A word about Spector Quality. Including mostly OPINIONS
First off I will say that I endorse Spector USA, and have since 2005. There was a time in my life where I could have pretty much endorsed anyone I wanted to, excluding the likes of Fodera and boutique builders of their ilk. That time has long passed, but I can say that having owned or played probably over 40 basses from different brands, that the USA Spectors are without a doubt some of the finest handmade basses available anywhere in the world.
Because of the very aggressive "signature" tone associated with these basses, they are often not included among the ranks of the more currently en-vogue boutique basses like Fodera, Roscoe, Brubaker, Elrick, MTD etc, despite the USA Spectors being built to as high or a higher standard than all of these, and using top-top grade woods. Many Spector models have body wings made from SOLID AAAAA quilted or flamed maple where many basses costing nearly twice as much offer only a 1/4" or even 1/8" inch top... and that's just one example. In terms of pedigree... there is really only one or two other individuals who have been building "custom" basses longer than Stuart Spector, and most of the more currently popular luthiers cite Stuart as one of their biggest inspirations.
There are, IMHO, some other reasons Spector is not "in the club" anymore.... one is their long-term use of EMG pickups. Now, time was when you weren't considered a serious bassist unless you used EMG pickups. These days it's Bartolini or Nordstrand, although Barts have been offered in top-shelf basses for a very long time.... many people just do not dig the EMG sound. That being the case, a Spector equipped with Nordstrands just wouldn't be a Spector. They have never been a brand that had "something for everyone" and available with all types of different sonic personalities... Spectors sound like Spectors and the tone is as readily identifiable on a track as a Musicman or a Ric.
Another, and I think the biggest, reason Spectors are not included in the Boutique club any longer is BRAND DILUTION. Probably 80% of the Spectors out there are lower-cost imports. When most younger or less gear-obsessed players thing of Spector, they're thinking of a $300 Korean import bass, or perhaps the Czech basses. I know at least a few people personally who actually had no idea that Spector made top-quality handmade USA basses. A boutique builder takes a great risk when they begin to offer import basses below the $1,000 price mark. No matter how good they are, the builder runs the risk of diluting the power and prestige of their brand. In the 1990's Spector was widely considered one of the finest handmade basses available.
I have owned or played Marco basses, Brubaker basses, MTD, Hoyt, Sadowsky NYC, USA Lakland, STR, Fodera and many others... and my USA Spector NS-JH5 has woodwork, fit & finish, playability and attention to detail equal to or superior to each of these.
Any new Boutique Jazz bass out there immediately invites comparison to Sadowsky. Roger Sadowsky makes wonderful basses.... but the hype is a little out of control IMHO. I happen to prefer the USA Laklands for "J-Style" basses because I find them to be at least equal to the Sadowsky's in quality and have an overall more traditional sound and feel. There are lots of people who vehemently, even violently defend Sadowsky against Lakland and others.... which I will never understand.... They are both top-notch basses, neither is "superior" to the other.... they're just very different and will appeal to different people.... but usually you don't see the Lakland guys running around telling everyone that everything other than Lakland is total garbage ... who knows.
The new Coda looks like a NYC Sadowsky. So do a lot of basses. This one just happens to also be a NY-made handmade bass... so the comparison is unavoidable. IMHO, the Coda and the Sadowsky couldn't be more different. The neck feel is totally opposite the Sadowsky. While probably not actually any thicker, the profile feels more substantial and "familliar". The Coda is heavier than the Sadowsky, and feels more formidable. I know these days everyone seems to feel that lighter is better... I couldn't disagree more. To a point, heavier instruments often resonate differently, and respond in a different way than lighter basses, doubly so when you introduce things like chambering or 'weight-relieved" construction... just ask any Les Paul aficionado. The tone of the Spector is both MORE modern and MORE agressive than the Sadowsky, while also being able to cop the very vintage tones at least as well as the Sadowsky.
Overall, the Coda is just what it should be... the Spector version of a Jazz-Bass. The unadorned basic tone of this bass is very very powerful... not necessarily aggressive, although it does aggressive in spades.... but the best word I can think of in terms of the tone is
Powerful. When solo'ing the bridge, it still has that upper midrange buzz and punchy midrange... but as where I would normally boost a lot of bass when playing a Fender or Lakland to get "my tone"... the Spector needs nothing.... it's just way thicker and more powerful when solo'ing the bridge. Spector Jazz bass. Love it or leave it. The construction and fit and finish is at least as good as the USA Sadowsky's, and far superior to many other players in this price range.
