indicates that this guitar is the fourth instrument Vinny Fodera ever built. It is the first Spector NS guitar ever built.
Features include Andaman paduak body wings & peghead ears, 1pc maple neck-thru neck, pau ferro fretboard, 22 frets, koa peghead veneer, DiMarzio pickups, & a Fodera truss rod cover. The guitar is completely original except for the electronic configuration, however, the pots & toggle switch are original.
This guitar was also used by Ned for his experiments. During construction just prior to the glueing of the fretboard, Ned hollowed out the neck & filled it with a woven carbon fiber/epoxy mixture which he was experimenting with as a prelude to his revolutionary carbon fiber headless Steinberger bass.
As a result, this guitar is the only physical artifact of collaboration between Stuart, Ned, & Vinny.
After this guitar's completion, it inspired a very limited run NS electric guitars.
Purchased from the original owner, my good friend Vinny Fodera.
"004 VIN - E - BILT"
Its serial number is 4 which does not correspond with Spector's serial numbers but indicates that this guitar is the fourth instrument Vinny Fodera ever built. It is the first Spector NS guitar ever built.
Features include Andaman paduak body wings & peghead ears, 1pc maple neck-thru neck, pau ferro fretboard, 22 frets, koa peghead veneer, DiMarzio pickups, & a Fodera truss rod cover. The guitar is completely original except for the electronic configuration, however, the pots & toggle switch are original.
This guitar was also used by Ned for his experiments. During construction just prior to the glueing of the fretboard, Ned hollowed out the neck & filled it with a woven carbon fiber/epoxy mixture which he was experimenting with as a prelude to his revolutionary carbon fiber headless Steinberger bass.
As a result, this guitar is the only physical artifact of collaboration between Stuart, Ned, & Vinny.
After this guitar's completion, it inspired a very limited run NS electric guitars.
Purchased from the original owner, my good friend Vinny Fodera.
NS-6 #287
1978
1978
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NS-6 #287 is one of the limited edition NS electric guitars handcrafted in the late 1970s. These guitars did not have their own unique serial numbers, they were serialized along with the bass production.
Its features include walnut body wings with a walnut piece added behind the stop tailpiece, maple and cherry tone block on the back, a 1pc maple neck, rosewood fretboard, 22 frets, DiMarzio pickups, a figured walnut peghead veneer, and a nitrocellulose lacquer finish. The truss rod cover is also original.
Just like the NS-1 Prototype bass, this guitar has the mentioned piece of walnut behind the stop tailpiece on the front of the body...this is for aesthetics, to add to the look of the guitar. This was not a common spec on the guitars or basses.
Its tone is wonderfully thick, and defined! A real joy to play!
Its features include walnut body wings with a walnut piece added behind the stop tailpiece, maple and cherry tone block on the back, a 1pc maple neck, rosewood fretboard, 22 frets, DiMarzio pickups, a figured walnut peghead veneer, and a nitrocellulose lacquer finish. The truss rod cover is also original.
Just like the NS-1 Prototype bass, this guitar has the mentioned piece of walnut behind the stop tailpiece on the front of the body...this is for aesthetics, to add to the look of the guitar. This was not a common spec on the guitars or basses.
Its tone is wonderfully thick, and defined! A real joy to play!
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This is the flyer for the limited run of NS-6 electric guitars, referred to as "The NS-1 Guitar".
NS-5 #433-1-5
The First NS Five String Bass
1978 - 1980
The First NS Five String Bass
1978 - 1980
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Another workshop experiment lead to the creation of two NS five string basses.
My NS-5 #433-1-5 is the first ever NS five string bass. It was handcrafted over time, starting in 1978, with its final completion on January 30, 1980.
Five string pickups and bridges were not readily available in the 1970s so the workshop had to improvise....using half of a second DiMarzio Model P pickup set to reach the B string, and fabricating a bridge. Other features included special inlays by Vinny Fodera, figured crotch walnut body wings, Spector 9v active tone controls, centered strap button at the end of the body, and 34"scale. Also note the added maple strips making the overall body wider.
This bass is one of the winners of the prestigious "One Of The Two Heaviest Weight Basses In My Collection" Award.
My NS-5 #433-1-5 is the first ever NS five string bass. It was handcrafted over time, starting in 1978, with its final completion on January 30, 1980.
Five string pickups and bridges were not readily available in the 1970s so the workshop had to improvise....using half of a second DiMarzio Model P pickup set to reach the B string, and fabricating a bridge. Other features included special inlays by Vinny Fodera, figured crotch walnut body wings, Spector 9v active tone controls, centered strap button at the end of the body, and 34"scale. Also note the added maple strips making the overall body wider.
