When it comes to producing amazing bass guitars, what’s the first brand that comes to mind? Perhaps you think of Squier, Yamaha, or Ibanez, but my personal favorite bass guitar producer would have to be Schecter. There’s just something about the bass guitars that this brand produces that has always won me over.
So, why exactly is this? Why is it that Schecter bass guitars stand out to me as top of the range? There’s a wide range of reasons for this, and a lot of them concern some of the best Schecter bass guitars out there. So, if you’re interested in learning more about all of this, please read on to learn about what is so special about Schecter bass guitars, examples of their best products, and some advice for your shopping experience.
Bottom Line Up Front: Schecter is a fantastic premium guitar brand that designs unique bass guitars with all the bells and whistles, generally for a more ‘metal’ audience. The company produces a different bass for just about every purpose, but my personal favorite is the highly affordable yet 7-string Damien-7 Multiscale bass guitar, it’s a real bargain.
Why Choose Schecter?
There are tons and tons of electric bass guitar brands out there, so I’d forgive you if you wondered what was so special about Schecter. However, if you’re asking that, it would show me that you’ve never done any research about the brand, because search it on Google and you will instantly see that Schecter produces some seriously high-quality electric bass guitars.
With most brands of guitar, when you search for their best products, you’ll perhaps see a low-range guitar, a mid-range, and perhaps a premium instrument. However, search Schecter and you will see that every bass guitar they produce is pretty high-end. You won’t find a guitar in their store for cheaper than $1,000, but trust me – the quality of the instruments is worth it.
From rich tonewoods and tonal profiles to metal-ready tremolo mechanisms and augmented necks, Schecter has built an excellent name for themselves as electric bass guitar producers due to their sheer dedication to the instrument. You will certainly pay a pretty penny for one of their products, but if you are serious about the bass life then it might just be worth it.
Another reason to shop at Schecter is that whilst they produce electric guitars, they specialize in bass guitars too – it’s not just a side hustle. The brand produces many different types of bass, all of which look and sound fantastic. Schecter even has a U.S based custom bass shop for all of your bespoke bass needs.
Personally, if I had been learning the electric bass for a few years and had grown out of my intermediate bass, finally ready for a sweet upgrade, a Schecter is certainly an option I would be considering. It would almost definitely also be a suitable option if you are looking for a true bass specialist, a company that really knows what they are talking about. The money might seem like a lot, but you pay for what you get and remember – you will literally be playing this instrument every day for days to come.
Why Schecter Might Not Be for You
OK, so we’ve taken a look at the main reasons why Schecter bass guitars might be an option for you as a bass guitarist. To summarise, their bass guitars are designed with the highest quality in mind, set up manually, and designed with expensive tonewoods and mechanisms. This makes them ideal for advanced bass guitarists, metalheads that use crazy-low bass tunings, and just about any bass guitarist looking for a high-end, $1,000+ product.
Funnily enough, most of those reasons are also a reason that Schecter might not be for you. Perhaps you are reading this after dreaming about getting your first bass guitar for your birthday, thinking about dropping a hint to your parents to check out Schecter. Alternatively, perhaps you have been playing a budget bass guitar for the last few years, and you feel like you deserve an upgrade.
This may feel sensible, but you need to take a minute to ask yourself whether all this is really worth it. Your bass guitar skills are no better on a Schecter bass guitar than they are on a cheap budget model. Sure, the high quality means that Schecter guitars are going to sound way richer, but is that really worth $1,000 if you still haven’t figured out bass slapping yet?
Ultimately, it’s not down to me to decide whether you should save up for a Schecter bass guitar or not. If you really want one and you think that you can justify it with your bass skills, I say go for it – they’re fantastic instruments and you won’t get much better for the price. However, if you’re just struggling to perfect your bass skills and think you need an expensive bit of kit to get started, I’d recommend taking a step back and reconsidering your options.
What to Look Out for When Shopping at Schecter
You might be reading this now thinking that you definitely want to purchase a bass guitar from Schecter, and I don’t blame you – they really are amazing electric bass guitars. However, you should be careful not to get ahead of yourself, taking some time to really consider your options, what you need, your price range, and other parameters. Let’s break this down before investigating some of my Schecter bass recommendations.
