Intro
This is a Spector Forte 4 Serial number 019. Retail price is $3500 - Price paid was $2600. Spector markets this as their no frills USA Neck Thru NS Body. Delivered in a black stain satin finish with no other color options, no bling or extras such as gold hardware, inlays, hard case, etc.
I've lived with this bass for a month now and have played on average 3 hours per day.
I'd like to note that this bass I'm reviewing (and own!) is not exactly the stock configuration that you get. The electronics are different as I prefer the OBP-3 to what came stock, and I changed out some hw (knobs, covers and such).. but all being equal, this should be a close review for a stock Forte 4.
Specs
USA Series Neck Thru, Original NS body shape, Fiddleback Maple body (wings), 3-Piece Rock Maple/Graphite Neck, Pau Ferro Fingerboard, 34" scale, 24 Frets, 1.64" Nut Width, 3/4" String spacing at bridge, brass nut, Active EMG P/J p'ups, Aguilar OBP-3 18v preamp circuit, Black Spector Locking Bridge, Black Hipshot Tuners, Black Schaller Straplocks.
Tone control configuration: Knob 1- master volume, Knob 2 P'up blender. Knob 3- push/pull low/high mids cut or boost, Knob 4- concentric outer ring bass - inner knob treble
Pros
At the risk of sounding like a new fanboy, this is the most awesome bass I've had the pleasure of playing. The carved body fits like a glove right against my body. It feels like an extension of me. The setup and playability is like butter. The damn thing plays itself so it seems. The neck is seductive and difficult transitions appear almost effortless.
Extremely wide sonic palette. Heavy funk slap to Jaco'esque finger style. Anywhere from the nastiest growl to silkiest smooth tone. I attribute much of the versatility to the Aggie OBP-3 circuit.
The build is flawless.. a true handbuilt custom. This is my first neck-thru, so it seems like a beautiful carved piece of art.
The Hipshot machines...excellent! (unfortunately not offered as stock anymore)
Wicked cool looking IMHO. I'm not into all the fancy eyecandy woods, or the gaudy inlays, or gold hardware on the more expensive NS2's and 4's.. Honestly, If I would've custom ordered a Spector, this would be very close what I would order.
Perfectly balanced... NO neck dive (like I've heard some experience with Spectors).
Cons
No hard case. If I'm spending a few thousand on an instrument, I would really expect a nice hard case. You wouldn't expect to get this stellar high end instrument in a "made in China" gigbag.
Plastic, Plastic, Plastic! I hate plastic on my axes! Plastic knobs, Plastic non-recessed electronics cover, Plastic truss rod cover. I had no choice but to replace the knobs with high quality black anodized aluminum knobs, replace the plastic truss rod cover with the gold "SPECTOR" name with a beautiful wood (ebony) cover. Now at least I can sleep at night! I'm not sure what to do about the backplate as the body is so contoured, that it would seem cost prohibitive to have one carved from wood. (suggestions?)
The satin finish isn't my favorite finish.. and not from strictly aesthetics point of view. It is more difficult to clean than a gloss finish. Gloss finish cleans/shines up with a touch of polish and voila. Try to polish the satin finish and it kind of gets streaky and the polish doesn't go on even.. just more work. Aesthetically I don't have a preference.. satin of gloss is fine. Also, you have to be very careful with these newer finishes as the tend to "delam" if you nick it. I saw a little of this up by the screw hole on the truss cover. A bit crazy glue wicked in and done, but give me old time nitro finish any day.
IMO, the Dunlop strap locks suck. I quickly swapped them out for Schallers and all was good in that department.
Customer Service
Phenomenal. I had the 2nd Forte4 sn 002 that had a couple of small finish issues, and I emailed the folks at Spector with some photos and asked what could be done to resolve it. They emailed me back within the hour and had me drop it off and gave me a brand new build within 3 days. They also installed the tone circuit of my choice no charge. I ruined the 1/4" output jack by leaving my cord in and putting the bass on my floor stand. They sent one out next day in the mail.. again no charge. Hella thanks to Stuart, Jim, PJ, Jo Ann ... Stellar service. This should be the model of customer service for all companies to follow.
Conclusion
This bass is essentially an NS2 for 1/2 the price. Same quality, sound, playability, just less eye candy. My Cons were all pretty trivial, and to get a USA Neck-Thru with high-end electronics and HW for $2599 completely washed the cons IMHO. The 34" scale neck might be a little long for those with small hands. I have large hands and the "one finger per fret" thing is a bit of a stretch at the lower frets. At first popping wasn't as easy to me as my Stingrays as it appeared to be a bit shallower between the strings and the body. After an hour of getting used to, this was no longer an issue.
I think I'd've preferred simple pearl dot finger board inlays to nothing.. but the rosewood fingerboard devoid of any inlay has a certain sexy organic appeal... dunno, I might or might not have them put in.
This is my 1st Spector and I'm in heaven with this thing. I've owned a late 70's P bass, and 2 Stingrays before this. All of them were fine instruments... This Spector has pushed the envelop in all ways and is on a different level than my previous basses. I've been GASing for a Spector for many years and finally the opportunity to acquire one came... "Drinks are on the house!" I feel very fortunate to have such an instrument.
