Schecter guitars have a reputation.
And that reputation says they are incredible for metal.
Is it deserved? Are Schecter guitars really that good at playing metal?
And what about other genres? Are they ONLY good for metal?
And what does “good” mean, really? Does the company just do good marketing, or do actual professional metal guitarists use these instruments?
We’ll take a look at all of that and more. But first, let’s definitively answer the main question.
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Are Schecter Guitars Good For Metal?
Metal guitarists have a ton of amazing metal guitars to choose from. And Schecter Guitars makes many of those models. They are one of the best guitar brands for metal.
In fact, Schecter is so good at making metal guitars, that their name has effectively become intertwined with the genre to the point that guitarists in other genres might even avoid the brand altogether!
We’ll examine whether that is justified in a minute. First let’s state once and for all: whether you play classic rock, punk, extreme metal, or any other metal or rock subgenre, a Schecter guitar might be the best decision you make. Let’s take a closer look.
Brief History Of Schecter Guitars
If you haven’t heard about Schecter Guitars, here’s a little history about the company. Schecter guitars was launched as Schecter Guitar Research in Van Nuys, California in 1976.
It was a repair shop and manufacturer for replacement guitar bridges, complete pickup assemblies, knobs, necks and bodies, pickguards potentiometers, tuners, and miscellaneous other guitar parts.
In 1979, it began selling it own fully assembled electric guitars. Since then, it has continued to gain in popularity with a reputation for high-quality guitars.
What Makes Schecter Guitars Good For Metal?
The company has decades-long experience building guitars of many types, as well as guitar replacement parts. But a great reputation is only one reason. Musicians who use Schecter guitars love them for many other reasons as well.
High Output Pickups (Active And Passive)
Of all the things to consider when choosing an electric guitar, the pickups are perhaps the most important electric guitar component. Why?
The guitar pickup is the device that allows the instrument to be heard. In essence, the pickup captures the vibrations of the guitar strings and then transfers them as an electric signal that gets amplified.
Schecter guitars are outfitted with high-output pickups. This means that the guitar pickups have more windings than low-output ones, which sets the tone and yields a hotter signal. It makes it easier for the guitar to have tighter and distinct, clear metal sounds.
Coil Tapping Feature
Some models of Schecter guitars have a coil tapping feature that lets you access a single-coil tone. It essentially switches off one of the two coils in a humbucking pickup, resulting in a twangier and clearer single-coil tone. This allows for more tonal options and is great if you also like to play in other genres like blues or jazz..
String-Through Bodies
Schecter guitars also offer string-through-body electric guitars where the strings are installed from the guitar’s back. The strings travel through the body (hence the term string-through-body), over the saddles, the neck, the nut, and they end at the tuner post. This kind of setup increases sustain, giving you a deeper tone and resonance when playing.
Metal-Inspired Body Finishes And Aesthetics
Most metal and rock guitarists want their guitar to scream metal. While it does not directly affect music and tones, Schecter guitars have a massive appeal among metal and hard rock musicians because of their overall aesthetics.
Other Features Found On Schecter Guitar Models
Note: not all features are found on every model.
- Locking tuners
- Comfortable neck design
- Floyd Rose tremolo
- Great inlay designs
- Good quality hardware
- High build quality and construction
Are They Good For Other Types Of Music?
Most Schecter players select their guitars due to their history of producing excellent metal guitars that deliver outstanding performance, are extremely playable and produce an amazing tone.
But Schecter guitars are not just famous for producing guitars for metal and rock guitarists. Although they do have many models specialized in metal and rock, they also have a good selection of guitars aimed at various other musical genres and playing styles.
Which Models Are Especially Recommended?
There are a lot of metal guitars. Metal covers everything from neoclassical to death metal to metalcore to thrash metal and much more. This multitude of subgenres is why it can be challenging to choose the best electric guitar for metal. Different styles require different things.
To help, we have sifted through the vast selection of metal guitars from Schecter Guitar Research to find the ones most recommended by music educators, professional musicians, and world-renowned artists.
Of course, the guitar is not the only factor. You also need the appropriate amp, perhaps some pedals and the knowledge to set it all up correctly. We have an article covering how to make an electric guitar sound metal.
Schecter Hellraiser C-1
The Schecter Hellraiser C-1 is a pro-level heavy metal guitar that looks great and delivers outstanding tones.
Apart from a price of less than a grand, the main selling point are the EMG Active humbucker pickups (81TW bridge and 89 neck). Other than that, it has an easy-access mahogany 3-piece set neck, as well as black pearl binding and black chrome hardware.
Schecter Omen-8
The Schecter Omen-8 is one of the most affordable eight-string guitars available.
Its 24-fret rosewood fretboard and overall build are highly playable, making it the best pick for beginners on an eight-string guitar. It makes it easy to dial in the proper string tension and it has great tuning stability. With a scale length of 26.5 inches and excellent electronics, it’s a pleasure to play.
Schecter Stiletto Studio-5 Electric Bass
The loud growl, superior power, and tone of bass guitars are integral to virtually all sections of metal songs. Without the bass sounds, even the best and crunchiest guitar riffs or the driving drumbeats go underappreciated.
The Schecter Stiletto Studio-5 bass guitar is famous for exquisite sounds and looks that could kill.
