Schecter and Dean basses

JackTheRipper · #1 07-09-2010, 11:34 AM

What's the general concensus on Schecter and Dean basses? Good, bad ??? I've played a couple of Schecter basses at Guitar Center and they played ok from what I remember. I don't think I've ever played a Dean.

The reason I ask is that I'm considering a Schecter Stiletto Deluxe-8 and a Dean Edge 8. Price is about the same for these used ones but if the quality is drastically different, I'd like to buy the better of the 2.

TIA, for any input.

--jack

Burlington · #2 07-09-2010, 11:37 AM

The one thing I do not like about Schecters is that the top of the line production models have EMG-HZs. Not too crazy about the body styles either.

GM60466 · #3 07-09-2010, 11:48 AM

I have a C4 that plays so well. Great Bass!

6Steve6Harris6 · #4 07-09-2010, 11:50 AM

Cannot stand Dean, as a company. They have more than exploited the death of Dimebag Darrell. Oh, and the quality of Dean instruments is very questionable.

If you want a good Dean, get a Zelinsky bass.

Herbie Chesnutt · #5 07-09-2010, 12:44 PM

I had a Schecter Devil in cherry for about a month earlier this year. The finish is fantastic. The fretwork was spot on. So smooth and even right out of the box. A real joy to play. The EMG Hz pickups and preamp were too modern for my taste. Super clean and hifi. I didn't care for it, but others might. I would not hesitate to buy another (in fact I will buy one this fall) but with the knowledge that the preamp and pups may need an upgrade. I really like their bodies, even the over-the-top ones. Sometimes it is nice to grab something completely different than a J-bass.

gus1894 · #6 07-09-2010, 12:50 PM

Used to love Schecters had a few, sold them b/c I was looking at other stuff. Wish I hadn't. Since, I've bought and sold 2 more b/c I was not happy with the newer offerings. I currently have a Schecter Custom P Diamond. Not sure if it will stay. The build quality is really nice - I am just never happy with the sound. Jury is out.

There is a shop local to me that does all my tech work and I visit often. He is a Dean dealer, so every time I'm in, I am extremely tempted. I think they are really nice basses.

Other basses on that price level that I think are comparable (but others here may disagree) are Washburn and Cort - I love Cort, nice stuff! I have been wanting to try a Traben, they are in that range IMO, but haven't had the chance yet.

Craig630 · #7 07-09-2010, 12:58 PM

I own both a Schecter Stilleto c4 and a Dean Edge01 5er.

I'll grab for the Schecter 11 times out of 10 vs the Dean.

I find the Schecter to be very versitile but the Dean not so much. Granted their not on the same scale (Dean $200 Schecter $400) but in the long run, I wish I never bought the Dean.

The Stiletto has a tiny neck (granted it's a 4 and the Dean's a 5) and is fast as all heck. The sounds range is huuuuge. I can get high trebley tones straight through to motown thump. Great for slap, finger, pick, tap, and anything else I try on it.

To be honest, the Dean hasn't gotten much play since I got the Schecter, though I play my two others often enough 'wick $$ and an Affinity Squier.

IME/IME/BBQ/ROFL the Squier is lreagues better than the Dean and the Schecter blows that thing away.

Synopsis: Fluffernutter > PB & J

tdub0199 · #8 07-09-2010, 12:59 PM

I have 3 Schecters & all three are really great basses!!! Never played a Dean tho....

e-flores · #9 07-09-2010, 01:10 PM

i love my schecter, its a great all around bass. and shecters are probably the most reasonably priced commodities out there. aka for the price you not going to get anything better.

dean on the other hand i have yet to have luck with, or know people who have. though i have only had experience with there acoustic stuff and i am not a guitar player at all but by now i know what good quality gear is and i have yet to see dean put any quality gear on the market. keep in mind that i have only had experience with their acoustic selection so i could be completely wrong.

chump stain · #10 07-09-2010, 01:31 PM

I love my Dean Basses, the quality was what drew me to them in the first place. I have an Edge 4 Fretless, and a Rhapsody 4 bubinga. They both have a 5 piece maple/walnut neck, grover tuners, EMG HZ pickups. My rhapsody has a nice 2 piece bridge, and an active EQ. They both play like butter.

