Schecter SLS Elite-5 Bass Demo / Review

#schecterlife #schecterbass #Fishmanpickups
UPDATE: Downloadable DI samples!
www.dropbox.com/s/g0opysubwlu...
Demo / Playthrough and review of the 2019 Schecter SLS Elite-5 Bass with Fishman Fluence bass pickups.
The first demo of the Schecter Elite-5 before it hits the market and before the 2019 NAMM debut.

[@doedesjel]

I always liked the bass to be an instrument to be heard well through the mix, and this sound configuration is something! Nice and thick and articulated. Thumb up for schecter man!

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for the kind words and for watching the video!

[@_claymore]

holy shit. that riff at 1:22 sounds so damn good. gives me Pantera vibes. I really wish that part were longer :D anyways, really great playing and killer tone.

[@RodneyMcG]

I appreciate that!

[@johnb9405]

Really great review video. Helped me to make up my mind, and ordered the evil twin variant for myself. Thanks a lot!

[@RodneyMcG]

Glad it helped!

[@georgecook5120]

Really nice playing going on there. You really show what the bass can do in the hands of a skilled player.

[@RodneyMcG]

Much appreciated!

[@EddiePauleBolin]

Thanks for taking the time to make your video's .

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for watching, Ed!

[@Infectedbyevil]

Tasty ... :). Before I will buy one of them (this one or apocalypse 5). Waiting for your second demo of this bass! Thanks for superb videos and playing man!!!

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks, man!

[@MoreanMan]

You just sold me this bass, it is impressive, thanks for the great work.

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for checking it out. Hope the new bass works out for you

[@erikjohnson2976]

Wow. You have absolutely *MAD* skills... And, your overview and demo have definitely pushed me toward picking up one of these beauties. Not sure what happened over at Schecter, but their latest Indonesian offerings are nearly perfect and quite sublime. Thanks for the review.

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks so much, Erik! Glad it helped you out! I've been using Schecter for a long time and I would agree, the basses they are putting out now are the best i've seen from them. Thanks for watching and the kind words!

[@professorfarnsworth6189]

exactly. killer bass playing. Ive been playing bass for years and i wish i was that good. I need to practice more

[@RodneyMcG]

@@professorfarnsworth6189 That's kind of you, much appreciated! I'm sure it's nothing you can't do after a bit of wood shedding !

[@CharlieAlbbBooks]

Hi Rodney, right after listening, watching this bass, I strongly feel I have found my dream bass. Thanks for this!! appreciate it!

[@RodneyMcG]

That's awesome Carlos! Glad I could help.

[@Starchild-jy8ig]

Hey man , i want to thank you for everything you do on your channel , you are a monster player and you seem very passionate about what you do, You deserve a lot more attention , Keep rocking man !🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻 greetings from Québec

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks so much. I love Quebec, what a beautiful city.

[@idanshahar]

WOW! amazing bass, demo and playing!

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for the praise and checking out the video!

[@lorez6063]

That was some insanely cool playing man. Nice one.

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks, Justin! Much appreciated

[@bflo1000]

I always love his playing also.

[@TheSmooshster]

Dude awesome intro! Badass playing and badass tone!

[@RodneyMcG]

Much appreciated!

[@michaeljoeallen9412]

Excellent video! Love the sound and great playing. I think that I might be getting one.

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks! Hope it works out for you.

[@Rauzwel]

This is the best bass demo I've ever heard.

[@RodneyMcG]

Much appreciated!

[@crossroadscrawfords]

Dang you now have made me have to decide if I want the c-5 gt or the similar sls evil twin 5. What I will have to factor is wood and pickups. As always great video.

[@ikestoddard2458]

Great details! Going to review #2....

great job on the demo :)

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@icemike874]

Aaaahahaha, going thru yer videos and found out you previewed this bass. I picked one up without actually playing it first...silly me...just went on whim. So glad I did! Thanks again for bringing Solid content to the bass world

[@RodneyMcG]

Congrats on the bass!

[@icemike874]

@@RodneyMcG She does Growl ✌

[@icemike874]

Hey Rodney, would you know what kind of strings these came with, and have you changed to a different brand?

