Schecter Stiletto Studio 5 5-String Electric Bass

The Schecter Stiletto Studio 5 offers great rock tone. With a Bubinga top and EMG Hz pickups, the Schecter Stiletto Studio 5 looks and sounds great.

Overall User Ratings (based on 60 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(60) (see rating details)
Submitted January 8, 2005 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Yeah, baby"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
This bass is tight -- no flop on the low B, great range of sounds -- I would not hesitate to recommend this instrument to another musician. (I'd also love to try this baby in a fretless. I'm sure that would be killer.)
Sound
One important that sets this bass apart from so many others is the ability to boost or cut the mids. The one problem I had is that when I plug it into my SWR Super Redhead, I get a buzz when I boost the highs. I believe the fix is to shield the well that holds the components. Overall, it's an excellent instrument at a fraction of the price of ones with similar features and playability.
Features
The bass comes with elixer strings, which take some getting-used-to, because they feel slippery. Once you get your hands around them, you find they sound great. The hardware is top flight, the tuners -- terrific. I love the look of the bridge and remember, this is a neck-through bass -- again others makers want a lot more for this feature.
Quality
This is an extremely well made bass, in my opinion. It's got a solid feel and is easy to handle.
Value
I actually negotiated a price below the sticker in many of the ads I've seen for this bass, which adds to what I consider an already excellent value.
Manufacturer Support
I found the people at Schecter to be quite responsive. They answered my e-mail question about the buzz promptly and suggested the shielding.
The Wow Factor
It's hard to get too excited about a natural finish. It looks great, but not sexy. Let's face it -- it sounds wonderful and if you're packing killer guns and have been doing your crunches, you'll get all the attention with this that you need.

Musical Background:

Hobbyist

Musical Style:

Rock, R & B, Blues, some Jazz
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Submitted August 29, 2012 by Steve Wilson in Knoxville, TN

"Love this damn thing!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Just got this Bass today and couldn't wait to dig into the box. Was the longest 3 days waiting for it to get here after ordering through zZounds... I got the See Thru Black Satin and it is Gorgeous. Played perfectly right out of the box. Set up was great, can't really see any adjustments needed as of yet. I've played guitar for about 35 years but started playing bass about 25 years ago because the group I was in needed a bass player. I've played Charvel, Ibanez, and Warick Basses and I would put this up there with all of them if not above all of them. I am a Huge Schecter fan. I had a Schecter XXX 4 string that I loved but wanted to move to a 5 string so I got this. I also have a Schecter Hellraiser FR, a Schecter Classic, and a Schecter Damien elite. I record at home through my Delta 1010LT Sound card on my computer using guitar rig 5 and was hoping this Bass would sound ok through that and WOW, was I blown away. This Bass is worth EVERY penny! The passive EMG Hz's are quiet and don't make a sound you don't want. Something I look for due to recording straight into the computer. If you're on the fence about buying this bass, jump off now and run to the computer! ORDER THIS THING.
Sound
Tons of tone. Deep, smooth. Highs where you need them and those heavy lows that's called for in today's music. One of the best, if not THE best, sounding basses I've ever played.
Features
This bass is beautiful. I really don't see anything else that would be needed. But it still looks sleek...
Ease of Use
Like a breeze... Within 20 minutes of playing, had it adjusted just the way I like it.
Quality
Haven't had long but this thing feels like a tank. Quality is Grade A. But with Schecter, quality has NEVER been a worry! I'm gonna have this Bass for a long, long time...
Value
Worth every penny if not more! And the 4 installment payments take away every excuse for not owning one of these babies.
Manufacturer Support
Never Needed.
The Wow Factor
Here's where I'm confused. I've read reviews where people have stated, as far as looks go, there was no real WOW factor. My opinion could not be farther from that. I love the See Thru Black Satin! Absolutely Beautiful. I don't like lots of colors. This is a sexy, mean looking bass. And the look is really intensified by the sound coming out of it.

