Schecter CB-4 Charles Berthoud Signature Bass – Unbox, a few mods and overall review
I’ve been away from gigging for a few years now but this bass really grabbed my attention along with discovering Charles and his playing. Definitely a big inspiration to get back into it. My needs: Ergonomic performance, great sounding instrument for all styles and (maybe the most difficult?) a bass that LOOKS just my style. Enter the CB-4! Here’s a review and demo of some tones not already covered, along with some tweaks I made to my bass to further customize it to my liking:
1) New nut. The original nut was cut pretty low. You can hear it in other demos where lower strings buzz. It gets worse the lower you drop the saddles to get a lower action. The bass comes set-up fine for a very good sound, but playability could be better as far as low action and ease of playing as advertised, for me at least. (ref. Ibanez SR)
2) Lower strap post. Angle of the bass felt slightly tilted back, top toward the player, more-so than my other basses. Maybe due to not having the “dad bod” (LOL) cut out on the back like a Fender. I noticed this in my wrist the most at practice so I gave myself two angle options. Cheap and effective.
3) I’m trying out lighter strings; EB 40-95s. This allows a lighter touch, even lower action, crisp slaps and pops and reduces fatigue for me, at least until I build back up my finger and wrist strength.
I had a tech perform all the work, set it up and get it back to me pretty quickly for a show. We decided a bone nut was fine but painted it black, however the paint is fading. Oh well. The feel is worth it. When I upgrade the bridge I’ll put a black nut back on I think.
CB; thank you man for designing a bass with color and looks I was after, turning me on to EMGs, tapping and loads of inspiration. Maybe one day soon I’ll join in one of your epic bass battles.
#Schecter #CB4 #Charles #Berthoud #Signature #Bass #Unbox #mods #review
Originally posted by UCHqcpGDINEidg_WvPHT6QyQ at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2ZpY5HXVDQ
I bought a CB-4 and sent it back… The quality wasnt there. It came with the knobs stripped and one fell off and the sound was good but not good enough to justify $1600 with taxes. The neck was excellent, but the over all quality wasn't great and the sound was different than my Music Man and Jazz Bass. I sent it back because Guitar Center sent me a demo that was scratched and the knobs were messed up. Sorry.
Bro I watched so many bass YouTube videos and the bass always sounds muffled when they play. Your video sounds crystal clear!
It is a beautiful instrument. I love the neck (24 frets and the inlays look pretty cool). But imho, you shouldn't have to upgrade a $1.500 bass – it should come with a better quality bridge + tuners from factory.
Great video and awesome playing, Pat. I'm not a big bass expert and I don't have the chance to go and play this bass… I'm going to make a one time big splash for one bass and I don't know if I should buy this bass or an Ibañez SR1425B (caribbean green)… have you played this Ibañez bass? If you do… would you pick the C4 over the Ibañez? Or maybe I should wait a couple of years and save for an Spector Euro or a Warwick ????
It disturbs me that the bridge is leaving little paint / metal particles in the pockets of the bridge from changing out strings. It only reveals a low-grade bridge of inexpensive mixed metals. I would not go for that. Would change it out for a stainless high mass bridge. Also, I thought the body was a string through. I prefer that because it takes the stress off the neck and transfers it out onto the body. It's your money that you worked for so one should expect transparency. I'm going to write to the corporate office of Schecter and explain this to them. I am happy that you pointed it out. I'm in the market for a new 4-string and I made up my mind last week after all my studying of reviews to buy this particular bass. I will not do it now even though I love the sound. I love the thinness of the neck. I love the width of the first fret and not much of a difference all the way up to the 12th fret. And I love the fact that it is 24 frets.
You can also look at Hip Shot tuners to Gotoh tuners.
Hmmm I just looked at Sweet Water I see these bass averages between $1499 to $1200 (Reverb) should be a little better Q&C for that cost.
Look at a Hip Shot bridge!
Hi Pat to you find it hard keeping this bass in tune?
I still prefer he's sound on the Lefay bass,,but that is a lovely bass!
Great review,,thank you