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Schecter Hellraiser Extreme 5-string

calypsocoral302

calypsocoral302

Oct 29, 2010
1,563
1,805
Central Pennsylvania
#1
Has anyone tried one of these yet?

I usually find bodies bound with Abalone to look gaudy, but the Mother-of-Pearl binding on this model looks pretty tasteful to me. That, and the quilted maple top, finished in a satin black burst, looks like a large black pearl.

Invalid Link Removed
Photo courtesy of the Schecter Guitar Research

Anyway, I'd like to know if anyone on the boards owns one of these yet, and what they think of the tone and playability. I'm eying this model for the following reasons:

1) Good looks
2) Extra-long scale (yes, I already know this doesn't guarantee a good B-string, but I figure it can't hurt)
3) Tap-able pickups
4) 2 Volume controls, instead of a volume and blend
5) Satin top coat (I'm not a fan of gloss!)

What I'm curious to know is how it sounds, how responsive the low B string is, and how wide the string spacing is, since the Schecter website doesn't really tell you that.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
#2
Never been interested in Schecter basses but WOW!....that's pretty gorgeous! I bet it sounds just as great as it looks! I tried to look for specs on string spacing but came up empty handed, though it doesn't look as wide as a Fender 5'er. I'm sure someone will chime in. Hell I'd buy it, but I really don't need a new bass right now. Good luck!!
 
#4
calypsocoral302 said:
What I'm curious to know is how it sounds, how responsive the low B string is, and how wide the string spacing is, since the Schecter website doesn't really tell you that.
Click to expand...

I found out from an e-mail from Schecter's tech support (whom, I believe it is worth noting, responded to my e-mail less than an hour after I sent them my inquiry), the string spacing is 17mm, which I guess is a "medium" spacing. I'm kinda bummed about that, as I was hoping for 19mm (the spacing of a four-string).
 
#8
I had a Hellraiser-4 for awhile, and it was a really nice instrument - I wouldn't mind having one of those... Mine was sold to another TB'er - I'm pretty sure he's happy with it...

This current version looks like an improved model of an already great instrument...


- georgestrings
 
#11
Update: I ordered one of these from Guitar Center. I also ordered an Ibanez BTB775 at the same time. They have a 30 day return policy, so I plan on taking them both home and really getting to know them for a few days. The better bass stays, the other one goes back to GC.

Unless they both suck, in which case I'll take them both back and order a couple more to evaluate. I really wish I could find basses to try in a store without going through all this ordering business.
 
#12
Charlzm said:
Update: I ordered one of these from Guitar Center. I also ordered an Ibanez BTB775 at the same time. They have a 30 day return policy, so I plan on taking them both home and really getting to know them for a few days. The better bass stays, the other one goes back to GC.
Click to expand...

Heh! I'm really interested in the result, as I'm seriously considering an Ibanez BTB-575 (or a 575FM, if another TB'er wants to part with one...). The thing is, I really like the look of the Schecter Hellraiser Extreme, but I like the format (longer strap horn, wider string spacing) of the BTB.

I'm especially interested in hearing what difference the string spacing makes-- my playing is primarily fingerstyle (blues, rock, metal), with a touch of pick and a pinch of slap here and there. Otherwise, they are both active 35" neck-thru five-stringers. One feature I like about the Hellraiser, though, is the controls-- featuring two volume knobs, each with a push/pull coil tap. I definitely prefer two volume knobs over a volume with a blend, and the coil tap may be icing on the cake!
 
#13
calypsocoral302 said:
Heh! I'm really interested in the result, as I'm seriously considering an Ibanez BTB-575 (or a 575FM, if another TB'er wants to part with one...). The thing is, I really like the look of the Schecter Hellraiser Extreme, but I like the format (longer strap horn, wider string spacing) of the BTB.

I'm especially interested in hearing what difference the string spacing makes-- my playing is primarily fingerstyle (blues, rock, metal), with a touch of pick and a pinch of slap here and there. Otherwise, they are both active 35" neck-thru five-stringers. One feature I like about the Hellraiser, though, is the controls-- featuring two volume knobs, each with a push/pull coil tap. I definitely prefer two volume knobs over a volume with a blend, and the coil tap may be icing on the cake!
Click to expand...

I ordered a Schecter Hellraiser Extreme at the same time as the BTB 775 so I could demo them back-to-back, keep the better one and return the one I had less affinity for.

The Ibanez is to me the better looking instrument by a long shot. That being said, the Schecter is, for me, in all other ways superior. String spacing is tighter, tone is brighter, growlier (think Warwick) and richer (I can hear more overtones and there's more sustain), 24 frets per string, humbucking/single coil switch for each pickup, rounder, narrower neck...

The bass is nicely set up out of the box and the intonation is dead on. The action is a bit too low on the B string; even played as gently as I can muster, there is some buzz. Going to have to raise that string a bit. All other strings are fine and buzz-free.

If I were playing jazz or pop, I might go with the Ibby. The tone is a bit more muted and precise. But the Schecter suits my rock needs and will fit in well tone-wise with my main bass, a Warwick Katana, and my back-up/drop tuned bass, a Fender Geddy Lee Jazz.

The Ibanez is a fine instrument and I cannot stress enough how good-looking it is, but the sound and playability of the Schecter suit me better.

