Schecter - Do we care?

[Cato]

When I think of Schecter I tend to think of slightly dated black spikey guitars and basses and various 'super strat' models that are unambiguously aimed at the metal players.

 

I do know that they've diversified somewhat in recent years into more vanilla Fender based designs but I still tend to think of them in the same bracket as ESP or Jackson in that their products aren't really aimed at me.

 

Even The Cure endorsement hasn't really shifted that perception although it would probably help if the Smith guitar and Gallup bass weren't so odd looking.

[umcoo]

The original Schecters from late 70's to early 80's are outstanding instruments. Custom shop level and quite innovative for the day (coil tapping, etc). They were USA-made and still command a high price amongst the small group of collectors. 

 

The newer stuff pales in comparison and has a 'metal' aesthetic which doesn't appeal to many. It's a shame really as they could probably cash-in on their original heritage, but it's likely a very slim market. 

 

I think things such as the "Machine Gun Kelly" signature guitar would probably alienate older, more traditional, players like myself. 

[Grassie]

If they bring the butterscotch Model T back (without the horrible inlays they currently sport) i.e the Robert DeLeo model, then I’m in. 

[Sean]

This Michael Anthony model is a passive, bolt-on, Korean-built PJ with in-house pickups and hardware. It's yours for £1905 and you'll need to spend extra on a case.

 

https://richtonemusic.co.uk/Schecter-Michael-Anthony-Bass-Carbon-Grey/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAlPu9BhAjEiwA5NDSA84KUrSeNtHWoaXxGfyvEiyyLHDtTbZStS174by2dDP2w2e5L69_ShoC5PgQAvD_BwE

 

You'd have to be the president of the Michael Anthony fan club to even entertain the thought of buying that.

 

Even if you were in a Van Halen tribute you'd be buying a Yamaha BB or a Stingray.

 

And if you were after a quality PJ there are so many better options.  I really don't get this one.

[80Hz]

Yeah, I mean thinking of the Exotic, a grand for a hot-rodded precision with premium pickups etc is within boundaries of what I expect. But 2k for an undistinctive PJ, nope.

[patrikmarky]

I had 2 exotics ..I think there around the £1300.00 mark ..as you can pick up the std model T with emgs for £899.00 I had one sort of wish I’d kept it ..are there any  Indonesian guitars that do hold there money? 

[Russ]

2 hours ago, Cato said:

Even The Cure endorsement hasn't really shifted that perception although it would probably help if the Smith guitar and Gallup bass weren't so odd looking.

I think the Simon Gallup bass and the Robert Smith guitar are the nicest things they make.  Thought about picking up one of the Robert Smith baritones a while back, but the price was offputting. 

 

I would quite like to have a go on the Berthoud bass though, especially the 6-string when it comes out. 

 

I don't like how Schecter have changed all their branding to fit a "metal" aesthetic - the gothic font logo, etc. The old logo was far classier and much less tied into a genre. 

[Cato]

22 minutes ago, Russ said:

iI thnk the Simon Gallup bass and the Robert Smith guitar are the nicest things they make.  

 

 

I suppose the Gallup bass isn't to awful once you get used to the 'not quite a Thunderbird' aesthetic.

 

 

But I'll take some convincing on the Smith guitar.

 

 

To me it looks like a cartoon guitar that's been squashed and is midway through popping back into shape.

[edstraker123]

4 hours ago, patrikmarky said:

I had this for a while

I've got that one too a stunning bass with great 'tronics.

[edstraker123]

17 hours ago, Beedster said:

For me, the models I notice look a bit derivative and cheap, but tend to be quite expensiv

I bought the model t  and returned it as it was crap - had the shielding/ grounding issue but apart from that was just completely bland.

[Sean]

I will say one positive thing that Schecter has got right, they've got the truss rod adjustment wheel. They just need to sort out a few more "reasons to buy".

[crazycloud]

I've never seen a Schecter bass either in the flesh or on stage in my life - they just don't seem to have any decent representation here. Ditto for their guitars. 

They seem like great units and Charles Bertould has a nice looking 6er that he can play the crap out of so they must be at least OK.

 

 

[thodrik]

Good prices, decent instruments, however far too many signature models and very much a 'metal' (but not my kind of metal) vibe. I really do like the P-bass inspired models. 

[BigRedX]

Craig Adams was playing a 5-string Schecter when he was part of Spear of Destiny.

[40hz]

For me, I've never owned one because they're still very much (in my mind) associated with heavier music, despite their more conventional offerings recently (and on that, the conventional offerings are really dull). This is not a comment on quality, which I'm sure is there, but more, they're just very 'meh' in terms of desirability.

[Lozz196]

If I recall correctly one of our members @CiciBass did a great review of a Schecter bass a couple of years ago - think was a Jazz type bass. Certainly sounded good on the review.

[80Hz]

Yep, was just watching this yesterday!
 

 

[BigRedX]

2 hours ago, 40hz said:

For me, I've never owned one because they're still very much (in my mind) associated with heavier music, despite their more conventional offerings recently (and on that, the conventional offerings are really dull). This is not a comment on quality, which I'm sure is there, but more, they're just very 'meh' in terms of desirability.

 

Surely this is a problem with every bass manufacturer that isn't Fender, Gibson or Rickenbacker. Do something that is too similar to the above and everyone says why do we need yet another copy of... and anything too radical and most musicians hate them.

[40hz]

5 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

 

Surely this is a problem with every bass manufacturer that isn't Fender, Gibson or Rickenbacker. Do something that is too similar to the above and everyone says why do we need yet another copy of... and anything too radical and most musicians hate them.

I totally agree, but I love radical!

[Sean]

That is a lovely P bass. Black blocks, EMGs, roasted, nice bit of exotic.

[merello]

Why do I love this?

https://www.schecterguitars.com/product/17246

NP4

 

[merello]

And the Stargazer...

[Sean]

1 hour ago, merello said:

And the Stargazer...

I think it's fair to say that Spector has shifted it's focus from Metal a little but I'm not sure who the target player is for this.

[edstraker123]

I picked up a used Schecter Nick Johnston traditional strat yesterday and its mind blowingly good. I was buying it originally as an upgrade project - in the shop it sounded awful, I had planned to put new pickups in it but on getting it home I realised the pickup heights were well off. 2 minute fix and now sounds amazing and was great value for money.

[HeadlessBassist]

I have a secondary pupil in Wiltshire who has a very metal looking Schecter bass. I have to say it's very nice to play, but the sound is a little generic.

 

I would however, like to try one of the Charles Berthoud Signature Schecters. Not keen on the looks particularly, but it certainly sounds good in the right hands.