Schecter Stiletto Custom 5: Review type thang.

[theosd]

Well a month or two ago I grabbed this on eBay; I still feel like I've robbed someone because these basses are incredible value at RRP. It serves me brilliantly for gigs, allowing me to sell my SR5 in order to rectify some vintage GAS. I'd better let you lot see her!

The original strings (which were hardly played) were elixir and I couldn't get on with how they felt - quite "tacky" - although they were still sounding very bright. Anywho, I had a set of Rotosound Tru Bass sitting expectantly on my Harley Benton defret job (doing feck all) so I slapped em on and, you know what, the bass gives such a clear and resonant tone through the EMG-HZ pickups that it really allows even the low B to sound well defined; even more impressive is that it's no flapper as you might expect given the type of string (nylonwounds) I'm using. The 35" scale really tightens things up down there! Even with the original elixirs on the tone was very pure but I prefer the vintage character the Rotosound strings create (and I was playing it through my MarkBass CMD121h, which is reknowned for giving a very flat response across the frequencies.) Would sound ace with flats I reckon!

The neck is perfectly straight and is very attractive due to the layered construction and offset fret markers set on a rather divine rosewood board. Frets are [i]brilliant[/i] considering the price of these things! There is a very EBMM feel to it with the natural finish and flat but not overly narrow design. It's very fast to play, in fact I'd go as far as to say it's on a par with my old Ray 5 (sorry for my limited point of reference!). Action is perfect and the bass stays in tune well (although better with the original strings I have to say - I imagine it is much the same for yer bogstandard roundwounds). Hardware is a sort of matte gold which I've no doubt won't last much abuse but exudes quality regardless; especially the bridge. I also don't need to use straplocks because of the design of the nubbins. I bought some gold Schaller ones but they're not needed and don't match the rest of the hardware either .

For such a little used bass as mine appears, the beautifully figured mahogany body seems to be very susceptible to collecting dings. As such there are a few unsightly gouges left by the previous owner, but nothing to whinge about considering, once again, the price of these things! In fact it's one of the very few (read: only I can think of!) negative points to be made against it. But then there's the figured maple top... Ooh.

The 3-band EQ is great too. Dead simple really and because I love the tone set flat it allows me to make slight adjustments on the fly; bit of bass for reggae, top for funk, mids for rock, it's all covered so while my covers band play a very eclectic set for a pub band it allows me the versatility the 'Ray never could. I'm on the lookout for other Schecter flavours and was checking out a fretless Studio 6 on eBay which went for £170 +p&p. Bargain. I just didn't have the money in my account to commit. Mine I got from the 'bay for £175 posted in a (very nice) Warwick Elite Rockbag (worth £55 new as it is!) with a Qwiktune tuner all for a unsettlingly cheap £175 posted

There was a Schecter Extreme on Gumtree in the Dartford area recently selling for £100!! [i]Ridiculous[/i] price for something which is so finely crafted and professional sounding! I'd recommend one of these to anyone who is considering a modern midrange bass. Before you splash the cash on something more expensive, consider if you wouldn't be better served trying one of these outstanding instruments.

Á la Harmony Central:

[b]Features: 9/10[/b]
Active EMG-HZ pickups, 35" scale to facilitate low B, sexy hardware
CONSTRUCTION: 6 Bolt-On Neck
BODY: Mahogany w/ Figured Maple
NECK: Multi-Laminate Maple/Walnut
FINGERBOARD: Rosewood
FRETS: 24 Jumbo
SCALE: 35"
INLAYS: Offset Dots
BRIDGE: S-Tek (similar but updated design to Ibanez Monorail)
TUNERS: Grover
HARDWARE: Satin Gold
PICKUPS: 2 EMG Hz humbucking
ELECTRONICS: 2-Vol w/ EMG Active 2-Band EQ
FINISH: Natural Satin Flame Maple top with light brown Mahogany stained body

[b]Sound: 8/10[/b]
Perfect for what I need, which is a versatile modern tone with vintage character. I can imagine it not being 'growly' enough for a lot of folks and the EMG-HZ pickups, while nice sounding, aren't the finest they produce. It doesn't really have its own voice as such, but the bass really lends itself with its solid pure tone to being put through some effects to effective effect.

[b]Action, Fit & Finish: 10/10[/b]
For an essentially 'used' bass I can see that this is where Schecter really shine. They know how to build an instrument that looks as good as it plays and sounds. It's quite svelte and the rounded edges sit nicely. That maple top...

[b]Reliability/Durability: 9/10[/b]
No issues electronically or stability wise - and this is currently my only gigging bass. I trust it. The Natural finish will 'naturally' be easily tarnished, but I plan on [i]using[/i] this bass so that doesn't bother me one bit. It's just a bonus the thing looks so purdy.

[b]Customer Support: N/A[/b]
I've never had to deal with Schecter but I hear they're a solidly reliable company.

[b]Value for money: 10/10[/b]
Easily.

[b]Overall rating [i](basically an average)[/i]: 9/10[/b]

Pictoors.

Edited April 6, 2010 by theosd

[theosd]

Edited to be used as a review should the admins deem it worthy! I searched and noticed that there wasn't one for these yet!

[Eight]

[quote]I'm on the lookout for other Schecter flavours[/quote]
I was very impressed with the Damien when I first got it.

For what is really quite a low-spec instrument with some EMGs thrown in, it has an incredibly fat low end, good build quality and has become the bass I play every day.

My mate also swears by his Schecter gu*tar.

Edit: same EMG-Hz pickups as in the Stiletto actually.

Edited April 6, 2010 by Eight

[theosd]

[quote name='Eight' post='797719' date='Apr 6 2010, 04:25 PM']I was very impressed with the Damien when I first got it.

For what is really quite a low-spec instrument with some EMGs thrown in, it has an incredibly fat low end, good build quality and has become the bass I play every day.

My mate also swears by his Schecter gu*tar.

Edit: same EMG-Hz pickups as in the Stiletto actually.[/quote]

Yeah I like 'em. Nothing too fancy but they produce a good clean and most importantly [i]useable[/i] tone. I read somewhere that Wooten likes them but that's for someone else to confirm...

[EdwardHimself]

Nice looking bass, i thought of getting one. This should possibly be moved to reviews though.

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Went to soundcontrol,one saturday morning with a friend. Saw a 5 string,it kept looking at me
so I bought it. It's the Schecter Diamond series stiletto elite 5 .
'we are the only uk stockists ' 'said the manager. I never knew much about Schecter
but this bass is lovely. Such an easy 5 string to play(the only one I've tried).
I got the cherry/black one. Not unlike my washburn status wine colour.

If I had seen the amber one,I probably would've got that instead.
Schecters seem to be hard to get hold of here,and I haven't seen many here on basschat .

[theosd]

Yeah that's probably why they're selling so cheaply on eBay, no one knows about them! 'Tis a shame - I couldn't imagine letting this go for what I paid for it!

[throwoff]

Schecter guitars went through somewhat of a bonkers stage about 4 years back.

My brother has one its a Blackjack series (the current incarnation of this range is nowhere close to being the same guitar) Tele type.

Seymour Duncan JB and 59 H/buckers
Tonepros Bridge
Graphite Nut
Schaller Locking heads
Full body binding
Carved Top


The parts are worth far more than the 300 pounds he paid for it new. Unfortuantly the quality seems to of dropped off somewhat of late, especially on this series. They are Duncan Designed and own brand HW now

Edited April 6, 2010 by throwoff

[theosd]

Nice one! I'm really interested in a fretless studio 4 to compliment my custom 5!