Schecter C-4 & C-5 Bass Guitars

Bassists who like the look of the Schecter C-1 guitar will find the same shape here in the C-4 and C-5. These are active basses, so onboard EQ lets you adjust your tone at the instrument. That is handy when the room, the stage mix or the rest of the band changes from one night to the next. Pickups are EMG or Schecter Diamond depending on the model.

Choose a tier by how you play. The C-4 and C-5 Standard are the working-player entry points, in finishes like Charcoal Satin and Tobacco Burl. The GT models bring glow-top flamed maple for a showier stage look, and the C-4 Plus and C-4 Apex are the step up. Collectors may also notice the occasional B-Stock piece in the lineup.

Go with the four-string if you want a straightforward gigging bass. Go with the five-string if your sets call for the low extension. The range runs from about $449 to $1,199, and LV Guitars keeps the current selection below.