Spector NS Dimension Multi-Scale Bass Review and Demo

[@WaHaHaBass]

My Spector NS dimension is worse than yours. The nut is also too high, and the frets need to be re-leveled otherwise there will be a lot of buzz. And the circuit was soldered in a mess. The wires were burnt in many places, and the output jack was even completely rusty. Because I loved the sound of the bass, I ended up keeping it and spending more money and time setting it up. To be honest, I am very disappointed with Spector's quality management.

[@DavePorterBand]

That's a bummer! Thanks for confirming the quality issue wasn't mine alone and thanks for watching.

[@12to3Guitars]

I've returned probably 7 or more basses this past year from prices of $850 up to $1800. The retailers hate me. But these companies keep pushing out stuff with horrendous fretwork and finishing work. So it is what it is. I eventually settled on a Sire M5 which ALSO needs fretwork and a new bridge saddle. Luckily, the retailer is working with me and Sire is sending me a new bridge. So sometimes a return is best, but sometimes communicating with the dealer and manufacturer can play to your benefit as a consumer. Either way, don't let the companies pumping out poor products get away with it on your dime.

[@InternationalBassStation]

I really like my Dimension HP 5. It was setup fairly high, BUT if you’re not setting up your instruments once you have your preferred strings on, then you’re missing out on a better bass you already have, IMHO of course. I did adjust the truss rod I did lower the bridge I did intonate it Any bass made overseas, you can’t honestly expect perfection after such a long journey.

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks for watching! Yes, as you can see in the video, I did adjust the truss, bridge, etc but the nut was cut so high, the action still ended up over 3mm at the 12th fret.

[@GMcCorrie]

Hi Dave. Yes my Spector was exactly the same. Shocking for an instrument at this price. The cavity was also a mess, filler on the neck, scratches on the back in the lacquer.

[@DavePorterBand]

Must have been a bad batch that came out of Korea... thanks for watching!

[@michaelblaney4461]

I had NO problem with my NS Pulse II. ( Korean made) plays great I haven't had to re-set it up like most of the basses I have ever bought

[@Natetheknife]

Appreciate the honest review!

[@1userone]

same here, a squier is sold with a better setup from factory.... I kept mine because I really enjoy it, but definitely it had to spent some times at my luthier's shop.

[@Fatsatan]

I just got one and mine was setup perfectly

[@DavePorterBand]

That's really good to know because Spector is such an iconic company, I was hoping this was just a bad apple. Thanks!

[@Teckfall15]

I have an Ethos 5, Dimension 5, and an Ethos hp4. The Ethos 5 had a great set-up, but the truss rod nut was basically glued in place by the gloss spray. The only issue the Dimension had was a really high second fret, so I had it re-leveled. Only cost me $25. The Ethos hp so far hasn't had any issues. But I also got it from sweetwater, any neck issues would've been caught during the inspection if it had any. I have heard a lot of stories about the Korean models having fret and nut issues though.

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks for watching!🙏

[@johngallant3321]

I bought a Euro 5lt and love it. And then I bought a Dimension 5..... For this price range, it is garbage. The biggest struggle now is whether or not to burn the damn thing and send the ashes back to Spector. Nut carve is amateur at best. Every part of the bridge feels cheap and the "locking mechanism" on each saddle is a nightmare when trying to tighten it back after making any intonation adjustment. The neck is mostly straight, but the frets are nowhere near being level. Out of the box I had 4mm on the B and 3.5mm on the G......... It is plainly obvious that this entire line from Spector is a money grab. I could understand these issues for a $500 bass. But for $2k??? Get bent. They build a $500 instrument and sell it for a premium because of the multiscale aspect. Not cool whatsoever. I really hope that anyone trying to decide on a multiscale bass reads this and takes it to heart. Buy a Dingwall, Ibanez or Kiesel. You will be much happier for it.

[@Crispy_Music_2024]

Perhaps Spector expects their dealers to do a full setup, including the nut, before selling the instruments? I'm just thinking out loud here. As to the rear cover, that's unacceptable since it is all done on CNC machines and looks to be a standard pattern.

[@samuelviden7412]

That Streamer Stage II in the background...

[@joshlikesbass]

I have one of the previous models with the Fishman Fluence set up. Mine came set up near perfect. That DG w/ EMG's sound great though. I can only imagine what a setup would do for you on that one. But I agree, if it came shipped with the nut that high, I'd consider returning. Probably just a bad apple, though, I've heard others with similar issues.

