The NS-5H2 is a USA bolt on model correct? I have nothing against the EMG's, just the one I'm looking at has the Bart option.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
- Status
The NS-5H2 is a USA bolt on model correct? I have nothing against the EMG's, just the one I'm looking at has the Bart option.
Looking for a new "do all" bass, and I'm considering a Spector. I've never owned one, but I like what I read and hear in samples/vids.
I'm looking at a NS-5H2 it has barts in it, and aggie pre.
Would this be a good "all around" kinda bass? I do a lot of P/W, modern country, rock, pop, reggae.
Any info apprecited. I like the look and reviews of the US neck through models, but don't have the scratch right now.
From what I've read so far as well, is that the different models can vary GREATLY in tone.
Yes, it is a USA model. I can't comment on the Barts, but I have an NS5-H2 (EMG TW pups and Aggie OBP-3) and feel like it would fit the bill in any of those situations. I'm not sure mine would do well in a situation calling for a very birght, Marcus-like tone, but I've never thrown new strings on either. As an added bonus, they're very light and easy to play. I think you would be very pleased.
Thanks! RE: Marcus tone. I RARELY do the zingy slap thing. Not up my alley. (klankety clank clank pop)
The NS-5H2 is a USA bolt-on.
I had two here in my office two weeks ago. Both with Aguilar Tone Circuits but with the standard EMG pups. Haven't played or heard one with the Barts.
The USA bolts are great basses when you consider their price point is much closer to the Euro Neck-thru models than the USA Neck-thrus.
You won't be disappointed with the NS-5H2. It's a great all-around bass.
I owned a USA bolt on for a while. It was a NS 2H5 and an incredibly comfortable bass. It was very different sounding than my neck through Euro and USA which are very close tonally. The NS2H5 was much woodier sounding with a very nice low mid growl and subdued top end which I attributed to the mahogany body.
The bass was super comfy and light but ended up not being my thing in the end. The USA bolt on actually recorded incredibly well. It sounded great on tape even though I didn't care for the solo sound.... weird how that works.
The bass was super comfy and light but ended up not being my thing in the end. The USA bolt on actually recorded incredibly well. It sounded great on tape even though I didn't care for the solo sound.... weird how that works.
Hey JPS, do you know what the radius of the body (not the round over on the edges) on an NS2 is?
OK...
Here we go. I call this one, "The Most Righteous of SPECTORS"
Solid figured/burled walnut wings. 30th Aniversary Model. Owned by PJ Rubal. Don't drool on your keyboards.
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
Wow, that bass is incredible. PJ always tends to get incredible pieces of wood.
Nice photos JP!
If you want, you can send the bass to me before PJ gets it, just to make sure it passes the test.
- Feb 3, 2005
- 7,331
- 10,197
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Bergantino Audio Systems and GHS Strings
Since I got a lot of questions, here is a description of each, left to right:
1983 Spector NS2 - All original with Haz Lab preamp and badass bridge. Signed by Victor Wooten on the back (not verified). Sold it recently to none other than Todd Cooke. He said that King Diamond's bass player used to own it.
Spector Euro 4LX - This was my "custom" project. I bought a somewhat beat up oil finish Euro 4LX. Sunburst refinish, black hardware and EMG preamp were the changes.
Spector Euro 4LX - This one was one of six made with a bubinga top according to PJ Rubal. All stock except for switching to a single volume balance pot setup. Recently traded it to NYCBass for his G&L US JB fretless.
Spector NS4 - US model with walnut/burled wings. It has "the sound". I was buying a speaker cabinet but could not leave without it.
If you want, you can send the bass to me before PJ gets it, just to make sure it passes the test.
8 lbs. test...?
Id like to get my hands on one of those bubinga tops. Bubinga and Walnut have to be my favourite woods.
NS-5 in this Joe Jackson performance. Kramer era? I can't make out the SSD, plus I think the pickups are Js and not soapbars.
Phat and JP?
Kramer era.
1. The show is from 1991. No post Kramer NS5's until 93.
2. Not ironclad, but all Kramer NS5's (to my knowledge) were JJ's.
3. Headstock. Kramer NS5's have a headstock that is about halfway (width) between the traditional Spector headstock and the skinny one they use on US and Czech 5's & 6's.