This bass is one of the winners of the prestigious "One Of The Two Heaviest Weight Basses In My Collection" Award.
Bonus!
Etched into the control cover foil shielding of NS-5 #433-1-5 are the signatures of some employees who proudly crafted this bass, including "Handcrafted by Vincent Fodera" & others!
Etched into the control cover foil shielding of NS-5 #433-1-5 are the signatures of some employees who proudly crafted this bass, including "Handcrafted by Vincent Fodera" & others!
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Above : Brochure from the early 1980s
NS-2 #398
1979
1979
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The NS-1 evolved into a two pickup model, the NS-2. The P pickup's orientation was reversed & its position moved, for a more even string to string tone. A J pickup was added in the bridge position. DiMarzio pickups continued to be the default pickups, followed by EMG active pickups.
My NS-2 #398 is from the first year of NS-2 production, 1979. It features walnut body wings, 1pc maple neck-thru neck, wooden truss rod cover, gloss finish, DiMarzio Model P & Model J pickups, early Spector 9v active tone controls, and dot fingerboard markers.
Purchased from the original owner in Tennessee.
My NS-2 #398 is from the first year of NS-2 production, 1979. It features walnut body wings, 1pc maple neck-thru neck, wooden truss rod cover, gloss finish, DiMarzio Model P & Model J pickups, early Spector 9v active tone controls, and dot fingerboard markers.
Purchased from the original owner in Tennessee.
Experimental Bass #543
1982
1982
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In 1982 Stuart experimented with this design as a potential new body shape. Two basses were completed with this design.
#543 was Stuart's personal bass. Features of this bass include a swamp ash body, Leo Quan bridge, 3pc maple neck, and a rosewood fretboard with dot position markers.
With its larger body, this bass has a big full tone!
When new this bass had DiMarzio Model P and Model J passive pickups, and a Spector/HAZ 9v circuit..the extra hole was for an active/passive mini switch. When Stuart reassembled and set up this bass for me, he used EMG active pickups with a Spector/HAZ 9v circuit, thus the hole remains unused.
Obtained in the early 1990s from the original owner, my dear friend Stuart Spector.
#543 was Stuart's personal bass. Features of this bass include a swamp ash body, Leo Quan bridge, 3pc maple neck, and a rosewood fretboard with dot position markers.
With its larger body, this bass has a big full tone!
When new this bass had DiMarzio Model P and Model J passive pickups, and a Spector/HAZ 9v circuit..the extra hole was for an active/passive mini switch. When Stuart reassembled and set up this bass for me, he used EMG active pickups with a Spector/HAZ 9v circuit, thus the hole remains unused.
Obtained in the early 1990s from the original owner, my dear friend Stuart Spector.
Fun Fact : Because Stuart reassembled and set up this bass for me in the early 1990s it has an SSD truss rod cover
Stuart and me with #543 at our workshop in the early 1990s
NS-2 #564
1982
1982
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My NS-2 #564 was built in 1982. Its specs include birdseye maple body wings, rosewood fretboard with dot markers, oil and wax finish, gold hardware including a Leo Quan bridge, and EMG active P/J pickups. The Spector/HAZ 9v active tone controls have one switch which is for P pickup phase reversal. Additionally the outer two pieces of the neck are very nicely flamed maple.
The dense body wood gives this bass a little more weight than usual, as well as some mean tones!
Purchased from a friend in Florida.
The dense body wood gives this bass a little more weight than usual, as well as some mean tones!
Purchased from a friend in Florida.
NS-2 #579
1982
1982
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In the mid 2010's, a friend put me in touch with a family in Wisconsin. I spoke to the sister of the original owner of this bass. He was the original owner and lovingly played the bass for decades in his punk rock bands. After his tragic passing the family wanted the bass to continue to be played and enjoyed. I of course agreed to do this, and I still play this bass almost every week.
When I received the bass it had some heavy wear from use. The bass also had had been rewired, and modified with a second small circuit board and a fifth knob. Though there was output, the only functioning knob was the balance pot...which acted as a volume control!
First I removed the second circuit board and its pot. Then I rewired the original 9v circuit and (much to my surprise) it still properly functioned!
Next I had our workshop do a light restoration to the bass (sanding out some - but not all - of the wear) and apply a natural oil and wax finish, just like its original finish from the early 1980s. They filled the extra knob hole with a walnut wood plug, which started as a perfect match. However, when the plug absorbed the oil, it ended up a little darker in apprearance comparted to the walnut of the body wings.
The result is an incredible sounding and feeling instrument with a lot of history and performanaces behind it, and the right amount of wear and tear to match its history.
Features of this bass include walnut body wings, 3pc maple neck-thru neck, an oil and wax finish, EMG active P/J pickups, Spector/HAZ 9v active tone controls, and a rosewood fretboard with dot position markers.
