NAMM 2024: Spector has long offered some of the most forward-thinking bass guitar designs on the market. It is, after all, the company that first gave a shot to the likes of Ned Steinberger (creator of its iconic NS, before he moved on to establish his own firm) and Vinny Fodera of Fodera Bass.
No trip to NAMM would be complete, then, without stopping by the Spector booth to check out some of the stunning builds of its past and present.
Guitar World’s Paul Riario was on the ground at the Anaheim Convention Center and checked in with Spector’s USA Custom Shop manager Wil DeYoung to see some of the tasty instruments on offer from the firm.
“First and foremost is the Custom Shop,” says DeYoung. “I run the Custom Shop, this is my world, this is my favorite stuff to talk about. We like to build Special basses just for the NAMM show that show off what we're capable of. What we love to do… to inspire people to build their own custom basses.”
In the clip, DeYoung shows off a fleet of fine NS builds from the firm’s US luthiers – including a particularly beautiful NS with quilted maple wings.
It’s finished in a custom blend of purple, amber and green that’s evocative of the Northern Lights (we note John Petrucci has been thinking in a similar way over at Ernie Ball) and comes loaded with EMG pickups.
Elsewhere, the Spector Custom Shop line offers players the ability to spec their own basses, with wood options including everything from Black Walnut, to Flame Maple, Red Alder and Swamp Ash – not to mention, an array of premium maples and other tonewoods available in its Master Grade Tops.
Then there’s a choice of EMG, Aguilar and Fishman pickups, Darkglass electronics and the ability to spec your own inlays. Anything they don’t do, well... ask! As DeYoung explains, it’s a true ‘custom’ bass experience in that sense.
“Everything we build is built to order,” says DeYoung. “And we love new challenges, new finishes, new inlays, new pickups – all that stuff!”
Finally, Spector also showcases its Czech Repubilic-made production line instruments, including the HP (High Performance) NS Dimension line, which features a multiscale fretboard, illuminating side dots and “new unique finishes, with EMG Electronics, now in addition to the Fluence line of the original Dimensions.”
Then there’s the Euro line, for those that want to channel their inner ’80s bass god.
“We've got the Euro Classics,” explains DeYoung. “The tried and tested Spector formula of EMG, solid maple bodies – as well as the new modern [Euro] RST Line featuring Aguilar Electronics roasted maple neck and lightweight body.”
The Euro RST certainly impressed in its Bass Player review, gaining 4.5 stars for its lightweight build and “a resonance and sustain that’s mightily impressive from the off.”
But that’s simply one among many appealing options on display at this year’s NAMM. As DeYoung puts it: “We got a Spector for everybody.”
Indeed, the only person we’re not sure on is the artist behind that mystery signature bass…
For more information on all of the USA Custom Shop and production line models, head to Spector Bass.
