NBD: Schecter P-4 - Zebrawood Top! - First Impressions... Not In Love (but getting there)

The solution might simply be strings.
I bought a Italia Imola two weeks ago.
Sounded good right out of the box, but once I put my GHS black tapewounds on it, it exceeded all my expectations.
I hope you can solve your issues with strings, or something simple, because that bass looks great!
Very nice finish and very interesting fretboard markers.
(Other than that, I'm not a EMG fan, either.)

 

Yes... Try different strings!

 

Nice looking bass! Hope you figure out the sound.

 

Wow, that is one stand-out looking bass. I like the idea of an active P bass. Kinda surprised there haven't been more offered from the myriad manufacturers out there. Doesn't Sandberg have an import active P bass?

I should be looking into the P-4 Exotic, myself. On paper, it checks a lot of boxes for my tastes:
> It's a Schecter, I'm a fan.
> EMG elecs, long time fan and willing to approach the "Metal Works P" pickup with an open mind, expecting an uber aggressive, raspy vibe.
> Roasted maple neck, will probably become a fan if I ever get a bass with one to try.
> Love the finish, the black hardware, and the inlays. Instant fan.

I'd like it even more if it was built in Korea (fan again), but hey can't have everything.

Knowing Schecter though, I'm almost afraid to ask what it weighs, but....What's it weigh?

 

That’s a pretty nice bass. I hope you give it a chance

 

Sounds like you just dont love the EMG sound. If you love everything else about the bass, I'd just swap strings and the pickup, and you will be set. If you like mids, maybe Barts or Nordstrand are a better fit for you?

 

Def intrigued with this model. 10lbs 3oz....don't waste your time with a PM.

The weight is kinda disappointing (especially for weight-weenie geezers like me!), but not at all unexpected.

Keeping eyes peeled for an 8.5lb used one, but I ain't holding my breath. Cheers.

 

Beautiful Zebra figuring on that one! And the light burst gives it a unique look.

If you love the rest of the bass so much, I'd just put flats on it.

If the active EMGs are not your thing, switch it out for a passive pickup that's less "hi-fi" sounding. The DiMarzio P pickup on my Spector Euro 77 LE sounds fantastic (first one on the left, only pic I had available just now so ignore the PJs ):



I also keep hearing about how great the EMG Geezer P pickups sound (passive, too).

When it's "love at first sight", you will kick yourself for a long time if you end up getting rid of it.

 

Thanks for posting. I'm not in the market, but this is a very handsome bass indeed.
I hope it all works out.

 

Bob,

If it has the BTS preamp in it, you can adjust the treble response. This may take some of that sizzle out. IMO, the EMG P pickup, when installed by itself, does not need a preamp. Treble response is adjusted via dip switches:

https://www.emgpickups.com/pub/media/Mageants/b/t/bts_control_0230-0207re.pdf

What you also may not be gelling with, is the ceramic/steel construction, plus any ‘tinniness’ the nickel covers impart to the sound (edit**** I think this is an erroneous statement?). That said, you may still decide string change > pickup change > active/passive switch. You may pleasantly surprised how well the BTS plays with a passive P pickup (of your choice), especially after adjusting the treble response via the dip switches.

 

it certainly is a beauty! i hope you get the sound thing sorted out (that's the easiest of fixes: strings/pickups) but i'm glad that it balances that weight so well. congratulations on your new instrument!

 

I'd slap a DiMarzio P in there with a passive tone knob and be done with it. Cool looking instrument.

 

Dang, she purty...

 

Awesome looking bass! Love the inlays!
I will echo the others in that fixing the sound could be pretty easy; swap strings, mess with the preamp, swap the pickup and or preamp if all else fails...should be worth if the playing feel is there.

 

Pics or it never happened...

 

At a glance, it looks like the pickup may not be in the correct position for a P. In my experience, moving that pickup toward the neck causes a different tone. It gets rid of the barking middy aspect of the P tone. Measure from the 12th fret to the poles, and compare that distance with a regular P. Of course, this also assumes the scale lengths are the same. Or perhaps check the ratio of distance from the bridge to the poles, and the distance of the 12th fret to the poles. I have a bass where the pickup is about 1/3" closer to the 12th fret. It does not sound like a P.

 

I'm not sure on this particular bass, but I've had several Schecters w/EMGs that had a pair of dip-switches mounted to one of the EQ pots. These made a subtle but perceivable difference tone. Might be worth taking a look inside. And for sure, you should look at some different string choices. Good luck.

"One of the features of the BTS Control is a 2-position dip-switch that controls the slope of the high frequency response. By choosing one of the four combinations the high frequency response can be tailored to your liking"