Spector NS2 uncertainty

[VeryTallBassist]

NS-2As with actual crown inlays (those are obviously not decals) are extremely rare. I think I’ve seen one or two total in my lifetime. I don’t think that’s an NS-2A. It’s probably a Kramer or even Brooklyn era NS-2 that’s either been refinished or the serial number has just worn off. I’m pretty sure the Brooklyns just had an ink stamp in the back of the headstock.

But what about the lack of a volute? I've personally never seen a Brooklyn or a Kramer without one. But then I'm not an expert on that era.

 

[groove pump]

Looking at this Spector NS2, which the owner claims to have purchased at a guitar show back in '99.

My concern is that there is no serial number visible - possible refinish? Over the serial number?
. . . and the weight. The owner says it weighs 11.4 lbs (bathroom scale). That seems really heavy.

I'd appreciate hearing what TB Spector experts' thoughts are? FYI - I have not seen it in person yet.

Aside from what that particular instrument is or is not, I've got to ask whether you've ever played a Spector? While they have that very cool design that I think of as "that Spector layout", it's a design that includes a relatively short upper horn and the bridge is mounted on the body at a location that's up and away from the "bottom" edge. Playing one of these strapped on the shoulder while standing up can bring ergonomic challenges for some and the layout might also come with significant neck dive. Of course much of this depends on you, how you like to have a bass sit on you, and the particular bass in question.

I'm not at all throwing this brand under the bus - I had a Korean SSD (Stuart Spector Design) NS-94 some years ago that treated me well for many years early on. But even that variant of the Spector blueprint had no better than a mediocre fit and balance. It worked okay for me because I was younger and it was easier for me to accommodate a so-so fit with any bass. It also sounded pretty dang good.

In case you're not familiar with these instruments, I absolutely recommend spending a little chunk of time getting to know one or two of them to see how they fit you on a strap. Aside from the balance (that won't be much of a mystery after only a couple of minutes on a strap), I can say for sure that the listed weight would be an absolute no go for me. I put up with a decent parts J-bass for a lot of years that weighs 10.5 lbs. Terrific instrument that worked for me for a long time, but now that I'm 58, I just refuse to tolerate that load on my shoulder all night, even with a strap that's almost as wide as a doormat.

I'd only consider getting an 11.4 lb. bass for myself if it was perhaps a 6-string that I'd only use for a song or two at my gigs or that I'd mostly play while sitting down. No injuries or health issues here, but I'm at the point where I won't give any 4-string a second look if it's beyond 9.0 lbs. Your situation might be different in terms of what you can handle, but if that scale is accurate, that bass is really heavy.

 

[direktor]

@Boz68

PM’d you

 

[direktor]

But what about the lack of a volute? I've personally never seen a Brooklyn or a Kramer without one. But then I'm not an expert on that era.

Neither of my Brooklyns have a volute. My #692 has a slight bump/added thickness there, but hardly anything. My NS-1 has zero.

 

[Boz68]

Aside from what that particular instrument is or is not, I've got to ask whether you've ever played a Spector? While they have that very cool design that I think of as "that Spector layout", it's a design that includes a relatively short upper horn and the bridge is mounted on the body at a location that's up and away from the "bottom" edge. Playing one of these strapped on the shoulder while standing up can bring ergonomic challenges for some and the layout might also come with significant neck dive. Of course much of this depends on you, how you like to have a bass sit on you, and the particular bass in question.

I'm not at all throwing this brand under the bus - I had a Korean SSD (Stuart Spector Design) NS-94 some years ago that treated me well for many years early on. But even that variant of the Spector blueprint had no better than a mediocre fit and balance. It worked okay for me because I was younger and it was easier for me to accommodate a so-so fit with any bass. It also sounded pretty dang good.

In case you're not familiar with these instruments, I absolutely recommend spending a little chunk of time getting to know one or two of them to see how they fit you on a strap. Aside from the balance (that won't be much of a mystery after only a couple of minutes on a strap), I can say for sure that the listed weight would be an absolute no go for me. I put up with a decent parts J-bass for a lot of years that weighs 10.5 lbs. Terrific instrument that worked for me for a long time, but now that I'm 58, I just refuse to tolerate that load on my shoulder all night, even with a strap that's almost as wide as a doormat.

