Schecter Hellraiser Extreme 4 Bass Guitar Review - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

While most people associate Schecter as a brand that dominates the market of metal oriented guitars, they also have a pretty solid presence in bass guitar segment. Aside from some of their more affordable models which we have covered previously, Schecter offers an impressive line of bass guitars in the mid and top range. Schecter Hellraiser Extreme 4 is a perfect example of this. It's an active bass that just screams quality. Aesthetics are on point, but so is performance which is why this Schecter managed to find its way to our shortlist of best basses in the $1000 range. Let's take a closer look.

Body & Neck

The body of the Hellraiser Extreme 4 features a mahogany body with a quilted maple top. The entire top is bound in white, and is just a treat to look at. Neck is a multi-ply walnut and maple neck-thru-body design, which definitely puts the Hellraiser Extreme 4 on a whole new level of excellence. The guitar is balanced just right, and super comfortable to play. Reaching those higher notes is made easy thanks to a well thought out lower cutaway, so you can go as high as you like.

Hardware

In terms of hardware, we are looking at a Schecter custom design. It's a string thru body design which carries the same benefits in terms of sustain as similar solutions found on electric guitars. Tuning machines are made by Grover, so you know the quality is all there. Hardware on this bass guitar comes in black chrome, and honestly it looks as good as it performs.

Electronics

Electronics Schecter installs on Hellraiser Extreme 4 come in form two EMG 35TWs. These pups are pretty capable on their own, which is why so many bass players are installing them as an upgrade. The controls available to shape the tone are pretty interesting. You get two Volume knobs for each pickup with push/pull action, and then there is the EMG's three-band EQ. Compared to some other sets out there, this EMG setup is killing it.

Sound

If looks weren't enough for you to fall in love with Schecter Hellraiser Extreme 4, then the tone it delivers certainly will. As soon as you plug it into an amp, you will be amazed by the definition, output and pure quality of those EMG pups. They say that active pickups are less expressive, but that is not the point you would want to prove with these bad boys. Being so versatile allows the Hellraiser Extreme 4 to give you great performance no matter which genre of music you're interested in playing. With that said, it does feel at home in metal territory.

Conclusion

Schecter's bass guitars are proving to be a real threat for some of the brands with authority in this segment. Great design, great build quality and awesome performance is the main culprit. If you are looking for a great general purpose bass that has enough force to meet all of your needs while looking hot, Schecter Hellraiser Extreme 4 is a great choice. This is especially true considering how well priced this thing is. For more info about the Schecter Hellraiser Extreme 4, click here. For more Bass Guitars under $1000, click here.