This week’s BotW isn’t a ground-up build but rather just modding. Sheldon, owner of a Schecter Stiletto Studio-6, wanted to do something different with his bass. Way different. So he along with 4 other people did some modding to the instrument.
Sheldon writes:
I always wanted a super versatile bass and thought it would be cool to add features you would see on a guitar and put them on a bass, so this is what I’ve done and had done:
1. I replaced the E-C stock machine heads with gold plated Gotoh machine heads and the low B with a Gotoh/Hipshot gold plated extender bass machine head so I can dope it down to and A anytime.
2. Todd replaced the plastic truss rod cover with a gold looking brass cover which has his logo on it and he also replaced the plastic nut with a brass nut for a more trebly tone.
3. All the frets have been replaced with gold frets by Ed Fierro.
4. Frets 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 are scalloped on the bass side and frets 7, 9, 12 and 15-24 are scalloped on the treble side.
5. Jim Reed custom made me a set of Jazz pick ups and a soap bar style P bass pickups. They sound awesome! Super strong magnets.
6. Josh Hernandez wired the pickups separate form each other so the bass has two outputs. The Jazz set has its own controls and a kill switch and P bass pickup has its own controls and a kill switch. The bass is Stereo.
7. I replaced the bridge with a Kahler 2416R-W6 6 String Bass Tremolo system With Rearward Saddles. All the hardware is gold, including the strap buttons and strap locks. It sounds like a fat Rickenbacker on both sides. I also use a full line of stereo effects and Moog Taurus pedals. I love it! Model Name Stiletto Studio-6 Item Number 2730 Guitar Colors Honey Satin (HSN) Dexterity Right Handed Country of Origin South Korea Construction Neck-Thru w/Ultra Access Body Material Mahogany Top Material Bubinga Top Contour Flat Top Neck Material Maple/Walnut Multi-ply w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods Fretboard Material Rosewood
Not everyone is a luthier, so sometimes modding is the best option for some bass owners. Sheldon is happy with his modded Stiletto, and it can now do things it couldn’t do before.
Want your bass to be featured for Bass of the Week?
Submit yours now using our easy web form,
or email direct with a story of your build
along with at least 3 large, high-quality
images to featureme@bestbassgear.com
MMM….I wonder how big your hands have to be to play this? Not really much of groove machine.
It’s not the size of the hands, but your technique and ability to adapt. Going from 4-to 5- or to 6-string is more of a preference or need. And the groove is what you make it. It’s not the axe, but the hands that wield it.
How much does it weight? looks HEAVY!
I have a bass identical to this one prior to the mods and it was a great bass to begin with. I can only imagine what sort of options this one provides!
And it’s not even nearly the heaviest bass I’ve had or even currently have.
Well…I guess everything has to be tried once, right?
Cool mods and a Schecter is the right platform for mad scientist experiments I suppose (I own the 5 string version and it’s a pretty decent bass).
How are the James Reeds sounding in this?? Would love to hear it!
It totally is a groove machine. I use it in an RnB band and it sounds awesome.
if it’s a groove machine why the 6 strings….
so much hate to the 6 string, why?
The James Reed pickups are awesome. I can make it sound like Geddy Lee’s Jazz bass on the right and Chris Squires Ric on the left. Super phat too.
this is very over top from my perspective. it would have been easier to just start from scratch.
Over the top? The bass isn’t finished yet. Still gonna add a synth and add inlay work. After that you can keep expressing your lack of vision. Lol
I have to admire the bravery of the mods. Scalloped frets on the bass side and a whammy! Hats off to you !
i don’t really see a point for bass;
one, the strings are fat enough that your fingers don’t often touch wood anyway.
two, the purpose of scalloping is to facilitate bending, which is not such a huge part of bass playing. Like the drop B though. Any probs with intonation?
Hey, that looks like fun. Any time you go outta the norm there will be negative responses – don’t let that stop you. If I saw that on stage I promise I’d be trying to get a closer look and thinking “What’s he got going on there?” Big intrigue factor.
Why not six strings? It’s called range. 6 string basses are only 5 notes higher and 5 notes lower.
Dude I bend my strings all the time. I can solo very well while holding down the end with Moog Taurus pedals. This bass was modded based on my playing abilities. I use everything and use every fret on my bass. It seems you and people like you lack imagination and skill in your playing. Open your mind and study.
Good job Sheldon! That’s an impressive instrument. Kudos for following your muse; would love to see a video. Pay no attention to the hordes of small-minded people.
Nice! you should put ramps between the pickups to cover the previous pickups marks. Just an idea!
Awesome! I love my Studio 6 and 5 fretless… thanks best bass gear for this. I think all players would love to see how to take a good bass or at least a cheap bass and have fun modding it…
Art is subjective and I always say to each their own. But this thing is WAY over the top for my taste. Kinda like when someone puts 24″ rims and a carbon fiber hood on a ’87 Civic. But if it makes the builder happy and helps get across his musical vision then so be it.
Number of strings has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the ability to groove or make music. 4, 5, and 6 string bassist are simply tools. A 4 string bass does not magically endow the player with some magical groove power. If you lack the ability to groove on a 4 string then you won’t be able to groove no matter the number of strings.
That is crazy. I mean crazy good. I’d imagine that this would look perfect in Earth Wind and Fire if you know what I mean. This is actually a great job of expanding what a bass can be. Sometimes, something has to be tried to see if it can be done.
This man Josh Hernandez does amazing work and I can’t thank him enough for what he has done for my tone. Josh is also the owner of HomeWrecker Pickups (HWpickups.com) and 1959 Oil Cap Distribution (Real PIO caps), and one mean LA session player. I had him make me a custom P/J set with a wiring harness with his PIO caps. It is honestly the most versatile session/live bass I have in my arsenal. I am waiting for him to release his 5 string sets so I can upgrade my Fenders. Awesome guy to deal with. And I believe I met you briefly Sheldon with Josh and your massive pedalboard at the Indie awards two years ago when you guys won. This bass certainly fits what Sheldon is doing. Great job guys!
I second that ^^^. This is a great collaboration of great craftsmen. I heard great things about James’ Neo pickups. Joshua rocks in many levels. And works wonders for a tone that fits you. His new Homewrecker P pickups are off the charts. Todd Plummer’s woodworking skills are ultimately clean. True master craftsman. I read that Him and Josh are collaborating on custom one off Guitar-Bass models. Then there is Sheldon who is a monster prog musician. People can talk all they want about the amount of strings.. but its all about the individual, this is not for everyone, and of course it may not suit some of you, so hold your opinions. I know Sheldon will use every single function on this bass.
Sheldon – great work! what kind of wood did you use to plug the original pickup routes? and how did you sand down flat without damaging the honeyburst finish? soundclips would be awesome
Hey there! Awesome bass. I have a few questions regarding the pickup config. How did you manage to put J style pickups in an H style slot? Is there some sort of filling? Ive been wanting to do this myself, and would really appreciate any possible details. Thanks!
Stunning!!!