What Type of Bass do you Need?
If you’re a left-handed bassist playing in jazz bands, it can be easy to forget that there are many different types of bass guitars. Whilst most basses have four strings, are right-handed, and can be used in any genre, there are many different more specialist bass models for more niche purposes, and Schecter has certainly not neglected this.
Firstly, Schecter has a quite frankly insane collection of left-handed bass guitars, listing 38 different instruments at the time that I was writing this! This large range isn’t just comprised of different finishes and tonewoods though – the brand produces left-handed electric basses that have five strings, six strings, and even twelve strings!
Assuming you’re right-handed like me, you bet you have access to just as many (if not more) crazy bass guitar variations. It can often be difficult to find electric bass guitars with high string quantities, so it’s good to see a specialist such as Schecter offer such an enormous variety.
Overall, before your eyes start goggling at a fancy-looking Schecter bass, just take a moment to ask yourself whether you need any special features from your instrument. Are four strings enough? Do you really need twelve strings? Do you even want an electric bass or would an acoustic double bass be a better option? Think about your answers carefully, and only then should you start shopping!
Budget
When I was doing some research for this article, I found myself browsing Schecter’s online store obsessively. All of the designs and finishes on their marketplace are really unique and stand out far more than your typical guitar brand. It won’t be long until I’m smitten about a certain guitar, but whilst Schecter is a brand on the higher end of bass guitar pricing, this does not mean that every bass is in the same price range.
In fact, I have occasionally seen bass guitars on Schecter’s website going for as low as $450, and I once saw an exclusive sale finish at a bid of just under $5,000! I would say that on average, the prices of Schecter electric bass guitars seem to sit at around $1,500, but whether you are on a lower budget or have been saving up for something really special, you’ll find something at their shop for sure.
As I mentioned earlier though, please don’t go spending thousands of dollars on a bass guitar when you can only learn “Smoke On The Water”. These instruments are incredibly designed with a lot of attention to detail, and quite frankly, most of these details won’t even be noticeable if you don’t have a lot of experience with the bass. However, if you’ve got a money tree in that garden and literally have no reason not to, why not!
Overall, Schecter produces bass guitars that can cost as low as $500 or as high as ten times that price, so you should think in advance what your budget is, what the highest price you are willing to go to is, and whether your budget is sensible.
Tonewoods
As we have discussed in detail already, Schecter sells a huge rand of electric basses at a wide variety of different prices, and one of the most important contributing factors towards this price is the tonewoods used to build the instrument. Certain woods are better than others at resonating richly or providing a comfortable guitar experience, and this increases their demand and makes them very expensive.
Take a look at some of the more expensive bass guitars on Schecter’s website and you will see all sorts of fancy names. Mahogany, Black Limba, Rosewood… what are all these different types of wood, and are they much better than cheaper options? As we discussed earlier, it all comes down to your experience level and how likely you are to notice the difference in guitar tones. However, there is no denying that the tonal profiles of fancier tonewoods are far richer and more interesting to hear, and Schecter does not disappoint on this front.
If you’re shopping on Schecter’s online store and simply have no idea what you are doing in terms of tonewoods, there is tons of information listed on each product. However, if this still isn’t helpful for you, I’ve heard that Schecter is well known for going above and beyond with their customer service, and I’m sure they’d be happy to help you pick the best tonewood for your musical goals.
Aesthetic
This final point could be the most fun but also the most frustrating part of your experience shopping with Schecter – the sheer range of beautiful, majestic, edgy, and noble-looking bass guitars in its collection is insane, and it can make you feel spoiled for choice. What’s more, many of Schecter’s designs are exclusive and cannot be found anywhere else, so it truly does feel like certain models stand out like a sore thumb (in a good way!)
Perhaps you like the look of a minimalistic and organic acoustic finish to your bass, something like the Stiletto range for example. Maybe you’re looking for something a bit more ethereal for your prog rock band such as the Riot model, or maybe you just want to go back to basics with the Retro model.
