Spector

What Spector does

Spector is a US-based electric bass guitar manufacturer founded in 1976 in Brooklyn, New York by Stuart Spector and Alan Charney. The company designs and builds premium electric basses centered on the proprietary NS curved body design, originally conceived by Ned Steinberger in 1977, and features neck-thru construction, pickup/preamp configurations from EMG, Aguilar, and HAZ, and a newly developed Legacy Preamp in collaboration with Darkglass Electronics. Its product portfolio spans four price-and-origin tiers: the Icon NS Bolt-On entry line ($1,189.99–$1,499.99), the Czech Republic-manufactured Euro Series including Signature Artist models ($2,999.99–$3,899.99), the limited-quantity US-made Woodstock Select Series ($4,999–$5,199), and the fully bespoke USA Custom Shop in Woodstock, NY, plus cases, bags, and strings accessories. Signature artist programs with Frank Bello (Anthrax), Doug Wimbish, Rex Brown (Pantera), Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse), and Alejandra Villarreal (The Warning) anchor its marketing. The company is currently a subsidiary of Korg USA Inc., which assumed North American distribution in 2015 and completed acquisition in 2019; Spector now operates under the parent in Melville, NY with manufacturing split between the NBE Corp factory in the Czech Republic (Euro line) and the Woodstock, NY woodshop (USA Custom Shop and Woodstock Select). Go-to-market combines direct e-commerce in the USA, an authorized dealer network of 80+ retailers and Custom Shop-exclusive dealers, and 30+ country-specific international distributors. Customer segments are professional touring bassists, serious amateur/enthusiast players, and collectors/custom shop buyers; segment mix is horizontal across these groups rather than concentrated.

Name

Spector

Legal name

Spector Bass Shop

Website

https://spectorbass.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Spector is a US-based premium electric bass guitar manufacturer founded in 1976, now a subsidiary of Korg USA Inc. It produces Icon, Euro, Woodstock Select, and Custom Shop basses for professional and enthusiast bassists through dealers and international distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Melville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices25 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Electric Bass Guitar Sales: Primary revenue from manufacturing and selling electric bass guitars across multiple series including USA Custom Shop, Euro Series, Icon NS Series, and Signature Artist models. Products sold through authorized dealers and direct e-commerce.
2. Accessories Sales: Revenue from ancillary products including cases, bags, and bass strings sold through the same distribution channels.
3. Custom Shop Services: Bespoke instrument building service allowing customers to design custom basses with selected woods, electronics, finishes, and specifications. Higher-margin custom orders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Spector designs, manufactures, and sells electric bass guitars across multiple product lines — the USA Custom Shop (handcrafted in Woodstock, NY), Euro Series (manufactured in the Czech Republic by NBE Corp), Icon NS Series, Woodstock Select limited editions, and Signature Artist models. The company also sells bass accessories (cases, bags, strings) and offers bespoke Custom Shop commissions for fully personalized instruments.

