Schecter Quality Control

[EADGC]

During the search for my first 5er I was recommended to check our Schecter (probably by one of you guys). After browsing the site and finding specs that more or less matched what I was looking for, and hearing so many rave reviews about the quality and bang for buck, I decided to go for one.

In December 2006 I ordered a new Schecter Studio 5, left handed, in honey satin finish. After some hold up with the distributor, I was told that it needed to be assembled and I would receive it soon. I received the bass in mid March. It's tonal quality lacked low end and it had a strong neck dive, but otherwise it played fine and served me pretty well for the next year or so.

Here is where the problems begin. Now you'll just have to take my word on it, but I'm serious about my music and serious about my gear. I don't have a ton of valuable stuff, so I treat what I have like my children (ok that's an exaggeration but you get the picture - I don't abuse my stuff by any means)

In the past year to year and a half, this bass has consistently failed on me. To start, I noticed that the gold finish started to fade and chip slightly. Next the volume and tone pots started crackling when turned, even after I cleaned them multiple times. The pickups developed a very noticable and irritating humming, so prominent in the neck pickup that I have deemed it unbearable and cannot use it. The lowest tuner began to stick when turned, and for a while I could hear a faint rattling (although this ceased eventually). Now today while restringing, one of the posts made an audible cracking sound and now refuses to turn.


but this is what really gets to me. I e-mailed customer service on these matters and my e-mail went unanswered. Ditto for the e-mail that I sent to the distributor where I purchased it. Under their warranty policy, I will have to send the bass to their factory in CALIFORNIA (from Ontario) to have it inspected, with no guarantee that it will be covered, AND on top of that I PAY SHIPPING.

Basically, I could potentially drop the cash to ship this thing across most of the U.S. and back to find my bass in the same condition.

So I ask you - what gives?

I'm tempted to just take it to a local luthier and tell him that I don't give a #$% about warranty and to just fix it. What would you do in this situation?

[Jody LeCompte]

Sell it, cut your losses, and move on.

[irishslappop]

Theres no use in keeping something that you dont like. you got the sharp end of the stick on this one it seems with a defective bass. replace the pots and the tuner, sell it as is, and try a new bass.

[EADGC]

2 things

1) it's not exactly easy to sell a lefty

2) if I do sell it, what if the buyer experiences problems? What if he asks me if I've had any problems with it?

[irishslappop]

sell it as is. dont lie. just say you replaced parts and they work fine. just tell it as it is, if you act shady they wont bite.

[EADGC]

I'm seriously considering it. I would lose a TON on it though, that's for sure.

[irishslappop]

yeah, it would make more sense to keep it and work with it, but thats up to you. it sounds like your not a fan of the schecter tone in general. no use in keeping it if you'll just sell it later anyways.

[EADGC]

I don't think selling it is worth it, I'd lose way too much on it considering the resale value and all of these repairs.

As for the tone it's not bad, the preamp is very versatile. I'd like more lowend for certain styles but I can live without it. Of course, no bass is perfect anyway

[Az_Holl]

I don't think selling it is worth it, I'd lose way too much on it considering the resale value and all of these repairs.

As for the tone it's not bad, the preamp is very versatile. I'd like more lowend for certain styles but I can live without it. Of course, no bass is perfect anyway
Turn the bass up maybe?

[load]

Try agusting the tone.

[Sablate McNuff]

This is the first time I have ever heard any complaints. I've owned the 6-string version for 2-3 years now, and I have never once had a problem with it. It's still my go-to bass, even with all of the others that I have.

I think you just got a lemon, really. I think I'd go with the luthier option. Dealing with international bullshit is a waste of time and money. Have you tried calling Schecter at all and seeing if there is some other, less costly option?

As far as the bass in your tone goes, maybe find active EMG pickups that can replace the HZs, as if I remember correctly, Chris said that they had more of bass boost than their HZ counterpart.

[Jody LeCompte]

Every bit of doubt you have about not wanting to sel the Schecter and move on is directly related to your attachment to it. It's like me and my ovation.

I'm trying to bring myself to sell the Ovation and move on to a much higher end Ovation. The ovation physicaly cannot support my playing style, cannot tonally reproduce said style, it has no use to me. I don't like keeping instruments I don't play around the house, but at the same time, I put so much love into this guitar. So now I have to decide, sell the ovation and get a new guitar or make due with what I have and have it effect my music.

