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Older Schecter Model T Bass
- Thread starter Jeff K
- Start date
I've never owned a Schecter and have not played the Model T, but every Schecter that I've tried was really nice.
Back in 2014, a friend of mine bought a lightly used 2010 or 2011 Model T Diamond Series. I played it a few times, and there was quite a lot to like. The P pickup was a dream, the J added some nice burp, and the whole package just felt really well put together (solid bridge, smooth pots, decent hardware, etc.). The neck was super playable and felt really nice. Overall, just a really cool looking and playing bass. You don't see a lot of them around.
The downside (for me) was that it was heavy - almost 10 lbs. And it was yellow. I think he gigged that bass in a bar band for a few years and then traded it for some flavor of Fender P.
Anyway, I've played a number of other Schecter basses over the years and I've always found them to be good, solid instruments. Not always my cup of tea stylistically, but nice basses nonetheless.
The downside (for me) was that it was heavy - almost 10 lbs. And it was yellow. I think he gigged that bass in a bar band for a few years and then traded it for some flavor of Fender P.
Anyway, I've played a number of other Schecter basses over the years and I've always found them to be good, solid instruments. Not always my cup of tea stylistically, but nice basses nonetheless.
I've had a few and still have one. This gold one came with EMG pickups V/V/T, 9v. If you enjoy the big EMG sound like I do, then an EMG-equipped one may be the Model T to look for. I know the EMG ones came in black, too. And trans-white.
Some also came all passive, with cheapo thin sounding import Duncan "designed" PJ pickups. Have also seen some Model T's with proper BASSLINES PJ pickups, all passive.
They can be heavy. This one is ~ 9lbs, the lightest of the 3 that I've had. KIller sound. Good luck.
Schecter is average build quality, meaning if you pay $500 you get a $500 instrument, you pay $1000, you get a $1000 instrument.
There are duds out there, but not as common as heritage brands like Fender or Gibson.
I would say build quality is about as good as LTD.
I had one for 4.5 Femtoseconds- it sounded good, but the nut was cut too deep and it wasn't "talking" to me.
Keep in mind I'm very picky in all price ranges.
I had a Stilletto Stage 5 that I absolutely regret selling.
There are duds out there, but not as common as heritage brands like Fender or Gibson.
I would say build quality is about as good as LTD.
I had one for 4.5 Femtoseconds- it sounded good, but the nut was cut too deep and it wasn't "talking" to me.
Keep in mind I'm very picky in all price ranges.
I had a Stilletto Stage 5 that I absolutely regret selling.
Ha ha!! Well, I just snagged one that might have been your old one! It IS the yellow, which isn't my favorite; but the price made me think "What the heck, it's worth a shot". Got it from G.C. so if I don't like it I can always return it within 30 days. Just ordered it today, so I don't have it yet. He weighed it for me while I was on the phone at said it was exactly 10 lbs. Heavier than most my current basses, but I'll just be playing it around the house while sitting down. I almost never play out anymore, and when I do I'll grab one of my lightweights.
But I've been wanting to try one for awhile, so I went ahead and pulled the trigger. Sure didn't need it, but you know how it goes with curiosity.
I appreciate everybody's comments. I'll post some pics when it arrives. He said it looks to be in amazing condition for a 2011 and said the plastic is still on the pickguard. So I'm thinking it probably sat unused for awhile. But that's a good thing about G.C. Returns are easy if I don't like it.
Owned many Schecters and liked every one of them. They don’t have great resale value so used ones are an absolute bargain. Currently rocking a Stiletto Session 5.
It weighed 7.8lbs but had pretty bad neck dive. I put Gotoh Res-o-light tuners on and added some wheel weights to the control cavity and some heavier knobs and now it balances great. Still only around 8.3lbs.
It weighed 7.8lbs but had pretty bad neck dive. I put Gotoh Res-o-light tuners on and added some wheel weights to the control cavity and some heavier knobs and now it balances great. Still only around 8.3lbs.
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I have a Schecter Model T from about 2008. Mine has seymour duncan pickups. It is a good solid instrument. Great deep tone, well balanced, holds it's tune. I would absolutely recommend these. Second-hand, for the moneyvit would be hard to beat as a classic passive bass.
