Spector NS4CR

This bass was crafted in 1997 in the Czech Republic. 4-string, 24 frets, 34" scale. Its completely made of maple which adds a lot of weight but is the only option if you want to have the real Spector trademark sound. The neck is made from three pieces of maple, the wings are solid maple. Simple controls: Volume Bridge, Volume Neck, Bass, Treble. The pickups are EMG HZ which are fitted to a preamp which does all the magic, I will explain further in the "sound" section. The pickups are passive, the preamp and the EQ are active of course. You will need one 9volt battery to operate it. Finish is gloss red, which still looks nice apart from a heavy ding at the bottom strap button, but that was my fault so I won't include it in the rating. The body carving is supreme, there is no flat surface on the whole bass except on the headplate. It is really ergonomic, and it needs to be because of the heavy weight of approx. 5,3 kg. The body contour follows your belly, and when playing in a standing position the bass does not feel heavy at all. The tuners are heavy duty Spector machine heads made from brass, they also are very heavy in mass, but have a very smooth operation. This bass will never detune. Never ever. The bridge is also made from brass and is very heavy. You can unlock it with a single allen wrench, for moving the saddles for intonation adjustments. Even if you forget to tighten this screw, it won't fall apart on the stage. The fretboard is made from rosewood and has the traditional "block" inlays which are fitted perfectly. The frets are medium jumbo and, after 12 years of use, start to show some wear, but I will conclude this in the "sound" section. I bought it used, so it didn't have a case. I bought a case seperately for around 180 euros. Yes, it's expensive, but its in the same sturdy league as Fender or Gibson cases. Because this bass is so versatile, ergonomic, beautifully looking and never let me down I will award it 10 points.

I play a lot of styles on a lot of basses, but the Spector does it all. There is just no style where it can't compete.
My live setup features a Gallien Krueger BL115, which gives back some attack which has been softened by the onboard preamp.
There is no noise at all, no matter how hard you drive the onboard EQ. I don't use any effects for this bass, not even a compressor for live situations, the onboard preamp really shapes the signal to a studio-grade level. Speaking of recording, I recently recorded an album with this bass, it featured some prog-rock, some rockballads and even some disco/dance, the sound just fits anywhere. My studio engineer was highly astonished by the sound. No dead spots, no low-end-rumble which kills the subs (even on Bb-Eb-Ab-Db tuning!), you always get a perfectly clean signal with no dents in the frequency meter whatsoever. This means, in the studio you can shape any sound you like by removing something here or there, but you never have to add anything. When my engineer saw the bass track he started to laugh insanely because you can do so much with it (both EQ's on Zero of course).
In live situations you have a big advantage due the preamp: there are no big outputlevel spikes, you don't need a compressor, just make the sound louder and it will fit perfectly. The bass EQ is really big and flat, it does not create any phase distortions. The treble EQ is a bit sharper (concerning the Q) but is precisely fitted to the sound of the bass, which means you won't need to turn the knob more than a quarter down or up to get the sound you are looking for. Even on extreme settings there is no noise at all.
Generally I would say the sound is wooden and meaty at the same time, most people like it for the Slap sound, but my biggest favorite on this bass is the sustain which is ENDLESS (proven in the studio), even on a fretted note, which really shows the high mass bridge working. A plucked open string will ring for about 40 seconds, and you can still feel the string vibrating if you dampen the string afterwards. Its just awesome sustain which I never saw on any bass before in my life, and everybody loves this bass because of this.
At first I played this bass on EADG tuning, mostly for commercial gigs (weddings, ballroom, covergigs etc). Then I used it in a jazz combo. I put Thomastik Jazz Flat's on it, and this was the closest upright-like sound I have ever heard on a electric fretted bass. Just turn down the neck pickup down a bit and remove some of the highs, and just witness phenomenal sound, which is much easier to put in the mix than a real upright or a Piezo solution. For the last album, a friend of mine made a new saddle from brass to accomodate BEAD (more precisely Bb-Eb-Ab-Db) tuning, and we put regular nickelwound's on back again. Again, just a brilliant signal which doesn't have too much or too less of anything.
I really like this bass. Everyone does. The technicians, the musicians, the crowd says it looks nice and sounds pretty, what do you want more? Of course, 10 points for this section!

