Spector BOB-4

I got this bass used for around $600. I had been a long time Spector fan (several NSCRFMs, a Euro 4LX35, and several Korean NS-2As. When I was in the market for a J bass, I came across these BOBs. These were made in the mid 90s during Spector's SSD era. This was their take on a Jazz bass. Apparently there were only a few 100 BOBs made in 4 & 5 strings. They have the usual Pau Ferro fingerboard found on most US Spectors. Mine is a solid ash body, but I've seen some w/ figured maple tops. It has factory dual EMG DCs w/ a 9V EMG 3-band pre (not sure if it's the BT or BQ). Mine has a Wilkinson bridge as I think most did, but I've seen some w/ Hipshot barrel-type bridges. It has a 34" scale 24 fret maple neck w/ a monster 6-bolt heel. (Upper fret access is limited; I'd say about 20 reach-able frets.) Grover tuners were standard on these. It's got a semi-chunky Spector feeling neck, not a skinny thin Jazz neck. Brass nut.

I've owned MANY high-end instruments, and this is BY FAR the most versatile bass I've ever played. The 3-band EQ can get you any tone from buttery warm mellow to uber-punchy and bright slap 'n pop, to the bell-like dirty sounding Rickenbacker tone. There is a stacked Bass and Treble control along w/ a stacked Mid control and Mid sweep. If you have the mids cranked and roll the mid sweep back and forth, it's basically a built-in Wah!! They have the typical EMG quietness and low string squeak noises. The brass nut and 6-bolt neck also give this thing amazing sustain. This is THE bass for all tones and any situation. I'd use this exclusively in the studio or on tour.

The neck is very rigid. I've had the bass several years and never touched the truss rod. This gives you the ability to get amazingly low action. The ONLY flaw on this bass (other than poor upper fret access) is the finish. Mine is transparent red and they must have used a VERY thing clear coat. If I wear a white shirt while playing it, the shirt will be red afterwards! My arm where it rests on the bass will also be red and the arm rest contour finish is wearing thin.

The BOBs are true to Spector quality and built like a tank. The hardware is top notch, although I'm not a huge fan of Wilkinson bridges, but that's only my opinion. But, I like this bass so much, I'm looking for another one. This one is getting a bit beat up, so I have plans to pimp it out a bit! The ONLY accessory that could 'pimp this bass out' would be a Kahler tremolo and maybe Sperzel locking tuners!

I've never had to deal w/ Spector with this BOB bass, but I've been in contact w/ Spector guitars and PJ Rubal many times. They are excellent to deal with.

I've been playing bass for 13 years and am a bit of a bass whore monger. I've owned Warwicks, Modulus, F Bass, Tobias, Japanese Tunes, Status, other Spectors, Yamaha TRB-P, KSD, and many many more. As mentioned, this is THE most versatile bass I've ever owned and one of the best sounding. It plays great and looks great (kind of an oddly stretched J body w/ a non-Jazz looking 2x2 headstock). As mentioned, the only flaws are a thin clear coat finish (mine could be a fluke) and limited access (20 of the 24 frets). And compared to the price of other USA Spector basses, the BOBs are a STEAL. They usually do about $500-$800 when/IF they ever pop up!