In the appearance department, I'm not too pleased with the Schecter. I ordered it in black. I thought it would have a glossy finish with prominent wood grain, as seen on the Schecter website.
http://schecterguitars.com/Products/Bass/Hellraiser-Extreme-5.aspx
But the finish is matte and the flame top is pretty subtle.

Having the coil tap available for each pickup is also a nice feature; I've been playing around with it. So far, though, I prefer the sound with both pickups set to humbucking.

So... I have one more bass coming to compare: an MTD Kingston Heir. The winner of that comparison gets to live with me; the other one goes back to Guitar Center.
 
#14
Charlzm said:
The Ibanez is to me the better looking instrument by a long shot. That being said, the Schecter is, for me, in all other ways superior. String spacing is tighter, tone is brighter, growlier (think Warwick) and richer (I can hear more overtones and there's more sustain), 24 frets per string, humbucking/single coil switch for each pickup, rounder, narrower neck...

The bass is nicely set up out of the box and the intonation is dead on. The action is a bit too low on the B string; even played as gently as I can muster, there is some buzz. Going to have to raise that string a bit. All other strings are fine and buzz-free.

If I were playing jazz or pop, I might go with the Ibby. The tone is a bit more muted and precise. But the Schecter suits my rock needs and will fit in well tone-wise with my main bass, a Warwick Katana, and my back-up/drop tuned bass, a Fender Geddy Lee Jazz.

The Ibanez is a fine instrument and I cannot stress enough how good-looking it is, but the sound and playability of the Schecter suit me better.

In the appearance department, I'm not too pleased with the Schecter. I ordered it in black. I thought it would have a glossy finish with prominent wood grain, as seen on the Schecter website.
http://schecterguitars.com/Products/Bass/Hellraiser-Extreme-5.aspx
But the finish is matte and the flame top is pretty subtle.

Having the coil tap available for each pickup is also a nice feature; I've been playing around with it. So far, though, I prefer the sound with both pickups set to humbucking.
Click to expand...

Hmm... as I mentioned, my styles are primarily rock and metal. It sounds like the Schecter is the better choice for me-- IF I can get used to the narrower string spacing.

As for the finish, I saw on their website that the topcoat is satin, which I strongly prefer-- I am not a fan of gloss, and I prefer a subtle wood grain. Gloss-finished figured woods are for your grandmother's cocktail table. A subtle, satin-finished quilted maple would be quite elegant and understated-- Just the way I like it!

Sounds like the Schecter is my cup of tea-- I just need to get my chubby sausage fingers acclimated to a 17mm string spacing...
 
#15
Charlzm said:
I ordered a Schecter Hellraiser Extreme at the same time as the BTB 775 so I could demo them back-to-back, keep the better one and return the one I had less affinity for.

The Ibanez is to me the better looking instrument by a long shot. That being said, the Schecter is, for me, in all other ways superior. String spacing is tighter, tone is brighter, growlier (think Warwick) and richer (I can hear more overtones and there's more sustain), 24 frets per string, humbucking/single coil switch for each pickup, rounder, narrower neck...

The bass is nicely set up out of the box and the intonation is dead on. The action is a bit too low on the B string; even played as gently as I can muster, there is some buzz. Going to have to raise that string a bit. All other strings are fine and buzz-free.

If I were playing jazz or pop, I might go with the Ibby. The tone is a bit more muted and precise. But the Schecter suits my rock needs and will fit in well tone-wise with my main bass, a Warwick Katana, and my back-up/drop tuned bass, a Fender Geddy Lee Jazz.

The Ibanez is a fine instrument and I cannot stress enough how good-looking it is, but the sound and playability of the Schecter suit me better.

In the appearance department, I'm not too pleased with the Schecter. I ordered it in black. I thought it would have a glossy finish with prominent wood grain, as seen on the Schecter website.
http://schecterguitars.com/Products/Bass/Hellraiser-Extreme-5.aspx
But the finish is matte and the flame top is pretty subtle.

Having the coil tap available for each pickup is also a nice feature; I've been playing around with it. So far, though, I prefer the sound with both pickups set to humbucking.

So... I have one more bass coming to compare: an MTD Kingston Heir. The winner of that comparison gets to live with me; the other one goes back to Guitar Center.
Click to expand...

Schecter wins again. The MTD is a great bass, but, playing it back-to-back with the Schecter, the decision was made.
IMHO, both the MTD in "trans cherry rosewood" and the Ibanez in "charcoal brown" were both better looking instruments both in design and finish. In all other ways, though. it was a Schecter victory.
 
#17
M Sharp said:
i know this is way old.
Charlzm, are you still with the Hellraiser Extreme. Sill loving it?
calypsocoral, did you get one? what are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Sorry it took me so long to reply. I bought the bass, have had it for about three years and really, really like it.

However, I ordered a Kiesel Icon 5 a couple of weeks ago so the Schecter is going to go. A guitarist friend of mine has offered to buy it for fair market value.
 
#18
I have a Hellraiser Extreme 5. Bought it new in early 2014. When I need a 5-string for a gig, it's my go to bass.

Front_close_zpsbc1801ba.jpg
Back_close_zpsb05a163b.jpg


TD
 
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