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Schecter vs Spector

kcducttaper

kcducttaper

Jul 1, 2019
455
483
#1
Soooo, I've been bit by the Spector GAS bug and I've been eyeing a Spector Euro 5 CST ($3,300) for a little while now. I've never really been able to justify a bass over about $1,000 and certainly over $1,500 before, but I'm getting to an age where I've been playing long enough that I've considered just getting a nice high-end instrument more or less as a luxury item.

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My current stable consists of:
* Ibanez SR755 that's been modified with Nordstrand Big Split pickups and an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp. I bought it new in college and it was my first "good" bass. Since then, I've played it at countless gigs over the last 15 years.
* Schecter Stiletto Custom 5 is my current favorite just because of the tone and playability.
* Schecter Stiletto Studio 5 FF with a Hipshot drop tuner for when I need to drop down to a low A without losing too much string tension on the low B. More difficult to play then the Custom 5, so it doesn't get as much action.

I think the obvious choice is to sell my left spleen to fund the Spector, but if that's not an option, maybe the next best thing is to have it replace the Schecter Custom 5. That said, is the Spector THAT much better than the Schecter? No doubt the Spector would be better craftsmanship and just has that "Spector sound". However, I've never really felt the Schecter lacking in the quality department and it's got some very clear EMG pickups/preamp in it as well that sound very nice. If I were to sell the Schecter Custom 5, I imagine I would probably wouldn't get anything more than $700 for it, which is a bit less than 1/4 of the Spector price tag . What do y'all think?
 
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#4
As @JimmyM said, there's always a chance you won't like the Spector that much better that the Schecters you already have.

Since Spector Euros have been around for quite a while and are not that hard to find on the used market, may I suggest picking up a used Euro (which you can probably find for under $2k) and seeing how you like it before selling off your current favorites to get the Euro 5 CST?
 
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#6
I have two Spectors and I currently have one Schecter Omen Extreme, but I've also owned more in the past including a Stiletto Custom 4. I like the Spectors way more, but that is just me. I love the tone, but I have to tell you that the necks are thicker and heavier on the Spectors that I own than any of the Schecters I've owned in the past and do have a bit of dive. But man that tone.
 
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#8
I have always loved the look and sound of Spectors, but I could tell in advance and confirmed in person that the ergonomics are not for me. The upper horn needs to align with the 12 fret (or longer) and the bridge be at the butt end of the body or it will be a long reach and neck dive. Include the 35" scale and an extra tuner (on the 5-string) and it does exactly that.

Try before you buy would be my suggestion.
 
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#10
If you have a chance to try out a Spector, do so. I say this because Spector ergonomics (particularly for their extended range basses) are love it/hate it.

Me personally... I once had a Spector ReBop 5 that played great, sounded volcanic, and was light (8.7 pounds maybe). However, its compact body, bridge placement, short upper horn, and 35" scale neck made the bass balance too horizontally on me and first position was an uncomfortably long reach for me. I sold it.

Sometimes when you're GASing, the heart wants what the heart wants and you gotta try what the heart wants. But sometimes... I remember drooling over Warwick ads as a teen, GASing for one, finally getting a killer German-made 'wick from a TBer 20 years ago. I had that bass for 11 years. Best bass I ever owned... but everyone else loved it more than I did. The compact body balanced too horizontally and the neck jutted out too far to the left. I did everything I could to "make it work" with that bass, but ultimately I couldn't. I sold it in 2015 to a jazz student. The bass fits him like a glove.
 
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#11
kcducttaper said:
Soooo, I've been bit by the Spector GAS bug and I've been eyeing a Spector Euro 5 CST ($3,300) for a little while now. I've never really been able to justify a bass over about $1,000 and certainly over $1,500 before, but I'm getting to an age where I've been playing long enough that I've considered just getting a nice high-end instrument more or less as a luxury item.

View attachment 7179037

My current stable consists of:
* Ibanez SR755 that's been modified with Nordstrand Big Split pickups and an Aguilar OBP-3 preamp. I bought it new in college and it was my first "good" bass. Since then, I've played it at countless gigs over the last 15 years.
* Schecter Stiletto Custom 5 is my current favorite just because of the tone and playability.
* Schecter Stiletto Studio 5 FF with a Hipshot drop tuner for when I need to drop down to a low A without losing too much string tension on the low B. More difficult to play then the Custom 5, so it doesn't get as much action.