[Sablate McNuff]

I think really is quite a bit to do with money for him. I don't know that he has another bass to use, and the profit he gets from selling it wont be enough to get a better bass, or even an equivalent.

[EADGC]

Turn the bass up maybe?


With the bass on the preamp at full and treble cut and the neck pickup on full, it's still not as bassy or full as I'd like. Tones that it just can't for ex. - reggae or techno


as for the reason I don't want to sell it, yeah I am a little attached to it but it's mostly a money issue. You can buy one of these new in the States or order online for cheap. Factor in how much I'd need to spend on parts and labour to fix it and I'd be losing hundreds.

[Sablate McNuff]

Yeah. I'd definitely try the luthier option. At the very least, just get him to look at it. It could be something as simple as a loose screw and faulty wiring that's been overlooked. It happens. We make mistakes. It would we considerably cheaper (most likely free) than paying for shipping into the states for Schecter to look at.

And the paint for the bridge and whatnot, check a hobby/arts and crafts store. Model enamel should come in that satin-metallic gold Schecter uses, and you can use that for a touch-up.

[Az_Holl]

With the bass on the preamp at full and treble cut and the neck pickup on full, it's still not as bassy or full as I'd like. Tones that it just can't for ex. - reggae or techno


as for the reason I don't want to sell it, yeah I am a little attached to it but it's mostly a money issue. You can buy one of these new in the States or order online for cheap. Factor in how much I'd need to spend on parts and labour to fix it and I'd be losing hundreds.
have you tried turning the bass up on your amp? or modding it for more bass

[EADGC]

I'd have to check the price for shipping something that size and weight to Cali and back, but yeah I agree.

We have a great local luthier shop here though fortunately. They come highly recommended but they don't come cheap.

as for the repairs I've had the wiring looked at and he said that he might be able to fix the humming issue but didn't want to touch it due to warranty issues. As for the tuner I think it's done for, I might need to just replace it.

[EADGC]

have you tried turning the bass up on your amp? or modding it for more bass

Yes and it helps but it's still not really what I'm looking for. It's also inconvenient to have to do that (I prefer adjusting my tone from my preamp, my amp EQ rarely changes). As for modding it I'm not capable of that

[Az_Holl]

Yes and it helps but it's still not really what I'm looking for. It's also inconvenient to have to do that (I prefer adjusting my tone from my preamp, my amp EQ rarely changes). As for modding it I'm not capable of that
Maybe getting it modded is something you could look into if you decide to get it fixed.

Or get a new, more powerful preamp for it.

[EADGC]

Maybe getting it modded is something you could look into if you decide to get it fixed.

Or get a new, more powerful preamp for it.

maybe somewhere down the road but I'm recently more concerned with getting it into playable condition before I get too picky about my tone.

[EADGC]

I took apart the problem tuner (that keeps slipping). It will turn on it's own (with no string) but cannot take the tension of a string, it causes it to slip before it gets up to pitch.

I usually give the string a slight pull when stringing it up to ensure that it wraps neatly around the post. Since I was stringing up the bass while this happened, my guess is that I simply pulled it too hard. Tension on the post from both directions and - snap. I think the mechanism is just stripped and is likely beyond repair. If this is the case it's my own negligence and I'll have to deal with it and replace it. Thing is, Schecter doesn't sell individual parts so I'm not sure where I'll find a replacement. Any ideas? http://www.talkbass.com/forum/images/smilies/hmmm.gif


Aside from that I'll have to find a way to lubricate the E tuner which is sticking (any advice?)


The pickup hum and the volume crackling is really what I'm worried about though, in terms of cost and difficulty to fix.

[Sablate McNuff]

Schecter should be able to issue you a replacement part. Have you contacted them about it?

The crackling pot is just a bad connection somewhere, and it's only in one of the two or three wires connected to the pot, so you've pretty much isolated where the problem is. Quick solder job should be able to fix that.

Pickup hum could be a multitude of reasons, from shielding problems to something with the coils in the pickups. I don't really know what to do about that one.

[EADGC]

Q: Can I buy Schecter parts? http://www.schecterguitars.com/imgs/spacer.gif A: We don´t sell any parts, just complete guitars and basses!

:-/


I'm not sure if I could get one from them. If they're a universal size/shape etc I might just see if I can find one around town, or order from a replacement part company.


If the crackling is a bad connection I'm sure I can get that fixed

I'm still clueless about the hum. I understand single coils have a bit of a hum but it's really ridiculous

[Sablate McNuff]

I believe they are a standard gotoh tuner, but I've never been able to find one with that satin finish. Ever.

