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My thoughts after a trip to GC yesterday
- Thread starter Boostedrex
- Start date
I'm a HUGE Schecter head. Whatever my first real bass is, its going to be a Schecter (most likely the DV-4) I don't know why ppl complain, i think the HZs sound VERY good.
The Geddy Lee copy was up 3rd. This was my least favorite of the bunch. Outside of the great neck, there was nothing else to brag about. Maybe it's my inexperience, but I couldn't dial in a tone that I liked with it no matter what I did. A major let down for me.
I have one of these basses, and the ones I've played in GC aren't nearly as good as mine is... sitting in a store and being played by tons of people really takes a toll on the instruments. Then again, maybe it's just not your kind of bass, but I think you would have had a better experience if you would have played this bass when it was in better condition. Unfortunately that's how it is a lot of times in GC stores... :scowl:
Though I cannot afford it (semi-jobless for a year), I too hit the local GCs here in SoCal over past weekend and earlier. I found largely empty stores and very helpful salespeople everywhere, including Hollywood, South Bay, Covina and Rancho Cucamonga. I get around, which is easier if you work part time. And, I found excellent deals, and I bought. Coincidentally armed with a $100 off coupon stemming from the mysterious class action suit involving customer emails (whatever), GC Hollywood applied the coupon to the store's clearance price of $449.99 for a new Gallien Krueger MBS150. These little combos usually run $600 to $719. I paid $359 before tax. And the salesman was happy to make the deal. That was a month ago. Last Saturday, Artesia/South Bay store had two used Warricks posted on Web site. I bought a very good condition Warrick Corvette Passive/Ash/Burgundy for $399 with new Warrick case and case candy. Salesman was professional and helpful and made the deal. The Corvettes are discontinued and have been falling in price from $900 or so a few years back. GC, like all companies, is stressed and eager to raise cash.
The setup, strings and condition of the strings are a major variable that must be considered. Right now at my local GC there's a Warwick Katana that's been hanging there for well over a year. The action is soo high, that it's almost unplayable. There's also a Squire VM P that's all screwed up as well. I played one at Sam Ash, it was setup perfectly and played great. GC won't touch the poorly setup basses 
There are lots of great points in this thread.
#1 Schecters are underrated and are very nice basses for the price
#2 Fenders are also very good which is why so many people play them. It is not only for the name. I happen to like the way the P and J Basses sound and play.
#3 The Basses at most of the Guitar Centers are lacking proper setups and general care to be great test pilots. I think the Schecters must come with a much better setup from the factory because they do always seem to be the best playing basses at GC.
#4 I agree with the person who posted that the new Geddy Lee didnt give him the same vibe as the earlier years. I just sold the one I had for the last 4 years. It was a great bass (first year)and after I set it up properly, it was even better. I would pick one up whenever I was in GC and I never liked the ones there as much. Dont know why. Probably setup ,Amp EQ, whatever...because the one's at Bass Emporium were decent.
#5 This is all pretty subjective--Buy and play what gives you the best vibes
#1 Schecters are underrated and are very nice basses for the price
#2 Fenders are also very good which is why so many people play them. It is not only for the name. I happen to like the way the P and J Basses sound and play.
#3 The Basses at most of the Guitar Centers are lacking proper setups and general care to be great test pilots. I think the Schecters must come with a much better setup from the factory because they do always seem to be the best playing basses at GC.
#4 I agree with the person who posted that the new Geddy Lee didnt give him the same vibe as the earlier years. I just sold the one I had for the last 4 years. It was a great bass (first year)and after I set it up properly, it was even better. I would pick one up whenever I was in GC and I never liked the ones there as much. Dont know why. Probably setup ,Amp EQ, whatever...because the one's at Bass Emporium were decent.
#5 This is all pretty subjective--Buy and play what gives you the best vibes
I agree completely. But with how far off the Geddy Lee was, it would have to be a night and day difference. I could see the P bass just needing a setup to be a monster though.
