2008 Spector NS-2JA-R Bass Review

Greetings!

Today we are looking at a pretty cool Spector NS-2JA-R, a 25th anniversary re-issue of the 1983 Spector NS-2JA. This is one of only 83 of these basses that were finished in glossy black. Only 83, because this is a re-issue of the 1983 model (clever). They made 83 each in glossy white and natural, so there were only a total of 249 built in the Czech Republic. To be honest I have only seen black ones up for sale, so the other colors must have been more popular.

Pretty much, this instrument ends up being a bolt-on neck version of the Spector Euro series basses. This is a 34-inch scale bass with 24 frets, and seven years later the frets are still level. There are simple dot inlays on the rosewood fretboard, and check out that kicking brass nut! The tuners are first-rate chromed Schaller machines.

The maple body is carved into the traditional Spector contoured shape with a oddly erotic upper horn. There is a chrome-plated Leo Quan Badass bridge, which has always been a favorite of mine. The body is loaded with a pair of active EMG pickups, which are wired with EMG BT active tone controls (2 volume and 2 tone). The lower cutaway goes pretty far into the neck joint, so there is good access to the upper frets.

This bass is a real winner. The neck is very thin and fast, and the tone is super punchy with tons of mids. There is plenty of sustain too, if that is what you are looking for. Another bit of good news is that this bass is relatively light, despite its maple body, coming in at 8 pounds, 9 ounces.

These basses had a list price of $2099 when they came out (no bag or case included!), and a street price of $1575. They did not sell very well, and today gently used ones sell for around $800. You could certainly do a lot worse for your money!

Mahalo!

Spector Euro 4 LX Bass

Hi there! Ever since I saw my first Spector NS bass, I have thought they are the sexiest basses ever built.

The Spector Euro 4 LX shares the same contoured body shape as the NS, at a considerably lower price than the US-built Spectors. The Euro models are made in the Czech Republic. So, the Euro designation is not just a clever name. This model has been in production for almost 10 years.

Other features that it shares with the US model are the neck-through construction and the electronics package. The build quality is very good. I have played quite a few of these basses and have never found major issues with any of them.

The bass we are looking at today has a transparent blue finish over a figured maple top and alder body. There is a pretty large control cavity routed out of the back, which needs to be removed to access the battery..

This one has the 34-inch scale 3-piece rock maple neck (35-inch is available as an option). As I said before, it is neck-through, and the neck is graphite-reinforced. There are 24 frets on the rosewood fretboard (with mother of pearl inlays, no less). The fret work is adequate, but not quite up to the standards set by other basses in the price range. This one had to have the frets leveled and dressed. This one also came with a brass nut (1.64-inch), which kind of takes me back to the 70s. The fretboard is fairly flat with a 16-inch radius.

The hardware is first-rate. Euro models come with Schaller tuners (D-tuner optional), and a solid brass zinc alloy bridge. Schaller strap locks are included. The gold finish is standard, which is my only visual gripe about the bass. Gold hardware is played (like brown Louis Vuitton, IMO), and shows fingerprints and smudges like nothing else on the plant.

The electronics are where I think these basses really shine. All of the Spector Euro LX 4-string basses are outfitted with P-J EMG pickups, and a TonePump pre-amplifier. Controls are two volume pots as well as treble and bass pots. The treble and bass controls are boost-only, which would not be my first choice, as I would like the option to cut as well. The output is thunderous, with considerably more output than any of my Stingrays.

It plays well, and sounds very good. There is a lot more versatility than I would normally expect from the EMG pickups, which I have always considered to be a one-trick pony.

This one weighs in at 9 pounds, 10 ounces according to my scale. This is not bad for a neck-through bass. It balances nicely, and does not feel heavy on a strap.

Spector stands behind these basses and has a limited lifetime warranty for the original buyer. An odd thing is that these basses do not ship with a case, so you will have to buy one separately.

The list price for this bass is $2299, with a street price of $1899. You can usually find them in good used condition for around $800 to $900. You will be hard-pressed to find a better bass for the money.