I'm contemplating selling my Spector NS-2A, which has EMG pups and the stock pre, whatever brand that is. I love the sound, but I can't get used to the wide neck and somewhat different (from a Fender) ergonomics of this bass. The only reason I keep it is because I play it at home every now and then and remember why I bought it in the first place. It growls like nothing else I own. I can dial in as much bottom as I need and more, and the clarity and growl are still there.

Now I want that sound in a bolt-neck Jazz bass platform. That's the bass I want to hold and play at this point in time.

My question is: Using an EMG J-set and a preamp, how close can I come with wood selection and pup routing placement? I have several maple necks, two of which are undrilled, and the one with MOP blocks and binding is my aesthetic choice. The Spector is neck-thru, maple/maple wings, rosewood board, P/J with the J close to the bridge. Heavy bridge. By getting a "bright" wood body (the Spector is quite light for maple. I don't expect to find as light a J-body, so that'll prolly be ash) I can duplicate all the important aspects of the construction except the neck-thru part, which I understand may be the most important. Will the EMGs, woods and bridge dominate the other variables enough to give me the sound, or am I looking at "close, but not close enough"?