Rocking Out with the Best Schecter Guitar
Learn the features to look for and how to choose the best Schecter guitar for your budget and situation, along with our Top 4 recommendations!
Schecter guitars have a distinctive tone that is perfect for rock and metal music genres, among others. With a wide range of models and excellent features, Schecters cater to the needs of both beginner and professional guitar players.
Schecter Diamond Series guitars incorporate high-quality features, including quilted maple tops, rosewood fretboards, and platinum fingerboard inlays. The locking tuners and custom hard-tail bridge offer excellent tuning support and improved intonation. Most Schecter guitars have jumbo frets, which make playing guitar very comfortable and effortless.
Schecter guitars are known for their exceptional pickups with signature Floyd Rose tremolo systems. They incorporate EMG pickups for optimum sound quality and output. The Floyd Rose bridges on Schecter guitars provide unbeatable tuning stability, allowing players to perform with maximum confidence.
In terms of price and affordability, most Schecters fall within a reasonable range, making them an excellent choice for anyone looking to enter the world of rock guitar playing. They are often compared to the legendary Gibson Les Paul and have become a popular choice for many rock enthusiasts.
The body of most Schecter guitars is designed with top-of-the-line materials, like mahogany and swamp ash, creating perfect sustain and tonal balance.
The model designs vary from the classic rock-inspired Schecter Omen to the seven-string guitars that cater especially to the needs of rock and metal players.
History of the Schecter Guitar
Schecter Guitars has a rich history that dates back to the early 1970s. The company was founded in Van Nuys, California, by David Schecter, and originally focused on producing replacement parts for vintage guitars. However, the company soon began creating its own guitar models, which became known for their high-quality construction and impressive playability.
In the 1980s, Schecter gained a reputation for building high-quality metal guitars, thanks in large part to the endorsement of players like Eddie Van Halen, who used a Schecter guitar for the recording of the landmark Van Halen album "1984."
Schecter's association with metal players continued into the 1990s and beyond, with the company's guitars featuring prominently in the sound of bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Slayer, and Black Label Society.
Today, Schecter is known for producing a wide range of guitars that cater to rock and metal players of all skill levels. From the affordable Schecter Diamond Series to the high-end Custom Shop models, the company's guitars are built with meticulous attention to detail and an emphasis on creating instruments that deliver maximum performance and tone.
One of the key features of Schecter guitars is their use of high-quality materials. Many of the company's guitars feature mahogany bodies for a warm, resonant tone, while others utilize swamp ash to provide a bright, snappy response.
The company is also known for its use of exotic woods like quilted maple, which adds a touch of elegance to the overall aesthetic of the guitar.
In addition to their solid construction and quality materials, Schecter guitars are also known for their versatile pickups. Many models feature active pickups like the EMG 81 and 85, which deliver a high-output tone that is perfect for modern metal styles.
However, the company also offers guitars with more classic-style pickups, like the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop models, which provide a vintage-inspired tone that is perfect for classic rock and hard rock players.
All in all, Schecter guitars offer a winning combination of quality construction, high-performance features, and beautiful aesthetics. Whether you're a beginner looking for an affordable guitar, or a seasoned pro looking for the best possible instrument, Schecter has a guitar that is sure to meet your needs.
Buyer’s Guide to the Best Schecter Guitar
When considering purchasing a Schecter, there are several features that you should take into account to ensure that you are getting the best possible instrument for your money. Whether you are a metal enthusiast or a classic rock aficionado, there is a Schecter guitar that will meet your individual needs.
Body Material
One key factor to consider is the type of body material that the guitar is made of. Many Schecter guitars feature a mahogany body, which offer a warm and full-bodied tone that is perfect for rock and metal players.
Alternatively, some models use swamp ash, which produces a brighter and more cutting sound that is popular in metal circles.
Other Schecter models feature quilted maple tops, which provide a luxurious look and feel to the guitar while adding depth and character to the tone.
Neck
When it comes to the neck of the guitar, many Schecter models feature rosewood fretboards, which offer a smooth and easy playing experience.
For those who need additional strings, the seven string guitar is an excellent option, providing extra range for lead melodies or heavier chords.
The jumbo frets that are found on many Schecter guitars also make for easy playing and effortless bending.
Hardware
The hardware on Schecter guitars is top-notch, with many models featuring locking tuners that provide stable tuning even during the most aggressive playing.
The Floyd Rose tremolo system incorporated in many models is also a popular choice for rock and metal players, offering smooth and precise vibrato while staying in tune.
The hardtail bridge, on the other hand, is perfect for those who prefer a more traditional approach to playing.
Pickups
Another important consideration is the type of pickups that the guitar is equipped with. Many Schecter guitars feature EMG pickups, which are known for their powerful and clear tone.
Coil tapping is also a popular feature, allowing for even greater tonal versatility and the ability to switch from humbucker to single-coil modes.
Ultimately, the best Schecter guitar for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Whether you are looking for a budget guitar or the absolute best instrument available, Schecter Diamond series guitars offer a range of options that are sure to meet your needs. With features such as satin chrome hardware, a Floyd Rose bridge, and a solid mahogany neck, Schecter models are perfect for those who demand high quality and exceptional craftsmanship in their instruments.
