Heigh Ho, the Gang's All Here!
The NAMM trade show July 1999 : me, Hap Kuffner, Stuart, Mike Kropp (RIP).
Note the original Brooklyn Era banner! We used this banner at a number of NAMM trade shows during the Woodstock Era.
The NAMM trade show July 1999 : me, Hap Kuffner, Stuart, Mike Kropp (RIP).
Note the original Brooklyn Era banner! We used this banner at a number of NAMM trade shows during the Woodstock Era.
With Stuart at the NAMM trade show July 1999.
Note the original Brooklyn Era banner! We used this banner at a number of NAMM trade shows during the Woodstock Era.
Note the original Brooklyn Era banner! We used this banner at a number of NAMM trade shows during the Woodstock Era.
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Late 1990s brochure showing NS-5XL and NS-2J basses. This was the transition time for few basses : NS-5/NS-6 34" to NS-5XL/NS-6XL 35", and B.O.B. to NS-2J.
The NAMM trade show Jan 2001 : with Stuart & sales manager / my friend / Stuart's long time dear friend Mike Kropp (RIP)
NS-2 #886
Exotic Premium Buckeye Burl over Black Walnut
2014
Exotic Premium Buckeye Burl over Black Walnut
2014
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In late 2013 we located & purchased a very small amount of incredible premium buckeye burl for some bass tops. From this wood I selected my favorite piece for a personal instrument. In person the depth & beauty of this buckeye burl is breathtaking! Other features of this bass bass include an ebony fretboard & high gloss finish.
NS-2 #907
Exotic Premium Walnut Burl over Black Walnut
2014
Exotic Premium Walnut Burl over Black Walnut
2014
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This is another example of me specing out a personal bass around a killer piece of wood. After seeing this stunning walnut burl in person I was moved to spec out this NS-2 for myself. Other unique features of this bass include a Leo Quan bridge (from the last batch of bridges produced by Glen Quan before his passing) and a gloss finish with a matte back of neck. It is also worth noting that this was one of my test basses when critically listening to the versions of EMG active pickups. Currently in this bass : EMG PA, JVX. At the conclusion of my tests I updated our USA bass spec to be the "X" version of the EMG active pickups.
Presented for the first time!
A "Revenge" poster, signed by a few of our artists in the mid 2000s. I took this poster to a few NAMM trade shows and artist tours. It is currently framed and hanging on my wall.
A "Revenge" poster, signed by a few of our artists in the mid 2000s. I took this poster to a few NAMM trade shows and artist tours. It is currently framed and hanging on my wall.
The NAMM Trade Show
January 2016
Anaheim, California
Celebrating the Spector company's 40th anniversary
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Stuart and I with our friend Omer "Trailight" Cordell (Canada), and the artwork he created for our 40th anniversary.
Photo Credit : Char Tupper (MetalTitans)
Photo Credit : Char Tupper (MetalTitans)
NAMM Show January 2016 : celebrating the Spector 40th company anniversary with an NS-240 and Euro4LE 40th.
Photo Credit : Char Tupper (MetalTitans)
Photo Credit : Char Tupper (MetalTitans)
After a Living Colour show in 2016, with two long time friends and Spector players : Doug Wimbish and Carlton Armstrong
The NAMM Trade Show
January 2017
Anaheim, California
Celebrating the NS body's 40th anniversary
Stuart Spector, Ned Steinberger, PJ Rubal, and Vinny Fodera
celebrating the 40th anniversary of the NS body shape!
We are holding a Euro4LE 1977 bass.
celebrating the 40th anniversary of the NS body shape!
We are holding a Euro4LE 1977 bass.
And of course Hap Kuffner and I had to take a quick photo together to celebrate this anniversary!
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Afternoon hang with my friends Henrik, Kungen, and Tim from the Swedish band Avatar (and Kim!) during their 2017 US tour.
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The Final Bass Player Live Show
November 2017
Hollywood, California
November 2017
Hollywood, California
I displayed Spector basses at every "Bass Player Live" show in Hollywood including the final show in 2017. (Prior to the start of the California shows we had a Spector booth at the "Bass Day" events in New York City) Above are two photos with some friends at the 2017 event.
NS-2 40th #1044
Solid Old Growth Redwood
2017
Solid Old Growth Redwood
2017
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One of our wood suppliers offered us some old growth redwood. We purchased a small quantity of this nicely figured wood, to experiment with for a possible "SE" (Special Edition) short run of basses.
