Trying to identify a Spector.

[nicsim]

I'm currently looking at a Spector on ebay, but the owner isn't sure what model it is. He said it might be an "NS94".

The pickups are EMG HZ's and the fret markers are all dots (unlike some models where the 12th is a Spector logo), so I'm confused as to what it is.

It's definitely not a Performer. Could it be a legend? I'm leaning that way, even if I can't find a combination of those pickups and dot markers online.

Any clues?

[cetera]

Is it bolt on or thru neck? If it's bolt on it's probably a Performer. If it's thru neck then it's either an NS2000/4 or possibly a Legend Classic.

Edited Friday at 14:52 by cetera

[nicsim]

18 hours ago, cetera said:

Is it bolt on or thru neck? If it's bolt on it's probably a Performer. If it's thru neck then it's either an NS2000/4 or possibly a Legend Classic.

Looks to be bolt-on. I think it might be an NS-94 from 1994-98. I found this archive listing on the Spector website. Pickup and dot inlays match and (although it's hard to tell), it looks to have the "longer upper horn" mentioned.  No idea how those are rated as a bass though and what they were priced at when new.

(Edit: Scratch all that. NS-94 has a different, longer headstock). After a bit more digging, I'm leaning to it being a Q4 Pro - No idea how good they are/were and price etc.)
 

Edited Saturday at 09:53 by nicsim

[cetera]

Yep, a Q4 Pro.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

On 11/07/2025 at 15:11, nicsim said:

I'm currently looking at a Spector on ebay, but the owner isn't sure what model it is. He said it might be an "NS94".

The pickups are EMG HZ's and the fret markers are all dots (unlike some models where the 12th is a Spector logo), so I'm confused as to what it is.

It's definitely not a Performer. Could it be a legend? I'm leaning that way, even if I can't find a combination of those pickups and dot markers online.

Any clues?

I knew what this would be as soon as I saw the title - either an NS2000 or a Q4. Sellers never seem to know what these basses are!

[Bolo]

I knew what this would be as soon as I finished reading the thread - either an NS2000 or a Q4. Sellers never seem to know what these basses are!

[nicsim]

So the next question is - what's a better option - a 20ish year old Q4 or a newish Performer? 🤔

[cetera]

Q4 has an EMG BTS circuit which is nice.

 

As long as the condition is good/neck is straight etc I'd go with the Q4 and then possibly upgrade the EMG Hz pickups to full EMG soapbar P & J pickups to get closer to the classic Spector tone.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

13 minutes ago, nicsim said:

So the next question is - what's a better option - a 20ish year old Q4 or a newish Performer? 🤔

The Q4.