Schecter Hellraiser Extreme vs. Hellraiser Hybrid

[GI-45]

Hey guys, I'm currently GASing for a straight-up metal guitar, and the Schecter Hellraisers have caught my eye. My requirements are 1) Strat-style body, 2) Neck-through body or set-through neck (no bolt-ons), 3) Floyd Rose tremolo, and 4) EMG pickups. (I love my Duncan-equipped guitars, but I've wanted an EMG guitar ever since I was a teenager, thanks to Metallica.)

These two models have caught my eye. I'm really trying to avoid getting a guitar that is overly "bright" (which to me translates as "harsh.") Which of these will give me the best chugga-chugga sound without sounding like an icepick in my ears? (I realize that a Strat-body with a Floyd Rose may not be the best for "chugga-chugga," but I'm trying to strike a compromise here between tone and playability preferences.)

HELLRAISER EXTREME C-1 FR

• Body: Mahogany with Quilted Maple
• Neck: Multi-Laminate Maple & Walnut, though body
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Bridge: Floyd Rose 1000
• Pickups: EMG 81 (bridge) and 89R (neck)

HELLRAISER HYBRID C-1 FR

• Body: Mahogany with Quilted Maple
• Neck: Maple 3-piece, set-through (not through body)
• Fretboard: Ebony
• Bridge: Floyd Rose 1000
• Pickups: EMG 57 (bridge) and 66 (neck)

As you can see they're basically the same, except for the neck (through body vs. set-through) and the pickups (EMG 81/89R vs 57/66).

Looking forward to your opinions. Thanks!

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Schecter Hellraiser Extreme vs. Hellraiser Hybrid

Is there a ibanez or jackson option?

I would get the neck through one if it was my choice.

 

[GI-45]

Re: Schecter Hellraiser Extreme vs. Hellraiser Hybrid

Thanks for the reply. I've definitely looked at the Jacksons (not a big Ibanez fan, not sure why), but all of the neck-through Jacksons I've found in my price range (the Asian-made Soloists) have solid maple neck-thru designs, which I'm thinking will make the guitar too bright for my taste, since the pickups are basically sitting on maple. The Hellraiser Extreme at least has some walnut in there, to tone things down (in theory).

 

[daan]

Re: Schecter Hellraiser Extreme vs. Hellraiser Hybrid

Walnut is just as dense/hard as Maple, so it wouldn't sound much different. For the most part.
I have an all maple neck thru Strat copy with a Kahler (and Hot Rails) and it does "chugga chugga" just fine. You can always turn your treble down much easier than trying to add brightness to a dark, muddy guitar.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Schecter Hellraiser Extreme vs. Hellraiser Hybrid

why would a floyd not be good for chugga chugga?

 

[Spewnz]

Re: Schecter Hellraiser Extreme vs. Hellraiser Hybrid

The hybrid has a much thinner neck if that is important to you. I think the 57/66 set sounds way better then the 81/85 personally.

 

[Oinkus]

Re: Schecter Hellraiser Extreme vs. Hellraiser Hybrid

Only played one Schecter I ever liked and it was a custom made one. That being said get the Soloist , better quality guitar and with upgrades could be way better then either of the Schecters.

 

[GI-45]

Re: Schecter Hellraiser Extreme vs. Hellraiser Hybrid

why would a floyd not be good for chugga chugga?

I thought that hardtails or through-body bridges were better for that, but not having owned a Floyd-equipped guitar, I could be wrong.

Thanks for the replies, guys.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Schecter Hellraiser Extreme vs. Hellraiser Hybrid

I thought that hardtails or through-body bridges were better for that, but not having owned a Floyd-equipped guitar, I could be wrong.

Thanks for the replies, guys.

you can do the chugs with a floyd.

 

[dominus]

Re: Schecter Hellraiser Extreme vs. Hellraiser Hybrid

If you get the 81/89 equipped one swap the pickups around. The 89 is voiced like the 85 and will sound thicker and better in the bridge.

 

[GI-45]

Re: Schecter Hellraiser Extreme vs. Hellraiser Hybrid

If you get the 81/89 equipped one swap the pickups around. The 89 is voiced like the 85 and will sound thicker and better in the bridge.

Yeah I saw a guy who did just that on YouTube. Dude's tone is amazing: