NBD- Schecter Stealth

[Maxdusty]

I know there are better sounding basses even within the Schecter brand and maybe for just a little more in the way of money, I could have gotten one with better pickups and such (like a Schecter Stage, CV , Studio or even one of the now-defunct Elite basses) but I love the light weight, slim neck, smaller body and along with the overall feel and look of the Stealth. When one showed up locally for a very good price, I just had to get it.
It's a pretty decent sounding bass, the MM pickups doesn't make it sound like a MM when singled (sounds more like your typical bridge humbucker), that with the P bass pickups do sound good. I may change the pickups at a later date but as it is, very happy with it - it still has the plastic on the pickguard that's starting to come off, but I'm going to peel it off soon enough.

 

[Maxdusty]

Wow...removing the plastic from the pickguard changed everything! Sounds so much better now.

A few observations about the Stealth - well, the Schecter Stiletto basses in general as this is my fourth one.
Something about the compact body, the thin neck and the string action that you can get really low ------this thing is a funk monster! Another thing is that the string tension as a result of all these factors is noticeable less than on most basses I own or have owned previously (about 100 by now)- so less effort is required with either hand to play the instrument (ie. you won't get that indentation on the index finger of your right hand from tugging at the bass strings or on your left hand from fretting notes for prolonged periods), it responds to the slightest touch and requires very little effort to pluck, slap or tap on the strings- very easy to play pretty fast on it as a result. You also don't have to stretch your arm out as much to play on the first fret as most basses I've tried due to the more compact body and where the bridge of the bass is at the edge of the body- it's not a long bass. I use the same kind of strings on all my basses so being able to compare the string tension on my basses and playability is possible -it has everything to do with the overall design and ergonomics of the Stiletto, it just works for me. Results may vary of course, we are all of different sizes and have different preferences.
It's not the best sounding bass I've owned or tried, there's no illusion of that considering how inexpensive these are priced and I love other basses mind you and can appreciate the great instruments some of them are , but in the area of comfort - this thing is currently top on my list right now. As an older bass player who's starting to feel a little more of the effects of playing, this is getting to be more of a factor.
Now I know Schecter has a reputation as a heavy metal brand but trust me, this thing is a funk player's dream too especially once you upgrade the pickups. I own a MM and also a Sterling Ray, great basses but I find it a little easier and less tiring to play the same music on the Schecter.

 

[LBS-bass]

Congratulations on your new bass! I agree. I have one of those here; actually it's my husband's bass and it's not the stealth one, but a regular Stiletto. He had it when we met and I played it for a bit before buying my own again. I recently picked it up again after dropping some serious money on other basses that I've been playing for several years. I have to admit, it's a super solid bass, especially for the price. Schecter makes some good stuff. Enjoy it!

 

[Maxdusty]

Congratulations on your new bass! I agree. I have one of those here; actually it's my husband's bass and it's not the stealth one, but a regular Stiletto. He had it when we met and I played it for a bit before buying my own again. I recently picked it up again after dropping some serious money on other basses that I've been playing for several years. I have to admit, it's a super solid bass, especially for the price. Schecter makes some good stuff. Enjoy it!

Thanks! I agree, I recently sold my G&L Tribute L2000 as I couldn't play it for extended periods of time as the neck was a little too wide. I love the G&L but just couldn't play it as much as I wanted. In hunting for an alternative, I wanted a bass that met all my requirements for comfort and the Stiletto fitted the bill. I have to admit it wasn't exactly what I thought of at first, but made even more sense after playing it for a while. The Stealth body is made of basswood so it's one of the lighter Stiletto's I've played.