I would like to try out one of the new Hillsboro basses by Dean, those look great!

CopperheadLXXIX · #11 07-09-2010, 01:37 PM

Go with the Schecter if you can afford it-better pickups and preamp. Also think it looks nicer than the Edge. Not knocking Dean as my main bass is a Rhapsody 12, but I think the Schecter Studio stuff is better than Dean's Edge line.

Edit: I should try and improve my reading skills-just realize you said the Deluxe, not the Studio. In that case, probably would be safe going either way.

MyWifeBoris · #12 07-09-2010, 01:41 PM

I've never played a Schecter, so I don't know about that.

I have a fretless Dean Evo, and that's done me good since I've gotten it which I believe was two years ago.

Though by the sounds of it, Schecter seems to be better.

Spraeg · #13 07-09-2010, 02:50 PM

I have a lower-end Dean (Edge 1-J) and a higher-end Schecter (Hellraiser 5), and I would have to say, from my experience, Schecters have much higher build quality and better electronics. Don't get me wrong, my Dean was the only bass I needed for close to 10 years, and it's still a great instrument, but once I upgraded to the Schecter, I haven't looked back. I would compare Deans to some of the lower-end Ibanezes, decent builds and good for the money, but you're going to get what you pay for. I would say Schecter is one of the best things on the market for the best bang for your buck- you can get a well-made, pro-quality instrument in the $500-$700 range brand new.

gm2_in_co · #14 07-09-2010, 02:55 PM

I have a Dean Rhapsody hollow body that I love... so long as I don't get into it too deeply. Its very obviously cheaply made. The part that is most unavoidable is the bridge. Unfortunately, I don't see an easy, cosmetically acceptable way of replacing it.

So, while it sounds good and plays good and the price was good as well, its not a very pleasing bass if you have a sensitivity to quality or lack thereof.

doctorpunch · #15 07-09-2010, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6Steve6Harris6

Cannot stand Dean, as a company. They have more than exploited the death of Dimebag Darrell.

Absolute ******* truth man. Those new amps they came out with are an atrocity.

netgeist · #16 07-09-2010, 03:13 PM

I love my Schecter. The neck is thin and fast and the EQ dials-in to what I need. Though I'm new to slapping and popping, when I do it, I get the right sounds. But what attracted me in the first place is the deeper sounds I can get out of it. Think versatility - from growling to popping.

I have never played a Dean and I am not sure I would. They seem to have a lot of really crappy low end products and I am always nervous about that stuff. You never know where the crappy stuff ends and the good stuff begins in those lines.

Good luck!

- netgeist

darkstorm · #17 07-09-2010, 03:15 PM

I like shecters better. The Deans Ive tried both guitars and basses, where nice, but just seemed too mellow sounding to me even when with same pups (emg hz) on both. I also like the asthetics of the schecters better.

NecroticImbecil · #18 07-09-2010, 04:12 PM

I've owned both brands, and found both to be quite good for the money. I have not owned either of the specific models mentioned, however. Then again, what do I know, I think EMG HZ pickups are quite good for the price.

etechstan · #19 07-09-2010, 05:23 PM

Are they made in the same asian factory on the same assembly lines? I've seen Schecters side by side with ESPs and the only difference was the headstocks which were glued on. I'm sorry to say this but there are only two factories putting out the majority of the instruments out there.

chump stain · #20 07-09-2010, 05:33 PM

Exactly. Their made in the same plant! It seems a lot of people are compairing high end Schecters with low end Deans. Maybe try comparing the Hillsboro bass (USA or Import) with the new Diamond P, or something more compairable. Comparing an Edge 1 with a Stiletto custom is like apples to oranges.

Dean does have more low end stuff, so I understand the issues people have, but some of there stuff is really great.