The crackling has to be a bad connection. If not, it's a bad pot (which is entirely possible). If so, still a cheap, easy fix.

Edge would probably be the best guy to talk to about the pickup hum.

[EADGC]

True enough. I was considering getting a hipshot for the E and moving the current E tuner down to where the A was. but.. $$$$$


I'll see if he responds and maybe start a thread at TB in pickups

[Sablate McNuff]

If it comes down to it, I have some gold hipshot tuners and I would send one to you if you just paid shipping.

[EADGC]

That doesn't sound bad at all :-/

[Sablate McNuff]

Nope. I'm an aesthetic guy though, so I wouldn't settle for anything less than the satin one from Schecter, but that's just me.

[EADGC]

Are the gold hipshots a different shape?

and it's a lefty... would it even fit?

[naut]

i have zero patience so in my typical fashion i'd just buy something else.

[Sablate McNuff]

Are the gold hipshots a different shape?

and it's a lefty... would it even fit?

They should be the same. If you'd like, I'll try it out on my schecter first before I send it to you.

And I bought them for both the top and bottom of the headstock, so I can send the one that will fit.

[EADGC]

i have zero patience so in my typical fashion i'd just buy something else.

I have little patience myself

I also have tuition and rent to pay though :upset:

[EADGC]

They should be the same. If you'd like, I'll try it out on my schecter first before I send it to you.

And I bought them for both the top and bottom of the headstock, so I can send the one that will fit.

That would be awesome if they'll fit. What colour are they?

[Sablate McNuff]

That would be awesome if they'll fit. What colour are they?

They are the gold ones that hipshot sells. I was originally going to build that fretless 7-string and paint it white with gold hardware (much like Bill Dickens' bass). It would have looked classy.

That was 2 years ago.

I'll try putting the tuner on tonight and let you know.

Also, if you would rather have a D-tuner for your E-string instead, just let me know. I might have to have you pay more than just shipping, but I wont charge you much extra.

[oak tree]

They just sound like bad quality tuners, if one broke like that I'd personally replace the whole set. Yamaha tuners are the best I've had first hand experiences with, the stock ones on my TRB are great.

[EADGC]

They just sound like bad quality tuners, if one broke like that I'd personally replace the whole set. Yamaha tuners are the best I've had first hand experiences with, the stock ones on my TRB are great.

no need to fix what isn't broken

[EADGC]

They are the gold ones that hipshot sells. I was originally going to build that fretless 7-string and paint it white with gold hardware (much like Bill Dickens' bass). It would have looked classy.

That was 2 years ago.

I'll try putting the tuner on tonight and let you know.

Also, if you would rather have a D-tuner for your E-string instead, just let me know. I might have to have you pay more than just shipping, but I wont charge you much extra.

So just to clarify I'm tuning EADGC

I don't really have any use for a detuner for just the A. Maybe if it was a whole set (one on each string), but if it's a single string it should be the E (based on how much I'd use them). I was thinking maybe I could put a Hipshot on the E and then shift the current E tuner so it's in place of the broken A? If that made sense

[Sablate McNuff]

Yeah, I figured that's what would be happening with the whole D-tuner.

I wasn't able to get to my parents' house tonight, but on the way home from school tomorrow, I'll grab my Schecter and try to pop the gotoh on there to let you know.

[EADGC]

Noice

thanks bro

[naut]

I have little patience myself

I also have tuition and rent to pay though :upset:

yeah i got a few bills...but that's what jobs are for. :chug:

[EADGC]

I just can't justify another bass at the moment. If anything needs upgrading it's my amp.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I just can't justify another bass at the moment. If anything needs upgrading it's my amp.

Your bass doesn't work. How is that not justification enough?

[EADGC]

I have more than one bass, and I'm fixing it not replacing it.

[EADGC]

FMB did you check that detuner? I just need to get the tuner replaced soon as it's my main instrument

[Sablate McNuff]

Sorry, yeah. It fits.

Hit me up on the email.

bassplayer420 at cheatcc dot com

[EADGC]

done

[Sablate McNuff]

reply'd.

[EADGC]

reply'd reply'd

[Sablate McNuff]

Hipshot Detuner question:

Can you tune it to anything you want?

and say I tune it down to D, then hit the switch - will it be in C now?

You can tune it to whatever you want, and it does not have to be a full step drop either. I personally have mine on my high f-string, and I use a half-step drop to E because it makes playing sus2 chords easier.

