Opinions on Schecter?

[guitarrob]

I have been looking over their instruments and checked a couple new ones at the local shop and I must say, they look like very high end instruments. I am going back this week to play one. Is it my imagination or are they underrated among players?

I haven't decided which model to go with but the Black jack, hellraiser, Damien or Omen similar model look very nice with a FR of course.

Do we have any owners around here and if so what is your general opinion of the quality of the instruments?

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

They are nice instruments, and still good value but not as much as they were a few years ago.

The designs look like they are aimed at metal players, but many of them have thicker necks than you would expect for that style of guitar.

 

[guitarrob]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

The prices are reasonable based on what I have seen on line and the couple in the local shop.

So many choices out there for a new guitar, it is hard to make up your mind without serious research,opinions and finally playing the one you are interested in.

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

The prices aren't bad now, but when I bought my Tempest Blackjack a few years back it was superb value. Today the equivalent model costs 50-75% more. I know there has been inflation since then, but not that much.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

My Schecter is about 4-5 years old. I consider it one of the best made and finished guitars in any price range. If I compared it to a modern Gibson, I would think the price should be about $6000. Either that or the price of the Gibson should be about $500.

I've got about 30 guitars (including 4 Gibsons) and my Schecter is my #1. And, believe it or not, my Wilshire Pro is my #2. After that, I have about a dozen that compete for the #3 spot.

 

[guitarrob]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

Which model are you wielding?

 

[Grenade]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

I love my '05 C1+, my no.1

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

I like Schecter and know a couple guys who play them. I've never bought one because the models I like the best are virtually identical to (but just a tad more expensive than) models offered by Ibanez, and I can't afford to get all fanboyish for yet another brand, so I've resisted. Grenade's C1+ looks very much like an Ibanez SZ520. Take the logo off the headstock and many players would be hard-pressed to tell which is which. I don't know who got there first - given Ibanez' history I'd suspect they cloned Schecter's designs, but I won't speculate.

Suffice it to say, Schecter makes some very fine axes, indeed. Their designs and build quality remind me of PRS in a way. Excellent value for what you get, IMO.

 

[Grenade]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

I had actually watched an Ibanez for a few months waiting for income tax return and when I went to get it, it was gone. I found this around the corner and I like it even more. I got it used from a man that bought it new and never played it, $375 with a HSC. The neck is thicker, nothing like the Ibanez. I found another in orange I might get. Some I've seen have bolt-on necks, mine is a set neck.

 

[TheProphet]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

Each one I've played has left me feeling "Meh"

And their use of abalone and paua shell is basically like giving guitars visual chlamydia.

 

[alteredbeast]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

Each one I've played has left me feeling "Meh"

And their use of abalone and paua shell is basically like giving guitars visual chlamydia.

same here. plus most of their bodies look exactly the same, yet they all have different model names.

Companies (not just schecter) should lay off the abalone/oyster shell trim. make me want to vomit.

 

[jazzems5150]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

I have a 10 year old Schecter and it's probably one of the best guitars I've played in its price range. It plays great and its pretty rugged. I can beat the crap out of it and it still plays perfectly.

 

[gman128]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

Hate the necks - but they are solidly built guitars. Why they use so much abalone is beyond me - it never looks good when the guitar is so heavily decorated. The ESP LTD line do this too - i suppose this is because they are owned by the same guy, who clearly has Japanese sensibilities, but I find it makes great guitars look very tacky.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

They look nicer, but the feel and quality is not noticeably different from other products from the same country of manufacture.

One good thing is that since they go for looks they usually have a proper high-gloss finish on the back of the neck, as opposed to putting some semi-goo that is neither a wood finish nor proper coating.

Some that I picked up sounded awful acoustically but it seems they are set up with really really bad strings.

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

I have a Corsair (335 style with a Bigsby) and a Hollywood Classic (neck-through Super Strat). They're both really nice guitars that have seen a lot of gigs.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

Speaking exclusively about the current production line Schecters (i.e. not the USA made stuff from the 70's and 80's, which was quite literally made by a different company): I'm not a fan. They seem nice "on paper", but every single one I've picked up has looked, felt, and sounded like a budget guitar.

Speaking of the older USA made stuff, some of the best guitars I've ever held in my hands were Schecters. Those were really special. I had a chance to buy a Schecter strat a few years ago but the deal fell through. Total bummer, as I've not seen a lefty one on the used market since.

Interestingly, the stuff they currently make for the Japanese market looks a lot more like the "golden age" Schecters: http://www.schecter.co.jp/st4ctm/chs.html

 

[tonello]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

I couldn't buy a Damien. There was kid from high school named Damien who kept hitting on my girlfriend right in front of me. I punched his lights out after graduation.

The Blackjacks are pretty decent guitars. IMHO, the Schecter ATX Blackjack C-7 is the best seven string on the market. It has everything one needs to shred it modern style.

 

[FrankyBoy]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

I owned a Hellraiser Tempest for a while and loved it. To me the Hellraiser/ATX/SLS series are just plain wonderful for rock/metal in general. Solid guitars really! The Custom series are cool too if you want a classier look. And be aware of their fat necks compared to most metal guitar brands (Ibanez, LTD, Jackson, etc)

 

[Coma]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the current Schecters made in the same factory as LTD's?

 

[rumblebox]

Re: Opinions on Schecter?

good guitars with too much abalone.