Spector USA NS-5 5-String Bass, Ebony Fretboard, Spalted Maple Top, Super Faded Black

PLAYER'S PERSPECTIVE

Spector basses have been at the top of most modern bass players' lists for decades at this point. We’re stoked to carry the most top-of-the-line basses in Spector's lineup! We really let our imagination run wild with this build and the result is absolutely phenomenal! It looks awesome and sounds thunderous. The top is spalted maple, and it's got some stunning figuring running through it. We love how the top compliments the Macassar ebony, and the super faded black finish ties it all together from the front. The back came out pretty cool too with a nice 2-tone vibe to it, and some nice flame on the back of the body. This is up there with one of the nicest instruments to have rolled through our shop.

The neck-through design, 35" scale, and tonewoods meld with the EMG pickups and the HAZ preamps to provide a tone that is going to be loved by rockers and funkers alike. The extended scale length makes for a tight and punchy B-string that lets you even drop-tune it to an A without any problems. Overall construction is just simply a work of art. The fretwork is immaculate and everything simply feels precise and meticulous. If you like low action, this is it, right here.

The combination of the EMG MM and hum-canceling J-style pickups brings such a powerful variety of sounds to the table. Between soloing the neck pickup, soloing the bridge pickup, or the various blended positions in between, without even touching the preamp you can get this bass to have so many different sounds. Then you add the HAZ 18v preamp to the mix and you've got everything you need and nothing that you don't. It's powerful, with loads of headroom, and can really add some character to the tone. A simple 2-band EQ is easy to work with and seems to impact just the right frequencies.

It's an in-your-face sort of tone that can easily handle distortion, and will sound great hitting your amp hard. But lots of slappers will also like it because it can also really stand out when played clean and fingerstyle is as punchy and growly as ever. The bottom end is tight, articulate, and defined while being extremely powerful. The treble is snappy and bright without being brittle and really can provide some nice sizzle to the top end. If you need to tone it down a bit, you can, but this bass is definitely made for those that aren't afraid to be noticed. What an absolute beast!

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 tonewoods 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 select 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: USA NS-5
• Color: Super Faded Black
• Top Wood: Spalted Maple
• Body Wood: Swamp Ash

Neck

• Construction: Neck-Thru
• Neck Wood: 3-Piece Maple
• Neck Finish: High Gloss
• Fretboard: Macassar Ebony
• Number Of Frets: 24
• Inlays: Abalone Crowns
• Nut: Brass
• Nut Width: 1.81"
• Scale: 35"

Electronics

• Pickups: EMG MM5CS & J5
• Controls: Master Volume, Pickup Balance, Bass, Treble
• Preamp System: Spector HAZ 18v

Hardware

• Finish: Black
• Bridge: Spector Lightweight Aluminum
• Tuners: Spector-Branded Gotoh

Miscellaneous

• Case: Hardshell
• Instrument Weight: 9 lbs
• Serial #: 1917

OVERALL CONDITION

Music Store Live is proud to be an authorized dealer for Spector. This USA NS-5 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.