First we needed to build a bass to evaluate the wood tone. I volunteered to spec the first old growth redwood bass for myself.
I selected my favorite redwood from the wood purchase. From my extensive personal parts stash I supplied some vintage components including 'new old stock' DiMarzio P/J pickups with creme covers, an older Brooklyn era Spector/HAZ 9v circuit (the version made to use with DiMarzio pickups!) with two original mini switches, and a 'new old stock' Leo Quan bridge.
Other specs include an ebony fretboard with abalone inlays, and a clear gloss finish. Additionally I added our special 40th Anniversary inlays : "40" 12th fret inlay and two little fishies at the 10th and 11th frets.
The result was a lightweight bass which is very articulate! Its older passive pickups and active electronics help to give this bass some Brooklyn era tones.
We purchased enough wood to produce only four basses with *solid* old growth redwood body wings. I am fortunate to have two of these! (My other bass is NS-5XL #430 shown on the Woodstock NS-5XL page) After these four basses were completed, we built a couple more basses with the old growth redwood as the top wood for the body wings.
First we needed to build a bass to evaluate the wood tone. I volunteered to spec the first old growth redwood bass for myself.
I selected my favorite redwood from the wood purchase. From my extensive personal parts stash I supplied some vintage components including 'new old stock' DiMarzio P/J pickups with creme covers, an older Brooklyn era Spector/HAZ 9v circuit (the version made to use with DiMarzio pickups!) with two original mini switches, and a 'new old stock' Leo Quan bridge.
Other specs include an ebony fretboard with abalone inlays, and a clear gloss finish. Additionally I added our special 40th Anniversary inlays : "40" 12th fret inlay and two little fishies at the 10th and 11th frets.
The result was a lightweight bass which is very articulate! Its older passive pickups and active electronics help to give this bass some Brooklyn era tones.
We purchased enough wood to produce only four basses with *solid* old growth redwood body wings. I am fortunate to have two of these! (My other bass is NS-5XL #430 shown on the Woodstock NS-5XL page) After these four basses were completed, we built a couple more basses with the old growth redwood as the top wood for the body wings.
NS-2 #1044 at the workshop
January 2018 NAMM trade show, with my friend Anton Romanenko from Russia
NS-2 #1083
Exotic Spalted & Flamed Maple over Reclaimed Redwood
2018
Exotic Spalted & Flamed Maple over Reclaimed Redwood
2018
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Yet another example of wood inspiring me for a personal bass. In late 2017 we purchased a small amount of killer spalted & flame maple. I selected this top for my personal bass. Other features of this bass include an ebony fretboard & a high gloss finish. Additionally I supplied a black Leo Quan bridge and older used EMG pickups from my extensive personal parts stash.
The 9v circuit in this bass was also an older used component : one afternoon before soundcheck during the 2009 Judas Priest tour, I installed this circuit in one of Ian Hill's basses. Flash forward to 2018, this circuit was still on the road with Ian & now needed a new volume pot. It was easier for me to swap out the circuit at one of their shows vs. changing the pot. I then had the pot replaced & provided this 'older' circuit for use in this bass.
The 9v circuit in this bass was also an older used component : one afternoon before soundcheck during the 2009 Judas Priest tour, I installed this circuit in one of Ian Hill's basses. Flash forward to 2018, this circuit was still on the road with Ian & now needed a new volume pot. It was easier for me to swap out the circuit at one of their shows vs. changing the pot. I then had the pot replaced & provided this 'older' circuit for use in this bass.
My spalted and flame maple, prior to attaching to the redwood and carving.
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In process photos of NS-2 #1083
May 2018 : NS-2 # 1083 at the workshop after its completion.
My Three Final Woodstock Era NS-2 Basses
2018
2018
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This section is dedicated to the last three NS-2 basses that I spec'd out for myself, each with a specific tone in mind. These were final assembled and set up in rapid succession, one a week, in August 2018 ahead of the sale of our company.
I selected the body wing woods for each of these basses. Two have a quilted maple top over their back wood, one has solid body wings. As seen in the above photos, ebony was used for the fretboards which is my usual fretboard preference, dating back to the 1980s and my Brooklyn Era NS-2 #603. These neck have my "thin neck" specs.
Also shown in the above photo are the workshop's Work Order numbers 1981, 1982, and 1983.
