Schecter Traditional 5

I bought this 5-string Jazz-style bass, second hand at Guitar Center in Hollywood. Probably a '92, guessing from the serial number (starts with 92). Made by Schecter in California. Has 21 frets, passive Schecter Monstertone pickups, 2 volumes, 1 push-pull tone control for Humbucker/Single Coil settings. Body is Swamp Ash, Neck is Bird's Eye Maple. The neck has a satin feel, and the body has a glossy (but not too much anymore) blue finish. Everything on it is the standard fare Schecter parts (which work great). Features are VERY standard, but they all do the job well

I play Top 40, R&B, Dance & Acid Jazz tunes, so you can imagine how versatile the tone of the bass should be. It can get the brilliant slap tone, the huge upright thumb-muted tone, and practically anything in between. Here in Manila we play in clubs which have their own equipment, which range from decent to downright awful. Depending on the venue's amp, I sometimes use my Ampeg SVP-Pro preamp, which helps quite a bit. I manage to get a good sound on this bass almost everywhere I go. Sometimes we get to rent Eden,SWR or Ampeg bass amps for special shows, and that's where the true sound of this bass comes out. All the sound engineers compliment me on the sound of this bass. Needs no adjustment in the house mix to sit in with the rest of the instruments.

Since I got this second hand, I have no idea as to how the factory set-up is. When I got it the setup was a just a bit too high for my tastes, and I adjusted it immediately. I was able to get the proper setup after a few hours of fiddling with the truss rod and bridge. The truss rod is a BIG hassle to adjust! However, in the 5+ years I've been using it, I've had to adjust it only twice, mainly because I changed string brands/ gauges.

This bass can definitely handle live playing. it feels rock solid, yet light enough to be comfortably played for hours while standing up and dancing. Over the years it has suffered quite a few dings and scratches, but never has it felt flimsy or easily damaged.
I replaced the original strap buttons with Schaller straploks which I got from my other bass, but these are now in need of replacement.
I've been using this for more than 5 years without a backup, and it has never failed me.

I've only tried asking about some parts, like the bridge height screws, etc. They did reply quickly, so I guess their customer support is decent.

I've been playing bass for 10 years, and have had a few low/middle end basses (all Jazz Bass types). Before the Schecter, I had a Fender Jazz Bass Plus V, and you know how flimsy those necks were. The moment I brought home this bass, I advertised my Jazz Bass Plus V. I'd definitely get another Schecter, if I can find a good second hand one at a decent price. If I had enough money, I'd probably get a brand new one, with custom woods, etc. I don't think I'll ever let go of this bass, though.

Made in California in 1993. 5 string, 21 frets. Standard J-bass setup - 2 single coils with two volume + 1 tone control. Both pickups are tapped, so with a pull switch in the tone button I can use half of the PU windings for a more "vintage" style sound. Pickups are standard Schecter. Body is made out of southern swamp ash and neck out of birdseye maple with rosewood fingerboard. It came with a hardcase. All hardware is gold, tuners look like Schaller, but is says Schecter on 'em.

I play all kind of music - this instrument has served me well in blues and rock (60's british invasion style mostly)- straigh pop and accompanying a folky acoustic guitarist. I have used it with various amps - mostly Trace Elliot and lately Ashdown, usually through 15", 2x10" and horn combination (celestion + foster). The sound is very rich and full, both the acoustic tone of the instrument and the amplified sound. It has single coil PU's so it hums if you dont have them both turned to the same level. I just love the sound I get from this axe.

When I first saw it hanging in a shop in my old home town where I was visiting I got curious. This instrument oozed quality! I took it down, played a few lines - and I had to have it! At the time I was practically broke and had quite a good bass - a pre gibson 5 str Tobias - but I just had to own this beauty. So the Tobias got sold and somehow I got the money togehter. The setup was OK, but I took the bass to pieces straightaway to adjust it to my need and preferences. The only complaint I have is that the truss rod access is horrible. You have to remove the neck from the instrument to adjust it! I guess there are some structural advantages - but hell, this is nuts! It takes forever to get it just so. (Remove neck, guess how much to adjust, reattach nech, restring and tune, see if guess was close, remove strings, remove neck, readjust, attach neck ...............

I have owned lots of very good basses; the afforemented Tobias 5, a Warwick Streamer Stage II 5, a german bass called Slapper 5 (similar to Status Graphite headless) etc. This is the absolute best. I have used it on almost all my gigs since I got it in '93 and I haven't had a single problem I can remember. The gold plating on the brigde is starting to wear off - but it's been 7 years of heavy use so thats normal. It's so stable that ever since I set it up originally these 7 years ago I have'ne had to readjust - and I have travelled with it to UK, France, Luxemburgh and France by air. No problems whatsoever.

Never had any reason to contact support and have no clue about the warranty.

I'm totally in love with this instrument. Before I bought it I used to buy and sell basses all the time - never totally satisfied. But these last 7 years it has hardly ever crossed my mind to buy another instrument. The closest I came was when I almost bought a 4 string P bass shaped Schecter with PJ Pu configuration. That was lovely instrument - I should have bought it. If this bass was stolen I would get another one like it - in fact I have been thinking about getting another one as a backup.