• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

My thoughts after a trip to GC yesterday

#41
Schectors are nicely built basses.. really solid... just not my cup of tea.. PLUS the EMG-Hz are amoung one of the worst sounding pickups I have ever heard... I have a friend that has placed some SB BL's in and WHAT a difference!
I give Schector VERY high marks... excpet for the EMG-Hz's
 
#43
They seem really thin sounding.. almost lifeless.
No defining feature at all...kind of like listening to a stereo with the loudness contour off :P
I guess some people COULD like them, to me they seem... like EMG "mailed these pickups in"
Granted, I have only played 2-3 basses with these pickups installed... ut all of them carried the same negative traits... Ironically the basses that these people upgraded the pickups to are AMAZING sounding basses afterwards.
 
#45
I just would call Schecter installed EMG-HZ pickups lifeless. With some EQ'ing I make them sound like a slightly modern P Bass or a Jazz Bass, but there is no quality tone on their own. It's very dull, uninteresting, and what I'd just call "bleh" or boomy.

However, the CV-5 that I have I bought from a fellow TB'er... DAYUM. I like this one. Kent Armstrong Jazz + MM. Sounds great, plays great. Fits what I do perfectly. First 5'er I've been in love with.
 
#46
I also did the Geddy J-Bass dance and agree. Great neck but tone wise? Nothing going on as far as I'm concerned. Tried to put quarter pounders in but it still didn't get it done. I ended up selling it and getting a musicman. :D Much happiness ensued.
 
#48
I've never been a big Fender fan. For me they were like the Harleys of basses. Good resale, mass produced, and resting on their name and reputation. But lately I've grown to love Jazz basses. I really got the bug (I think) when the '09 MIM came out with the maple fret boards. I just don't think the rosewood Jazz's sound like a Jazz to me. So I went looking for one, and ended up falling in love with a Geddy. I was able to put it in layaway at last year's price $775.

I was just at a local shop the other day and saw the MIM Jazz I was originally looking for. A LPB, Maple board jazz, set up real nice for $660. It played great, and sounded real good pluged in to a 115 Fender amp. If I would have found this bass before I found my Geddy, it would be mine. But I have no regrets with the Geddy, I'm still trying to find my tone in a band situation, but I've only played it twice so far at rehersals.

I was really looking into getting a Schecter Stilleto Studio 6 a few years ago when shopping for a 6. But nobody had them in stock, and I didn't want to buy without playing first. It really did seem like the best bang for the buck 6 out there. And I like the tone I'm getting from the 2 basses I already own with EMG-Hz pups.

But I think some of the Fender appeal comes with people just knowing what to expect. I've been to a lot of auditions lately, and I've seen the looks on peoples faces when I pull out my exotic top custom. When you show up at an audition, gig, or studio with a Jazz Bass everyone just figures it's all good. So that also (I think) has a lot to do with it.
 
#49
I agree with Krugmeister's assessment. That's exactly the feeling I get when I've played several basses that were otherwise great instruments, but the EMG HZ's left me cold.

And I also agree with Boostedrex' opinion on Bongos. They sound amazing, but the body still reminds me of a toilet seat.
 
#50
I've got a Schecter Riot 5 and I hope to replace the hz's with some EMG DC's later this year.

I love the feel of the Riot but when I took it to rehearsal for the 1st time, the guitar player commented that he was having trouble hearing me and he's usually closer to my amp than I am. I definitely had to turn up the amp more than usual with the Riot.
But like everyone is saying, the construction and feel of the bass is excellent!
 
#52
Funny, I bought a Geddy Lee a couple of years ago, and I loved it...but I bought a '78 Precision shortly after, and that became my main bass. My band, which used to play every Thurs., is now only playing once every 4-5 months, so I kind of put my bass down.
Started in a new band two months ago, started with the Precision, but we are playing a lot more technical stuff, so I got out my Jaguar and Geddy, due to the smaller necks. Not sure if it's the new Tech 21 VT Bass, but I've been blown away with how good the Geddy feels and sounds...it's taken the place of my Precision for now...
 
#53
MNAirHead said:
I know this will get me slammed...

There are tons of guys on here in the Fender and Botique blind follower clubs.. I own both Fenders and some customs - I'm not overly imporessed.

Part of this is the factor of perceived value for the price.

One of my best ever playing basses was a $40 no name from craigslist.

Schecter and other import brands have really stepped up the quality control.

I still cant figure out why everyone goes gaga over my Fender an not my lower cost stuff (that plays and sounds better).
Click to expand...



Some (non-musicians and some novice and maybe some more experienced) people simply like/love the looks of a Fender or Fender style bass and don't really care about the sound. I used to be like this myself years ago. But today, everytime I hear a fender bass, I just cannot get into it. They lack thick rounded bottom end and have a certain middy tone I just don't like. Now, I know some will come back and hit me with this is not correct. But it is MY opinion and I LOVE the Schecter sound no matter what the price!
Check out this vid:

If you like hard rock/metal, then these are great basses! I even play smooth jazz and it sounds very good. Schecter Riot 5 string.
 
#55
Dozy shops apart, you're always going to get some variance in mass produced instruments. Fenders are as guilty as the rest. I had to play about five 09 American Standard Jazzes before I settled for mine. So the try before you buy mantra definitely applies with all mass produced instruments.

By far the most consistent basses I've tried recently have been the new Squier Classic Vibes and in particular, the white/tort 60's jazz bass. Every single one I've played has been a joy to play, sounded great and the fit and finish has been amazing on every single one.
 
#57
In the world of manufacturing, "variation is the enemy". The successful ones have taken principles like statitical process control and Six Sigma to heart. Just from what I read on TB, my guess would be that the Squier manufacturing site may have "gotten it". Suspect the same may be true of Schechter. I know for a fact the famous cymbal mfg company Zildjian has gotten with Six Sigma.
 
#58
it sounds to be like you're big on mids. this is a good thing.
but perhaps you weren't sold on the J bass because often with both pickups engaged the mids kinda cancel out and ya needa compensate for 'em.
this would also explain your liking for the Warwick tone because they're known to have tons of low mids (i have found this too).

with the fenders a lot of those in stores are out of wack from being played by so many different folks.
i find that when ya find a fresh one thats put together well it'll often have that fender zaz. for that reason i usually go to a store that specializes in bass stuff and has a good stock rotation.

also, sorry if this has been said more or less,
i didn't read much before posting my thoughts.
 
#59
I played another new Schecter Elite 4 last time I was in the local GC and this one was no different. Very well put together and just sounded great as soon as I plugged it in.

If I were looking for a fretted 4 string, I wouldn't hesitate to bring one of those home.

I'm even more pumped about my new Warwick Corvette Std fretless that I picked up while I was there. You've got to love the random GC clearance sales!! :D
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back