WOODSTOCK, N.Y. -- In the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, in a nondescript building, the bass guitars for some of the world's leading musicians are made.
"It's still challenging, fun and it's always fascinating to try and figure out how to make new instruments and design them," said Stuart Spector.
From humble roots in Brooklyn in the 1970s, the first Stuart Spector guitar was made with no instruction, no manual, and no Wikipedia, almost entirely by trial and error. As with many musicians, one show would change Spector's life.
"A dealer in St. Louis knew Sting was coming through on the Synchronicity Tour and he asked us to build a white bass. Sting played it through the sound check, played it through the show and as he was jumping in his limo pointed to Dan Martin and said 'write that man a check.' God Bless Him, played the bass the rest of the tour."
Relocating to Woodstock, N.Y., not for the city's storied rock history, but for its fly fishing, Spector Design is now a well-oiled machine. From traveling the world to get the best and most interesting wood, to the design and finish, the quality of the work has made Spector Basses a go-to choice.
"Our focus has always been to make a better instrument."
Even the machine-made parts of Spector Bass are hand designed, every cut, drill mark and paint stroke is intentionally laid.
Stuart shows no signs of stopping, he is ever-improving and ever-innovating and the music community he serves wouldn't have it any other way.