Stargazer or Artcore

Vin Dirnt · #1 06-20-2010, 08:23 PM

Well i have an Epiphone eb-3 as of now, i am going to sell it however for either the schecter stargazer, or the Ibanez artcore bass. ill post the links below. the reason why i dont want my epiphone anymore is i want a little more quality bass, and i dont care for the tone and sound of the bass anymore. the action is way to high too, and ive adjusted it to the best i can, but i think its time for a new bass is all. basically i want a more quality guitar with style that has good action, ive played the schecter and thought it was nice, but not AMAZING, i cant find any place that carries the artcore, so yea ask any questions to help me make my choice. i also use a few fx on my bass mainly fuzz, sometimes delays, would the artcore respond weirdly to them or sound bad?
http://www.ibanez.com/HollowBodyGuitars/model-AGB200

http://cgi.ebay.com/Schecter-Stargaz...item2a0761591a

thanks guys

danomite64 · #2 06-20-2010, 08:57 PM

I haven't played any of those basses (well, maybe an EB-3), but I do have several random thoughts.

You might need to shim the neck on the Epi, or take it to a shop to have it set up. That won't change the tone, but it might make it to where you don't have to rush into replacing it. The Artcore has a 30" scale, the Stargazer is 34", and it looks like the EB-3 has a 34" scale (I just looked the EB-3 specs up; now I have GAS!), so the Stargazer might be easier to transition to. I've owned a ton of Ibanez basses, so I might be willing to buy an Artcore w/o having played it first, but I think I'd try out every locally available bass first.

KingRAW · #3 06-20-2010, 09:05 PM

I own an Artcore and it's an amazing bass guitar. I wouldn't have one as a main bass because of it's defined build approach. It's a beautiful instrument for the price and much better made than the Schecter the money. However I think the Stargazer can do more forms of music.

Vin Dirnt · #4 06-21-2010, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRAW

I own an Artcore and it's an amazing bass guitar. I wouldn't have one as a main bass because of it's defined build approach. It's a beautiful instrument for the price and much better made than the Schecter the money. However I think the Stargazer can do more forms of music.

can you elaborate more as to why you would not have it as a main bass?

Bongolation · #5 06-21-2010, 01:59 AM

If I could live with the looks of these basses, and I couldn't, they both have problems (?) that a majority of TBers would consider deal killers:

The Schecter has EMG-HZ pickups which hands-down are the most hated pickups on TB. The pickups on this model, BTW, are slightly deceptive as the MM-style bridge is nothing but a regular HZ put in a MM-style case. The difference is purely for looks.

The Ibanez is a short-scale. Even if you're OK with short-scale, it pretty severely limits your readily-available string choices.

There's no predictable difference in quality between the two. Most Schecter and Ibanez instruments at similar price points are made by Cor-Tek in the same plant by the same people and have the same contract QC standards.

cassanova · #6 06-21-2010, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bongolation

The Ibanez is a short-scale. Even if you're OK with short-scale, it pretty severely limits your readily-available string choices.

Not arguing with you on this but, I wouldn't worry about this aspect of things too much. I used to own a short scale Fender Musicmaster. You can always cut more off the top of the string and it'll work. Never had an issue doing that either. YMMV though.

GeneralElectric · #7 06-21-2010, 02:53 AM

I like the Artcore personally. I played the one pickup model and had problems with feedback at loud volumes.

SMW17 · #8 06-21-2010, 03:24 AM

If the Artcore basses are as good as the guitars, I wouldn't hesitate to own one. Great instruments, especially for the price!

gm2_in_co · #9 06-21-2010, 04:03 AM

I'm surprised no one yet has commented that these are three radically different basses in many respects. Seems to me you need to define what you want/need in a bass and then research several that fit that definition.

Bongolation · #10 06-21-2010, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassanova

You can always cut more off the top of the string and it'll work.

These aren't guitars.

There's a quick taper on most bass strings between the nut and the E post and if you want it to fit right, that taper has to be right as the E is usually too thick, especially with heavy roundwounds, to bend around the post. You only have about 1"-1.5" leeway in your ball-to-step length.

I hate finding strings to fit more than anything else about bass.

On all basses I own, there's only about a 15% chance the E will really fit properly with any random set. I don't want to worsen it by going to shortscale, where there are much fewer choices of strings.

Eilif · #11 06-21-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gm2_in_co

I'm surprised no one yet has commented that these are three radically different basses in many respects. Seems to me you need to define what you want/need in a bass and then research several that fit that definition.

This is exactly what I was thinking.

You're comparing a:

Passive classic styled solidbody bass

A hollowbody bass

A solidbody with active electronics.

Personally, I'd never buy a hollowbody without playing one first. I love mine, but it's not for everyone, and the switch from full to short scale is a definite change.

Let us know what kind of music you play and we can give you a much better idea of what bass will fit you best.

poorbassist15 · #12 06-21-2010, 10:19 AM

I've never played an Artcore, or a hollow body bass at all, but I have played the Stargazer. It played nice, electronics were mediocre(to me). It was a good player but it didn't wow me.

GeneralElectric · #13 06-21-2010, 10:21 AM

If it didn't wow you, then why waste your money on it?

jblock · #14 06-21-2010, 10:38 AM

FYI, the Artcores are short scale but can take regular length strings, at least my AFB200 did when I owned it.

stflbn · #15 06-21-2010, 10:40 AM

Sizable difference between those two basses. One has more of a modern rock tone, and the other a more mellow earthy older tone.

The Schecter can be hotrodded with other pickups... the Artcore will retain the mellower earthy vibe no matter what you do.

Just depends what your needs are.

.

Bongolation · #16 06-21-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

The Schecter can be hotrodded with other pickups.

It will be somewhat more problematic with the matching HZ pickups in mismatching shells.

Vin Dirnt · #17 06-21-2010, 11:54 AM

Ok well first of all, i play alot of stuff. from hard rock, to trance rock, to blues and jazz.
I dont mind getting a shortscale, nor do i mind the lack of string choice, im not all that savy with strings...yet. If it rings out clear and bright or dull depending on what im feelin im fine.
I am aware they are completely different, thats why im asking here to see what you guys think. I also own a standup bass so I know that hollow vs. solid body are totally different animals, hence why i dont know what i want, so far it sounds like the Ibanez is the favored one, but also the least "diverse" sounding?? i dont know. I want a bass that can take some light fx, such as chorus and reverb, but i can also throw on a fuzz if i wanted and not worry about it sounding bad.
I really want to try an artcore, but no store in california has one aparently and i cant tell them to just order one for me to try. so yes. i will be using one of these basses for recording and occasional gigging.

cassanova · #18 06-21-2010, 12:07 PM

This is also worth mentioning. If you're willing to drop $700 on a bass, then hunt down some used gear. You'll be able to find a better bass than both of these.

stflbn · #19 06-21-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bongolation

It will be somewhat more problematic with the matching HZ pickups in mismatching shells.

No, you'll just need a Hz shape and a MM shape... I'm assuming of course they chose to use stock shapes. I've heavily modded several schecters, but opted to have custom Kent Armstrong pickups built for each.

Personally I've found no problem buying single pickups.

Vast, vast improvement.

Bongolation · #20 06-21-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

No, you'll just need a Hz shape and a MM shape... I'm assuming of course they chose to use stock shapes.

Yes, but my point is that you'll find it difficult to locate stock aftermarkets that match in those different configurations -- it's strange that the EMGs match. If, however, you don't want a matching pickup set, then no problem.

It's inconceivable to me that anyone would go to the trouble and expense on this bass, but apparently some do.