Well, I bought this bass from a fellow TB'er at a very good price. I was in the market for a P of some type based on the versatility and, what some would call, a "generic fits-all" sound.
Thanks, "Troy McClure" for a great deal on a bass that was, for all intents and purposes, NEW.
Now, bear in mind, the instruments I have played are limited. I currently own (and beat on, daily) a Schecter Raiden 4 string, but have spent a lot of time with a Peavey Zodiac 4 string, a Squier P bass, a Carvin 4 string bolt-on J bass (active), and a Warwick Thumb 4 string. The only one I own is the Raiden. I've tested out various units from Ibanez, EBMM, Epiphone, and many manufacturers, and I have to warn you that I am somewhat biased toward Schecters as they always seem to appeal to me compared to others.
Appearance and finish;
When I sit this bass next to the Squier P, they're almost identical in size, shape, design, and overall looks. Basically, it seems that Schecter decided to make their own version of a P bass and add a humbucking pickup at the bridge. The bodies are almost identical, right down to the curves, cuts, neck...basically everything. As far as the finish, I can't find any blemishes or problems with anything. The style is classic, clean, and very easy on the eyes. This bass comes in two colors; white or blue with a black pickguard. I liked the white from the first time I saw it, and "in person", this bass does not disappoint. No flame top, no neat color schemes, no cosmetic frills, just solid looks, finish, and construction. If you like clean, classic, and basic....this one has it. Typical "Fender style" headstock with elephant ear tuners (chrome). For those who like the P bass style, looks, and dimensions....this one has it going on....
Neck;
Rosewood fretboard, 21 frets, very traditional and nothing weird. Not nearly as chunky or thick as a Fender. If you want that "baseball bat" neck, this isn't the one. It is thicker and heavier than most Ibanez basses I've tried out, but I would not call this one a thick neck. I would say it's somewhere in between an Ibanez and Fender neck. Seems more the thickness and heft of a VM Squier J neck. Again, these are impressions and I don't have numbers or measurements to post up here.
Depending on what you want, you might like this neck, or you might not. The back of the neck is not smooth or very well finished. As you run the palm of your hand along it, you find rough areas, smooth areas, and inconsistencies. It's not overly well sanded or smoothed out, I think Schecter chose to try to make it smoother with the finish rather than the prep. Personally, I like it. But if you want that "buttery smooth" feel with nothing to let you know you've moved somewhere up or down, this doesn't have it. In comparing it to an Epi Allen Woody Rumblekat, the Epi is far more finished, smoother, and easy to move up and down and not notice wood grain, rough areas, or dry feeling spots. Again, I like the character, but some may not.
Weight;
As with many units, this one is not particularly light. I don't have a scale, but I picked it up and it is HEFTY. Feels like it weighs slightly more than a Squier P. Definitely heavier than my Raiden, but close. In comparison, the Warwick Thumb I almost bought is "feather light" compared to the Schecter. If weight is a concern, this might not be your bass. In comparing it to a Peavey Zodiac, I would also say it's heavier feeling. Personally, I don't mind the weight, but if you like lighter basses, this is not the one....it just feels heavy. As far as neck dive, I haven't noticed that it dives any worse than any Fender or Squier I've tried, seems a lot like a Squier VM Jaguar as far as weight and neck dive. I don't consider that a lot, but opinions vary.
Hardware;
Good. Grover vintage style tuners, a bridge that looks like an atomic bomb won't scratch it, good quality screws and assembly, I can't find anything here that makes me wonder. Every screw, adjustable part, and every piece of hardware seems solid and smooth. Good job on this one.....especially at the price....
Electronics;
Well, this bass comes with Schecter's version of the venerable "P bass" pickups as well as a coil-tapped humbucker at the bridge. The placement of the P style pickups doesn't seem to be exactly where you'd expect P's to be. They're a little further toward the bridge than the Fenders I've tried out and almost bought, or the Squier P that I own. The bridge humbucker is one of their "SuperRock" pickups with a coil tap. Are they good? Absolutely. For passive OEM pickups they are really, really HOT. Basically, breathe in the direction of them and they put out sound. You need a light touch with these because they are very, very, sensitive. I like it, I tend to play with a light touch, but i found that they are almost too much when I get aggressive. How do they sound? Well, if you are looking to duplicate the tone and thump of a traditional P bass.....they just don't do it. I tried burying the bridge pickup and running just the P's....and it's certainly NOT the same tone as a Fender P. Or a Squier P. It doesn't have the same "dead thump" as I would call it. There is a lot more sustain and a very different tone. As far as the controls, the volume pots work very, very well and adjust as you'd expect them to. The tone control is something different. Just like my Raiden, the tone pot is not overly good. You're basically full tone or completely dumped, really a very little "in between". Schecter tone pots in these basses are terrible, really. I assume that they use the same potentiometers in the Diamond P as they used in my Raiden. Even the knobs were the same. But there is no scratchiness or noise when they are adjusted. If you're a "full-on tone" player, or a "buried tone" player, you won't mind.....much....But a tone pot upgrade might be on your list of things to do if you can't deal with what they give you.
Factory setup;
Actually, could have been worse. This bass came to me the way it was "out of the box". The PO did not do a setup once he played it. As expected, intonation was off (but not terrible). The neck relief was amazingly close.....I just had to tweak it a little.....not much. Many players would be totally okay with it. The action was low, but not in a bad way. Not quite as low as I would like it, but honestly it was low compared to a lot of factory setups from other manufacturers. For a relatively inexpensive bass.....they setup is essentially playable right out of the box. At least it was on mine......
Strings;
I hate them. I think they are probably D'Addario roundwound 105's. But I won't go there; every player likes something different. Let's just say that I have a set of D'Addario ETB92 tapewounds that I put on......I won't review those because this is supposed to be my impressions of this bass as Schecter put it together....
Overall;
I give this a "thumbs up". I have been playing this all night and I don't regret my purchase. Decent quality, good construction, good hardware, easy to play. Is it the best bass you could buy? No way. Is it worth a look? Yup. For what you spend, you get an awful lot for your money with a Schecter Diamond P. Just plan on few things; time for a good setup, trash the factory strings and put on what you like, and realize the tone pot is absolute garbage. Other than that, it's a whole lot of fun on a budget......
EDIT; before I get a "BS", the picture was taken before I put the ETB's on. I changed out the volume knobs for speedknobs within 10 minutes of opening the box.
Thanks, "Troy McClure" for a great deal on a bass that was, for all intents and purposes, NEW.
Now, bear in mind, the instruments I have played are limited. I currently own (and beat on, daily) a Schecter Raiden 4 string, but have spent a lot of time with a Peavey Zodiac 4 string, a Squier P bass, a Carvin 4 string bolt-on J bass (active), and a Warwick Thumb 4 string. The only one I own is the Raiden. I've tested out various units from Ibanez, EBMM, Epiphone, and many manufacturers, and I have to warn you that I am somewhat biased toward Schecters as they always seem to appeal to me compared to others.
Appearance and finish;
When I sit this bass next to the Squier P, they're almost identical in size, shape, design, and overall looks. Basically, it seems that Schecter decided to make their own version of a P bass and add a humbucking pickup at the bridge. The bodies are almost identical, right down to the curves, cuts, neck...basically everything. As far as the finish, I can't find any blemishes or problems with anything. The style is classic, clean, and very easy on the eyes. This bass comes in two colors; white or blue with a black pickguard. I liked the white from the first time I saw it, and "in person", this bass does not disappoint. No flame top, no neat color schemes, no cosmetic frills, just solid looks, finish, and construction. If you like clean, classic, and basic....this one has it. Typical "Fender style" headstock with elephant ear tuners (chrome). For those who like the P bass style, looks, and dimensions....this one has it going on....
Neck;
Rosewood fretboard, 21 frets, very traditional and nothing weird. Not nearly as chunky or thick as a Fender. If you want that "baseball bat" neck, this isn't the one. It is thicker and heavier than most Ibanez basses I've tried out, but I would not call this one a thick neck. I would say it's somewhere in between an Ibanez and Fender neck. Seems more the thickness and heft of a VM Squier J neck. Again, these are impressions and I don't have numbers or measurements to post up here.
Depending on what you want, you might like this neck, or you might not. The back of the neck is not smooth or very well finished. As you run the palm of your hand along it, you find rough areas, smooth areas, and inconsistencies. It's not overly well sanded or smoothed out, I think Schecter chose to try to make it smoother with the finish rather than the prep. Personally, I like it. But if you want that "buttery smooth" feel with nothing to let you know you've moved somewhere up or down, this doesn't have it. In comparing it to an Epi Allen Woody Rumblekat, the Epi is far more finished, smoother, and easy to move up and down and not notice wood grain, rough areas, or dry feeling spots. Again, I like the character, but some may not.
Weight;
As with many units, this one is not particularly light. I don't have a scale, but I picked it up and it is HEFTY. Feels like it weighs slightly more than a Squier P. Definitely heavier than my Raiden, but close. In comparison, the Warwick Thumb I almost bought is "feather light" compared to the Schecter. If weight is a concern, this might not be your bass. In comparing it to a Peavey Zodiac, I would also say it's heavier feeling. Personally, I don't mind the weight, but if you like lighter basses, this is not the one....it just feels heavy. As far as neck dive, I haven't noticed that it dives any worse than any Fender or Squier I've tried, seems a lot like a Squier VM Jaguar as far as weight and neck dive. I don't consider that a lot, but opinions vary.
Hardware;
Good. Grover vintage style tuners, a bridge that looks like an atomic bomb won't scratch it, good quality screws and assembly, I can't find anything here that makes me wonder. Every screw, adjustable part, and every piece of hardware seems solid and smooth. Good job on this one.....especially at the price....
Electronics;
Well, this bass comes with Schecter's version of the venerable "P bass" pickups as well as a coil-tapped humbucker at the bridge. The placement of the P style pickups doesn't seem to be exactly where you'd expect P's to be. They're a little further toward the bridge than the Fenders I've tried out and almost bought, or the Squier P that I own. The bridge humbucker is one of their "SuperRock" pickups with a coil tap. Are they good? Absolutely. For passive OEM pickups they are really, really HOT. Basically, breathe in the direction of them and they put out sound. You need a light touch with these because they are very, very, sensitive. I like it, I tend to play with a light touch, but i found that they are almost too much when I get aggressive. How do they sound? Well, if you are looking to duplicate the tone and thump of a traditional P bass.....they just don't do it. I tried burying the bridge pickup and running just the P's....and it's certainly NOT the same tone as a Fender P. Or a Squier P. It doesn't have the same "dead thump" as I would call it. There is a lot more sustain and a very different tone. As far as the controls, the volume pots work very, very well and adjust as you'd expect them to. The tone control is something different. Just like my Raiden, the tone pot is not overly good. You're basically full tone or completely dumped, really a very little "in between". Schecter tone pots in these basses are terrible, really. I assume that they use the same potentiometers in the Diamond P as they used in my Raiden. Even the knobs were the same. But there is no scratchiness or noise when they are adjusted. If you're a "full-on tone" player, or a "buried tone" player, you won't mind.....much....But a tone pot upgrade might be on your list of things to do if you can't deal with what they give you.
Factory setup;
Actually, could have been worse. This bass came to me the way it was "out of the box". The PO did not do a setup once he played it. As expected, intonation was off (but not terrible). The neck relief was amazingly close.....I just had to tweak it a little.....not much. Many players would be totally okay with it. The action was low, but not in a bad way. Not quite as low as I would like it, but honestly it was low compared to a lot of factory setups from other manufacturers. For a relatively inexpensive bass.....they setup is essentially playable right out of the box. At least it was on mine......
Strings;
I hate them. I think they are probably D'Addario roundwound 105's. But I won't go there; every player likes something different. Let's just say that I have a set of D'Addario ETB92 tapewounds that I put on......I won't review those because this is supposed to be my impressions of this bass as Schecter put it together....
Overall;
I give this a "thumbs up". I have been playing this all night and I don't regret my purchase. Decent quality, good construction, good hardware, easy to play. Is it the best bass you could buy? No way. Is it worth a look? Yup. For what you spend, you get an awful lot for your money with a Schecter Diamond P. Just plan on few things; time for a good setup, trash the factory strings and put on what you like, and realize the tone pot is absolute garbage. Other than that, it's a whole lot of fun on a budget......
EDIT; before I get a "BS", the picture was taken before I put the ETB's on. I changed out the volume knobs for speedknobs within 10 minutes of opening the box.
One note about the tuners though, mine were the worst tuners I've ever used. I can just feel the roughness in the tuners when I turn them, and aside from making them feel really cheap, this makes them a little inconsistent in tuning. My Squier has smoother and more consistent tuners ffs. 