[@RodneyMcG]

@@icemike874 If it came from the factory, it's ernie ball slinkys. I changed mine to D'addario prosteels

[@icemike874]

Thank you Sir, D'Addario XT nickel plated Steel is the set I Enjoy also✌

[@ernestsloan5071]

One more viewer who subscribed .Dude you are a beast on bass

[@RodneyMcG]

That's kind of you to say! Thanks for the sub, hope you like the upcoming content

[@MrFlabberface]

Great overview! Wondering if you’ve experienced any battery longevity issues with the Fishmans?

[@johnnyblaze2257]

I am totally not into to rock bass, but that was nice to listen to and watch, and see that there is a whole lot more to it than what you think and what gets lost in the mix of the other instruments.

[@RodneyMcG]

I appreciate the kind words, Johnny. Cheers!

[@sethnicholls7861]

Are you tuned to standard, or a whole step down Rodney? If you covered this I must have missed it. Anyway thanks for another great review. Killer playing sir!

[@MzuMzu-nx1em]

Great technique and bass , fine taste you have

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for the kind words and checking out the video!

[@karolisstaknys5841]

Hey, really nice demos as always. Would you mind sharing your DP3-X settings, as you are using it as a preamp? Highly appreciated!

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for checking the videos out! My setting on the DP-3X are almost exactly what you see in the thumbnail and video i did for the pedal last week. The differences are the gain is pulled back to about 10:00 so it's not distorted, just some boost for the top end. The mid switch is on the "in" position for the higher mid setting. That's about it. I am using it as a preamp, no other processing.

[@MightyGodlikeG]

Beautiful bass, great playing and killer tone. what is your signal chain in this video?

[@RodneyMcG]

Thank you! Just a tech 21 dug preamp, with no distortion on.

[@mixc8]

@Rodney McG I really dig your channel :) I have started looking at your other videos, best Metal bass channel I have come across! I would love to see videos on how you come up with your bass lines! I really dig them and would love to learn them! Keep up the good work brother :)

[@RodneyMcG]

Thank you. I actually have a video coming soon doing a walkthrough of some basslines i'm doing for a new album.

[@mixc8]

@@RodneyMcG Please keep me informed :)

[@Cowdog1]

@@RodneyMcG - I own this bass... I can't play like you, but I would love to see an instructional video! I'm a newbie, but I have to have goals! Cheers.

[@RodneyMcG]

@@Cowdog1 I have some stuff coming soon on the style, but it you go through my episodes of Metal Bass Monday (there's a lot) I cover a lot of technique, etc.

[@mixc8]

I have got to learn this bass line :)

[@marcoesposito8753]

Wow... That tone is pure death metal like

[@keefer88]

Sounds amazing. I wish my Custom 5 sounded like this.

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks! I bet some eq work and a good preamp would set you right.

[@keefer88]

@@RodneyMcG Yeah, I'm sure that would help a ton. I need to get a good preamp pedal for my bass. I pretty much only use a pedal board setup with a Powerstage 200. Maybe ill start checking out the options....

[@mixc8]

I really like the tone of this bass, it the tone right from the bass or are you playing through a pedal? excellent video and playing.

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm playing through the Tech21 dp-3x, but i'm not using the distortion channel

[@mixc8]

@@RodneyMcG Thanks Rodney you sold me on this bass :) I have to add it to the collection.

[@Kreln1221]

It would be more versatile if instead of a pan/blend pot and a single master volume push/pull that switches both pickups' humbucker/single coil modes together, if you had two individual volumes, ala' a Jazz or Ric, and to have each of the two volumes be push/pulls so that you could switch them independently, giving you two extra combinations, a single at the neck with a humbucker at the bridge, or a humbucker at the neck with a single coil at the bridge. Also... Instead of only one three way voicing switch that switches the three voicings for both pickups together in tandem, (since the voicings are actually switched internally at each of the two pickups, not in the shared common active two-band EQ module in the control compartment), you could have two separate and independent three way voicing toggles, giving you six extra voicing combinations when both pickups are on. In the case of the Schecter model reviewed in this video, the common voicing switch that is presently stock would become the bridge voicing switch, the bass EQ knob would become the neck voicing switch, the treble knob in the middle would be replaced with a stacked concentric treble/bass knob, (which Fishman already sells as an option), the mix/blend knob would be replaced with a bridge volume push/pull humbucker/single switch knob, and the master volume push/pull replaced with a neck volume push/pull humbucker/single switch knob. With nothing more than a few minor passive control component swaps, this otherwise stock instrument with nothing else changed would become vastly more versatile than it already amazingly is... Just sayin'...