Graham Maby. A good friend of Stuart's. Stuart made several NS-5XL models just for Graham during the late 1980's and early 1990's.
The red one...
Is a late 1980's Kramer model with dual "J" pups and the USA Spector 9v Tone Circuit (made for us by HazLabs).
Thus the more NS-2 sounding tone you hear in the video.
Graham has a large selection of Spectors. He still plays this red one. It's an awesome bass.
Late 80's?!?
While still a "consultant" for Kramer, or..........
Kramer went defunct in January of 1990. Stuart... as a "consultant" oversaw the building of every USA Spector during those 5 years. He drove across the river every day into NJ to work. The only thing that changed under Kramer was the location where Stuart worked. And with their capital he was able to add more people and build more guitars. The NS-5 was born at Kramer, as was the NS-6 electric guitar... the precursor to the ARC6. Kramer was actually a very good time for Stuart because he was able to experiement some.
The Korean shop was set up under Stuart's supervision, a relationship that has lasted to this day.
Kramer owned the name, but without Stuart going to work there to make sure Spectors were being built, there would have been no Spectors.
Just in case there was any misunderstanding about that. Really it allowed him to focus on building basses and guitars. He didn't have the double duty of running and managing the company.
After Kramer failed, he almost didn't start Spector back up for that very reason. The headache. His plan was to work out of his garage and build no more than 7 custom basses per month for professional musicians only. It was PJ Rubal, Ned Steinberger and a bunch of other people that pursuaded him to start SSD. And we are all really glad they did... and he agreed.
The last Kramer Spectors rolled out of NJ the first few months of 1990. It was late 1991 before the SSD stuff would start being built... officially.
I'm going to talk to Stuart at NAMM more about this period of time. I'm seriously considering writing a book, the official Spector history. I think it's a fascinating story. Stuart should be the poster child for the American dream in my opinion. Everything he's done, he's built through determination and force of will.
I have the utmost respect for him. He is honestly an inspiration to me. Nice guys can finish first.
I was familiar with most of this. Just didn't realize Stuart still did any real "hands on" during that period.Kramer went defunct in January of 1990. Stuart... as a "consultant" oversaw the building of every USA Spector during those 5 years. He drove across the river every day into NJ to work. The only thing that changed under Kramer was the location where Stuart worked. And with their capital he was able to add more people and build more guitars. The NS-5 was born at Kramer, as was the NS-6 electric guitar... the precursor to the ARC6. Kramer was actually a very good time for Stuart because he was able to experiement some.
The Korean shop was set up under Stuart's supervision, a relationship that has lasted to this day.
Kramer owned the name, but without Stuart going to work there to make sure Spectors were being built, there would have been no Spectors.
Just in case there was any misunderstanding about that. Really it allowed him to focus on building basses and guitars. He didn't have the double duty of running and managing the company.
After Kramer failed, he almost didn't start Spector back up for that very reason. The headache. His plan was to work out of his garage and build no more than 7 custom basses per month for professional musicians only. It was PJ Rubal, Ned Steinberger and a bunch of other people that pursuaded him to start SSD. And we are all really glad they did... and he agreed.
The last Kramer Spectors rolled out of NJ the first few months of 1990. It was late 1991 before the SSD stuff would start being built... officially.
I'm going to talk to Stuart at NAMM more about this period of time. I'm seriously considering writing a book, the official Spector history. I think it's a fascinating story. Stuart should be the poster child for the American dream in my opinion. Everything he's done, he's built through determination and force of will.
I have the utmost respect for him. He is honestly an inspiration to me. Nice guys can finish first.
Hey, at least I got Graham's bass right.
I would definitely buy and read that book.
Anything to add for my already deep love and respect for the brand, basses, company and people behind it.
Everything about them is awesome, top to bottom, front back, start to finish.
Anything to add for my already deep love and respect for the brand, basses, company and people behind it.
Everything about them is awesome, top to bottom, front back, start to finish.
loend68
Supporting Member
- Jan 14, 2008
- 1,384
- 126
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector Basses, T.C. Electronics
- Status