The action is set pretty low, but due the graphite reinforced 3-piece maple neck there wont be any buzzing anywhere. After 12 years, the frets start to show some wear but this is not noticable by listening, there are no dead notes or detuned notes or what so ever. Maybe I will have it refretted in a year or two, we didn't have any problems in the studio with it. All the frets are nicely rounded on the edge of the fretboard and are all in place, no frets moved out of the fretboard after a LOT of use and climate changes. Speaking of which, I never ever had to adjust the trussrod, not for any tuning or string weight or climate change.
The pickups can be adjusted in height, but the original setup was properly balanced, and I never changed it.
This bass just works out of the box for dozens of years, no matter if you go directly into the PA, into a preamp for the studio, or into an amp. Great!

I used this bass live hundreds of times. The finish didnt change. The sound didnt change. Nothing changed. It's not "your axe", which has "its own thingies" or does "something different than others". This is "THE BASS". Plug it in, play it, and get Kudos for it. The hardware still looks nice, although brass tends to get some fine "freckles" over time. They can be polished out, so it's not a big deal. The bridge however started to get a somehow rough surface. It didnt change the sound, but it cannot be reversed either. I tried to machine-polish it out, but it does not work.
The strap buttons... yeah.. they could be better. After some jumping excersises, the bottom strap button was a bit loose, and because the screw bent over a bit, the button worked itself into the lacquer, and blew off a piece of finish the size of a penny. I can now see into the white filler underneath, which somehow freaks me out, but it was my fault too. But to be honest, i have better strap buttons on my other basses. I am glad this didnt happen in a live situation, but a torn out strap button is a common problem on the stage. For me, too common for a Spector, they should have done it better.
I never bring a backup when I'm with the Spector, the only backup is another 9V battery. I used this bass so many times that I forgot that I have other basses as well.
The finish still looks awesome (apart of the strap button issue which is not visible from the audience) on all parts of the bass, even below the fourth string, where you get those "slap scratches" - even here it looks faboulus, concerning 12 years of use!
Because of the strap buttons this category will only get 9 points.

I never had to deal with the support, because I know how to change strings and how to change a battery. This will be all you have to do with an all-maple-made Spector. I didnt touch the trussrod since I have bought it.

I play guitar for 13 years, bass for 9 years. My other bass gear: Peavey Zodiac Dave Ellefson Signature, Peavey Millenium AC BXP 4string, Peavey MAX115 amp (all of those won, not bought), Ibanez BTB205, Gallien Krueger Backline 115, UAD Solo 110 Preamp for the studio. Martin HD-28, Greg Bennett MJ-10-CE (medium jumbo mahogany/spruce acoustic). I have a friend which has two Spectors (one NS4CR and one NS4-USA), mine sounds best to him as well as to me (although it was the cheapest by far).
If it would be stolen, I'd start crying, because I can't afford an all-maple-made Spector from the States (4string w/ highgloss starts at 4200 USD, 5string 5300 USD). The only comparable, affordable bass is the MK5 Signature Model which costs around 2000 USD, which is OK for an all-maple Spector. I tried the Euro series (basswood / alder body with maple neck), they just don't sound like the Original.
I love this bass. As said, everybody does. Yes it's heavy, but it does not feel like it, I played for six hours straight on a wedding, it was more comfortable than my other basses after a two-hour gig. It always works, it never lets you down, you always get not a good, but the best sound your amp / PA has to offer - basically, it's a bass players dream - which is one of the reasons it costs SO much when you buy it new.

This 4-string neckthru maple Bass was built 1999 in Czech Republic. It features a 24 fret longscale neck, black glossy finish, passive EMG HZ - Pickups in a P/J configuration, active tone control (treble, bass, volume, pickup select), chrome hardware and dot inlays on the neck. The body style is that Steinberger type, not comparable to other classic models. The bridge is the most solid one I ever seen on bass guitars. The tuners are Schaller.
It' s a pretty heavy thang, much more than it looks like. Great sustain!
The bass was an exposition model, rarely used, just standing around in the shop. Full dealer warranty.
I played a modified Fender P-Bass and a Danelectro Rumor Bass before, the NS4CR is a great one! A wide variety of sound is possible with the active tone control.