Musical Background:

Played guitar for 35 yrs, Bass for 25 yrs. Have played proffesionally, currently playing at home till the next venture comes alo

Musical Style:

Rock, Alternative, Metal.
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Submitted October 5, 2009 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Kick 'em in the pants with this one!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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See above. Bought one before replaced it with the same add a 3-band eq. The only thing else I want is AMPEG!!!
Sound
I play metal and hardcore. Alot of my concerns as a bass player have been cutting through the wall of guitars and punctuating the drums properly. I've played many basses and, for the money, I couldn't think of another bass I'd rather play. this will be the second one I've bought. The first being a Stilletto Elite. you could spend more for a Fender,Music Man,Warwick,etc., but in these times who wants too. It's quite unnecasary. with the active p/u and the neck through build, all you really need is a decent amp and your good to go. I've even played it through a backline and it simply destroys. The only complaint I've heard from anyone I play with is it's not ominous looking (black). But I'm not into hiding. Kick em in the pants with this one!!!
Features
My first one was a Stilletto Elite. my Stilletto studio comes with more sound refining capability(i.e.3 band eq)and is made of better woods. Movin' on up!
Ease of Use
This bass from any other company would be 1000-1500$ easy. It's all there. Playability, sound, good looks. Let's face it, this bass and a tech 21 bass driver and I almost don't need an amp!! I just like to make sure everyone leaves sterile!
Quality
Built like a tank. Never had to call the factory. It fits like it was a part of me. And no "neck droop" at all. I hate that. very well balanced instrument. you can almost hear it through you spine when playing. I have an Ibanez soundgear and I'm gettin rid of it with no regrets. This is my workhorse.
Value
Once again any other company would be charging an arm and a leg for these features. It's all that for less.
Manufacturer Support
I read about a buzz. Haven't found it yet.
The Wow Factor
I think it's a sleek beautiful piece of work. Feels good to hold and I've actually heard ooos an aahhhs as I've placed it on the stand on stage. we're thinking of children.

Musical Background:

Active musician

Musical Style:

Metal, Hardcore,Thrash, Punk, Blues, Oldies, Ambient, and whatever my learning daughter can dream up.
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Submitted March 9, 2007 by a customer from hotmail.com

"Great bass, great price!"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Like my last, and only other bass, I intend to play this for decades. I will modify it to suit me, rather than search and spend to find the perfect rig. Fundamentally a good rig.
Sound
The overall tone of this Bass is great, but the active pickups can be a little thin, as i run the middle tone almost all the way up, to add warmth. A passive option pickup would fix this.
Features
The finish and hardware on this rig is top-notch. beautiful craftsmanship. I really like the satin finish.
Ease of Use
After 25 years of playing 4-string, this is my first 5. so it did feel strange at first, read further to see what I had to do to make it "mine". Simple, straight forward tone adjustment. If you can't dial a tone with this thing, you suck.
Quality
While the overall quality of worksmanship, and hardware are excellent, I did have some issues. The neck felt a thick as a baseball bat. Plays very slow. Not like the one I tried at the store at all! My hand cramped trying to get around it, fingering at the first five frets was a chore. There was a thinner spot in the neck at fret 11 than at fret 5, so I sanded 4mm(!) off of the neck, to even it out along its length, and now it plays much faster and more accuratley. I do not reccomend surgery to one's brand new bass like this, but Schecter does not offer to customize this bass, and it was neccessary to the playibility for me. Now it feels like a fast, lean machine.
Value
For the $600 I paid, it's alot of instrument. I just wish the QC had been higher on the neck issue.
Manufacturer Support
I waited 3 months to get this Bass, and had to call Schecter to find a distibutor with one in stock, the original order I placed in November still had not been fulfilled. I had to customize it myself, ' cause Schecter won't, so there goes my warrantee.

Musical Background:

25years pro, now just enjoying things

Musical Style:

Rock, pop, improv.
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Submitted January 20, 2009 by a customer from gmail.com

"NARROW string spacing..."