Purchased from the sister of the original owner (RIP) in Wisconsin.
When I received the bass it had some heavy wear from use. The bass also had had been rewired, and modified with a second small circuit board and a fifth knob. Though there was output, the only functioning knob was the balance pot...which acted as a volume control!
First I removed the second circuit board and its pot. Then I rewired the original 9v circuit and (much to my surprise) it still properly functioned!
Next I had our workshop do a light restoration to the bass (sanding out some - but not all - of the wear) and apply a natural oil and wax finish, just like its original finish from the early 1980s. They filled the extra knob hole with a walnut wood plug, which started as a perfect match. However, when the plug absorbed the oil, it ended up a little darker in apprearance comparted to the walnut of the body wings.
The result is an incredible sounding and feeling instrument with a lot of history and performanaces behind it, and the right amount of wear and tear to match its history.
Features of this bass include walnut body wings, 3pc maple neck-thru neck, an oil and wax finish, EMG active P/J pickups, Spector/HAZ 9v active tone controls, and a rosewood fretboard with dot position markers.
Purchased from the sister of the original owner (RIP) in Wisconsin.
NS-2 #579 at the Woodstock workshop, during its light restoration
NS-2 #602
1982
1982
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NS-2 #602 is a wonderful bass from arguably one of my all time favorite batches of Spector basses produced. This batch produced my all time favorite NS-2, #603! Basses from this batch / timeframe are perfect to my hands and ears. To date I have owned three basses from this batch, and have played four others.
Its specs include birdseye maple body wings, a 3pc maple neck, an ebony fretboard (some of the basses produced in this batch had ebony fretboards, including my NS-2 #603), EMG P/J active pickups, Spector/HAZ 9v active tone controls, and a high gloss finish.
NS-2 #602 is a little heavier in weight than most NS-2 basses, due to its birdseye maple body. This helps to give this bass all of the tones you would expect from an early 1980s NS-2, plus some unique extra midrange punch.
I purchased this bass to own consecutive serial numbers and to reunite it with my very well known NS-2 #603.
While these basses are both from the same batch, they have different tones due to their body woods, etc.
This bass had been "very well used" over the decades and was in need of some service. Our workshop brought it back to life
with new frets (these had deep grooves!), a new truss rod (of course I kept the original truss rod), and a setup. The original pickups and electronics function properly. The bass has a wear spot on the front of its lower horn as well as some grooves worn into the end of the fretboard.
Purchased from a friend in California. A few decades ago I purchased an SB-1 from him. I knew about #602 but did not purchase it from him until many years later.
Its specs include birdseye maple body wings, a 3pc maple neck, an ebony fretboard (some of the basses produced in this batch had ebony fretboards, including my NS-2 #603), EMG P/J active pickups, Spector/HAZ 9v active tone controls, and a high gloss finish.
NS-2 #602 is a little heavier in weight than most NS-2 basses, due to its birdseye maple body. This helps to give this bass all of the tones you would expect from an early 1980s NS-2, plus some unique extra midrange punch.
I purchased this bass to own consecutive serial numbers and to reunite it with my very well known NS-2 #603.
While these basses are both from the same batch, they have different tones due to their body woods, etc.
This bass had been "very well used" over the decades and was in need of some service. Our workshop brought it back to life
with new frets (these had deep grooves!), a new truss rod (of course I kept the original truss rod), and a setup. The original pickups and electronics function properly. The bass has a wear spot on the front of its lower horn as well as some grooves worn into the end of the fretboard.
Purchased from a friend in California. A few decades ago I purchased an SB-1 from him. I knew about #602 but did not purchase it from him until many years later.
NS-2 #726
1984
1984
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My Brooklyn Era NS-2 #726 was completed at the workshop in early 1984. It features solid Birdseye Maple body wings, a rosewood fretboard, EMG active P/J pickups, Spector 9v active tone controls, and a high gloss finish. This bass has been perfect for my heavier four string bass tones..its slightly heavier weight yields some serious low end.
Fun Fact : Before owning this bass, I owned the bass made just before this one, NS-2 #725 solid white gloss. If I locate #725
again, I would happily purchase it, reuniting these two sequential basses!
Purchased from a friend in Florida, when he switched to playing Spector five string basses.
Fun Fact : Before owning this bass, I owned the bass made just before this one, NS-2 #725 solid white gloss. If I locate #725
again, I would happily purchase it, reuniting these two sequential basses!
Purchased from a friend in Florida, when he switched to playing Spector five string basses.
NS-2 #726 on my workbench
NS-2JA #245B
1985
1985
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The NS-2JA was the first bolt-on Spector bass model. (This model was also produced with a single P pickup, called the NS-1B)
My NS-2JA # 245B was completed Oct 4 1985.