Product overview

Spector is a manufacturer of electric bass guitars founded in 1976, offering a comprehensive portfolio of bass products across multiple series and price points. The product lineup includes the USA Custom Shop (handcrafted instruments from Woodstock, NY with full customization options), Euro Series (European-manufactured professional-grade basses including CST, LX, and RST models), Icon Series (NS Icon Bolt-On bringing the legendary NS design to new players), Signature Artist models (collaborations with Frank Bello and Doug Wimbish), and Woodstock Select (limited-edition US-made instruments with premium electronics). Accessories include cases, bags, and bass strings. The company operates under Spector Musical Instruments with headquarters on Long Island, NY, and production in Woodstock, NY.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• USA Custom Shop US-made custom bass guitars handcrafted by Spector's top artisans in Woodstock, NY, offering players the opportunity to design their dream bass with premium materials and time-honored techniques.
• Spec Your Dream Bass (Custom Configurator) Custom bass builder tool allowing customers to design their own Spector bass with choices for woods, electronics (EMG, Aguilar, HAZ preamp), inlays, stains, and finishes.
• Woodstock Select Series Limited-edition US-made basses featuring solid maple wings and EMG/HAZ electronics, available in NS-2 and NS-5 configurations with various stain finishes.
• Euro Series European-manufactured Spector basses offering professional-grade quality at accessible price points, including CST, LX, and RST models in 4, 5, and 6-string configurations ($2,999.99–$3,899.99).
• Euro CST Euro series model featuring classic Spector construction and electronics, available in 4-string ($3,799.99) and 5-string configurations.
• Euro LX Bolt-On Bolt-on neck construction Euro model available in 4-string ($2,999.99) and 5-string configurations with neck-thru options.
• Euro LX Neck-Thru Premium Euro series with neck-thru construction available in 4, 5, and 6-string configurations ($3,599.99–$3,899.99).
• Euro RST Euro series model featuring premium appointments and electronics, available in 4-string ($3,499.99) and 5-string configurations.
• NS Icon Bolt-On Bolt-on neck bass bringing the legendary NS design to a new generation, featuring Aguilar DCB pickups, OBP-2 preamp, Quilted Maple tops, and gold hardware. Available in 4-string ($1,199.99) and 5-string ($1,299.99) models.
• NC-4 Frank Bello Signature Signature bass for Anthrax bassist Frank Bello, featuring Alder body, bolt-on maple neck, signature EMG P/J pickups, brass nut, and Tina Rose metallic purple finish. Priced at $1,499.99.
• Doug Wimbish Euro 4 Signature Aged White Signature model for session legend Doug Wimbish featuring aged white nitro finish, EMG Jazz pickups, slim DW neck carve with 1.5" nut width, rosewood fingerboard, and Spector Legacy preamp developed with Darkglass Electronics. Priced at $3,699.99.
• NS Pulse II Contemporary bass model available in 5-string ($1,189.99) and 6-string configurations, offering modern features and versatile tone.
• NS Dimension Modern bass design offering expanded tonal options and contemporary aesthetics, available in 5-string configuration ($2,199.99).
• Cases & Bags Protective cases and bags designed for Spector basses.
• Bass Strings Bass guitar strings available through Spector's accessory lineup.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sting's white NS-2 bass donated to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Darkglass ElectronicscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025Collaboration to develop the Spector Legacy Preamp, designed to deliver the classic 'Spector growl' heard on iconic recordings with modern versatility. This is the first preamp developed through an external partnership for Spector's Euro line. The collaboration brings Darkglass's expertise in bass electronics to enhance Spector's proprietary sound.
• EMG, Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationEMG provides custom pickup solutions for Spector signature models. Frank Bello signature model features EMG P/J pickup set with black housing and purple EMG logos. Doug Wimbish models feature EMG Jazz configuration. Woodstock Select series uses EMG pickups as standard. EMG has been a long-standing electronics partner.
• Aguilar AmplificationcoreTechnology or IntegrationNS Icon Bolt-On series equipped with custom-voiced Aguilar DCB pickups and Aguilar OBP-2 preamp. Collaboration with Aguilar team to ensure trademark Spector sound with added versatility. The Icon Series specifically highlights Aguilar electronics as a key feature.
• Korg USAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKorg USA took over distribution in the USA & Canada in 2015, and purchased Spector Bass in 2019. Now operates as Spector Musical Instruments. Serves as both parent company and primary North American distributor. Headquarters in Melville, NY.
• NBE Corp (Czech Republic)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManufacturing partner producing the Euro line of Spector basses. A consulting visit to Czechoslovakia in 1987 led to this long-term relationship with the factory now known as NBE Corp. Euro instruments are produced there and sold worldwide.
• Kramer GuitarsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIn late 1985, Spector brand was sold to Kramer Guitars of Neptune, New Jersey. All equipment and production moved to Kramer facility. Production expanded to 100 guitars per month maximum. By 1990, Kramer was forced into bankruptcy and all Spector production ceased. Historical partnership only.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ibanez: Major Japanese bass and guitar manufacturer with extensive professional artist signature programs and a broad price ladder (SR, SR Premium, Soundgear) overlapping Spector's Icon, Euro, and Signature tiers.
• Warwick: German premium electric bass manufacturer with global distribution, offering comparable neck-thru construction and high-end models in the same price band as Spector's Euro and Custom Shop lines.
• Schecter Guitar Research: US-designed bass and guitar maker with strong metal-genre artist roster and a price ladder from entry to premium, directly competitive with Spector's Icon and Euro tiers.
• Fodera: Boutique US custom bass builder founded by Vinny Fodera, Spector's first employee; operates at the same ultra-premium tier with handbuilt instruments and professional artist endorsements.
• ESP / LTD: Japanese/US premium and mid-tier bass/guitar maker with extensive signature artist programs across rock and metal, competing with Spector for endorsers and dealer shelf space in the same professional categories.
• Music Man (Ernie Ball): US-based premium bass and guitar maker with strong professional endorser programs and comparable price points (StingRay, Bongo), competing directly with Spector in the professional and prosumer bass category.
• Jackson: US bass and guitar brand (Fender-owned) with deep metal and rock artist heritage, competing for the same endorsee-driven, pro-leaning bass customer as Spector.

Broad incumbents

• Fender: Dominant US guitar and bass manufacturer (including Squier and G&L) with massive global distribution and artist programs; competes across all of Spector's price points, especially at the entry/mid-tier.
• Gibson: Iconic US instrument maker with a bass lineup (Thunderbird, SG Bass, EB) and global dealer footprint; competes broadly with Spector for premium bass mindshare and dealer relationships.

Emerging players

• G&L: US boutique bass/guitar maker founded by Leo Fender, offering US-made instruments at premium price points, positioned similarly to Spector's Euro and Custom Shop tiers in the prosumer/collector market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/OfficialSpector
• Facebookfacebook.com/OfficialSpector
• Instagraminstagram.com/OfficialSpector
• Xx.com/officialspector

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Spector