Indeed. One can find Schecters from the past two decades at embarassingly low prices...in part because Schecters from the past two decades didn't sell for that much money to begin with.
But the real bargain is if you can find a Schecter from the late 1970s or early 1980s, because those instruments were very high quality, far nicer than anything Schecter has made in these last ~20 years...and yet folks see the "Schecter" name and assume it's just an old version of a cheap off-shore instrument.
It isn't.
Back then Schecter was a completely different company; only the name is similar. Schecter's from the late 70s/early 80s were made in America by David Schecter and Tom Anderson, and (if in good condition) will rival any passive instrument from Sadowsky, Mike Lull, Alleva-Coppolo, Valenti, or Fender Custom Shop. I've played maybe a dozen different Schecter basses (and three guitars) from this era, and every single one has been an absolute killer.
Find someone selling one of those -- preferably someone who doesn't know the history of the company
-- and you can get an amazing bass for very little money.
Man, I was a bit worried about whether or not I'd like the yellow, but yours looks fantastic. Now I'm looking forward to it's arrival!
I remember this era very well. Here in NYC 48th Street Custom Guitars was selling their parts and building them. You could get an entire F style bass with all Schecter branded parts including pickups. Exotic woods were also offered (all rosewood neck/body i.e.). They do turn up on a rare occasion and few now recognize what they are.Indeed. One can find Schecters from the past two decades at embarassingly low prices...in part because Schecters from the past two decades didn't sell for that much money to begin with.
But the real bargain is if you can find a Schecter from the late 1970s or early 1980s, because those instruments were very high quality, far nicer than anything Schecter has made in these last ~20 years...and yet folks see the "Schecter" name and assume it's just an old version of a cheap off-shore instrument.
It isn't.
Back then Schecter was a completely different company; only the name is similar. Schecter's from the late 70s/early 80s were made in America by David Schecter and Tom Anderson, and (if in good condition) will rival any passive instrument from Sadowsky, Mike Lull, Alleva-Coppolo, Valenti, or Fender Custom Shop. I've played maybe a dozen different Schecter basses (and three guitars) from this era, and every single one has been an absolute killer.
Find someone selling one of those -- preferably someone who doesn't know the history of the company
No lie - track down one of those and it'll make your day!
Okay, I just picked this one up yesterday. It's a used 2011 Model T. Excellent condition! And the plastic is still on the pickguard.
She's no lightweight, weighing in around 10. lb., 2 oz.! But I had a 4" wide black Italia leather strap sitting around and even with my bad back, it's not bad. Feels heavier when I pick it up than when it's on my body with this strap.
It came with rounds on it. I'm a flats guy, so as soon as I got home with it I got out a set of flats to have ready. But oh my, the rounds actually sound killer on this thing. I've found my favorite settings with the P-pickup on full, the Jazz pickup around 1/4, and the tone knob between 1/4 and 1/3. I was playing along to some music on Spotify and couldn't stop smiling (just me and the dog in the house). If you look at the pic of the headstock you can see that the dog seems to like it too. I'll eventually slap on some flats just to see which I like better, but my first reaction was, "Whoa! This thing is a Fender-killer!"
And don't get me wrong. I have several great Fenders, some great MusicMan StingRays,etc.. But this thing doesn't take a back seat to any of them. My first Schecter ever. My expectations were not real high. So this baby is a very pleasant surprise.
She's no lightweight, weighing in around 10. lb., 2 oz.! But I had a 4" wide black Italia leather strap sitting around and even with my bad back, it's not bad. Feels heavier when I pick it up than when it's on my body with this strap.
It came with rounds on it. I'm a flats guy, so as soon as I got home with it I got out a set of flats to have ready. But oh my, the rounds actually sound killer on this thing. I've found my favorite settings with the P-pickup on full, the Jazz pickup around 1/4, and the tone knob between 1/4 and 1/3. I was playing along to some music on Spotify and couldn't stop smiling (just me and the dog in the house). If you look at the pic of the headstock you can see that the dog seems to like it too.
I'll eventually slap on some flats just to see which I like better, but my first reaction was, "Whoa! This thing is a Fender-killer!" And don't get me wrong. I have several great Fenders, some great MusicMan StingRays,etc.. But this thing doesn't take a back seat to any of them. My first Schecter ever. My expectations were not real high. So this baby is a very pleasant surprise.
