(Maybe) Buying a new bass...need some help

[quartercirclebak]

So yeah. I've been playing this 5 String Yamaha for a few years now - not sure of the exact build or anything, but it was around $350 when I bought it, and it's pretty low tech - no active pickups or anything, but the neck is really nice. Anyway, I love it dearly, but the biggest problem with the bass is that I can't get the sound I want out of it. The tones that come from it are really warm and bluesy, and I want something that's a little more punchy and trebly, like something in the vein of Thursday or older indie-emo stuff like Mineral and SDRE, more so Mineral. Even cranking every knob on my bass/amp in the desired direction doesn't really get the sound I want.

Luckily Christmas is coming up and my parents have actually encouraged me to get a new bass. I'm probably going to get something in the $600-$800 range, and most likely a five-string. The main one I was looking at was the Schecter Stiletto Elite - great reviews all around, and the general concensus seems to be that you can get whatever sound you want from it, it's got great pickups and knobs aplenty.

Does anyone have any other suggestions/input? It'd be appreciated. Thanks.

[psbassplayer]

i have the 4 string version and i love it. i've played the 5 string and its the same except it has 5 strings. duh? anyway, ya man it has great tone, and if you set it up right, it plays like a dream.

[PsychoTronn2]

are you gonna sell the 5string?

[shonimus]

GO BIG OR GO HOME!!! Check out used instruments--they're half as much as they would be new and are already broken in. For something punchy, I'd go with a music man. Those things seem pretty durable and would probably last you a while.

[quartercirclebak]

ULTRA BUMP NO JUTSU

So, it's about half a year later...and I resurrect this thread for a little more help. I'm currently trying to decide between a Schecter Stiletto or a Schecter Hellraiser. There's not much difference, except for the bridge; the Hellraiser has a "String Thru design" on the bridge, as opposed to the Elite's S-Tek, and I have no idea what that means...is it worth the extra 30 bucks?

[HELLonWHEELS]

Mathematically speaking String thru should make ZERO difference. I have heard great things about the Schecter Stiletto. There are some really great basses in your price range.

Look out for some MIA Fender Jazz basses and Laklands.

I can tell you what IMO sounds good but nobody can tell if you will like the feel of the bass. Go to your local store and play every bass. Regardless of price. Report back and we can see what we can find

Good luck.