2008 Spector NS-2JA-R Re-issue Bass

Greetings!

Today we are looking at the NS-2JA-R, which is a 25th anniversary re-issue of the 1983 Spector NS-2JA. This is one of only 83 of these basses that were finished in glossy black. 83, because this is a re-issue of the 1983 model – savvy? They made 83 each in glossy white and natural, so there were only a total of 249 built in the Czech Republic.

This is a 34-inch scale bolt-on neck bass with 24 frets. The frets are level and did not need anything when it came out of the box. It has simple dot inlays on the rosewood fretboard, and check out that brass nut! It is almost like we are still in the 1970s! The tuners are first-rate Schaller machines.

The maple body is carved into the traditional Spector contoured shape with a highly erotic upper horn. There is a chrome Leo Quan Badass bridge, which has always been a favorite of mine. The body is loaded with a pair of active EMG pickups, which are wired with EMG BT active tone controls (2 volume and 2 tone). The lower cutaway goes pretty far into the neck joint, so there is good access to the upper frets.

This bass was one of the first shipped, arriving in the US in March 2008. And, it is a real winner. The neck is very thin and fast, and the tone is super punchy with tons of mids. There is plenty of sustain too, if that is what you are looking for. Another bit of good news is that this bass is quite light, despite its maple body, coming in at 8 pounds, 6 ounces.

These basses had a list price of $2099 when they came out, and a street price of $1575. They did not sell very well, and there are still a few new ones to be found at dealers for a little under $1500. You could do a lot worse for your money.

Mahalo!