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New four- and five-string NS Icon Neck-Through basses pair Spector’s legendary construction with quilted maple, Aguilar electronics, gold hardware, and prices starting at $1,699.99.
Some basses are built to keep up.
A Spector is built to push back.
The company has expanded its Icon Series with the new NS Icon Neck-Through basses, bringing one of Spector’s signature design ideas—neck-through construction—to a more accessible line.
The result is a modern bass built around the same ingredients that helped make Spector a favorite among serious players for decades:
- A curved NS body.
- A stable maple neck.
- Strong sustain.
- Aggressive clarity.
And enough visual flair to make the bass stand out before anyone hears the first note.
What neck-through construction changes
On a neck-through bass, the neck runs through the entire length of the instrument, with body wings joined to either side. Spector has used that construction method since the 1970s.
The design is known for stability, sustain, resonance, and a more unified feel from the headstock through the body.
For the new NS Icon models, Spector uses a three-piece maple neck-through design paired with solid alder body wings.
The alder is capped with a highly figured quilted maple top, giving the bass both a rich tonal foundation and a custom-shop-inspired appearance.
Four finishes, one unmistakable shape
The NS Icon Neck-Through series is available in four gloss-stain finishes:
- Black Stain
- Haunted Moss
- Purple Cherry
- Black and Blue
Each finish wraps around Spector’s signature curved NS body shape.
It is a silhouette that has been part of the company’s identity from the beginning, designed to feel comfortable against the player while looking like it belongs under stage lights.
Built for four-string and five-string players
The four-string model uses a 34-inch scale length.
The five-string moves to a 35-inch scale, helping maintain string tension and low-end clarity.
Both versions feature a custom-shop neck carve, rosewood fingerboard, classic crown inlays, and a brass nut.
That combination is built for players who want a bass that feels fast and familiar but still has the authority to hold down a modern mix.
Aguilar electronics handle the tone
The electronics package is where the NS Icon Neck-Through series gets serious.
Four-string models use custom-voiced Aguilar DCB pickups in a Reverse P/J configuration.
Five-string models use dual Aguilar soapbar pickups.
Both are paired with an Aguilar OBP-2 onboard preamp.
That setup is designed to deliver deep lows, focused punch, and articulate highs—whether the bass is heading into an amp, a direct box, a recording interface, or a full live rig.
In plain English:
It is built to stay clear when the band gets loud.
Spector NS Icon Neck-Through specs
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Construction | Three-piece maple neck-through-body |
| Body wings | Solid alder |
| Top | Highly figured quilted maple |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood with crown inlays |
| Body shape | Spector NS curved body |
| Nut | Brass |
| 4-string scale length | 34 inches |
| 5-string scale length | 35 inches |
| 4-string pickups | Custom-voiced Aguilar DCB Reverse P/J |
| 5-string pickups | Dual custom-voiced Aguilar DCB soapbars |
| Preamp | Aguilar OBP-2 active preamp |
| Bridge | Fully intonating locking bridge |
| Hardware | Gold high-precision tuners and hardware |
| Included | Padded gig bag |
| Finishes | Black Stain, Haunted Moss, Purple Cherry, Black and Blue |
Price and availability
The four-string Spector NS Icon Neck-Through has a street price of $1,699.99 USD.
Where to buy:
The five-string model has a street price of $1,799.99 USD.
Where to buy:
Learn more at Spector Basses.
Here’s a buyer-focused comparison of the new NS Icon Neck-Through models against similar active, neck-through basses.
| Bass | Strings / scale | Construction | Pickups & preamp | Best fit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spector NS Icon Neck-Through | 4-string / 34″ | 3-piece maple neck-through; alder wings; quilted maple top | Aguilar DCB Reverse P/J; Aguilar OBP-2 | Players wanting the classic Spector shape, punch, and familiar 4-string feel | $1,699.99 |
| Spector NS Icon Neck-Through | 5-string / 35″ | 3-piece maple neck-through; alder wings; quilted maple top | Dual Aguilar DCB soapbars; Aguilar OBP-2 | Players who need a tighter low B and modern active tone | $1,799.99 |
| Spector NS Ethos 4 | 4-string / 34″ | 3-piece maple neck-through; maple body; poplar burl top | Aguilar P/J; Aguilar OBP-2 | A more premium Spector 4-string with a maple-forward voice and distinctive visual finish | $1,999.99 |
| Spector Legend 5 Neck-Thru | 5-string / 35″ | 3-piece maple neck-through; solid maple body; figured maple top | Dual Aguilar DCB humbuckers; Aguilar OBP-2 | Players who prefer two soapbars and a more focused, cutting Spector voice | $1,299.99 |
| Schecter Stiletto Studio-5 | 5-string / 35″ | Maple/walnut neck-through; mahogany body; bubinga top | Dual EMG 40HZ; 18V EMG 3-band EQ | Players who want a fast, modern neck, broad EQ control, and a more aggressive hi-fi sound | $1,779.00 |
| Ibanez BTB946 | 6-string / 35″ | 5-piece maple/walnut neck-through with graphite reinforcement; okoume/ash wings; poplar burl top | Nordstrand Big Singles; 3-band EQ, mid-frequency switch, passive bypass | Extended-range players who want adjustable string spacing and a very modern, articulate sound | $2,204.43 |
The quick takeaway:
- Choose the NS Icon Neck-Through for the most direct route to the classic Spector feel, Aguilar electronics, brass nut, and curved NS body at the lowest new-model price.
- Choose the NS Ethos 4 if you want a more upscale 4-string Spector with a maple body and poplar-burl top.
- Choose the Legend 5 Neck-Thru if dual soapbars are more your style than the Icon’s P/J setup.
- Choose the Schecter if aggressive EMG tone and a thin, fast neck are priorities.
- Choose the Ibanez BTB946 if you need six strings, adjustable spacing, stainless frets, and passive-mode flexibility.
The MikesGig takeaway
Spector has spent 50 years proving that a bass can be comfortable, visually striking, and built to hit hard.
The NS Icon Neck-Through series takes the company’s most recognizable construction method and puts it in front of a new generation of players.
More sustain.
More resonance.
More Spector.
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