This thread is 100% subjective, but I wanted to share my thoughts as well as hear what others had to say. I'm really enjoying seeing all the different viewpoints. Thanks to all who are contributing and thanks even more to all who have refrained from flaming me for my tastes.
Zach
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
I'm the same way. Probably going to throw some EMG DC's in there this summer if I manage to sell off 3 or 4 basses.
The setup, strings and condition of the strings are a major variable that must be considered. Right now at my local GC there's a Warwick Katana that's been hanging there for well over a year. The action is soo high, that it's almost unplayable. There's also a Squire VM P that's all screwed up as well. I played one at Sam Ash, it was setup perfectly and played great. GC won't touch the poorly setup basses
GC (at least the ones near me) don't have technicians staffed, so often times they are never set up.
I much prefer SamAsh. Phil (the tech) does a quickie setup on all the guitars once a month if he can and, if you're interested in a guitar but can't get a read because of the setup, he will do a quickie on it and hold it for you for a week to come back and try. He's really phenomenal in the way of customer service.
I used to own a pair of left-handed Stilettos - a Custom-4 and an Elite-4. Both were awesome basses. I wish I'd still kept one.
I actually liked the EMG-HZ pickups. I did replace the pickups on one with a DC and CS, but I didn't really like the DC - it was too bright, clanky, and sterile in the bridge position, and it was decent in the neck position. The CS was flexible, growly, and more versatile overall (IMO).
If you're going to upgrade and don't want to stray too far from the tone that brought you to a Stiletto, try out the CS.
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
Now, you say "growly," are we talking warwick style growl or jazz bass style growl? I've heard it used for both, and they sound nothing alike.
My first bass was a harmony bass from the early 90's. After that i picked up a Schecter stiletto 4. Good bass, well worth the ticket price. After about a year and a half i was very serious about bass, playing in bands and whatnot. I found that the schecter just didn't do it for me anymore. Replaced the pickups, still didn't do it for me. The tone i heard in my head just wasn't coming out through this bass.
Then i went on my hunt for a new bass. Going into my search i had almost ruled a fender out because of my perception of their instruments. But once i played one it really occurred to me what "it" was. Guitar center is notorious for having garbage on the wall. Those fenders you picked up have been molested in every way possible. Dead strings to boot.
Then i went on my hunt for a new bass. Going into my search i had almost ruled a fender out because of my perception of their instruments. But once i played one it really occurred to me what "it" was. Guitar center is notorious for having garbage on the wall. Those fenders you picked up have been molested in every way possible. Dead strings to boot.
Why does everyone keep saying that Schecters are "nice for the price"? Nobody wants to let their guard down, and just come out and say they are a valid contender. Crap, and quality can be had at any price.
Uh... I need to get my hands on a Warwick again. I forgot what their growl is like.
Give me a day or two... I've been needing to make a trip to the local guitar shop anyway.
Overall, it has a lot more headroom, though, so it permits more clarity and detail than you might get otherwise. I wouldn't make a direct comparison to Jazz pickups, but I need to do a little "sampling" again to get my tones straight.
I clearly spend too much time with humbuckers.
Notice how I avoided that phrase.
Heck, I think I still have a Schecter T-shirt somewhere.
+1 GC is the worst when it comes to setup. They take it from the box and hang it. Don't even tune it. I've seen it with my own eyes. The two or three basses I've bought from GC were great players right off the wall. Like I said earlier, sometimes GC lets one slip through
Regarding the ski jump action - my rule is that if the bass already has buzzes with high action, it's only going to get worse when you straighten the neck, lower the action, and intonate it. I always start from the 12th fret up. If it buzzes up there and the action is high, I pass on it and move on.
I was at one of the local GC's and a salesman was trying to sell a bass to a customer. The customer said the action was high and he wanted a discount because it needed a setup. The salesman said he was the "bass guy" at that store and he knew basses and that it was a good bass. Being the sarcastic person I am, I quipped in that if he was the quote "bass guy" at that store, he should be ashamed of himself as there wasn't a single bass hanging in there that was playable as displayed.
