Spector USA NS-5XL 5-String Bass, Spalted Maple over Swamp Ash

Player's Perspective

Spector basses have been at the top of most modern bass players' lists for decades at this point. Music Store Live is thrilled to now carry the most top-of-the-line basses in Spector's lineup! We drew this one up with them last year and it's finally arrived! A simple and elegant beauty, this bass feels and sounds absolutely incredible.

The construction is nothing short of immaculate. The fretwork is incredible and action is nice and low with easy playability. The electronics are nice and aggressive while having plenty of flexibility. It's got the tried and true combo that's made Spector's sound so unique for so long - EMG pickups and the Spector HAZ preamp. It sounds modern and hi-fi while still being able to be tamed, if needed. Great for rock and funk applications where you might want the bass to stand out a little more, but also useful in situations where you just want to lay a huge foundation and support everything, you can do it all with just turning a few knobs on the preamp.

Whether you're a Spector fan or just appreciate high-end and well-built instruments, there is no doubt that this will leave a lasting impression. It's a true work of art and a result of a perfect marriage of tonewoods and electronics, something pretty to look at but also functional and effortless to play. 

Manufacturer's Description

A true modern classic – First introduced in 1977, Spector NS basses have set the industry standard for modern, neck-thru body electric basses. The original NS instrument was designed by Stuart Spector and Ned Steinberger in Brooklyn, NY. Since then, the NS has taken on a life of its own. The distinct, unmistakable curves have attracted professional bass players the world over to these exquisite instruments. Beyond its world-class design elements, the neck-thru construction of these instruments provides players with unprecedented levels of stability and sustain, bringing a level of definition to bass never before heard. All of this natural tone is then enhanced with our proprietary active circuitry. The coveted HAZ pre-amp is the source of the sound, providing the famous “Spector growl” when paired with your favorite amplifier and effects. 

Spector NS instruments are individually built by a small team of builders in Woodstock, NY from the finest source materials, including hand-selected tone woods from the most fertile regions of the world. Our choices for body woods include premium 5A grade Quilted and Flamed Maple, exotic varieties of Spalted Maple, Walnut Burl, Buckeye Burl, reclaimed old-growth California Redwood, select Swamp Ash, and many, many more. Each 3-piece neck is carved from tempered North American Maple and can be paired with Pau Ferro, Birdseye Maple, or Ebony. Each instrument is outfitted with custom, professional-grade hardware including our hi-mass locking bridge, Dunlop strap locks, and Gotoh tuners. Your options continue from there with a choice of inlays, hardware color, and of course stains and finishes. Our NS instruments are also available with our Helium package, which includes weight-relieved body wings and lightweight hardware. The sound and feel of a true USA Spector instrument is second-to-none. No collection is complete without at least one!

Specifications

Body

• Model: NS5-XL USA
• Color: Natural
• Top Wood: Spalted Maple
• Body Wood: Swamp Ash

Neck

• Construction: Neck-Thru
• Neck Wood: 3-Piece Maple w/ Graphite Rods
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Number Of Frets: 24
• Inlays: Mother of Pearl
• Nut: Brass
• Nut Width: 1.81"
• Scale: 35"

Electronics

• Pickups: EMG 40DCX Set
• Controls: Master Volume, Pickup Balance, Bass/Treble (Stacked)
• Preamp System: Spector HAZ 18v

Hardware

• Bridge: Spector
• Tuners: Spector, made by Gotoh
• Strap Buttons: Dunlop Dual Design Straploks
• Hardware Finish: Gold

Miscellaneous

• Case: Hardshell
• Instrument Weight: 9.7 lbs
• Serial #: 576
  

Overall Condition

Music Store Live is proud to be an authorized dealer for Spector. This USA NS-5XL is 100% brand new and is being sold with a full manufacturer's warranty. Photos are of the exact bass you'll receive.

Our in-house guitar tech will inspect, test, set up, and clean all of our instruments on site prior to shipping. All of our instruments are guaranteed to be fully functional upon arrival.

Along with our available inventory, we love working up custom orders as well. Feel free to reach out and we'll be happy to work with you to design the bass of your dreams.