Schecter Stiletto Custom 5-String

This bass is amazing to say the least, set in neck, EMG active pick-ups, gold hardware! At first glance anyone would get their breath taken away. I love this bass, I was taught on it and even tho it was my singers i defiantly played it more.

The one thing i would change on this bass would be the finish on the neck, i personally like a natural wood neck with out the "sticky" feel of a paint finish.

I recently recorded with this bass in February and was very impressed with the sound, This thing blew my fender p out of the water! shows are a different story, it doesn't handle extremely loud sound it is a studio bass and as long as your eq settings are right the stiletto is still amazing!

I have never had to mess with the action it could use a little work altho but i have to fenders and this is my back ups back up.

The fit is great, the curve of the body fits well with either standing or sitting. This bass plays very differently than what i am use to, with its two pick-ups it is very hard to play with a pick, but very easy to play with fingers or slap.

This is a very reliable bass i have never had problem with any of the pods or input jack,

Never had to deal with them

Over this is an amazingly great bass! I have been playing for 5 years now and i haven't come across a bass that comes close!

No need to go into specs here: everybody else has already done that.
The only other thing I would want for this beautiful, rock solid bass would be a set-neck or a neck-through design.

Sounds killer through my Ampeg gear (SVT6 PRO, SVT3 PRO, HLF 410 and an old Fender Bassman Classic VT 2x15 cab.)

BEAUTIFUL! The quilted maple is amazing, especially with stage lighting...I get comments at every show.

Never a problem.

I haven't had to contact them yet.

I don't give 10s very often, but this bass comes very close.
I will never hesitate to buy a Schecter guitar....well, unless there are budgetary concerns.

This is an update on the Schecter Stiletto Custom 5-String bass review I recently wrote.

This is a quick update. First, sorry for the spelling and poor grammar, not to mention run-on sentances.

I've changed strings to DR Extra Life Blacks. Their range of .045 to .125 is thinner than the stock strings. However, the sound is tighter, has more hi-mid on up qualities and provides more flexibility, which in turn allows for more timbral shadings.

I prefer the thinner set of strings and find I bend more, slide much faster and with more accuracy. Most notable are the EMG pickups which have considerably more range in sound.

The Schecter Stiletto Custom 5-String sounds exactly like the kind of bass guitar I hoped for!

With lighter gauge strings come changes. They are easy to do with the Schecter, although I didn't do anything major and had no reason to do a truss rod adjustment, even with lighter strings.

The tuners had to be tightened upon tuning, I don't know if this is natural but it didn't seem a major issue. The lighter gauge strings actually made for better feel although with less tension the high "G" string could be a bit sloppy and roll off the fretboard. This happened a couple of times on fast tempo clustered notes and breaks. Fixing it would be easy although I found myself adjusting to the way the axe played.

This is a reliable and durable guitar, however all is not well in paradise. It is easy to scratch the finish, reminding me of guitars Gibson put out in the 70s and 80s, most Koa but a couple solid Mahogany. A belt buckle is the enemy and will scratch the finish. The flame maple top scratches less than then plied Mahogany. Still, the guitar sounds fantastic, but if you want a primo looking guitar that is road worthy and looks beautiful at all times, you may have a problem with the Schecter Stiletto Custom 5-String.

I am easy on my equipment, but if you bash into other players, the drum stage, etc. it may bother you watching your beauty start developing scratches on the light finish.

You can get a more traditional highly polished and laquored bass with the same features. I prefer this minimal finish and wood feel. I love the way this instrument plays, but if you want durability on the finish you might want to check out the other style finish.

I liked this bass before.

With the string change I got everything I wanted from a bass - period.

In this price range you aren't going to find anything with the depth found on the Schecter Stiletto Custom 5-String. Quality is excellent although you will have to adjust to a bigger neck and body. If you can make the adjustment you'll get a hefty sound not typical on basses in this price range.

EMG pickups, the quality bridge and tonal flexibility go beyond the seemingly boring design.

This is an instrument where the sum is greater than it's parts. If you are looking for a wide array of tone you'll find it here, which is something that can't be said for any of it's competitors.

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

The guitar's looks are not a shiny as seen on most web sites. Before seeing it at a Guitar Center I was almost ready to pass because of the shiny, near white look. This is a spectacular, natural looking bass with appointments you'd expect in vastly higher priced instruments.

