When I was bass shopping last spring I narrowed it down to an Ibanez SR505 and a Schecter Stiletto Studio 5. I chose the Ibanez. I found it had a more comfortable body shape. I like the thinner neck and the tone sounded better to me.
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Ibanez Soundgears vs. Schecter Stiletto's ?!
- Thread starter anthonymcfadden
- Start date
- Dec 28, 2009
- 2,053
- 1,380
- Disclosures
- Endorsed by K.B. Guitars, Nordstrand Audio Pickups, Von York Strings and Gallien-Krueger Amps.
Absolutely... and you will find some very good stuff here.. I have yet to be disappointed by doing business here... but I agree with the try them out.. also try them out on different amps as well.. one closer to what you have and something better...
Not to me.. and I have both..
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I prefer the Schecter... for sound and feel... One thing about the Ibanez it is lighter.. but to me the Schecter is just an overall better bass.. at least between the two above.. but to each his own..
You had an older 300; they've been putting soapbars in them for about 3 years now. Plus, the new 300's are sleeker, have a different preamp, and have a 5 piece neck. If I didn't have 3 SR800's already, I'd own one of those new 300's. As for looks, it's all opinion, but I think the Stiletto is ugly.
This is a great debate! And further incentive for the OP to try both out for themselves before choosing.
I've owned and sold several of both - I currently own a Schecter DV-4 (4-string) and a BTB 5-string (I forget the model, one of the older ones). Neither is what the OP is considering, but I like them both. The Schecter is in the process of some fairly major upgrades and the Ibanez has seen some major upgrades I am keeping the Schecter - love it. And while I like the Ibanez a great bass, it is on the fence at the moment.
anthony - Go play them - then let us know what you think!
sav'nbass - some nice gear!
I've owned and sold several of both - I currently own a Schecter DV-4 (4-string) and a BTB 5-string (I forget the model, one of the older ones). Neither is what the OP is considering, but I like them both. The Schecter is in the process of some fairly major upgrades and the Ibanez has seen some major upgrades I am keeping the Schecter - love it. And while I like the Ibanez a great bass, it is on the fence at the moment.
anthony - Go play them - then let us know what you think!
sav'nbass - some nice gear!
To my ears and hands, the Schecter wins easily. I went to Guitar Center a number years ago to get a back up bass while I was having some work done on an Alembic spoiler (sold a few years ago). I tried out an Ibanez Soundgear, a Cort Artisan and a Schecter Stiletto Custom 4. I knew nothing about Schecter and as soon as I played a few notes, I knew that this was going home with me-and it did! Eventhough I don't play 4 string much these days, I still have the Schecter. Very nice bass for the money!
A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!
A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!
I like both basses, but I chose the Schecter. Both have very comfortable necks at very different thicknesses. The Ibanez was more comfortable to play for the short term, but the Schecter felt and sounded more 'solid' and provides me with more much-needed thumb support on longer gigs.
Haven't tried the Schecters but when I was looking for an inexpensive bass early last year I chose an SR300 after trying a bunch of Squires, Yamaha, Epiphone and some other brand I can't remember at the moment.
To me it was the best feeling, most comfortable, sleekest, most versatile of the basses I tried in the $300 price range and it didn't feel "cheap" like some of the others.
To be honest though, it didn't sound bad but it was a tiny bit sterile. Like I said it's pretty versatile meaning you CAN tweak it to get a lot of sounds out of it, just that most of those sounds are a bit on the polite side of town
It wasn't an issue for me though since I was using it purely for learning (hadn't played bass in a loooong time) and recording, not live application.
And I'm pretty sure upgrading the pickups would have done a lot, one of the reasons I chose the SR300 over the others was it had a nice round, woody resonance unplugged.
Took it back to the store after a few weeks though to get a barely used SR400QM from a TBer here which was a nice upgrade (Quilted Maple top over Basswood compared to a/o Agathis on the SR300 and a beefier bridge) for less than the SR300. The 400QM had a bit more zing to the sound, possibly the maple top on Basswood.
I would definitely look for a used SR400QM or better yet, an SR500 or above which can often be found for great prices.
To me it was the best feeling, most comfortable, sleekest, most versatile of the basses I tried in the $300 price range and it didn't feel "cheap" like some of the others.
To be honest though, it didn't sound bad but it was a tiny bit sterile. Like I said it's pretty versatile meaning you CAN tweak it to get a lot of sounds out of it, just that most of those sounds are a bit on the polite side of town
It wasn't an issue for me though since I was using it purely for learning (hadn't played bass in a loooong time) and recording, not live application.
And I'm pretty sure upgrading the pickups would have done a lot, one of the reasons I chose the SR300 over the others was it had a nice round, woody resonance unplugged.
Took it back to the store after a few weeks though to get a barely used SR400QM from a TBer here which was a nice upgrade (Quilted Maple top over Basswood compared to a/o Agathis on the SR300 and a beefier bridge) for less than the SR300. The 400QM had a bit more zing to the sound, possibly the maple top on Basswood.
I would definitely look for a used SR400QM or better yet, an SR500 or above which can often be found for great prices.
Hey gang...
I have an ESP C-304, and I really love it. Bought used for about 450$ CDN. Money very well spent! But I am now thinking of upgrading, and likely going to a 5 string. I've seen My bass as a 5er just a couple times on e-bay and elsewhere, but I have more money at my disposal and was wondering.....since they no longer make the model I have, what is the ESP bass currently available that comes closest, or even a notch up; or should I go for the Soundgear (as pictured above)? Or, is there something else out there similar, and also an improvement? Any suggestions are very welcome. Thanks!
I have an ESP C-304, and I really love it. Bought used for about 450$ CDN. Money very well spent! But I am now thinking of upgrading, and likely going to a 5 string. I've seen My bass as a 5er just a couple times on e-bay and elsewhere, but I have more money at my disposal and was wondering.....since they no longer make the model I have, what is the ESP bass currently available that comes closest, or even a notch up; or should I go for the Soundgear (as pictured above)? Or, is there something else out there similar, and also an improvement? Any suggestions are very welcome. Thanks!