He was, "like dude what are you talking about?" Then he proceded to grab a bass and start hammering out as many 16th slapping notes as he could fit in a measure. I just had to smirk and walk away. That guy couldn't stay in a groove if he was walking in a trench.
Please. If you want to buy from GC, get to know a manager and buy from them or at least have them take you to a salesman. The managers are the only way to go at GC. They will discount and you actually can ask GC to do a full setup on any bass you're interested in. GC will do that for you if they know you are serious about buying the bass.
Keep Low
- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
- 92
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
Uh... I need to get my hands on a Warwick again. I forgot what their growl is like.
Give me a day or two... I've been needing to make a trip to the local guitar shop anyway.
Overall, it has a lot more headroom, though, so it permits more clarity and detail than you might get otherwise. I wouldn't make a direct comparison to Jazz pickups, but I need to do a little "sampling" again to get my tones straight.
I clearly spend too much time with humbuckers.
Notice how I avoided that phrase.
Heck, I think I still have a Schecter T-shirt somewhere.
AS do I. I have a jazz bass and hate the tone, so I'd really like to not copy that.
So I played that Schecter all week dug the feel, started wishing it didn't sound so gritty, then got a flier for 100 bucks off at Sam Ash went and played the Ibanez SR500, returned the Schecter and picked up the Ibanez for $450 (at GC actually since they got one in 2 days ago and extended me the same offer), same feel/playability, only slightly heavier, better sound IMO.
Funny, I have that exact bass (SR500) and love it. I think that it's a bit treble heavy, but that can be dialed out. I really dig the bass other than that. I have some DR Black Beauties on it in place of the stock Elixirs, but stock other than that.
I'd like to bring my SR into the local GC and play it A/B style with the Schecter Stiletto to see what I think then.
Would love to try a Schector bass.... Played many of their guitars and they are great.
Yes the MIM Fenders are going to high in price but that's a sign of the economy for sure.
And so far the Squier Classic Vibe 60's Jazz I bought plays better than any of the MIM's I've picked up. Not that they are bad but the Squier feels better. I dropped SBJ-2 PUPs in it and it really sounds great. Some have said those pups don't sound vintage but I found last night that if you roll the volume back to 3/4 you pick up on some of the highs and articulation. Although they are just balls to the walls turned all the way up.
Yes the MIM Fenders are going to high in price but that's a sign of the economy for sure.
And so far the Squier Classic Vibe 60's Jazz I bought plays better than any of the MIM's I've picked up. Not that they are bad but the Squier feels better. I dropped SBJ-2 PUPs in it and it really sounds great. Some have said those pups don't sound vintage but I found last night that if you roll the volume back to 3/4 you pick up on some of the highs and articulation. Although they are just balls to the walls turned all the way up.
Ok, so first I have to apologize for being an idiot. The fretless Wick that I mentioned in my first post is not a Thumb, it's a Corvette. Sorry for that one.
Now onto the meat of my post. I went back into GC yesterday as I was in that end of town with some spare time. Played the Wick fretless again and I'm really GAS'ing for it!!!! It's been hanging on the wall in there since I first went into that store forever ago. I was half way tempted to make them an offer, but they don't seem like the type of people that will haggle a price.
Some things that changed this time. I played a 4 string Marcus Miller jazz, a MIA P, and a MIA J. Both were 4 bangers. All basses were played through a Mark Bass LMII head to a Mark Bass single 15" cab.
Both basses were marked improvements from the axes I played my last trip in there. These were new arrivals and had just been put out on the wall. The strings were fresh and the setups actually weren't bad. A little on the high side for my liking, but that's my only complaint.
First, the MM J bass sounded/played identical to the MIA J bass. So unless you just had to have that special edition I don't see any justification for the price difference. Both were nice players.