Also, enough can't be said for the hefty bridge. Essentially individual rails with an three position, adjustable black metal saddles. This is a bridge you'll be able to count on although I wish it had been die cast like the Ibanez Monorails. In terms of positioning you're not getting anything it's equal for under $1000.

The neck is slightly longer for the "G" string's ability to hold tune for those of us that like low action. More importantly, I was ready to buy a Warwick Corvette or midline Spector when going to the store to get a decent bass, and while basses in the $800 range by other companies were as nice and in some cases a bit nicer looking, particularly if you like naturally stained woods that show craftsmanship, but none were better sounding and more important, Schecter's more expensive Stiletto line guitars; the ones with neck-thru bodies felt as nice as the Stiletto Custom 5. While bolstering a six bolt neck, the neck itself was thinner and gave the strings an extra snap when playing.

The neck-thru designs of the Elite and Studio models were rounder in design and much thicker. The guitars were also heavier, with the Studio being a highly gloss finished instrument that looked pretty, but also seemed a bit bigger and chunkier.

I realize this is a major issue for various players so I mention it right off. Of the Stiletto group the Custom felt the easiest to play with a substantially lighter overall weight and thinner neck. These are all three areas that concern me, and money was not the issue. The final one was quality of sound. Without question I can say that at their price points the value is amazing! Compare this to a 5 string Fender active J bass and see the areas that you lose out on, one being quality of the little things like structurally well designed, proportionate controls, humbucking pickups, be they EMG's somewhat generic Hz series, but EMG in sound none-the-less, this is a bass you can buy and use without having to update immediately, or at all.

I play many different types of music, pretty much anything other than slap and pop oriented playing. However, I made a list of basses that looked good via the internet. I selected Schecter because I play guitars by the company and find them to be of incredible value, Korean or American made, and the Stiletto Custom 5 is of equal quality when it comes to basses.

When buying, a salesperson was recommended as a quality player and all around knowledgeable bassist. I asked him to pick a list of his favorite 5 basses in the up to $1100 range. The Schecter Custom and Elite made his list along with a Cort bass that looked suspiciously like a Conklin bass I owned several years ago. I never thought much of Cort in general, but this $900 5 string would have fit almost anyone's needs, and at $900 seemed reasonable. Another model was a Yamaha also in the $900 range, again, quite nice and with all the appointments one could hope for on a sub $2000 bass. Lastly, he selected a Ibanez SR series, showing me the 505 and 805. Both had passive Bertolinni pickups and the Monorail bridge which was once the domain of the BTB series and top of the line basses from Ibanez.

All models in this little survey were Korean and all played well and sounded good. But I kept coming back to the Stiletto Custom as it was the next thinnest neck, but not by a long shot, to the Ibanez SR necks, which seemed to have the strings mounted a bit close to each other while all other basses had wider necks of larger overall proportions.

And while I once had a all Mahogany Ibanez BTB 510, a 4 string, monorail, made in Japan bass back in 1999, the new BTBs were not close in tone or how they played. Thin as the necks were, I wanted some extra neck for a five string and found that the other basses besides the Schecter Custom and Elite were all similar in playing quality, almost to the point of being a stereotype, as in, here's the $800 bass we make, here's the $600 bass and feeling the quality mattered little other than nicer hardware between those ranges.

In other words, I put too much expectations in a single visit. After awhile you stop being capable of paying attention to the fine details of any bass and lose focus and concentration. It is akin to spending too long in the studio listening to mixes.

Finally, I asked the salesperson to play three of his favorites, going through a range of bass styles and using tones on the bass, not the bass amp, that he found useful. I stopped paying attention to what bass was played and constantly came back to the Stiletto Custom 5 and Elite which he'd recommended in the group of five. I even wrote down which bass I liked when playing them - I tend to try and "think cheap" whenever possible. I don't have unlimited funds and a purchase of $500 is just as intense a proposition as $1000. Then I took notes of what he played, just noting what sounded good, paying no attention to which bass he played. I depended on his memory regarding what he played and finally made sure to see what he used at the end of the test. I should add it was an unusually quiet time at the Guitar Center and I had far more time to deal with the sales person...but perhaps it was because I was buying several items after trading in a collection of odds and ends not used in the last few years at my small studio. So this kind of experience is perhaps not likely, and had the store been busy, which it was around the time we concluded all dealings, I'd never have had the opportunity to hear a better bassist than I working out on some of the mid-priced basses many players abhor.

