Schecter Japan Progauge PS-S-JB Jazz Bass 2014 Ebony Sunburst

Most of us associate this company with the American Custom Shop or the popular Diamond Series. Schecter Japan, however, is a completely separate, basically independent entity. This branch of the brand went its own proud way when the owner of ESP, Hisatake Shibuya, took over shares in the late 80s. The Japanese have always made instruments exclusively for their demanding domestic market. The presented model belongs to the Progauge line - these were short, limited series released by Schecter Japan as a more affordable, yet still excellently crafted alternative to their most expensive, handmade models. It's a proper jazz bass heavily rooted in the 60s vibe.

The heart of the instrument is an ash body - under the three-tone sunburst, you can clearly see the prominent, deep grain of this wood, which looks great combined with the red tortoise pickguard. Another huge plus is the neck. We have a maple, fully gloss-lacquered neck, which features a dense, dark ebony fingerboard instead of the traditional rosewood. Ebony does a great job here tonally: it gives the bass a faster attack and a clearer high end that cuts through the mix very well. The electronics are a traditional passive setup with two single coils and classic volume/volume/tone controls. The sound has plenty of healthy low end and a characteristic, growling midrange – exactly what you look for in a good Jazz.

The Japanese didn't skimp on hardware. On board sits a very solid, massive bridge and decent tuners that operate with a nice resistance and guarantee rock-solid tuning stability. Playability-wise, the lacquered neck is slim and very comfortable in the hand. Transparent silicone thumbrests are glued to the body, making it easier to rest your thumb when playing with fingers. However, if you prefer a traditional look, they can be easily peeled off without any damage to the lacquer.

I rate the visual condition as very good, although of course the instrument has been played and shows normal signs of use. On the back of the body, you'll find some small scratches, and on the side of the body, there are two dings in the wood, which I honestly note.

Technically, everything is fully functional. The truss rod in the neck runs smoothly, and access to it from the body side is convenient. The frets are high and level, have plenty of life left in them, and currently require no touch-ups or leveling. The guts are quiet, the hardware holds tuning like a rock, and the string action over the 12th fret is a comfortable 1.8 mm, so it plays very softly.

Available for viewing and solid testing in Poznań, Poland, safe shipping is also not a problem. Gigbag included.