I play Blues and Rock (http://www.the-last-call.com) and sometimes have to switch between a clear, present sound and a darker, bluesier tone. The NS4CR features it all very well, you mustn' t even touch the amp controls to vary the sound.
I play through a Warwick Wamp 380 Top and Ampeg SVT1510 Cabinet, sometimes using a Boss OC2 Octaver.
This Bass makes no noise, it would be highly recommended for studio and stage.
I like nearly everything about this great guitar, the look, the sound, great!

I was pleased about the setup, I did not have to change anything serious, adjusting the strings a bit to my personal taste.
The finish was fine, the guitar has not been really used, although nearly 3 years old.

"Basses built for a lifetime" - the slogan by Spector. There is truth in it. It looks so solid, like made of pure metal.
I did not find any weakness in material and setup. I played several gigs now with the NS4CR and I don' t feel like I would need another backup. No adjustment necessary since I owe it.

I had several questions about the model and its specifications and emailed directly to Spector. Quick answer came with satisfying information from the sales manager. Very good!

I play about half a year now and did not have the possibility to compare the Spector with many other basses.
Compared to my Danelectro Bass the Spector is far in front with any feature it has. Sustain, playability, durability and sound variety are miles above.
If it were stolen or lost, I would immediately try to get another Spector. I love it!
My decision to buy was the good price for an upper class bass guitar and -certainly- the look. I did not test it before, but I repent nothing.

This Spector was made in the Czec republic in 97 and features highly flamed maple sides,emg pickups,gold hardware and 24 frets. The pickup configuration is a P/J set up with active electronics that sport two volume controls (one for the P-pickups and one for the Jazz pickup) and a treble and bass control for the E.Q. This bass has the feel of a Fender P-bass with an attitude. When I ordered this bass, I couldn't decide on a color. So I took a shot in the dark and ordered the transparent plum with a high gloss finish. It looks awesome! The figured maple sides looked just as good as some of the american models that I have seen. I think what realy set this bass off is the body style which was designed by Ned Steinberger in the early 70's. It feels comfortable and is easy to play. With a bass that sounds like this, you don't need anymore features than this.

This bass has a sound all its own. I play metal/hardrock and occasionaly blues and it sounds perfect for any application I use it for. Usualy I have all of the controls all of the way up which gives it a driving sound without any noticable distortion. The pickups are super quiet even with the treble all the way up. As for the studio, again it is an awesome piece of equipment for recording. Its no wonder why alot of famous players own one of these fine instruments. It cuts through like no other. I play through Ampeg SVT's (the all tube ones, not the solid states) and the 8-10 cabs and it makes a nice match for each other. It sounds great straight through the amp with no effects.

I received this bass about 4 hours before I had to play a gig and it played awesome right out of the case. Although I had to tweek it a little to suit my personal tastes afterwards but who doesn't when they first buy a new bass. The pickups where adjusted nicely and the bass felt like it had been played for years which made it feel like it was already broke in.

This bass is like a rock! I played in a Ozzy Osbourne tribute band for about a year and it hasn't let me down yet with me playing 5 out 7 nights a week. This is the only bass I take on the road. Every so often I have to tighten up the strap buttons but thats nothing to be concerned about. As for the truss rod adjustment, it requires the normal up keep which is about 2-3 times a year, no big deal.

Iv'e had a few questions about this bass and talked to Stuart Spector himself. He was very helpful with any questions I had. I never had the chance to have any service done on this bass because the thing is built so damn well!

Oh yeah, did I mention I was left handed? When I found out that Spector was offering an NS model in a left hand version, I was quick to get a price on one of these fine pieces of work. There was a 10% up charge that was well worth it and I would definatly spend the money all over again. I sucks being a left-handed bass player because you dont have much to choose from. You either buy something really shitty (like this $350 Ibanez I have) or something you have to sell your kids off to afford all of the options you want on an instrument. Overall this bass is well worth the money and is just as good as the American models that Spector makes in New York. The feel, the sound, everything. This is definatly a dream come true!