I'd give anything to be in their shop and see the fixture they use to carve that curve into the body. There was a picture in one of their brochures but I still couldn't picture in my mind the blank and the fixture and how they do it . . .
Spectors are perfectly fine instruments, the design long since perfected in the 20 years that Stuart has been building Ned Steinberger's amazing design. I demo'd a NS4 in oil natural and the feeling of the body next to me, the curve, all the roundover'd edges, it was just wonderful. Neck profile/width, etc., is so personal, but was OK for me. Schaller keys, and the countersunk bridge is a nice touch. The Czech ones are easily as good as the handbuilts they send out of upstate NY, unless you've just got money to burn.
The only catch is the EMGs. They are the perfect commercial pickups, quiet as death, and a very useful tone, if not just a little sterile for some players. Over the years they've used EMG, or Aguilar, or Spector tone networks, so that varies a little bit. But they AIN'T Alembic pickups or tone controls, and that's the big difference, as well as the broad range of designs that Alembic builds.
I can't think of a better EMG bass, but as always, I hope the routs are a standard size so you could trade out to Activators, Barts, what have you if the mood strikes you.
I've always admired just how ergonomic they are, just one more masterwork from Ned S. It's also interesting to watch the price points of the Spector range to watch as the price indicates geography: real cheap (China), cheap (Korea), moderate (Czech Republic), expensive (NY State).
Oughta be on CNBC . . .
J o e y
