Schecter Michael Anthony MA-5 Bass bass in Gloss Natural
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- SKU
- SCHECTER452
. Description
Sound & Tone
The swamp ash body with koa top and maple/walnut neck give the MA-5 a punchy, articulate voice with plenty of upper-midrange clarity, while the rosewood fretboard rounds off the attack. The MonsterTone P at the neck supplies thick, warm fundamental and the bridge J adds bite and growl, and the 3-way switch lets you move between the two or blend them for slap-friendly snap or smooth fingerstyle lines. A 35" scale keeps the low B tight and defined on the .045–.130 set, making it a practical fit for funk, rock, metal, and progressive playing where the fifth string needs to stay clear.
Schecter Michael Anthony MA-5 5-String Electric Bass — Gloss Natural
The MA-5 sits solidly in the pocket with its thin "C"-shaped neck and balanced weight distribution, keeping fatigue at bay during long sessions. This 5-string configuration extends your low-end range while maintaining the responsive playability that translates to consistent tracking and overdubbing. The gloss natural finish reveals the wood's natural resonance, producing a punchy, articulate tone with impressive clarity that punches through dense mixes.
Recording Character & Construction
Built with a swamp ash body topped with koa and a bolt-on design, this bass combines natural wood resonance with structural stability—ideal for capturing articulate transients and sustain in the studio. The maple/walnut neck with rosewood fretboard and thin "C" profile minimizes hand fatigue during tracking sessions, while the 35" scale length and 21 extra jumbo frets give you extended low-end range and comfortable spacing for tight intonation across all positions during recording.
Sonic Palette & Pickup System
Dual Schecter USA MonsterTone pickups—a bridge-mounted J-style and neck-mounted P-style—capture punchy articulation and warm depth with excellent clarity and definition, covering everything from slap and popping techniques to smooth, singing lines in a single session. The volume/tone controls with 3-way switching provides tonal shaping within the box without reaching for outboard gear, while the WSC THD5 bass bridge and WSC KG700 tuners ensure stable intonation and reliable tuning stability across multiple takes.
Key Features
- Body: Swamp ash with koa top; bolt-on construction
- Finish: Gloss natural
- Neck: Maple/walnut with thin "C" shape; 35" scale length
- Fretboard: Rosewood with 21 extra jumbo frets; 12" radius
- Neck thickness: .787" at 1st fret, .866" at 12th fret
- Nut: Graph Tech XL Black Tusq; 1.771" width
- Pickups: Schecter USA MonsterTone-P (neck) and MonsterTone-J (bridge)
- Controls: Volume, tone, and 3-way switch with metal knurled knobs
- Hardware: WSC KG700 tuners and WSC THD5 bass bridge in black
- Inlays: White pearloid dots
- Truss rod: 2-way adjustable with 5/32" Allen nut
- Strings: Ernie Ball 5-string super long (.045–.130)
This instrument balances brightness with warmth across funk, rock, metal, and progressive styles while maintaining the Schecter build quality and consistency that serious home-studio operators and session professionals depend on.
More Information
| Dexterity | Right handed |
|---|---|
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Condition | New |
| Country of Manufacture | South Korea |
Reviews
This guitar ships without a case
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Specifications
| Scale Length | 35" Scale |
|---|---|
| Frets | 21 Frets |
| Fretboard | Rosewood |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Strings | 4 |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Made In | South Korea |
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Funk
- ✓ Rock
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Progressive
- ✓ Studio Sessions
Not the best pick for
- – Folk
- – Traditional Jazz
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included with the MA-5?
The bass ships strung with Ernie Ball 5-string super long strings (.045–.130 gauge). Hardware includes WSC KG700 tuners and WSC THD5 bridge for tuning stability and intonation, a Graph Tech XL Black Tusq nut, and a 2-way adjustable truss rod.
Is this bass suited for studio recording?
Yes. The dual MonsterTone pickups (P-style neck, J-style bridge) with 3-way switching let you dial in everything from aggressive slap tones to smooth, warm lines, and the 35" scale with 21 extra jumbo frets ensures precise intonation for tracking multiple takes.
How does the MA-5 compare to other mid-tier 5-strings?
The MA-5 sits alongside the Ibanez SR5, Lakland 55-94, and Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass V. This Schecter combines a thinner neck profile with swamp ash and koa construction for warmth and clarity, making it particularly responsive for funk, rock, metal, and progressive playing.
What's the neck comfort like on longer sessions?
The thin "C"-shaped neck profile (.787" at the 1st fret, .866" at the 12th) minimizes hand fatigue, and the balanced weight distribution keeps extended playing effortless. The 1.771" nut width and 12" fretboard radius provide comfortable spacing for precise finger placement.
What genres and styles work best with this bass?
The MA-5 excels in funk, rock, metal, and progressive styles where punchy articulation and extended low-end range are essential. The tonal flexibility from its dual pickups and switching makes it less ideal for folk and traditional jazz, where a different sonic character is typically preferred.
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