In every situation; his playing, my playing and almost 3 hours of often uninterrupted access to the store's studio bassist I kept writing down the bass that I liked the best. And finally, I asked what he preferred, knowing these were his choices and that three of the five were choices I had on my own list of five. And he chose the $800 Cort guitar, then the Stiletto Custom specifically because he prefers bolt-on necks but for his opinion, because the Custom was more playable and less fatiging.

I went through this because this is not how I typically buy a instrument, but as a guitarist of 35 years and a keyboardist of 20+ I've spent far less as a serious bassist. When taking up an instrument I am not like a lot of guitarists that learn "lead bass". Working with grooves in a nice studio is helpful but no matter how capable synths are at humanizing they aren't at the point where they listen and adjust to your playing, although there are some keyboards that do this when working within the keyboard's world. I actually review virual and hardware synthesizers. So having a good player getting similar results to mine was a big confidince booster when making a choice. And I will add I tried a $500 Spector and felt it was considerably lesser in the build and equipment areas compared to the Schecters. Even the Warwick Corvette which I wanted so badly did not sound any better, and of more importance to me, play better than the Schecter. Lastly, I have a Warwick and felt there was nothing gained unless it was an extra string. I liked the warmer, more rounded sounds found on the Stiletto Custom 5 and was ulta pleased at the simple, clean lines, the finish, or lack thereof. It felt as if I was playing sealed wood that was still able to breathe; a guitar that should only get better with age. I honestly can't think of a bad thing about the Shecter's sound although initially I wished there was a balance control an an extra midrange control as Ibanez basses tend to offer. But the pickup controls are active and the change of just a little bit on either pickup produced colors that weren't likely with a single pickup proportion knob. Also, the tonal range of each "tone" button was extended and set like a 2 band EQ. The entire scope of what is possible was only dented and has been confirmed as I play parts on recordings and simply relax and enjoy the sound of the Stiletto through my practice rig, a coaxial Ibanez cabinet and through a couple of presets I made on my PODxt to use with basses.

The sound is punchy in general. It is a warmer toned bass than I've been used to playing but gets a lot of useful sounds for recording and giging, as good as many other basses, some vastly more expensive and not as enjoyable to play. You won't get into the Rickenbacker or bidge pickup of a active Fender Jazzbass, but you'll get much more variety tonally than either of those basses.

I could see this back-up bass taking over for my once beloved bass sound found in the Warwicks. There are features to them that will make them special to me always, but I can do more with a fifth string and the additional tones the Stiletto Custom offers. If you can't stand bold-on necks I don't think the Stiletto will change your mind because chances are you have a particular feel that isn't found in non glued or neck-thru basses.

I had a similar issue about glued or neck-thru guitars up until the last six years. Enough so that I purchased a bolt on neck on my latest guitar, and find I enjoy the difference in sound and feel. I'd advise to be open but there are some of you folks that won't! I see it with artists I work with and record. It's like politics and religion to some people.

I'm glad I've been playing long enough to be open to change and while only playing for 10+ years on the bass, I'm still far from a new learner. However, I'm not egotistical enough to not pay attention to those that play better than me. In fact, most of what I've learned was passed on down by better players and whenever possible I try to pass on hard won knowledge.

Initially sound was my second most important decision with how the instrument felt being most important. I was fortunate that both featrues were my number ones. I can't say all my guitar decisions were always that happy a conclusion.

The neck joint is snug and plays well into the upper frets without sound or playing difference. My Stiletto Custom was a half pitch off in tuning nad has not goneout of tune since setting it up. The wood on the neck has a natural discoloration in one spot. I didn't see it on other models but didn't put the time into playing the perfect looking basses. I stuck with the bass I tried. It plays well and sounds wonderful.

I haven't played a five string for 3 years and am out of form. It is an issue for me as I have deteriorating physcial disabilities and had to chose wisely. The bass had to work for me out of the shop. I don't have ready access to get around as I once had and finding quality takes on a whole new meaning.

That was another thing that made a impression in favor of Schecter basses. They were all nicely set up and played well. I'll have to get used to a larger, thicker neck, but think these are trade offs for overall quality and stability.

Build quality, EMG pickups and nicely appointed hardware made this a simple choice even though I made it harder on myself than needed be.