Features include a red stain gloss finish, maple body, 3pc maple neck with deep inset bolt-on design, rosewood fretboard with dot markers, EMG J/J active pickups, Spector 9v active tone controls, & a Leo Quan bridge.
Purchased from a friend in Indiana.
This model was discontinued by Kramer after they purchased the Spector company in Dec 1985.
My NS-2JA # 245B was completed Oct 4 1985.
Features include a red stain gloss finish, maple body, 3pc maple neck with deep inset bolt-on design, rosewood fretboard with dot markers, EMG J/J active pickups, Spector 9v active tone controls, & a Leo Quan bridge.
Purchased from a friend in Indiana.
This model was discontinued by Kramer after they purchased the Spector company in Dec 1985.
NS-X
Prototype Bodies and Necks 1983
Body #041x 1984
Neck #002x 1984
Prototype Bodies and Necks 1983
Body #041x 1984
Neck #002x 1984
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The NS-X was another Ned Steinberger design for Spector, with a serious nod to the Steinberger headless bass popularity at that time.
Above are the two NS-X Prototype bodies produced in late 1983. These feature an ash body with a highly flamed koa top veneer.
Above are the two NS-X Prototype bodies produced in late 1983. These feature an ash body with a highly flamed koa top veneer.
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Above are the two NS-X Prototype necks that accompany the Prototype bodies.
Above is the final NS-X Prototype neck with the production version peghead design.
I obtained all of the NS-X Prototypes in the early 1990s from my dear friend Stuart Spector, who had them stored away since crafting them in the early 1980s.
I obtained all of the NS-X Prototypes in the early 1990s from my dear friend Stuart Spector, who had them stored away since crafting them in the early 1980s.
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Also included with the Prototype bodies and necks was this great looking NS-X body, #041x in solid red.
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A little more than 100 total NS-X basses were produced during 1984 and 1985. As the sale of the company to Kramer was finalized in late 1985, many of these basses were disassembled and put into storage because Kramer decided to discontinue this model. I purchased approx. 30 NS-X necks from storage, and kept them for many years. Eventually I sold most of them, keeping approx. 10 necks...including the above #002x neck which fits nicely in my collection of serial number #002 SSD Era basses!
NS-X #066
1985
1985
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The NS-X was another Ned Steinberger design for Spector, with a serious nod to the Steinberger headless bass popularity at that time.
My NS-X #066 was completed April 17 1985. Used live only once, this bass is still pure white! (Better photos coming soon)
This was Stuart's personal bass. After he sold the Spector company to Kramer, he had this bass refinished in white at Kramer to pitch this model to Kramer one more time. After the pitch, I purchased it from him thru Kramer.
Features of this bolt-on bass include a white gloss finish, 1pc maple neck, EMG HB sized active split coil pickups, special NS-X bridge, a pickguard, & passive tone controls.
This model was discontinued by Kramer after they purchased the Spector company in Dec 1985.
My NS-X #066 was completed April 17 1985. Used live only once, this bass is still pure white! (Better photos coming soon)
This was Stuart's personal bass. After he sold the Spector company to Kramer, he had this bass refinished in white at Kramer to pitch this model to Kramer one more time. After the pitch, I purchased it from him thru Kramer.
Features of this bolt-on bass include a white gloss finish, 1pc maple neck, EMG HB sized active split coil pickups, special NS-X bridge, a pickguard, & passive tone controls.
This model was discontinued by Kramer after they purchased the Spector company in Dec 1985.
NS-X Press Release
Stuart holding an NS-X at the NAMM trade show Summer 1984
Brooklyn Era Serial Numbers
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Some of the earliest Spector instruments have a special number engraved on the side of the Leo Quan bass bridge, or on the string-thru brass insert on the back of the electric guitar. Some of these instruments also have Stuart Spector's signature or initials engraved as well. Serial numbers moved to the back of the headstock, stamped into the wood, in the late 100's, just prior to #200.
The bolt-on basses had their own unique serial numbers in the early 1980s.
The final Brooklyn era serial number was #1187 completed on July 1 1986.
Example photos are from my personal collection : SB-1 #73877, G-1 #272277, & NS-1 #182.
The bolt-on basses had their own unique serial numbers in the early 1980s.
The final Brooklyn era serial number was #1187 completed on July 1 1986.
Example photos are from my personal collection : SB-1 #73877, G-1 #272277, & NS-1 #182.
Spector sells company to Kramer
Stuart & Alan sold their Spector Guitar company to Kramer Guitars in Dec 1985. Production continued thru July 1 1986 at the Brooklyn workshop during the transition to the Kramer factory in Neptune NJ.