Regardless of which model you choose, there is a huge amount of choice in terms of different guitar types and their aesthetics. To make matters even more confusing, Schecter also sells certain models in different colored finishes, allowing the users to customize their guitar down to every feature.
You could even contact the brand’s custom shop if you really wanted to go down this rabbit hole, but otherwise, I’m sure you’ll find something that looks cool to you on Schecter’s online store!
My Top 3 Schecter Bass Recommendations
In case you haven’t noticed already, there really is an enormous selection of bass guitars on Schecter’s online website, and despite my help, I don’t blame you if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed.
Have no fear though – I’ve decided to pick out three of my personal favorite Schecter basses. I’ve also decided to choose them carefully in order to cover as much ground as possible, so I’m sure there’ll be some inspiration for you here if you’re struggling!
Riot-4 Bass LH
I’ve always thought that it’s unfair how left-handed people are always put in second place, so I’m doing things differently today by starting off with a left-handed electric bass guitar. Schecter has an enormous collection of left-handed basses of many types, especially in comparison to other brands, but there’s one that really stands out for me – the Riot-4 Bass LH.
I have no words to describe this guitar other than gorgeous…stunning…magnificent. Just take a look at a picture of it online and you’ll see what I mean. It features a Swamp Ash body with an Aurora Burst finish and a truly unique scratchplate, with everything from the ridges of the guitar to the tuning pegs and the headstock having great attention to detail.
When I first saw this guitar I assumed it had to be one of Schecter’s most expensive guitars, but it’s actually pretty low-to-mid range for them. The company also sells this guitar in a 5-string format, so if you’ve saved up $1,000+ and are ready to finally make that move to a serious bass guitar upgrade, I couldn’t recommend one of these models enough.
Pros
- Beautiful Aurora Burst finish and scratchplate combination
- Fine design details can be found all over this uniquely crafted instrument
- Finally, a cool left-handed bass for your right-handed friends to be jealous of!
- Whilst it’s an expensive guitar, it’s still very reasonably priced considering the quality
Cons
-
Whilst there is a right-handed Riot bass, it’s only available in Inferno Burst, although I think that’s a pretty cool move from Schecter.
Damien-7 Multiscale
The next Schecter electric bass guitar that I’ve had my eyes on is the Damien-7 Multiscale, and what an incredible deal this product is! As you have probably learned by now, most of Schecter’s guitars are pretty expensive (and for good reason), but I mentioned they have some guitars as cheap as just a few hundred bucks.
Well, the Damien 7 Multiscale is a fantastic example of this coming in at around $750, and whilst you might not think that sounds too cheap, you didn’t let me finish – it has not four, not five, or six, but SEVEN strings! A seven-string bass guitar at this price was unheard of back when I started learning the instrument, but thanks to the innovations of Schecter, they’ve clearly made it possible!
Despite its lower price tag, this bass guitar is still made from mahogany, featuring a maple neck and rosewood fretboard, so it’s a seriously good steal. The only major downside to this bass is that despite it having seven strings, the bridge does not have a tremolo mechanism, so sadly no whammy bars are welcome here.
Pros
- An unbelievably cheap price tag for a 7-string Schecter Bass
- Just imagine the insane riffs and ranges you’ll be able to hit with 7 strings!
- Features a sleek Satin Black finish and fretboard inlays of spooky bats
- Two sets of Schecter Diamond Heretic dual pickups
Cons
- Whilst I love the fretboard inlays, I thought bats were a bit of a bold move, and that’s immediately going to put a lot of people off!
Model-T Session
If you spend a few moments navigating Schecter’s online guitar marketplace, you’ll notice that most of its bass offerings have stylish, innovative, and metal-focussed designs overall. With names such as Riot, Omen, and Hellraiser, this is no surprise, but what if you love the Schecter sound but not so much the aesthetic? In that case, I’d highly recommend the Model-T Session, a minimalistic 4-string electric bass that features an Aged Natural Satin finish on Swamp Ash wood, it’s pretty darn beautiful.
