Schecter Stiletto Studio-5 Bass
Schecter’s Stiletto Studio-5 Bass is a slight step up from their more affordable Omen Extreme 5, in terms of body design, feel, and certainly electronics. Which is why this beautiful 5-string bass is so popular with bassists looking for value in the higher-end market.
Make no mistakes – this is an exquisite bass, with looks that could kill. Sleek is the first word that comes to mind when holding it, as its double-cutaway body shape has been carved to perfection, with a flat top and smooth contours around the side.
Body & Neck
The body itself is made from mahogany with an attractive bubinga top, which gives a reassuringly heavy weight. It comes in two lovely color choices – either a see-through black or a delicious satin honey; the latter really showing off the wood’s grain.
The neck is comprised of alternating maple and walnut with a satin finish, and features a rosewood fretboard with 24 extra jumbo frets, marked with offset abalone dots. This neck emerges from the body with through-neck construction and is incredibly playable, with a low action, a thin C shape, and Schecter’s ‘Ultra Access’ design, giving unhindered access to the highest frets – perfect for those high bass solos.
In addition to being well-built, this Schecter Stiletto bass is well-stocked with quality components. In the electronics department you’ll find two passive EMG 40HZ humbucking pickups at the neck and bridge positions, which are controlled by 3-band active EQ, as well as a master volume control and blend control knob.
The rest of the hardware – which comes in either a smoky black chrome or satin gold, depending on the color you go for – is also top notch, with Schecter’s Diamond Custom bridge, a set of Grover tuners, a Graph Tech XL Black Tusq nut, and a set of Ernie Ball strings. Sadly it doesn’t come with a case, so this is one purchase you’ll have to make separately.
Sound
The Stiletto Studio-5 Bass actually has one of the best sounds on a bass under $1000. This is mainly thanks to the excellent EMGs, that offer a clear and articulate tone, with big power and good warmth. The construction and materials used in the bass also lend themselves to great sustain. The active EQ controls give you plenty of options for shaping your sound the way you like, so it’s pretty versatile – providing you aren’t looking for something specifically vintage in tone.
This 5-string bass is an attractive package, that offers bassists a very solid experience. The neck is fast, the sound is impressive, the body is sleek and sophisticated, and the price – all things considered – isn’t that bad at all. Smaller players be wary that it is a little heavy, so prolonged use may be an issue. However, for the majority of recording artists or stage performers, especially jazz and rock players, you’ll have no qualms in having this delightful bass strapped to you!
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