I think the obvious choice is to sell my left spleen to fund the Spector, but if that's not an option, maybe the next best thing is to have it replace the Schecter Custom 5. That said, is the Spector THAT much better than the Schecter? No doubt the Spector would be better craftsmanship and just has that "Spector sound". However, I've never really felt the Schecter lacking in the quality department and it's got some very clear EMG pickups/preamp in it as well that sound very nice. If I were to sell the Schecter Custom 5, I imagine I would probably wouldn't get anything more than $700 for it, which is a bit less than 1/4 of the Spector price tag . What do y'all think?
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If you're that happy with the Schecter, why replace it? Seems like it works for you. That being said, Spectors are amazing.

I've never played a Schecter; are the necks thin? You have some of what the Spector offers with the SR755's small, rounded body, but the necks are another thing. They're not baseball bat chunky, but the change from the Ibby will be noticeable. And some say the reach to the first fret takes some getting used to (though I don't have a problem, but I have really long arms).

The bad thing about the Euro is that it will make you want a US Custom Shop Spector! :smug: My first Spector Euro was the most incredible bass I'd played up until that point and I was skeptical about the US basses being any better. But they are! Still, I currently have one US and two Euros, and I would never get rid of the Euros, they're fantastic.
 
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#12
I'm a new convert to the Spector 4 camp. I can't get enough of the tone. I got a good deal on a Euro 4LX on Guitar Center's used site. I called the store and got a bass-oriented person to answer my questions. Personally, I wouldn't pay the new price for a Euro since you can find a great one used. My LX is flawless. It seems I got an "excellent" condition instrument for the "good" condition price. I've seen excellent prices on used Spectors, both Euro and USA, at Reverb, GC, and Sweetwater. It may take some daily fishing to come up with a winner.
 
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#13
Try before you buy. That said, it a life goal of mine to buy a USA NS-2. Don’t know if that will ever happen but it’s a goal. If you play one and IF you like it, here’s another option: Sweetwater financing. Right now they’re doing 36 months at 0%. I was just looking at the Spector euros and they range from 85-95 bucks a month for 3 years. They are always changing their terms. Sometimes it’s 2 years and it depends on what the manufacturer is willing to offer sweetwater.

Now, here’s the downside to that: THATS HOW THEY GET YOU!!!!!!!
I was working at a super boring trade show. I’ve been talking to a good buddy of mine who said I should have a jazz style bass in my collection. As it just so happened I got my hands on a Sire Marcus Miller at a second hand shop and loved it. So there I am bored out of my mind and then “Wait, What???? You mean I can get a brand new Sire Marcus Miller AND a hardshell case for 27 bucks a month with no interest???? Yep, that’s how they get you.

My super long term plan on the Spector is to save up to put a healthy down payment someday and wait until they’re offering 3 or even 4 years at 0%. We’ll see if I’m ever able to do it but it does seem attainable. That is if can stay off Sweetwater’s web page and quit buying things I don’t need because they’re around the price of a streaming service😡🤬🤬😱🤬🤬
 
#14
Buy the new one from a shop with a reasonable return policy. If you love it, keep it and decide if it replaces something you own today. If you don't love it, return it and keep rocking on your Schecters!

I owned a Schecter Elite 5 that I never should've gotten rid of. They're awesome basses, and it sucks to get rid of an instrument you know you should've kept.
 
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#15
^^^THIS^^^

If you have an instrument you love and get rid of it you’re going to regret it. It might be a month, 6 months, a year, 5 years whatever. But I promise you’ll eventually regret it. That because we’re all always refining our sound, technique, style etc. We’re evolving. And eventually you’ll reach a point where you’ve learned something new and you’re like “I wish I had my old _______________ because it would be great for this new thing I’m playing”
 
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#16
Ok I have owned basses from both companies…

I prefer the Schecters in many cases.

Price is not always an indicator or quality and neither is an adolescent naming system.

My favorite neck through instrument is a the Schecter SLS Evil Twin with the Fishmans removed and EMGs loaded in them.
 
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#18
Haven't owned a Spector yet, but I hear nothing but high praise for them and they are well known for great tone. I have owned quite a few Schecter models and they've always been killer.. My Number One right now is a Schecter C5 GT, it's absolutely killer. Some Schecters come with similar EMG pickups as Spectors. I've always wanted to see what an EMG equipped Schecter would sound like with something like an LHZ (Spector HazLab Clone) would sound like.
 
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