[@KeepTheGates]

The cool thing about what you're saying is that it could easily be accomplished.

[@payazokoki]

Hey Rodney, always great to watch your stuff you are a freaking monster!; I´ve been a bass player for more than 25 years now, and I play metal for a thrash band named Sadic (Panama), I have quite a few really good basses (2 fender ps, one J, a Lakland Darryl Jones, a Warwick Corvette); but now I´m really into Schecter and all their stuff, and I´m very interested to get one for Christmas, well into my research, I can´t decide between the Hellraiser Extreme, the Apocalypse, or the SLS Elite; I would love to hear which of this is your favorite (considering sound, built up, playability and versatility) and why? They are almost in the same $ range, and I really want a heavy sounding instrument to play metal. Thanks in advance buddy. Cheers and stay healthy.

[@RodneyMcG]

Thank you! That's a tough comparison, as they all have their points. If i were after what i considered the most raw or aggressive, i'd go with the Apocalypse. Lots of options, and tons of grind. The Apocalypse and HE will feel pretty much the same in the neck, the SLS will be slightly slimmer. Those are the biggest differences in feel. Hope that helps a bit. Thanks for following the channel, and happy holidays!

[@payazokoki]

@@RodneyMcG Buddy it does helps, a lot, I was almost decided on the SLS considering the amount of pick ups configurations. Do you think it’s posible to catch the Apocalypse grind on the SLS? Im asking this because I tent to do a lot of motives and figures above the 12 fret, and I would love to keep ‘em with definition, and grinding at the same time. Thanks for the help!

[@RodneyMcG]

@@payazokoki The Fishman are more Hi-fi. They are very clear, but not as aggressive. The Apocalypse is plenty clear, but is a meaner fundamental tone. I use a pretty aggressive tone based on EMGs. The Apocalypse are the only ones that hang at the same level.

[@payazokoki]

@@RodneyMcG awesome! This helps a lot! Thanks for taking the time.

[@thomasbrown9785]

Hallo great Demo! I wonder if this is a real flamed Maple top or a veneer over plain Maple?

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for the compliment! It's definitely a carved flame top. Thanks for checking it out!

[@raine5300]

Great review! You mention that its light weighted, wondering do you by any chance know approx weight of it?

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks, Ratis. Mine is about 7 and 1/2 pounds.

[@faustdw88]

Could you please do a video or share some details on how you set up the action on this bass? I've bought evil twin 5 after your review and it's a beast but really struggle setting the action right.

[@RodneyMcG]

Right here! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWPanp5rjtqjaNE

[@antonyvo4president]

shredddding it

[@joshuabarnes7543]

Ever since I heard fishman fluence pickups I can’t hear emg pickups the same anymore I’m getting schecter basses with fishman fluence pickups from now on

[@RodneyMcG]

Glad you found what suits you.

[@johncastaneda4365]

Hi Rodney, would you recommend this bass for a beginner? if so, can you recommend an amp as well? Yeah total beginner here, but watching you play makes one pick up a bass in a heartbeat- Awesome playing man!

[@RodneyMcG]

John, thanks for the kind words. This bass would be amazing for any level player. It's truly a pro level bass, so a beginner would be starting out with a Ferrari! As far as an amp, unless you are playing shows, I would recommend getting something used and inexpensive. Until you really learn about eq, and what kind of sound you like, an investment in a serious amp won't make sense. You can get a ton of low cost practice amps that are perfectly good to practice on for a long time for about 50.00 used on craigslist, etc. Only spend more and scale up as you learn and have a need. Best of luck to your future bass playing. I hope you enjoy it for many years to come.

[@johncastaneda4365]

@@RodneyMcG Thanks so much for the advice. Much appreciated! This is the very first time that I actually subscribe to a channel - Keep up the great work!

[@mixc8]

@ Rodney I kinda of like the Evil Twin version of this bass :)

[@xx2]

pls man can u answer me. Is there any neck dive? It has tendencies to go to the floor with neck for example when u have it on the lap ?

[@RodneyMcG]

No neck dive

[@tsedatcan]

FINALLY!!!

[@RodneyMcG]

Thanks for checking it out. The one focusing more on the Fishmans will be up soon

[@tsedatcan]

@@RodneyMcG I couldn't find any reviews on Elite Series Basses. And 5 days later you uploaded this video. Thank you... I'm excited for Fishman bass pickups video too...