I'd only consider getting an 11.4 lb. bass for myself if it was perhaps a 6-string that I'd only use for a song or two at my gigs or that I'd mostly play while sitting down. No injuries or health issues here, but I'm at the point where I won't give any 4-string a second look if it's beyond 9.0 lbs. Your situation might be different in terms of what you can handle, but if that scale is accurate, that bass is really heavy.

Thanks GP. I appreciate your input and will take your legitimate cautions/recommendations to heart.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

Owning two Brooklyn Spectors, this looks more like a Kramer Korean made NS-2A with replaced pickups and maybe inlay stickers...OR, one of the late Kramer NS-2A "Artist".

The story goes that the Korean bodies would go to the Kramer plant in NJ for last touches, and in the waning days of Kramer they took some unfinished Korean bodies, put inlays in them, an American HAZ, and sold them like a special edition.

The headstock shape is the biggest clue to me this is Korean, Americans are more round on the top edges. Also the Korean bridges were square like American's, but the outside edges were taller on the Koreans.

A EURO bridge wouldn't fit into a Kramer, without routing.

 

[johndb]

Here's the back of my Kramer era NS-2. I bought this bass back in 1992-93 from Dan Lakin when he was selling used basses through a newsletter that he mailed out. I couldn't find any serial number under the trc, the bridge, and couldn't identify the s/n on the back of the headstock. Since I was keeping this bass forever, I carefully removed the finish so I could positively identify the bass if it were stolen. I suppose I could put a white oval sticker over it, but I don't mind how it looks. This bass weighs 9lb 4oz.
Also you can see that there is a small bump where the neck transitions into the headstock

 

[Bass Ape]

Owning two Brooklyn Spectors, this looks more like a Kramer Korean made NS-2A with replaced pickups and maybe inlay stickers...OR, one of the late Kramer NS-2A "Artist".

The story goes that the Korean bodies would go to the Kramer plant in NJ for last touches, and in the waning days of Kramer they took some unfinished Korean bodies, put inlays in them, an American HAZ, and sold them like a special edition.

The headstock shape is the biggest clue to me this is Korean, Americans are more round on the top edges. Also the Korean bridges were square like American's, but the outside edges were taller on the Koreans.

This exactly. I rocked an NS-2A in the nineties with no serial number.

 

[r_bnks]

That's either an USA Brooklyn or USA Kramer NS-2. USA logo opposed to the logo of the NS-2A. The 2A logo way thicker and placed lower on the headstock. And it rocks an USA bridge.

I saw it on craigslist within an hour it was posted and if I would still live in the US, I'd already own it.

 

[direktor]

Back from the dead.

This bass popped up on Reverb yesterday from a reputable shop yesterday, for much less than the original CL listing.

I snagged it.

Upon closer review I realize my NS-2A identification was not right (now I know about 6 vs 5 hole covers, and differences in headstock logo thanks to Mr. Banks above).

90% sure it’s late Brooklyn or mid Kramer. When I get it I’ll be digging in to try to figure it out.

If anybody knows of differences made in Kramer production vs late Brooklyn, please let me know, because I’ve never been able to see any. Serial numbers went from physical stamp to ink stamp in the 1600s, but on a bass that’s been refinished (and very thickly at that), probably not going to be a help.

 

[SMG]

Check out vintagespector.com, PJ Rubal's site. It has almost anything you could ask for concerning Spector, and if is not on there, email PJ through the site.

Just noticed I have repeated myself from earlier in this thread. But, seriously, ask PJ.

 

[direktor]

Check out vintagespector.com, PJ Rubal's site. It has almost anything you could ask for concerning Spector, and if is not on there, email PJ through the site.

Just noticed I have repeated myself from earlier in this thread. But, seriously, ask PJ.

Know PJ well (well, as a Spector fan) I corresponded with him a while back on it.

I ref his pictures constantly. Not so much for post ‘85 stuff though.

He thinks it’s Brooklyn or Kramer.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

The owner states that this is a "brooklyn-era" spector . . . so not sure that Stuart was hand writing on the headstock back then. I thought they were stamped during that time? But if it was refinished, you think that you still be able to see the stamp (if there was one). You're right . . . I need to keep digging. I appreciate your time and input.

Write the shop. They replied to me about an enquiry I made - I was doing due dilligence before buying a US Spector. Their helpful reply came in the next day.