Founded in Brooklyn, New York in 1976 by Stuart Spector and Alan Charney through the Brooklyn Woodworkers Co-op, Spector built its reputation on a design that distinguished it from mainstream bass manufacturers. The company's defining instrument emerged when Ned Steinberger—a co-op member with a background in furniture design—conceived an ergonomically-curved bass with neck-through-body construction. The NS-1 debuted in 1977, followed by the two-pickup NS-2 in 1979, which became the brand's most recognized model. Vinny Fodera, who would later co-found the boutique Fodera bass company, served as Spector's first full-time employee during this period.

The NS-2 gained global visibility when Sting played a white example throughout The Police's 1983 Synchronicity world tour; that instrument now resides in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. After the brand was sold to Kramer Guitars in 1985, Stuart Spector eventually reacquired his name and operated under Stuart Spector Designs before KORG USA purchased the company in 2019. USA-built instruments continue to come from a Woodstock, New York workshop, while the broader lineup includes European-manufactured models such as the Euro series.

Spector's artist roster has spanned rock, metal, and progressive rock, with players including Sting, Rex Brown of Pantera, and Greg Lake. The distinctive curved body silhouette and neck-through construction that Ned Steinberger established remain hallmarks of the brand across its range, from imported entry-level basses to hand-built USA models.

Spector has 154 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Electric Basses, Fretless Basses, and Acoustic & Acoustic-Electric Basses. Their gear is featured by 123 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Metal, and Pop. Notable users include Alejandra Villarreal, Rex Brown, and Mike Starr. Most Spector products sit firmly in the high-end, boutique range.