There are instructions inside the package.

Speaking of which, I have to find the package. I know it's somewhere in my old room. If I can find all of the other tuners, it will be there.

[EADGC]

I'll likely be tuning it to a full step, being the note I currently detune it to the most.

any idea when you'll be sending her out? Got all of my information?

[Sablate McNuff]

I thought I mentioned that already, but I guess not. I wont be able to get down to UPS to mail it until Friday. I hope that's okay. I'd say it should be to you by the end of next week at the latest (unless it somehow gets held up in customs, which I doubt).

[EADGC]

That's fine by me. I took a tuner off one of my other basses that I'm using in the meantime.

any idea how long it will take? (just out of curiosity, again I can wait)

[Sablate McNuff]

I thought I mentioned that already, but I guess not. I wont be able to get down to UPS to mail it until Friday. I hope that's okay. I'd say it should be to you by the end of next week at the latest (unless it somehow gets held up in customs, which I doubt).

Self-Quote.

[EADGC]

So it's late. and I can't read, apparently. :upset:

[Sablate McNuff]

It's okay.

But why the hell are we having....

Jk. I just felt like posting that.

That estimate is my own personal estimate based on numerous online purchases from various places. I can probably get you a more accurate estimate when I go to mail it.

[EADGC]

Don't worry about it, I was just curious. Like I said I have a replacement tuner for the meantime so I can wait

[Sablate McNuff]

Item shipped at approximated 8:37 this morning.

By the way, the shipping quote was terribly, terribly off.

It cost me about $3 to ship, so you owe me $13 and we're good.

:D Enjoy it.

[EADGC]

You are the effing man.

[Sablate McNuff]

Did I mention that you also owe me 3 years of sexual favors, whenever I ask for them?

[EADGC]

There's always a catch :angry:

[muthafunkabass]

^Like you don't want to do that anyway.

[Sablate McNuff]

ITT: EADGC Still owes me $13.

[EADGC]

ino ino

I'll get it to you as soon as I figure out how to work paypal. :)

[Sablate McNuff]

:lol:

It's okay.

By the end of this week would be nice though. **hint hint**

[EADGC]

will do

[BenJammin]

Paypal is pretty easy, guy. I use it quite a bit. What're you having troubles with?

[EADGC]

Nothing, just havn't used it before.

[BenJammin]

Then quitcherbitchen.

[Polyamarous]

If you didn't seem to really like it that much in the first place then I say get a new one.

[EADGC]

I have to find and enter my banking info. I'll send the money out today or tomorrow.

[Sablate McNuff]

Cool.

Has the hipshot been delivered yet?

Should be getting close. The guy at the post office said up to 2 weeks.

[EADGC]

Still havn't got it


money to you today

[EADGC]

I have to get my account set up to transfer funds and my bank's website is down. I'll try again later tonight or tomorrow morning

sorry for the hold up, things will be a lot smoother in the future when I actually have an account

[Sablate McNuff]

It's cool, just keep trying.

$13 is $13, y'know?

[EADGC]

It said that they're going to deposit some money into my account that I have to transfer back to them to verify that it's my account. That was a few days ago, still no money in my account


this process is turning out to be very painful. If I can't figure this out I'll just send a money order

[Sablate McNuff]

It seemed to take a while for that paypal money to go into my account to, so just wait a bit and try to be patient. I have time, and setting up a paypal account will save so much time and effort for money transfer later on.

[EADGC]

Ok I think I got it worked out, payment sent.

thanks for your patience

[naut]

um too late his baby starved.

[EADGC]

****.

[Sablate McNuff]

um too late his baby starved.

Yep. I couldn't afford the baby or any of my 3 adopted Ethiopian kids either. I had to give them back to Angelina.

Thanks for the payment though, matt.

[Mr. Pickle]

Angelina does not approve.

[Sablate McNuff]

Rep'd.

[Mr. Pickle]

ok fine.

[EADGC]

My new tuner arrived safe and sound :)

now I just have to find out how the hell to install it

[Sablate McNuff]

Haha. Yeah, it's confusing at first. It makes much more sense once you put it on the bass though, I promise you.

[EADGC]

I got it on, I can only get it to go down to Db which is kind of disappointing but oh well. I was probably going to leave it at D for the most part anyway

[Sablate McNuff]

You must not be tuning it right. Keep trying. I can easily take my string down 1.5 steps with a 35" scale.

[EADGC]

I did take it down 1.5 steps, I just can't make it go any more