Schecter Stilettos - Neck Dive?

[Skygoneblue]

Hey guys,

I've played a couple different Schecters in stores recently (both 4 and 5 string models), and they all seem to be REALLY neck heavy, so much so that they're next to impossible to play seated.

Does anyone here own any of the higher-end models like a Stiletto Custom or Elite and have an experienced opinion on how manageable these basses are to play while standing? Or if they aren't usually real neck heavy, and I just found two weird ones?

I've really been eyeballing a Stiletto Custom 6 or a Raiden 5 lately, but I absolutely can't stand neck-dive, or even basses that insist on sitting parallel to the floor. Just curious if anyone else has some good opinions!

(And please, spare me the "buy a big strap" cliche. I have a huge strap, and all it does it tug on my shirt and make playing uncomfortable. Straps shouldn't compensate for shoddy craftsmanship.)

Thanks in advance!

Luke

 

[stflbn]

Even with a big wide neoprene strap I always struggled with a 5-string Studio5 neck diving on me. Kept the bass for 6 years and gigged it ongoing, but it was always an irritation. And inevitably why I sold it. IMHO.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

I found my old stiletto to have a great balance. The body was very small, but the headstock didn't weigh enough to give it neck dive. If I recall, I actually played more often with the headstock sticking up in the air, ala Bill Wyman

 

[PSPookie]

I didn't have any balance problems with my Stiletto Custom 4 but i id find the reach to 1st position to be a bit long. It would make my shoulder cramp up a bit during long sets.

Good basses for the money.

 

[Jayhawk]

I never had a neck dive problem with my old Stiletto 5-string. One thing I do remember noticing is that the bottom strap button wasn't centered but was higher on the bass which I thought helped avoid neck dive.

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This isn't a picture of mine, but illustrates the button placement.

 

[Skygoneblue]

Interesting contrast in opinions... Huge problem, and no problem whatsoever...

To those of you who never had the problem, what kind of strap were you using?

 

[tdub0199]

I have a Stiletto Custom 4 and never had a neckdive problem????

 

[IntrepidCellist]

Some of the Stilettos are massively heavy and don't have the neck dive problem. Some are light and don't have it, and others are lighter and do have it. All of them have sounded and played great though.

Also, I've found that they balance better on a strap than in your lap.

 

[Skabasskid]

I think the problem lies in the frets.

I play a Stiletto Studio 5FL and I have little-to-no neck dive. Definitely not enough to be an irritation. Schecter uses VERY heavy frets in their basses, and I imagine this causes most neck dive problems, as I have experienced little to none with my fretless. Since installing ernie ball strap locks, even the small amount of dive I used to have is nonexistent.

Also, I know that the older models have more of a problem with this, because as Jayhawk said, the placement of the bottom strap button has been moved in newer models

I don't know if you're interested in a fretless, but I honestly love mine.

 

[Skygoneblue]

Thanks for all the replies gents!

Skabass, I'm not a fretless player at all, but that's an interesting viewpoint. I have never heard of frets making that much of a difference.

But if it's truly the newer models that have the strap button placement raised, I will definitely look into that.

Keep the replies coming!

 

[Jayhawk]

To those of you who never had the problem, what kind of strap were you using?

This one: Clayton 3-1/2" Leather Guitar Strap

Simple, but effective.

 

[Chuck King]

I don't remember having any neck-dive issues with my Stiletto Elite 4. I used a 4-inch leather strap usually, but also some narrower nylon straps. It's been a while since I had that bass, but if it had been a serious problem, I would remember it.

 

[dalahorse]

I have a Stiletto Custom 4 and never had a neckdive problem????

Same here. No neck dive that I notice. And that was one of the things I was checking for when I bought it. FWIW, I use a Comfort Strapp and Dunlop strap locks. When I sit, I don't always use the strap. It balances on my leg nicely.

 

[Colty]

My studio 5 hasn't had extensive neck dive but it does have a tendency to get parallel to the ground while i play which sounds like it might be a big issue to you.

 

[Basshappi]

I have a Elite 5 and use a standard Levy 2.5" leather strap, never had any neck dive issues at all.

 

[Skygoneblue]

Colty - Does yours have the elevated rear strap pin like was shown in the picture posted above?

 

[woody357]

I've never had a problem with balance with my Elite5, but the bass is heavy!!

 

[jamisonsalamand]

I have a Studio 6 and neck dive is never a problem. I have it strapped somewhat high though, so that might be different from you

 

[Sterrrling]

I used a Stilleto Custom 4 for years and never had a neck dive issue. ????

 

[stflbn]

Colty - Does yours have the elevated rear strap pin like was shown in the picture posted above?

Mine that I had dive problems with had a strap button dead centerline on the bass, not elevated.