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What's Wrong With Schecter Basses?

#62
I think the "issue" with them is their marketing is basically stuff like this:


That said, I used to own a Stiletto Studio 5 back when I played 5 string basses. That bass played easy and sounded great. I'm a small guy, but Schecter somehow made a 5 string in a 35" scale with a nice, tight B string that was easy to play for me. I'm not even comfortable playing Fenders because if feels like I'm "reaching" to fret the low notes.

During the time I owned it, I went through at least 3 Fender (USA and Japan) basses AND a Warrior 5 string. The Schecter stayed while all the others came & went. I foolishly sold it later on because I wasn't really playing 5 string anymore.

FF a few years, I was just looking at possibly picking up another 5 this week, and Schecter is at the top of my list. Great prices, great playability, and the Stiletto Studio 5 looks and plays like a custom shop bass. I wasn't as in love with their models that have 4 knob controls (VT/VT) as I am with the 5 knob models (V/V T/M/B). The 3 band EMG EQ system worked great on the one I previously owned.
 
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#63
A Schecter Omen Extreme 4 was my choice when I decided I wanted to get serious about playing bass. I must have played every bass in store at 350 to 500ish and the Schecter was easily the top contender. IMHO the build quality, fit, and finish is fantastic. I like the tone and it feels great to play.

I would have no problem with a Schecter as my only bass.

Edit: No picture, no bass!
DSCF6293_zpsd12ed72b.jpg
 
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#64
It's not so much what might be wrong with Schecter. It's really more why it's the right bass for you.

I think Schecter makes a fine instrument. Easy on the eyes, lotta bang for the buck, plus decent sound.

I've tried them many times. And although I haven't bought one (yet at least) I'd have no qualms about taking one out on a gig or into the studio. Probably because I can get "my sound" (or "mojo" or whatever they're currently calling it) out of virtually any solid body bass I play these days. Some basses make it easier for me. Others less so. But either way, me - and whatever bass I'm holding - will get the job done, thank you very much.

And I think that goes for most players with some experience under their belts. I'm far from unique in that regard.

So if your Schecter does it for you, I'd say let the naysayers sod off.

FWIW One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from the guy who told me: "Don't marry your instrument. As the matter of a fact, don't even start dating. Because a bass is just a bass. It's you who are the bass player."

Wise words.
 
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#66
[skyraider] said:
A while back I was talking to a seasoned bassist about my instruments and I told him I have a Schecter Studio 5 fretless. He kinda wrinkled his nose at that like I'd just farted or something. I asked him what he thought was so awful about it and he said something like "I dunno... Just... Schecter??" To which I responded by enumerating the things I liked about the bass, such as the tone, the appearance and playability. He just shrugged it off with "I guess..."

So I've had this bass for about three or four years now and I still like it. Still have only one real complaint about it, and that it the weight-- it's a bit on the chunky side. But since it's fretless I only play it on the occasional acoustic gig, where I'm sitting down.

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...?
Click to expand...


There's Schecter USA basses and then there's Schecter "consumer" import stuff.... The latter might be material for a snob to get snobby about, but the former is a top grade bass for the $... In the end, do you like your bass? or are you wanting to trade it up? that's the important question.
 
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#68
korngold said:
That was the exact one I was looking at getting. Looks like a custom shop bass; has real EMG pickups (not the HZ types), and the same pre that was in my Stiletto Studio 5 that I sold.

Owens W - How long have you had yours? Any complaints?
Click to expand...


Ive had mine about 4 months now. Complaints? Nope!! Absolutely not!!! Plays, sounds and looks like a dream!! Its rather light too. At least in comparison to my LTD.
 
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#72
jertravis said:
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)
Click to expand...

What amp are you using? I have a Schecter Custom 4 that sounded similar, but it's so solid and well behaved I wanted to keep it. A VT Bass really helped with the tone, but once I replaced the Fender amp I was using, it was like having a new instrument. My Pbass and Stingray thanked me as well. I also raised my action a tad. That helps with the clankiness.
 
#73
I picked up a used Schecter Stilletto 5 on eBay about a year ago for $400. I had to replace the pots & preamp as they were shot, kept the pickups tho & put in the EMG BQS HZ, basically the updated version of what was in there before & it's great. I recently picked up a used EBMM Reflex 5 HSS from another talkbass member, for about 3 times as much money as the Schecter, & while I really like the Reflex & enjoy playing it, it's not 3 times as nice. In my opinion the Schecter's B string is far superior. I guess that has to do with the scale & string tension. I will be keeping my Schecter & I enjoy playing them both
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#74
Thanks for all the comments.

I've owned a TON of high-end instruments from MTD 535, R Bass, Kinal, Conklin, Lakland, Roscoe, etc. and I think the Schecter has arguably equivalent quality to any of them and far better than a few. I've had a few custom basses that looked gorgeous, but had bad fretwork or crappy wiring. My main bass at the moment is a Spector Rebop and I LOVE it. But I have an ambient Jazz gig coming up soon and I'm planning to use the Schecter on it because the music just really screams fretless and this Schecter has an awesome meow. So it's going to this gig.
 
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#76
[skyraider] said:
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...?
Click to expand...

I had the exact same reaction when I asked some dude what his bass was. I threw out a name. I said Schechter? It was a Lakland. I'm lucky to be alive.

Me? I'm just scared of active basses. But I like the way some of those Schechters look. Especially this one: Invalid Link Removed. I've picked up a couple at shops, and they seem to have a, I don't know, plasticky feel to them about the neck? But if you like yours, does anybody's opinion matter?
 
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#78
jertravis said:
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)
Click to expand...

I would replace the preamp, first. I've got the same EMG pickups in several basses but different preamps. It's the preamp frequencies that make all the difference. I'm a huge fan of Audere and you can usually find a 5-knob preamp on eBay.

The only problem is that some EMG pickups require an EMG preamp and in that case you might have to replace the pickups and the preamp. I think the active EMGs are locked-in to the EMG preamp, while the passive EMGs can connect to anything.

I think that pickups are mostly parity products-- there's not a gigantic difference from one brand to the next. But preamps can make a huge difference.
 

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