[@DavePorterBand]

Hey Josh, thanks for your comment!

[@kevinpelepako7381]

I've had a lot of Korean Spectors over the years, as well as Euros and a couple of Woodstock basses and I currently own 10 of them. First, aside from some of the lower end Spectors, the non-recessed cavity cover is just a Spector thing. In fact, when they released the updated USA NS-2s a year or so ago, one of the big deals was that the cavity cover is now recessed - weird, I know. That said, yours also looked scratched up and the plastic looked cheap. Not acceptable. Back to the Korean basses - I think the quality control issues have more to do with the fanned fret neck than anything else. Their regular necks are usually fantastic. On the higher end models, the brass nuts are usually pretty good if not 100% brass like the Euros and USAs. The weak point of the Korean basses has traditionally been their pickups and preamp, and to a lesser extent their tuners. (The plastic bushings usually crack around the 20 year mark). But the necks have always been on the slimmer side, well built so that you don't need to perform many truss rod adjustments, and they have always been well set up. Late last year, I bought a Skyler Acord 5, which is built on a Dimension 5 body but with regular frets. It comes from the factory with Gotoh tuners and a USA bridge. As I said before, the electronics were the weak point, so I went in knowing I was going to swap the Barts out to EMGs (40P5/40DC) and an LHZ Haz clone preamp. That completely changed the character of the bass. The QC on this thing was better than some Euros I've played, and the neck is one of the most comfortable I've ever played regardless of which factory it came from. It has become my #1, beating out my USA's not necessarily in build quality or fancy woods used or attention to small details - the Woodstock basses are true boutique quality - but the total package of playability, tone, and good looks at the $2k price point is very hard to beat ($2300 including upgrades, but it rivals and surpasses many $3-$4k basses). I think the QC issues are for the most part unique to the Dimension line because in my experience, their Korean basses, the neck thrus in particular, have been some of the most consistently well constructed imports that I've played.

[@RainGhoul-hr1wl]

I have a 4 string NS dimension multi scale. The overall quality is top notch and my nut was filed perfectly. The neck is true and the frets feel good. I was able to lower the bridge saddles to get the action I wanted. I’ll let you know if the NS HP 4 I’m getting soon is good or not. The one I have is great, though.

[@DavePorterBand]

I figured it was a just a few that made it past quality control that probably shouldn't have and I I'm glad there are some ones out there. Thanks for watching!

[@robertkerr9738]

I had the same nut issue. Also the neck moves all the time. I had to adjust my truss rod almost weekly. Sold it.

[@robertkerr9738]

Now I do miss the tone. Honestly about the best sounding bass I’ve owned. But the neck movement was just too much for me.

[@averagetim6190]

For 2 grand I'd return it

[@gregsmithsmith3737]

Definitely send it back

[@SlimTheWolf]

Bummer. I have an NS Ethos which I absolutely love...EXCEPT for the fact that it has a terrible grounding issue. Thing hisses like a snake, which isn't that big a deal when playing a show, but gee whiz does it suck when recording. I'm going to bring it to a local shop to fix that issue, and considering that I got a really good deal on the bass, I'm not too bent out of shape about it. But if I'd have paid the full $1800 price and then had to pay additional for repairs, I would be pretty pissed. The Korean factory needs better quality control.

[@tylersteez]

i appreciate the honesty. i love spector and a fanned fret five string was what i’ve been wanting but ill pass on this one

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks for watching!

[@diegorada9925]

i've had one standard spector (cheapest active model) and it was great out of the box. it's weird but possible that the issues you have with this model in particular are real and a pity for the price and the brand (there should be no excuses if you feel the need to change the bass). I hope you could have made the change and feel happy with that. I've had only two basses I REALLY miss: a heavily modified squier and the spector. both had to be sold because of dues to pay, but I really miss them both. cheers from argentina!!!!

[@trying2bhuman474]

I feel like this wasn’t a bad review. It seemed to have minor set up issues. Yes I would be disappointed. But, It sounds killer and it sounds like a keeper.

[@Jmartin68]

Your bass's issues must be a fluke. I have an Ethos HP and it is an amazing instrument. I have nothing negative to say about it. It makes me want another

[@cardgamesandotherthings9734]

Same here I haven't had a complaint with mine

[@naruto199797]

It happens with all mass-produced instruments, usually some slip through the cracks it becomes a problem when you hear a lot of people complaining about qc issues

[@mikematthews5890]

Send it back... I bought a legend bass a few years ago and it was making SO much noise I sent it back for a replacement one and guess what... that one was noise as hell and I sent it back for a full refund. Some Spectors are amazing and some of there lower end models seem to have quality control and some attention to detail issues.