From my EXTENSIVE personal parts collection, I provided older used EMG active pickups from the 1980s and chrome Leo Quan bridges.
All three of these basses have exceeded my initial expectations.
I selected the body wing woods for each of these basses. Two have a quilted maple top over their back wood, one has solid body wings. As seen in the above photos, ebony was used for the fretboards which is my usual fretboard preference, dating back to the 1980s and my Brooklyn Era NS-2 #603. These neck have my "thin neck" specs.
Also shown in the above photo are the workshop's Work Order numbers 1981, 1982, and 1983.
From my EXTENSIVE personal parts collection, I provided older used EMG active pickups from the 1980s and chrome Leo Quan bridges.
All three of these basses have exceeded my initial expectations.
NS-2 #1095
Ultra Violet Gloss
Quilted Maple over Ash
2018
Ultra Violet Gloss
Quilted Maple over Ash
2018
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NS-2 #1095 was the first completed bass of my final three Woodstock Era basses. For this bass, I was looking for the classic maple/ash tones, with the familiar feel of an ebony fretboard and a Leo Quan bridge, plus the classic combination of EMG active P/J pickups with Spector 9v active tone controls. Mission accomplished! This bass rocks!
From my large parts stash, the particular Leo Quan bridge I provided for this bass was "NOS", meaning it is New Old Stock...decades old but still brand new.
From my large parts stash, the particular Leo Quan bridge I provided for this bass was "NOS", meaning it is New Old Stock...decades old but still brand new.
NS-2 #1095 at the workshop just before final assembly and set up
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I took these two photos when NS-2 #1095 was on my workbench, changing only the cork pad and the direction of the bass, not the workbench lighting. Such small changes made a big difference in the appearance of the bass color!
NS-2 #1099
Solid Exotic Premium Walnut Burl
Clear Gloss
2018
Solid Exotic Premium Walnut Burl
Clear Gloss
2018
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NS-2 #1099 was the second completed bass of my final three Woodstock Era basses. I was so impressed with the walnut burl in its raw form that I selected it for a personal bass.
This bass has all of the usual NS-2 tones, plus it has very a pronounced midrange. In keeping with the specs of this series, this bass has the familiar feel of an ebony fretboard and a Leo Quan bridge, plus the classic combination of EMG active P/J pickups with Spector 9v active tone controls.
From my large parts stash, the particular Leo Quan bridge I provided for this bass was previously used, but is super clean.
This is a "showstopper" bass in terms of its exotic looks. It is one of the very best looking walnut burl basses I have seen over the decades.
This bass has all of the usual NS-2 tones, plus it has very a pronounced midrange. In keeping with the specs of this series, this bass has the familiar feel of an ebony fretboard and a Leo Quan bridge, plus the classic combination of EMG active P/J pickups with Spector 9v active tone controls.
From my large parts stash, the particular Leo Quan bridge I provided for this bass was previously used, but is super clean.
This is a "showstopper" bass in terms of its exotic looks. It is one of the very best looking walnut burl basses I have seen over the decades.
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In process photos of NS-2 #1099
NS-2 #1101
Quilted Maple over Reclaimed Redwood
Black and Blue Stain Gloss
2018
Quilted Maple over Reclaimed Redwood
Black and Blue Stain Gloss
2018
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Last but not least, here is my final new build Woodstock era NS-2, #1101. I selected its quilted maple top. The early 1980's used EMG J pickup I provided is very worn in its appearance but still sounds great.
Other than some minor pitting, the older used Leo Quan bridge I provided is in very fine condition.
Its black and blue color, which varies bass to bass as do all hand applied stain colors, is perfect on this bass, exactly as I wanted it to look.
This bass is a wonderful playing and sounding example of what a "modern" NS-2 made in the 2010's was all about.
I have played this bass alongside some of my Brooklyn era NS-2's (these older basses will be added to my website soon!) and #1101 holds its own, keeping up with my most treasured older basses.
Other than some minor pitting, the older used Leo Quan bridge I provided is in very fine condition.
Its black and blue color, which varies bass to bass as do all hand applied stain colors, is perfect on this bass, exactly as I wanted it to look.
This bass is a wonderful playing and sounding example of what a "modern" NS-2 made in the 2010's was all about.
I have played this bass alongside some of my Brooklyn era NS-2's (these older basses will be added to my website soon!) and #1101 holds its own, keeping up with my most treasured older basses.
NS-2 #1101 on my workbench