[@RodneyMcG]

@@tsedatcan Yeah, they are pretty new on the market. This one is actually the prototype, so it was the first one out there. Thanks again for checking it out, looking forward to hearing your feedback on the next one!

[@RodneyMcG]

@@tsedatcan Yeah, they are pretty new to market. This one is actually the prototype, so it was the first one out. Thanks again for checking it out. I'll look forward to your feedback on the next one!

[@guidedbyechoes]

What amp are you using? It sounds great!

[@RodneyMcG]

Just using the Tech 21 Dug Pedal, no extreme settings. Thanks!

[@lawrencebyrdsong7570]

Just ordered mine

[@RodneyMcG]

Awesome! Report back with how you like it!

[@tomkirk6942]

Damien fine looking bass.

[@stevenbpettit]

Rodney, I have this bass in the left handed version and found the next to be extremely thin, so much so that it can pretty easily flex back and fret buzz all strings. Never has a bass with such a flimsy next. Is yours the same way?

[@RodneyMcG]

The SLS stands for slim line series, so it's specifically built that way. I can flex it, but i can do that with most necks. I get what you're saying, but i didn't find it any worse than other slim necks like the Ibanez Sr series. I can do the flex you're describing, but i've never had it do it without me actively trying, or had it seem unplayable. Does that seem like your experience?

[@stevenbpettit]

@@RodneyMcG Yes, I agree it plays just fine. Just a surprise to me, but it sound like because I've never owned a slim neck. Appreciate the response. Also great video by the way. Thanks.

[@RodneyMcG]

@@stevenbpettit Thanks for the comments and checking out the video! Good luck with your new bass!

[@1992Apocalypse]

Late commenting here, but i've had this bass for over a year now, and i think i have the same thing going on. If i pick it up after not playing it for awhile i notice the action is a bit off, more so than it would be on my other basses, altho none of them have quite that slim of a neck either. Minor annoyance, but thanks to the truss rod wheel, it's always easily fixed. Never thought of the thin neck as a possible cause, but may be. I always chalked it up to temperature variations, etc.

[@magicbeanparty9324]

The audio sounds a little... sped up... might be wrong but I know what it sounds like because I do it in my songs on purpose. The tone might be more accurately represented if that wasn’t the case

[@RodneyMcG]

Nothing is sped up. The tone is accurate.

[@kdtons4670]

If I don't have the Tech 21 pedal, what settings should I configure my amp to for that badass tone of yours?

[@RodneyMcG]

It depends heavily on what amp you're using. I'm actually running it pretty flat. I would say cut just a bit of center mids (500k) and maybe add a nit in the higher mids around 2k. Thanks for watching, and I hope that helps!

[@kdtons4670]

@@RodneyMcG thanks bro. You have some of the most badass tones, rock on and cheers

[@RodneyMcG]

@@kdtons4670 that's kind of you to say, much appreciated! Thanks again for watching

[@sethnicholls7861]

Probably, but why not use his tone as a solid reference, but then do your own thing & create YOUR own personal tone? Seems more satisfying to create, not just imitate.... Think about it brudda.

[@liamferg]

Hey man, do you still have the DI files for this? The Dropbox link says they’ve been deleted. Cheers!

[@RodneyMcG]

Sorry, I don't. That was a while ago, And nobody was really downloading them, so I didn't move them to my new account.

[@AzuriteCoast]

Hey, could you weigh the bass for us? I know you said it was light, but knowing the actual weight would be awesome

[@RodneyMcG]

I'm out of town right now, but i'll see what i can do when i get back. Thanks for checking it out!

[@AzuriteCoast]

@@RodneyMcG Thanks. I have a love for lightweight basses. I was reading the DI discussion - consider adding the DI track. I run the KZbin video through my amp and listen to how the DI track sounds through the amp or any effects. It's not a perfect test but it's very close.

[@RodneyMcG]

@@AzuriteCoast i did add the DI. It's In the description.

[@AzuriteCoast]

@@RodneyMcG Oh cool, thanks!

[@eloysuopunki7926]

One thing is for sure: these pickups do have a persona of their own.

[@RodneyMcG]

They definitely do!

[@rockereivanivan]

Which bass do you prefer, this one or the apocalypse?