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I'm a studio session player in Greensboro, NC. When I am shopping for a new bass, or even just playing some new basses just to see what's new, I'm looking for versitility to tone. For example, the quintessential Fender Jazz is probably the most versitile bass in the world, as it sounds good with every kind of music!! This bass has a versitile, modern voice that would work well with hard rock, metal, pop, "new" country (not the twangy stuff), reggae, Latin, etc. Styles that need a vintage tonal charactoristics like blues, jazz, R&B, soul, etc. would be better served with another bass. When shopping for my new 5-string, I played this bass, the Ibanez SR506, Traben Chaos Core, and Traben Chaos Obsession. I bought the Traben Chaos Obsession 5-string because it is also neck-thru, has Rockfield soapbar pickups and 3-band preamp, and the Chaos Obsession has Jazz bass spacing at the bridge with a narrow nut -- great for fingerstyle playing without the bulk of a massive neck. Also, the Traben has a good voice for modern tones and vintage tones. ALWAYS PLAY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT!!! If you are considering any guitar, play it to make sure that guitar is what you are really looking for, and that it is what you really want. I was looking to buy a Schector, not a Traben... ...you never know... There are no mistakes in the universe. ;)
Sound
EMG's... You can't really go wrong there, can you?!?! These pickups are really good, and the preamp is good too. This bass sounds very versitile. The woods used in construction also get their due credit for the tone: mahogany + maple + walnut = deep bass tone with crisp top. The mahogany lends a boomy mid for me, but the pre can cut mids, so that's no biggy.
Features
EMG's, neck-thru, good hardware, good construction.
Ease of Use
I play primarily fingerstyle, and this string spacing is WAY too narrow for playing fingerstyle, unless you have small hands and skinny fingers (which I don't). I can see how this string spacing would be excellent for a pick-player though -- the narrow spacing would allow easier, faster access to different strings during the same progression. I think that the string spacing on Ibanez SR 5- and 6-string basses are a smidge too narrow, and this is more narrow than that!! If you play fingerstyle, and you can look past the spacing, this will be a good bass for you at a really good price.
Quality
Quality seems fine, and seems consistant with other basses in this price range.
Value
Falls in line with other basses in this price range.
Manufacturer Support
no clue... :)
The Wow Factor
This is a great looking, good sounding bass. The EXTREMELY narrow string spacing kills the "I Want It" factor of this bass.

Musical Background:

Professional Studio Session Bassist

Musical Style:

Anything and Everything
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Submitted January 15, 2005 by a customer from aol.com

Schecter Stiletto Studio5 Customer Review

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Sound
i own xb925 washburn bass,which cost $1400 and this bass eats it up.

Musical Background:

active musician

Musical Style:

jazz,gospel
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Submitted January 20, 2006

Schecter Stiletto Studio5 Customer Review

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Sound
I'm a contemporary jazz bass guitarist, and this bass is has a good feel to it. It's light and it produces a great sound. I was very glad to have played this bass at one of my gigs, complimentary of a friend. I love it, I plan to buy one soon.
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Submitted March 28, 2005

"perfection"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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overall, hands down...this IS the BEST bass i have ever played in my whole entire life. let me tell you, ive played an aray of basses..ranging from a 4 string harmony bass..to a 5/6 string tobias and modulous basses. you could basically say..ive played pretty much every bass i can get my hands on..ranging from the lowest end to the highest end..from the most popular brands..to small custom independant brands.. honestly honestly honestly! this bass is the best bass ive played. its that simple..just go buy one now. it will change your life.
Sound
perfect sound for all walks of music. this bass has such verstile sounds..its like all the best bass sounds in one tight little bass. perfection. finally!
Features
this bas has lots of tone features. you can get the exact sound you want out of this bass..with ease!
Quality
the hardware is amazing. the construction and wood is amazing. the only thing i dont really like...is the stain finish. it dings and dents very easily. that my only complaint
Value
this bass is definatly worth a lot more than $599. most basses of this stautre are twice, sometimes even three times the price. schecter did a bang up job on this bass.
The Wow Factor
its a pretty sexy bass. i think its somewhat plain..i still like it a lot though
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