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What's Wrong With Schecter Basses?

Every once in a while these threads pop up for Schecter (thats not a complaint to the OP)

Bottom line:
They are severally and I mean severally underacted basses...
If you played them you know what I'm talking about.

Lets keep that secret to ourselves shall we.
 
I had a Schecter 5 string. It had horrible neckdive and and a looonng reach to the lower frets. It just wasn't a good design. They also only make 5 strings in a 35" scale and I find that to be uncomfortable. Maybe other models are better but my first experience was not good. Sorry...

My experience mirrors yours. They seem like good basses, good value for what you pay. But it seemed to me like the 1st 2 frets were soooo far away. Didn't sit well on the strap for me either. Unfortunately, as with a lot of things that one unfavorable impression helped stop me from looking further. That and their product line seems to have no variety. No short scales, no IIRC acoustics or semi hollows, all 5s are 35". It always seemed to me that they inhabited that "modern tone" territory and IMO nobody beats Ibanez in that category, especially under $1000.
 
So I'm curious to see if this guy is just being a bit snobby or if they have somehow gotten a bad reputation for some reason that I'm unaware of...?

Schecter is a little like Dean or LTD where they are known for cost effective shredder guitars more than for high quality or their basses. I haven't spend a lot of time with their basses because they don't seem to be that easy to find where I live, so I can't speak to their quality. However when you see model names like Omen, Hellraiser, and Damien then look at their player roster, you can see where the impression of them being "metal" basses comes from.
 
Purchased a Diamond Series Blackjack on a whim from MF DOD. I love just about everything about it except the TONE! Sounds metallic/clattery. Shipped it back to Schecter they replaced a preamp set up and new strings (?) Made no difference. Tried to sell on CL for a loss....no luck. I've decided to keep it and try to figure out how I can change the tone. I guess I should start with different pickups(has SD's) or by pass the preamp. Anybody have suggestions? I have been using my P for gigs but it's heavy and I have a sore back by the end of the gig. Maybe I'm to old for this! (61)
 
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Nothin'. Played some of the 2016 prototypes and hoooooot damn I played a 600$ bass and it had some boutique appointments, hipshot bridge and tuners, stock emg HZ pups, a tastefully figured top under a matte finish and a supremely solid 6-bolt neck joint. Plus it sounded good.
I know I initially looked down on them because their artist roster, looks, and hardware seemed a little geared towards metal to me.
 
Purchased a Diamond Series Blackjack on a whim from MF DOD. I love just about everything about it except the TONE! Sounds metallic/clattery. Shipped it back to Schecter they replaced a preamp set up and new strings (?) Made no difference. Tried to sell on CL for a loss....no luck. I've decided to keep it and try to figure out how I can change the tone. I guess I should start with different pickups(has SD's) or by pass the preamp. Anybody have suggestions? I have been using my P for gigs but it's heavy and I have a sore back by the end of the gig. Maybe I'm to old for this! (61)
I have replaced the preamp on my Schecters with the Nordstrand pres.
IMHO
The ceramic pickups they use on their basses are a good match with the Nordstrand pres.
 
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If it's good enough for DeLeo, it's GAS enough for me!
stp20100825002.jpg
 
If a Schecter works for you then F what anyone else thinks! Having said that, my personal opinion is as follows:

1. Most Schecters are active and have a very generic sound IMO.
2. Schecters for the most part are made "offshore" and are designed to be entry to mid-level basses.
3. Schecters are typically associated with Metal bands which turns some people off automatically.

My old guitarist used to play Schecters and I thought his tone was pretty bad (Considering he was using a Marshall JCM 800 half stack which is a BEAST of an amp) I always tell people the following:

If you are looking for a specific type of sound follow your heroes....Look at the gear that they use and start there. Having said that, there is a reason that 90% of the worlds most established and prestigious musicians use Fender Basses and Fender / Gibson Guitars.

Bottom line....Do what feels and sounds right to you! (However if you are hearing constantly that your tone sucks....maybe don't trust your gut anymore...LOL)
 
Metal instrument. Well thats probubly one of their main purposes, but, with only the neck pickup turned on mine sounds like a jazz bass. Its also great for punk, ska, hard rock, classic rock, and yes of course metal. If the bass is turned completely off (the knob that is) then mine can fool you into thinking its a guitar. Add a little gain and it becomes cool. Wierd but cool. Doesnt work with e string cept for the bottom frets
 
Metal instrument. Well thats probubly one of their main purposes, but, with only the neck pickup turned on mine sounds like a jazz bass. Its also great for punk, ska, hard rock, classic rock, and yes of course metal.

When I mentioned Metal I mainly was eluding to the fact that they market specifically to metal IMO. All of their "TOP" artists are Metal Guys for the most part.
 
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If a Schecter works for you then F what anyone else thinks! Having said that, my personal opinion is as follows:

1. Most Schecters are active and have a very generic sound IMO.
2. Schecters for the most part are made "offshore" and are designed to be entry to mid-level basses.
3. Schecters are typically associated with Metal bands which turns some people off automatically.

My old guitarist used to play Schecters and I thought his tone was pretty bad (Considering he was using a Marshall JCM 800 half stack which is a BEAST of an amp) I always tell people the following:

If you are looking for a specific type of sound follow your heroes....Look at the gear that they use and start there. Having said that, there is a reason that 90% of the worlds most established and prestigious musicians use Fender Basses and Fender / Gibson Guitars.

Bottom line....Do what feels and sounds right to you! (However if you are hearing constantly that your tone sucks....maybe don't trust your gut anymore...LOL)


I like that last part
 
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