[@RodneyMcG]

I love them both, honestly. They are completely different animals. The Apocalypse has a bit more "Grunt" to it, and the feel of passive pickups. The SLS is more defined and a bit more cutting. It's sledgehammer vs chainsaw. I would chose based on the gig.

[@GillRigged]

@@RodneyMcG soooo both then. 😂 Looking at getting back into the game and found Schecter. Been wondering this myself but I think it'll have be the Evil Twin version of this one. Edit: oh and insta-subscribe! 🤘

[@RodneyMcG]

I picked up the evil twin version myself. Can't complain. Thanks for the sub!

[@johnpatitucci7919]

How do you get that tone? That's what I want to know!

[@RodneyMcG]

TEch21 dp-3x, but not using the distortion channel

[@constructivecritique4049]

Yes! I'm subscriber #666....... 🤘🤘🤘

[@RodneyMcG]

Sub of the beast! Welcome!

[@Kianquenseda]

9 or 18 volt ? Better than the Riot ?

[@RodneyMcG]

It's a 9 volt system. It's really too different from the riot to say better or worse. They are really different from each other. The neck is totally different, it's different in feel, weight, and sound. They are two different flavors that can be a better choice depending on what you're doing. I keep them both on hand for different jobs.

[@lawrencebyrdsong7570]

Amazing bass l have the same bass

[@RodneyMcG]

It's a monster, for sure!

[@cainerik8278]

This bass is the best one for under 2000 USD , it sounds amazing better than 6000 dollars basses

[@camilonovoa5300]

How about the weight , it tends to be heavy?

[@RodneyMcG]

Not at all. They were designed to be extremely lightweight

[@camilonovoa5300]

@@RodneyMcG thanks and congratulations for your videos and your talent, i hope one day i can play like you hahaha

[@RodneyMcG]

@@camilonovoa5300 That's kind of you to say! I appreciate it. I'm sure you'll be teaching me one day! It's just practice! Thanks for subscribing.

[@Kraz3e987]

Is this named after the Mercedes SLS?

[@RodneyMcG]

It actualy stands for Slim Line Series. Thanks for checking it out!

[@Baroque-Handel]

I thought it meant Satan Loves Schecter.

[@RodneyMcG]

@@Baroque-Handel Ha! Maybe so. I always had him pegged as a b c rich guy

[@Baroque-Handel]

Rodney McG he collected too many souls in the 80’s from BC Rich Guitarist selling their souls; he moved onto Schecter. Great review...Sounds like a pretty impressive Bass for the $$.

[@RodneyMcG]

@@Baroque-Handel thanks, I appreciate you checking out the video! It's definitely a solid bass and surprisingly good for the money.

[@dtaylor6000]

it sounds like this was recorded underwater.

[@RodneyMcG]

Yes. Awesome sounding water.

[@GillRigged]

Do you use three picking fingers?

[@RodneyMcG]

I do

[@GillRigged]

@@RodneyMcG seems to help keep a better rhythm/groove in certain circumstances.

[@RodneyMcG]

It can make things a bit more relaxed and helps having enough time to get the dynamics in.

[@DomHallBass]

I'll trade you a Shecter Stiletto Studio 6! :D

[@RodneyMcG]

The Studio 6 is no slouch either!

[@katmastersigaro6807]

@@RodneyMcG out of all my bass none have a place in my heart like my studio 6. I've seen some reviews on it and I'm glad people like it but do you think you could give a few of your thoughts on how you feel about it? I'd just like to see what you have to say. It's my favorite brand and you seem like a kat that knows his schecter.

[@RodneyMcG]

@@katmastersigaro6807 I don't have one right now, so i can't get that out for you at the moment. Should i get one in hand in the future, i'll get some video for you. Thanks for the request!

[@fothermucker7764]

This one on satin black....... 🤤

[@RodneyMcG]

I grabbed that one too!

[@fothermucker7764]

@@RodneyMcG great deal

[@southofheck]

A bass reviewer who actually plays the bottom strings? And doesn’t slap for the whole video? And who is actually a bassist? Who performed the ancient blood ritual that brought this guy into existence?

[@RodneyMcG]

😂😂😂😂🤘

[@sniggity]

You’re a great player, but it sounds so metallic that you can’t even make out the notes you’re playing. Just one big mess of notes.

[@vboyett13]

Maybe some adjustments are needed? Sounds like it to me.