We've reviewed our favorites in this article to help you find the best guitar for you and your situation.
Schecter 443 C-6 Plus
Why it Rocks
It boasts a basswood body that provides a rich, warm tone with excellent resonance and sustain. The contoured design ensures a comfortable playing experience, allowing you to rock out for hours without any discomfort.
The bolt-on maple neck is fast and comfortable, thanks to its slim "C" shape profile. The rosewood fingerboard is smooth and responsive, providing easy access to all 24 jumbo frets. The 14" radius ensures low action and effortless bends while playing.
At the heart of the Schecter 443 C-6 Plus are the Schecter Diamond Plus pickup set. These high-output humbuckers deliver crunchy, powerful tones suitable for a wide range of musical genres, enabling you to achieve everything from clean single-note runs to chunky chords.
The Tune-O-Matic bridge with string-thru-body design ensures superb intonation and tuning stability. You can expect an impressive sustain and articulate tone since this feature allows for optimal string tension for your playing style.
What Else
The Schecter 443 C-6 Plus also comes with a graphite nut that eliminates friction between the strings and the nut, preventing snags and dead spots, and ensuring a consistent tone.
Overall, the Schecter 443 C-6 Plus packs a punch with its tonal versatility and ergonomic design, and is the best Schecter guitar for those on a budget.
Schecter Omen Extreme-6
Why it Rocks
With a sleek, double-cutaway mahogany body adorned with a striking quilted maple top, the Schecter Omen is as visually appealing as it is sonically impressive.
Equipped with two Schecter Diamond Plus humbucking pickups, the Omen Extreme-6 produces unrivaled tone that is both rich and dynamic.
The pickups are capable of delivering a wide range of sounds, from warm and mellow to bright and biting, making this guitar highly versatile and suitable for a variety of musical genres.
With its maple neck and 24-fret rosewood fingerboard, the Omen Extreme-6 boasts exceptional playability that will inspire even the most discerning of guitarists.
Whether playing complex jazz chords or shredding through blistering solos, the guitar's lightning-fast neck will keep up effortlessly.
What Else
The string-thru bridge design of the Omen Extreme-6 adds inherent sustain to the instrument, ensuring notes ring out with clarity and definition.
The guitar's contoured heel makes it comfortable and easy to play, while the master volume and tone controls, complete with push/pull coil-splitting, offer endless sound-shaping possibilities.
Overall, the Schecter Omen Extreme-6 is a premium electric guitar that delivers excellent tone and quality in a truly eye-catching package, and is a fantastic value at its current price point.
Schecter C-1 Apocalypse
Why it Rocks
The Apocalypse is a solidbody electric guitar that truly reflects the high standards of craftsmanship and attention to detail that Schecter has become renowned for.
The gorgeous red reign coloration, gloss-finished solid swamp ash body, and ergonomic design make it a visually stunning and comfortable guitar to play.
The 2 Humbucking Pickups that come with this guitar provide an unparalleled tonal experience, delivering a bright, snappy sound that's perfect for an array of musical genres, particularly those in the metal genre.
The exotic Maple/Padauk Neck offers superb playability, and the scale of the guitar of 25.5 inches paired with the 24-fret compound radius ebony fingerboard gives guitarists unprecedented control over the fretboard, allowing them to accurately hit each note with ease.
One of the most impressive features of the Schecter C-1 Apocalypse is the Sustainiac neck and Apocalypse VI bridge pickups which provide a unique tonal experience, ideal for creating signature riffs. These features, alongside the three-way select, plus Sustainiac on/off and mode switches, make it an ideal guitar to use for concerts, recordings, and rehearsal sessions.
What Else
The intonation is rock-solid, due largely to the Hipshot Bridge used on this guitar. It provides easy bends and playability, freeing guitarists from the worry of fret buzz, and allowing for effortless and seamless playing.
It's an excellent choice for those who want a guitar that is both visually stunning and provides impeccable sound quality, and it's the best Schecter guitar for metal.
Schecter Hellraiser C-1 Hybrid
Why it Rocks
The combination of a solid mahogany body and an ultra-violent Floyd Rose tremolo in the Hellraiser C-1 creates a rich and multifaceted tonal palette, and the two active humbucking pickups on this axe deliver an output that is both powerful and nuanced, allowing for accurate representation of even the most intricate musical phrases.
The ebony fretboard and maple neck provide a smooth and comfortable playing experience, while the compound-radius fretboard and slim SLS neck allow for precise finger placement.
What Else
One of the most impressive features of the Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 FR is its Floyd Rose 1500 Series tremolo system. This advanced piece of hardware provides unparalleled tuning stability and control, allowing players to take their music to the next level.
Additionally, the balanced mahogany body of this guitar boasts a carved top that sets it apart from other models on the market.