[@MrVladalv]

I was considering buying one, the green moss version. But after seeing the flaws u presented, I'm probably gonna go for a dingwall ng3. Ugly plastic cap on the back... did u return the bass?

[@DavePorterBand]

I did. I don’t think my experience represents the whole line but you can’t go wrong with an NG3! 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@nosivo13]

I actually hurt myself playing this unplayable bass. Carpal tunnel. I sent it back immediately. My first & last spector/multi scale/5 string. Kept neck diving & action was high

[@paulcornwell9207]

Is that due to the fan fret shape? Perhaps it forces the fingers in an unnatural way

[@nosivo13]

@@paulcornwell9207 The bass is huge. Maybe made for a larger body/hands. I simply didn’t like it

[@skrillah6259]

@@paulcornwell9207Fanned frets are not gonna give you carpal tunnel

[@nosivo13]

@@skrillah6259 Ok Doctor

[@Squidy666]

I don't have the Dimension but my Pulse II 5 was/is exactly the same. The action makes it almost unplayable and I've had it professionally set up twice now and neither of the pros can get the action any lower. I was actually planning on buying a new bass this coming weekend and instead of another Spector I think I'll get an LTD instead of the Ethos.

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks for watching and good luck with your next bass!

[@PorchBass]

It doesn't seem like a good example and returning for another should be good?

[@Upsetkiller456]

Wow that’s really discouraging to see. I plan on getting a new bass in the $800-850 range and I was actually looking at the legend 5 from Spector because they have amazing low end( and it’s $600) but seeing this on their high end stuff has made me consider my other few options

[@DavePorterBand]

Hey, thanks for watching and don't let this discourage you from purchasing a Legend 5... just make sure the seller has a good return policy in case you run into issues. It sounds like Spector has a quality control issue with those Korean basses, some are good and others, not so much.

[@Upsetkiller456]

@@DavePorterBand I'll keep that in mind! I am currently looking at the Yamaha TRBX605, Shecter Omen Extreme 5 and Brice Defiant 54375. I mainly play and write Metal but I love Alt-Rock too, is there any basses you recommend within this price range? Cheers!

[@DavePorterBand]

@@Upsetkiller456 I'm not familiar with the Brice. Yamaha makes great instruments but I'm know first hand that Schecter makes amazing instruments for the price and the Omen will be a great playing bass. Easy to install EMG or Fishman pickups if you ever want to upgrade! 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@Upsetkiller456]

@@DavePorterBand Awesome to hear! My first bass was a Yamaha RBX304 and it honestly sounded better than my Washburn t25 which was double the price! I am definitely still considering the TRBX605 as it's a higher quality bass from Yamaha but hearing your endorsement of Shecter has me considering the Omen or C5 more so! How is the string spacing on your Shecters? I don't play slap since I suck at it but I play mostly fingerstyle.

[@patrickgibbons5961]

If it was only the nut, keep it. With the cosmetic issues, I would send it back for the price.

[@tonycarel1785]

Did you return it? And did you get another one ? If you did how is the second one?

[@DavePorterBand]

Yes, I did return it but haven't pulled the trigger on a replacement multi scale bass yet. Thinking about a Dingwall. Thanks for watching!

[@rl-ub9hx]

I'm with you on the cover plate. Only Ernie Ball gets away with that.

[@DavePorterBand]

Thanks for watching! I didn’t know Stingrays had control plates? Mine just have a battery compartment.

[@rl-ub9hx]

@@DavePorterBand the pre specials did. They're at least metal but not recessed at all

[@user-kn5lf8vb7c]

For 2 grand it should be correct. I'd send it back.

[@DavePorterBand]

I agree, thanks for watching!

[@Wildman-wr1sz]

Send it back and get a dingwall. I’m playing my Doug wimpish Spector a whole lot less. Both are great. Just remember buy twice, cry twice. Get good from the start.

[@DavePorterBand]

Good advice and thanks for watching!

[@peterfischer9993]

Return it. That is unacceptable

[@GeezEU]

Korea doesn't care.

[@DavePorterBand]

🤣🤣🤣🤣