The P bass was very enjoyable too. I don't know if it would be worth the $1100 price tag or not though. Same goes for the MIA J bass I played that was marked at $1400. Pretty steep IMHO. But I know that you're paying both for the Fender name and for a quality instrument. So I don't know if I would say they were overpriced. But I can say that they are overpriced for me. And while I love the feel of the neck on the P bass, I like the variety of tones I could get from the J bass better. I totally get what people were saying about the crushing tone that the P bass can give you though. That was fun when I started messing around with the few reggae grooves that I know.
I know this post is a giant ramble, but I mainly wanted to own up to the fact that the Fenders I played on my last visit were indeed duds. I have a much better impression of the MIA line now. Still more money new than I would pay for them. But nice basses none the less.
Now onto the meat of my post. I went back into GC yesterday as I was in that end of town with some spare time. Played the Wick fretless again and I'm really GAS'ing for it!!!! It's been hanging on the wall in there since I first went into that store forever ago. I was half way tempted to make them an offer, but they don't seem like the type of people that will haggle a price.
Some things that changed this time. I played a 4 string Marcus Miller jazz, a MIA P, and a MIA J. Both were 4 bangers. All basses were played through a Mark Bass LMII head to a Mark Bass single 15" cab.
Both basses were marked improvements from the axes I played my last trip in there. These were new arrivals and had just been put out on the wall. The strings were fresh and the setups actually weren't bad. A little on the high side for my liking, but that's my only complaint.
First, the MM J bass sounded/played identical to the MIA J bass. So unless you just had to have that special edition I don't see any justification for the price difference. Both were nice players.
The P bass was very enjoyable too. I don't know if it would be worth the $1100 price tag or not though. Same goes for the MIA J bass I played that was marked at $1400. Pretty steep IMHO. But I know that you're paying both for the Fender name and for a quality instrument. So I don't know if I would say they were overpriced. But I can say that they are overpriced for me. And while I love the feel of the neck on the P bass, I like the variety of tones I could get from the J bass better. I totally get what people were saying about the crushing tone that the P bass can give you though. That was fun when I started messing around with the few reggae grooves that I know.
I know this post is a giant ramble, but I mainly wanted to own up to the fact that the Fenders I played on my last visit were indeed duds. I have a much better impression of the MIA line now. Still more money new than I would pay for them. But nice basses none the less.
I went and played some more again yesterday.
This time I went for basses that I had never played before. First up with a MM Bongo 4 banger. I have always disliked the looks of these. They are about at the bottom of my list as far as looks go. But everyone raves about them so I was curious. WOW! What an incredible sounding/playing bass! This thing had mojo for days!! I still couldn't ever see myself buying one due to the looks, but I LOVE the way it sounds/plays. This one was even marked down from $1K to $735!! This bass was the #1 reason I wanted to bump this thread. What a shocker!
Then I picked up a 4 string Ocean that was on the wall. Eh, nothing special for me. Nice looking and average playing.
Last was a used 4 string passive Warwick with dual Jazz pups. This was like every other Warwick I have played in the fact that it felt really nice and played/sounded great. I'm actually really debating picking this one up. But I'm just not sure yet.
Anyway, that was my fun from yesterday. I just wanted to share with you guys. Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings. Any thoughts?
This time I went for basses that I had never played before. First up with a MM Bongo 4 banger. I have always disliked the looks of these. They are about at the bottom of my list as far as looks go. But everyone raves about them so I was curious. WOW! What an incredible sounding/playing bass! This thing had mojo for days!! I still couldn't ever see myself buying one due to the looks, but I LOVE the way it sounds/plays. This one was even marked down from $1K to $735!! This bass was the #1 reason I wanted to bump this thread. What a shocker!
Then I picked up a 4 string Ocean that was on the wall. Eh, nothing special for me. Nice looking and average playing.
Last was a used 4 string passive Warwick with dual Jazz pups. This was like every other Warwick I have played in the fact that it felt really nice and played/sounded great. I'm actually really debating picking this one up. But I'm just not sure yet.
Anyway, that was my fun from yesterday. I just wanted to share with you guys. Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings. Any thoughts?
