Schecter electric bass guitar: opinion wanted

[kkmm]

Sorry that this is not mandolin related, but members of this forum are very knowledgeable about various instruments from whom I am sure I can learn from.

I have been playing bass guitar for a few years, starting with a very cheap one, then an acoustic electric bass (too bulky for me to hold). Of course it does not sound very good. A friend loans me a Schecter Diamond Series (Omen 4-string). It sounds really good on my bass amps (a big one and a small portable one). This one has an active circuit as it has a 9V battery compartment.
What I am really looking for is a Schecter 5-string bass guitar (an used one so I can afford it). I am wondering if some of you have experiences with various Schecter 5 string bass guitars to give me some recommendation.

[Folkmusician.com]

A friend of mine bought one about 6 years back. I had it for a couple of days, did a dressing and setup.
The setup was ok from the factory, but there was room for improvement. Electronics were acceptable. I don't recall what the model was or how much it was, but at the time I remember thinking it was pretty nice for what he paid.

[MediumMando5722]

I've owned a lot of their electric guitars. I'm not up on current models, but all mine were good. Great bang for the buck. It's harder to get a good cheap 5 string than 4, though, so go to Sam Ash or GC and try a bunch. In the same price range, also check out ESP, Ibanez, and especially Fender/Squier.

[Nevin]

Sheesh, I recently sold one. I had a diamond series 5-string T bass. It had been retrofit with active EMG's. It was a solid well made instrument with a very nice neck. I only sold it as I needed the money and I just never clicked with the 5-string. I think Schecter are among the best bang for your buck basses out there.

[kkmm]

I just never clicked with the 5-string

Nevin, could you tell me what does not click with the 5-string. I never had a chance to play one so I don't know.
I will certainly go to local GC to try it out, just to get a feel before buying one.

[Nevin]

Nevin, could you tell me what does not click with the 5-string. I never had a chance to play one so I don't know.
I will certainly go to local GC to try it out, just to get a feel before buying one.

I found the neck width a bit awkward. Getting a good low B takes a lot of power and a big speaker making bedroom level practice frustrating. It was fun at first but I just found I didn't use it when I was seriously making music. BTW, bass is my main instrument.

[Dave Sheets]

Check out yamaha basses. They are solidly built and reliable, if you upgrade the pickups to Bartolinis, they sound great. You should be able to get a basic yamaha used and the pickup upgrade for under $300 if you can install your own pickups. If you can spend more, check out G&Ls.

[Jeff Mando]

In the used market, I would check out a Peavey Grind 5 string or a Carvin 5 string. Both of these are neck through construction and show up in the under $400 price range.

[gtani7]

Nevin, could you tell me what does not click with the 5-string. I never had a chance to play one so I don't know.
I will certainly go to local GC to try it out, just to get a feel before buying one.

I go to my local GCs a few times a week, I've tried a lot of < $800 5 strings, they all seem to have the flabby B string/insufficient tension problem, where the B just makes flapping tongue noises up to about the 5th fret. I tuned a few up to C and they sound pretty good (I only retuned the one string, not all 5). The only inexpensive 5 string that doesn't have this problem seems to be some of the Warwick Rockbasses. For really cheap, some of the Corts and Jay Tursers aren't bad.

That and a lot of them have kind of grainy sounding pickups that miss the initial attack. Ibanez' Bartolini pickups are pretty good. I've gotten a lot of cheap upgrade pickups from guitarfetish.com, they're great for the price

Also string spacing is all over the board, from 3/4" down to 16mm or so, and Warwicks are really heavy and neck heavy to boot. Not tone ring/resonator banjo heavy, but enough to strain your spine.

I would also look at Carvins, Spector, Lakland skyline and the various brands that Michael Tobias put out. I like some MIM Fenders, tho their QC has been all over the board.

[kkmm]

2.5 years have gone by. I did buy this Schecter 5-string bass and I am very happy with it. Been playing it since I bought it.
Yes, the B string tension is low. The good thing it does give a few extra low bass notes when I need them. I became a bit confused when going back to 4 string bass.
It is heavy but I could play it in the standing position for hour straight.
I did test out some 6 string bass at local GC and love them.

[Seter]

I have a 6 string and a 5 string bass, I typically keep the lowest string tuned to A on them though. I think it makes incorporating it into songs a lot easier when you can just mimic whatever you would ordinarily play on regular A string. And if you're going to have an extra string might as well get the maximum amount of notes out of it, and As get played quite a lot.

[Jeff Mando]

My experience is that on most 34-inch scale basses the low B will be flappy -- not enough tension. A 35-inch scale will help with that.