Schecter Omen 5

This is a 2007 made Schecter Omen 5, Diamond Series, so that means that all parts for the bass were crafted in South Korea and assembled in the USA. 5 Elixir light strings, Basswood body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, arched body, with a glossy black finish. It has 4 controls, volume, pickup-balance, hi and low eq knobs. It has two active Schecter pickups, a standard Schecter string-through bridge and tuners with a 35 inch neck with 24 frets, and it's attached with 6 bolts to the body. It came with some basic adjusting hex keys and a cable. Pretty much your standard bass, but all in high quality. Supposed to be a cheaper version of the C5, nevertheless, very impressive. I know other models use EMG HZ pickups with Grover tuners and such extra, but this one is all-Schecter. And that doesn't mean that they're cr@p. All is good and solid. I was impressed with the strings however. Very clear tone!

I play in two bands nowadays, a metal and folk-rock band, and I have to say this bass is a metal bass. I play it at rehearsals through a Laney Rh4 richter bass amp and an 800 W cabinet, or a trace elliot b150, sometimes with a Zoom B2 effects processor. It is practically noiseless thanks to the two active pickups. Some have complained, that it has a very dark, muddy sound. I have to say that I disagree. It's clean, punchy, although I think I'll change the light strings to medium ones. I say this bass roars like a boar, it's rich in tone, you can get much variety. It's also solid, good for stage, I have even recorded with it in the studio, and it suits well. Not a high-end bass, but for the price, it's a hands down winner.

I have to say I was a bit skeptical with the bass being produced in South Korea (better anyway, than China), and the whole thing with setting it up at the Schecter factory in California... hmm.. but looks like it! No loose bolts, the finish was perfect, no fret buzz, and I tested it pretty well. I recently bought the bass, so it still has to stand the test of time, so a reluctant 9. (maybe I'll regret giving it only a 9)

I played it as I said in the two bands, I am pretty careful with instruments (all my basses have girl's names :D) and it doesn't show signs that it will break. It's very solidly built, the six bolts are a major extra, everything else seems ok, tuners, strap buttons... I haven't touched the truss rod yet, I didn't have to. I wouldn't worry about a backup, although I would bring my old Hohner along, just for the sentimental value.

Never dealt with them, although the shop gave me 3 years warranty.

I've been playing guitar at first, then switched to bass because it feels the best, been playing for 3-4 years now, in various bands, from progressive rock to atmospheric and metal, and I had an old Hohner. It was a solid bass, but when I joined this new band, everyone had 7-stringed Schecters. So I was "forced" to switch to a 5 stringer. I don't regret my choice. If it were stolen, maybe I'd find a Damien, or the same Ome - a killer bass! And her name is Kunigunde :D