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Ibanez SR(A) 505 vs. Schecter Stilleto Custom-5

K

kostein

Dec 25, 2011
2
0
#1
This is my first post here and I wanna say greetings to everyone. :)

I'm a guitar player looking to buy a 5 string bass guitar that will be used exclusively for recording. The current one that I have is pretty much crap and it's time for an upgrade. I don't really know much about bass guitars, I've only played a couple (and I'm not a bassist :p) so I don't know what's good or not. I'm into metal mostly, but I do rock and blues also.

So I set my budget at $600, did a bit of researching and narrowed my options to these 3, Ibby SR505/SRA505 and the Stilleto Custom-5. My question is, what are the differences between these? To my understanding is that the Ibanez models have thinner necks than the Stilleto, which I'd prefer. How do the pickups affect the sound though? Are some more suitable for a particular style of music?

I have a million questions but I'll just leave it here for now.
 
#4
From my experience, the Schecter electronics are more reliable and in general, more versatile. The necks are not that big on the stiletto's, my four string stiletto has a much smaller neck than my squier VM P neck. And the build quality is generally (mostly always) better on the schecters IME. My buddy had an SR505 and it died after a year of normal play. My old sound-gear ibby died after a few months of normal play. My Schecter is still up and running like new after 2 years of heavy playing.

I'm probably gonna get a bunch of snarky responses from those ibby fanatics that are all over the place for saying what I did:P

BUT, ibanez does have some damn nice GUITARS.
 
#6
i'm a fan of schecter basses but the electronics package on the ibby are quite versatile and they do sound pretty darn good to my ears. the ibby does have a 34" scale compared to the schecter's 35" scale, but the b-string on the ibby sounds and feels pretty good, IMO.

my vote goes to the ibanez.
 
#7
I'd like to back up in response to some of the other replies on here. I've owned quite a few from both brands and never had any issues with any of the electronics when it comes to the reliability factor. I'm in the middle of trading my Schecter Elite 4 for an Ibanez SR600. The Ibby is less expensive brand new than the Schecter, but I still offered the guy money in addition to the trade to sweeten the deal because it's worth it to me to get what I consider the superior bass. That should speak volumes about my feelings between Schecter and Ibanez basses.
 
#11
It seems like that most people recommend the Ibanez over the Stilleto. Personally I like how the SR505 looks like better but I have a few more questions.

How different are the Bartolini pickups from the EMG ones? How well does the SR505 handle the low B? As a guitarist, which one would be easier for me to play?

Thanks for all the input, you have been most helpful :)
 

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