With its combination of premium materials, advanced hardware, and expert craftsmanship, this instrument is the perfect choice for those who demand the very best from their musical equipment. Whether you are shredding solos, laying down rhythm tracks, or exploring new sonic frontiers, the Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 FR is the ultimate tool for the job, and is our overall favorite model from Schecter.
FAQs: the Best Schecter Guitar
What materials are used to make Schecter guitars?
Schecter guitars are crafted with high-quality materials such as mahogany, swamp ash, and rosewood.
The guitars may also come with quilted maple tops, which not only make them visually stunning but also add to their tonal complexity.
Are Schecter guitars only suited for playing rock and metal?
While Schecter guitars are known for their excellence in rock and metal genres, they are also capable of delivering a variety of sounds.
Far from being exclusively a metal guitar, they are also frequently used to play jazz, blues, and classic rock.
What makes Schecter Diamond series guitars stand out from other models?
The Schecter Diamond series guitars are crafted to the highest standards of quality and design, making them a top choice for professional guitarists.
They are equipped with advanced features such as locking tuners, Floyd Rose tremolo systems, and custom hardtail bridges that ensure stable tuning and precise intonation.
The coil tap feature on some of the guitars allows players to switch between single-coil and humbucking sounds, which further expands their tonal options.
What kind of neck do Schecter guitars have?
Most Schecters are equipped with mahogany necks that offer a perfect balance of strength and flexibility. The necks are designed for maximum comfort and playability, allowing players to shred with ease.
What kind of tuning machines are used on Schecter guitars?
Schecter guitars are known for their reliable and precise tuning machines. Many models feature Grover tuners that provide accurate and stable tuning even during the most aggressive playing.
Does Schecter have any seven string options?
Schecter offers a wide range of seven-string guitar options. These guitars are designed with heavy metal players in mind, and they feature a variety of premium-grade materials, such as mahogany and swamp ash bodies, rosewood fretboards, quilted maple tops, and custom hardtail bridges.
The company's signature Schecter Diamond Series guitars are particularly popular among rock and metal musicians, as they are built with exceptional craftsmanship and offer a powerful and versatile sound.
The Diamond series also includes guitars with Floyd Rose tremolo systems, which provide players with the ability to add expressive whammy bar effects to their playing.
Some of the best Schecter guitar models available include the Schecter Diamond C-1 FR-S, the Schecter Banshee Elite-7, and the Schecter Synyster Gates Custom-S, all of which feature a mahogany neck and sleek black finishes.
These guitars are designed to cater to the needs of players who desire the highest-quality instruments for their performances, whether they are playing in a hard rock band or a jazz combo.
Which famous guitarists play Schecters?
Schecter guitars are known for their powerful tone and impressive craftsmanship, making them a popular choice among metal guitarists. Some notable guitarists who play Schecter guitars include Synyster Gates of Avenged Sevenfold, Jeff Loomis of Arch Enemy, and Keith Merrow.
Synyster Gates, who is often considered one of the best guitarists in the modern rock and metal scene, plays Schecter models from the company's Diamond Series. His signature guitar, the Synyster Custom, features a mahogany body with a quilted maple top, a custom hardtail bridge, and a set neck made of three pieces of mahogany. Gates has said that the guitar's versatility and flexibility make it perfect for playing anything from rock to jazz.
Another notable Schecter player is Jeff Loomis, who is known for his shredding guitar solos in the death metal band Arch Enemy. Loomis has his own signature Schecter model, the JL-7 FR, which features seven strings and a set-through neck made of maple and mahogany. The guitar also has a swamp ash body and a rosewood fretboard, which help to give it a bright, punchy tone.
Keith Merrow is another respected metal guitarist who plays Schecter guitars. He is known for his precise playing and inventive use of extended-range guitars, and he often uses Schecter models with seven or eight strings. Merrow has described his Schecter guitars as "so versatile and easy to play," and he credits them with helping him to develop his unique style.
Schecters are a favorite among metal guitarists, and there are numerous famous players who rely on the company's high-quality instruments. Whether you're playing rock, metal, or jazz, a Schecter guitar is sure to deliver the powerful sound and impressive playability that you're looking for.
Summary of the Best Schecter Guitar Options
In conclusion, Schecter guitars are renowned for their quality craftsmanship, powerful sound, and versatile playability.
Their guitars cater to a wide range of music genres with their wide array of specs and features. Their metal guitars with mahogany and swamp ash bodies, rosewood fretboard, quilted maple tops, and Floyd Rose tremolo system make for an incredibly powerful sound that is perfect for rock and metal.
Whether you’re a professional musician or just starting, investing in a Schecter guitar is a decision you won’t regret. Just to recap, here are our favorites again:
Best Budget Option: Schecter 443 C-6 Plus
Best Value for the Money: Schecter Omen Extreme-6
Best for Metal: Schecter C-1 Apocalypse
Best Overall: Schecter Hellraiser C-1 Hybrid
Thanks for checking us out, and keep rockin’!
*FYI, when you make a qualifying purchase through one of our links, we might receive a small commission from Amazon or other retailers, at no additional cost to you, which helps us to fund this site. It's a way to find what you're looking for while supporting us in the process!