Had this been the most expensive instrument it would have been bought, I can't stress that enough. I liked this sound, this feel, this bass, and sometimes find excuses to go play for a bit although I'm not much into practicing, a habit I lived without on guitar for over a decade. But I'm a better guitarist than bassist and like knowing I'm playing in a style of my own and one appreciated by fellow musicians; especially those who don't realize I'm my bassist.

If not for the superior work being done over in Korea payable guitars and basses would be all but non-existant. Schecter is one of the first American companies to put close detail and attention into their oversea instruments. Companies like Parker and PRS are made to seem like the big trend setters but it started with Schecter, a modest company in it's own company.

They are to be applauded for the quality and consistancy they've managed from their "budget" guitars. As someone that grew up with Gibson and Fender as just about the entire hip guitar market (Gretch was seen as C&W guitars and being mostly hollow or semi-hollow bodied, hard to set up for live use.

There were all kinds of guitars back then as there are now, and as a result lots of good European guitars that had no name value sell for modest prices in pawn shops and stores willing to take risks on people interested in new ideas and sounds. But really, it was Ibanez that nearly brought overseas guitars back to the U.S. and started making some great sounding clone-guitars, and finally, finding their own stride, hard rock and metal guitars as well.

But look at Ibanez today. Try and buy a sub $1000 Japanese guitar, let alone from Ibanez. And don't leave out the American market as a lot of non-Americans can get a much better deal on a Korean guitar than an American one...and chances are, beyond the wood on some and maybe the hardware, the quality isn't all that different.

As a 16 I'd have killed at the availability of a couple inexpensive, good instruments, but now that's a given, with more snobs than you can shake a stick at buying good guitars and spending as much on Duncan, EMG, DiMarzio pickups as they do on a guitar. I'd have killed for a $300 guitar of decent cost in 1972, in 1972 currency, let alone the plethora of sub $1000 excellent quality, often great woods and hardware found on most guitars.

The Schecter company has done a lot with it's Diamond series line and should be commended on a good sounding but even more important, great playing instrument.

As I hit age 50 it's nice to know 16 year olds can get good guitars for summer job money. With technology this will only get better.

The Stiletto Custom 5 is a sturdy bass guitar. It can take some bumps and probably do so without injury to the instrument. As mentioned the hardware is excellent and build quality a dream for people like me.

I would use this instrument without backup if I had to but always suggest backups as even a broken string can bring calamity live.

In my dealings Shecter have always been helpful and knowledgable about their instruments. I especially apprecate their never trashing other makers gear; something their contemporaries could learn from.

The warranty is one year and had offers of double and triple the length. I wouldn't bother but if you put a lot of you hard earned money into this bass or it's your first serious instrument, you may wish to hedge your bets though you're likely to still have this bass around for another generation of players looking for good quality retro gear.

Try it, if you like it most likely you won't find anything available that's any better. There are some companies I feel safe buying from, Schecter being one of them. Nor is it a U.S. bias. Schecter make instruments that do their jobs well. They are close to uniformly well built and are often the first company I suggest to any serious but financially challenged player.

I could say don't dispair, that $2500 Tobias bass isn't as great as they are made out to be but truth be told, in the world of basses the major players live up to their reputations. I would add that necomers like Schecter will be prized instruments over time, but no one knows. There are Carvin masterpieces that sell for $200 at garage sales, and only some people even know Carvin are great instruments.

In some ways Schecter reminds me of the Carvin mystique except they go through retail channels with their modestly priced instruments.

I trust this manufacturer to get the job done and wouldn't hesitate to suggest them as a good quality instrument at very reasonable prices. Quality remains that way as long as it is taken care of. This is a bass of excellent value which makes me happy to see people of all financial situations able to get decent to excellent instruments for the loss of a few months of doing without cigarettes or bar hopping. Today's decent instrument is the cost of a few months disposable income, and a fine instrument only slightly more.

Don't buy into the hype that a $3000 instrument will somehow make you a better player. A good quality instrument will help you learn new tricks and you own idees, but the gap between $3k instruments vs $550 contenders grows less and less with every year.

I'm biased in that I own classic gear and new, mid price gear and often find myself playing the mid priced gear because it is a better designed instrument. It's not like science has taken a 40 year hiatus while companies that once had something to boast about have done nothing to make better guitars at reasonable prices.