Could a Schecter Stiletto be The One?

[Flatwound]

Actually, yes. A few years ago, I bought a Schecter Stiletto Elite 5 from the TB classifieds. It had been modified with Bartolini's and an NTMB. I found that it was way too bright and clicky for me, and for a while I didn't play it much. They're not worth a whole lot, so it sat while I played Fenders, Warwicks, and others. At some point, I sold the Barts and preamp off, and put the original HZ's back in, along with an NTBT I had laying around. Better, but not there. I then ordered up some EMG stuff - 40P5X, 40CSX, and a BQS system. By this time, I had sold off my Thumbs (NT6, BO6, and BO5), and had a P-Nut III. I was trying hard to like the P-Nut, which is an awe-inspiring instrument, but I kept coming back to the Schecter. I've been a fan of EMG bass pickups for quite some time, and the above-mentioned combination, and particularly the P5X were really growing on me. As time went by, it was the Warwick that was in the closet while I played the Schecter. A Warwick neck-thru shouldn't sit in the closet, so, a few months ago, I sold it here on TB.

This Schecter has an amazing B string, as good as the B on my 36" scale Carrigan. The EMG P5X may not pass as an "authentic" or "vintage" P bass tone to the purist, but it gives me what I like about P basses, and I've had a few. I've been playing this Schecter exclusively now for about a year, and slowly selling off various other basses. After owning some of my "dream" basses -Warwicks, an Elrick, some Fenders, and others, it seems strange to be captivated by such a pedestrian instrument, but the more I play it, the better I like it.

 

[Maxdusty]

I have an on and off again relationship with 5 string basses, I would invariably revert back to the 4 string as I hadn't found a 5 string that I found comfortable. Tried Ibanez, Fender, a Warwick, Squier, Sterling among others- some were better than others, but not enough for me to feel fully comfortable with switching completely. Of course I could have tried some more expensive brands, but I had a budget to worry about. Well, recently, I chanced upon a Schecter Deluxe 5 I found rather cheaply, well, it's an inexpensive model to begin with so I had every intention of flipping the thing. I have owned a Schecter Elite 4 previously and thought the bass was pretty good, changed my opinion on the brand in general but it didn't survive the cut when I pared down my collection last year, I just had other 4 string basses I preferred. Well, I've had this el cheapo five string budget bass for almost a month and for me, it's the bass that satisfies most if not all of my criteria for playing a five, I play it more than any of my other basses. Yes, I can see room for improvement - changing the stock pickups and electronics as they're not the best given the price these basses go for but in terms of feel, neck width, weight, the best B string action and just overall feel, it beat out every single 5 string bass I've put my hands on to date. I know it's all personal preference and all mind you.
I'm still debating whether to go with 5 strings exclusively, but I do love other brands for sure, Fender, Ibanez, Tune, Musicman but as 4 string basses, for 5, I'll go with Schecters and check out higher end models and different pickup configurations.

 

[saltydude]

I learned how to play bass on a stiletto. It's kept as a back up for various reasons. The sound and electronics leave a little to be desired but the neck screams speed. Action is whatever you need it to be. Light weight. Plays beautifully. Every time I pick it up it's like an old comfortable inspirational friend. I'll never get rid of it.

 

[Gabriel51]

I learned how to play bass on a stiletto. It's kept as a back up for various reasons. The sound and electronics leave a little to be desired but the neck screams speed. Action is whatever you need it to be. Light weight. Plays beautifully. Every time I pick it up it's like an old comfortable inspirational friend. I'll never get rid of it.

Schecter Studio 5 is the only fretted bass I own. It's hard to beat for the price and I like the reinforcement in the neck...

 

[hypercarrots]

What’s ntmb and ntbt

 

[Flatwound]

What’s ntmb and ntbt

These are Bartolini bass preamps. The ntbt has bass and treble boost/cut, and the ntmb has bass, treble, and midrange controls.

 

[HesNot]

Old thread but having played a bunch of 5s, a handful of 6s and some 4s (been really looking for a 5) - none of which really felt very comfortable in my hands, or had floppy b strings, or had aesthetics that I couldn't stomach, or just didn't "speak" to me (something guitars do as a lifelong guitar player) I was beginning to think I was going to have to take a flyer on a used Spector online... which would have been just fine but... I played a used Stiletto Elite-5 yesterday - really worked it for awhile through a solid Mark bass rig and it was as comfortable as any bass I've handled, moreso really particularly given the used prices on these. All basses still feel a little odd as a guitar player but this bass - the neck profile, the relative liveliness acoustically, is by far the best feeling bass I've handled. Admittedly I've not played a bunch of Laklands or Warwicks or non asian Spectors, etc... but of the things I've played I can't imagine finding something used sub $300 that plays any better.

The only niggling things for me at least are: (i) electronics - I have EMGs on one of my guitars and like them, the ones in this bass sounded just fine to my ear - the only very minor issue is the range of tones was a little less versatile than I would have expected from a 2 pickup bass with actives. None of the tones were bad... I also don't know the state of the battery, and it needed new strings desperately so that will change the tone as well (mostly it was not as punchy as I would have preferred but again other factors are at play). Electronics can be swapped as well of course. (ii) aesthetics - I like the body design and the balance/weight and the quilted top - not crazy about the orangish burst finish and the gold hardware but again, hardware can be replaced and the color was not my least favorite by a long shot - I'd rather have one in a darker red but there seem to be a ton of the amber/orange burst ones around so I'm not entirely sure what colors they were available in to begin with.

They are no longer part of the lineup what bass replaced the Elite in the current range?

 

[Flatwound]

Thread resurrection! Still playing this bass. Still digging the EMG’s. Right now it’s my “church” bass. I wanted a lighter weight bass, so I picked up a used ESP Ltd RB1005, which is well under 8 lbs. It’s good for long rehearsals with the old fart band I’m in, but IMO it’s not the equal of the Schecter.

If I were to buy another non-boutique bass, I would look very hard at getting another Schecter.