The black scratchplate compliments it perfectly and both the fretboard inlays and pickups have unorthodox designs, with one set of dual pickups alternating inside and with the inlays being aligned to the left of the fretboard! I’ve never come across a bass guitar quite like this, it’s highly unique and I think somebody on the Schecter team got very imaginative with it. It’s not going to be everyone, and frankly, I’m not certain the wooden aesthetic is even for me, but I think that if this is your style, you’ll fall head over heels for this very reasonably priced bass.
Pros
- Minimalistic and retro Aged Natural Satin finish, giving the guitar more of an indie feel than heavy metal
- Unique stylistic features such as the left-aligned fretboard inlays and alternating pickups
- Made from Swamp Ash, a fine tonewood indeed!
Cons
- The only negative thing I have to say about this bass is that some people, including myself, might not feel like they suit the style of this guitar. There’s also something about the scratchplate that gives me “the ick”, but that’s just me.
C-7 FR S Silver Mountain
The last Schecter electric bass guitar on this list is none other than my favorite Schecter guitar – the C-7 FR S Silver Mountain, and my goodness what a beauty this guitar is. It essentially combines elements of the other guitars I have mentioned so far and more (except for being left-handed… sorry lefties)!
To start things off, this beast has seven strings and a tremolo mechanism, meaning that range limitations are simply not going to be a problem that you have to face in life anymore as a bassist. Shred up the fretboard or chug out those drop tunings, and warp the notes to your will with the tremolo-equipped Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge.
There’s so much more to mention about this bass though. It’s made of mahogany like most other Schecter bass guitars, but it’s complimented with the much rarer property of an Ebony fretboard, which is lined subtly with a stylish overlay. The Silver Mountain finish is a treat on the eyes too, and despite how extravagant it is, I think the grey and black colors keep it subtle and tasteful.
My favorite thing about this guitar though? It has to be those unbelievable harmonic sustain switches! I’ve never seen electronics like this on a prebuilt guitar, so I think it’s safe to say that Schecter truly is pushing the boundaries of electric guitar innovation.
Pros
- Features seven strings and an in-built tremolo mechanism and whammy bar, making this an excellent choice for fans of djent and progressive metal
- Mahogany body and an ebony fretboard – need I say more?
- I think the finish looks absolutely fantastic
- A pair of very unique harmonic resonance switches
Cons
- By far the most expensive guitar on this list due to the high quality and string count
- Not everyone needs 7 guitar strings and a whammy bar – sometimes a standard 4-string bass will suffice
FAQs
We’re about to finish things off for today, but let’s finish up with a quick FAQ to summarise everything we’ve covered. There’s been a lot of information floating around and the last thing I want is for you to walk away with burning questions unanswered!
Question: Does Schecter Specialize in Bass Guitars?
Answer: Yes – whilst it could be argued that Schecter’s main market is standard electric guitars, it also specializes in bass guitars and boasts an enormous portfolio of them including 32 varieties of left-handed bass guitars!
Question: Are All Schecter Guitars Expensive?
Answer: Whilst Schecter is often known as a premium bass brand, they actually produce many lower-end basses with some being sold for as low as $500. However, the majority of the brand’s offerings are priced from around $800 upwards.
Question: Are Schecter Bass Guitars Good for Djent and Prog Metal?
Answer: Absolutely – in fact, it could be argued that some Schecter bass guitars such as the 7 String C-7 FR S Silver Mountain are literally designed for the range-demanding and whammy-intensive genre.
Final Thoughts
Well, I think we’ve covered just about everything there is to know out there about Schecter bass guitars. I really do love Schecter bass guitars – I think the company has done a great job at pushing innovation in the scene forward, and this has resulted in their impressive portfolio of specialist bass guitars.
Perhaps my favorite thing about Schecter is the fact that despite all of their guitars being of high quality, they always provide a few low-end options for guitarists on a budget. It’s great that they give djent fans the chance to shred on something as niche as the Damian-7 Multiscale without having to break the bank, and I respect that.
I wish you the best of luck on your journey, and don’t forget to test some Schecter guitars out in your local Guitar Center or another music retailer, because you never know when there may be one ready for testing just around the corner!
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