This is a Spector Forte 4 Serial number 019. Retail price is $3500 - Price paid was $2600. Spector markets this as their no frills USA Neck Thru NS Body. Delivered in a black stain satin finish with no other color options, no bling or extras such as gold hardware, inlays, hard case, etc.
I've lived with this bass for a month now and have played on average 3 hours per day.
I'd like to note that this bass I'm reviewing (and own!) is not exactly the stock configuration that you get. The electronics are different as I prefer the OBP-3 to what came stock, and I changed out some hw (knobs, covers and such).. but all being equal, this should be a close review for a stock Forte 4.
Specs
USA Series Neck Thru, Original NS body shape, Fiddleback Maple body (wings), 3-Piece Rock Maple/Graphite Neck, Pau Ferro Fingerboard, 34" scale, 24 Frets, 1.64" Nut Width, 3/4" String spacing at bridge, brass nut, Active EMG P/J p'ups, Aguilar OBP-3 18v preamp circuit, Black Spector Locking Bridge, Black Hipshot Tuners, Black Schaller Straplocks.
Tone control configuration: Knob 1- master volume, Knob 2 P'up blender. Knob 3- push/pull low/high mids cut or boost, Knob 4- concentric outer ring bass - inner knob treble
Pros
At the risk of sounding like a new fanboy, this is the most awesome bass I've had the pleasure of playing. The carved body fits like a glove right against my body. It feels like an extension of me. The setup and playability is like butter. The damn thing plays itself so it seems. The neck is seductive and difficult transitions appear almost effortless.
Extremely wide sonic palette. Heavy funk slap to Jaco'esque finger style. Anywhere from the nastiest growl to silkiest smooth tone. I attribute much of the versatility to the Aggie OBP-3 circuit.
The build is flawless.. a true handbuilt custom. This is my first neck-thru, so it seems like a beautiful carved piece of art.
The Hipshot machines...excellent! (unfortunately not offered as stock anymore)
Wicked cool looking IMHO. I'm not into all the fancy eyecandy woods, or the gaudy inlays, or gold hardware on the more expensive NS2's and 4's.. Honestly, If I would've custom ordered a Spector, this would be very close what I would order.
Perfectly balanced... NO neck dive (like I've heard some experience with Spectors).
Cons
No hard case. If I'm spending a few thousand on an instrument, I would really expect a nice hard case. You wouldn't expect to get this stellar high end instrument in a "made in China" gigbag.
Plastic, Plastic, Plastic! I hate plastic on my axes! Plastic knobs, Plastic non-recessed electronics cover, Plastic truss rod cover. I had no choice but to replace the knobs with high quality black anodized aluminum knobs, replace the plastic truss rod cover with the gold "SPECTOR" name with a beautiful wood (ebony) cover. Now at least I can sleep at night! I'm not sure what to do about the backplate as the body is so contoured, that it would seem cost prohibitive to have one carved from wood. (suggestions?)
The satin finish isn't my favorite finish.. and not from strictly aesthetics point of view. It is more difficult to clean than a gloss finish. Gloss finish cleans/shines up with a touch of polish and voila. Try to polish the satin finish and it kind of gets streaky and the polish doesn't go on even.. just more work. Aesthetically I don't have a preference.. satin of gloss is fine. Also, you have to be very careful with these newer finishes as the tend to "delam" if you nick it. I saw a little of this up by the screw hole on the truss cover. A bit crazy glue wicked in and done, but give me old time nitro finish any day.
IMO, the Dunlop strap locks suck. I quickly swapped them out for Schallers and all was good in that department.
Customer Service
Phenomenal. I had the 2nd Forte4 sn 002 that had a couple of small finish issues, and I emailed the folks at Spector with some photos and asked what could be done to resolve it. They emailed me back within the hour and had me drop it off and gave me a brand new build within 3 days. They also installed the tone circuit of my choice no charge. I ruined the 1/4" output jack by leaving my cord in and putting the bass on my floor stand. They sent one out next day in the mail.. again no charge. Hella thanks to Stuart, Jim, PJ, Jo Ann ... Stellar service. This should be the model of customer service for all companies to follow.
Conclusion
This bass is essentially an NS2 for 1/2 the price. Same quality, sound, playability, just less eye candy. My Cons were all pretty trivial, and to get a USA Neck-Thru with high-end electronics and HW for $2599 completely washed the cons IMHO. The 34" scale neck might be a little long for those with small hands. I have large hands and the "one finger per fret" thing is a bit of a stretch at the lower frets. At first popping wasn't as easy to me as my Stingrays as it appeared to be a bit shallower between the strings and the body. After an hour of getting used to, this was no longer an issue.
I think I'd've preferred simple pearl dot finger board inlays to nothing.. but the rosewood fingerboard devoid of any inlay has a certain sexy organic appeal... dunno, I might or might not have them put in.
This is my 1st Spector and I'm in heaven with this thing. I've owned a late 70's P bass, and 2 Stingrays before this. All of them were fine instruments... This Spector has pushed the envelop in all ways and is on a different level than my previous basses. I've been GASing for a Spector for many years and finally the opportunity to acquire one came... "Drinks are on the house!" I feel very fortunate to have such an instrument.