It is sleek and has a double-cutaway body, carved to perfection. It is also well-stocked with quality components. It is available in either See-Thru Black Satin or Honey Satin.
Schecter Synyster Gates Custom S
As mentioned, Schecter is most famous for beautiful rock and metal guitars that are easy to shred on. The Schecter Synyster Gates Custom S was designed in collaboration with the lead guitarist of Avenged Sevenfold, Synyster Gates.
It features an edgy body shape, a three-piece C-shaped neck, and stylish silver or gold pinstripes. It is the ultimate metal guitar that produces epic sounds with excellent clarity thanks to a Schecter Synyster Gates Signature bridge pickup and a Sustainiac neck pickup.
You’ll be playing grinding riffs and flying solos alike with this instrument. Given all that, it is quite surprising to see a price under one grand. And shipping won’t cost you any extra, either, though most stores ship without a case.
Famous Guitarists Who Have Used Schecter Guitars?
Schecter Guitar’s roster of artists includes a lot of metal and rock bands and world-renowned guitarists. Here are some of them as listed on their webpage:
- Abbath Doom Occulta – ABBATH
- Adam French – Independent
- Al Jourgensen – Ministry
- Alex Snowden – Doll Skin
- Anastasia B – Independent
- Andrei Busuioceanu – RDGLDGRN
- Andrew Bozymowski – Capstan
- Andrew McGuire – Afterlife
- Andrew Wells – Dance Gavin Dance
- Antulio Espinosa – Genitallica
- Ashok – Cradle of Filth
- Ashton Nyte – Independent
- Balsac – GWAR
- Bandit – Aerosniff
- Baris Benice – Independent
- Batkhuu Batbayar – The HU
- Ben Reagan – Richie Ramone
- Bradley Scott – Emarosa
- Cezar Popescu – Days of Confusion
- Chad Petree – Shiny Toy Guns
- Charlie Scene – Hollywood Undead
- Chase Brawner – 3TEETH
- Chris Hermsdoerfer – Beyond the Black & Serenity
- Chris Howorth – In This Moment
- Chris Loocke – Chase Rice
- Christian Lapolla – A.N.I.M.A.L.
- CJ Masciantonio – Galactic Empire/Tethra
- Cyn – Silence in the Snow
- Damon Marks – Traveling Guitar Foundation
- Dan Donegan – Disturbed
- Daniel Firth – Cradle Of Filth
- Dann Bostock – Trash Boat
- Dean Pleasants – Suicidal Tendencies
- Derek Smalls – Spinal Tap
- DJ Ashba – Independent
- dUg Pinnick – Kings X
- East Bay Ray – Dead Kennedys
- Erik Jensen – Escape the Fate/Dead Rabbitts
- Ernie C – Body Count
- Fernando Yazbek – Independent
- Freeze – Morris Day and The Time
- Grant Benziger – Yelawolf
- Harrison Bormann – Capstan
- Hunter Havokk
- Ian Pedigo – I The Mighty
- Isaac Brock – Modest Mouse
- J-Dog – Hollywood Undead
- Jake Courlang – Save Ferris
- Jake Kolatis – The Casualties
- Jake Pitts – Black Veil Brides
- Jason Boland – Kodaline
- Jayden Penesso – Sylar
- JD DeServio – Black Label Society
- Jerry Horton – Papa Roach
- Jinxx – Black Veil Brides
- John Feldmann – Goldfinger
- Johnny Christ – Avenged Sevenfold
- Johnny Verdugo – King Of Liars
- Jonny Goood – Lady GaGa/Bass Hop
- Joseph Mabry – Capstan
- Josh Billimoria – Thousand Below
- Josh Burke – Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
- Josh Thomas – Thousand Below
- Josh White – Our Hollow Our Home
- Joshua Connelly – Trombone Shorty
- Juan of the Dead – Body Count
- Jules Conroy – Independent
- Keith Merrow – Alluvial/Independent
- Kenny Hickey – Type O Negative
- Kevin Preston – Prima Donna
- Kim Denis Etmanovich – The Starkillers
- King Ov Hell – ABBATH
- Kyle Koelsch – Ded
- Leonardo Esjaita
- Lights Out – Prima Donna
- Lola Bates – Independent
- Machine Gun Kelly
- Mark Gemini Thwaite – Independent
- Mark Rynkun – Nick Johnston
- Matt DiRitto – Pop Evil
- Matty Cox – The Raven Age
- Meegs Rascon – Coal Chamber
- Melvin Duffy – First Aid Kit
- Mercédesz Tóth – Independent
- Michael Anthony – Chickenfoot
- Mike Bass – Trombone Shorty
- Mike Gianelli – Independent
- Miles Dimitri Baker – Interloper
- Munly J. Munly – Slim Cessna Auto Club
- Murv Douglas – Powerman 5000
- Nadja Peulen – Coal Chamber
- Nick Bockrath – Cage The Elephant
- Nick Diltz – All Hail The Yeti
- Nick Fuelling – Pop Evil
- Nick Johnston – Independent
- Nigel Bennett – The Vibrators
- Nikki Misery – New Years Day
- Nikki Sixx – Motley Crue/Sixx AM
- Nikki Stringfield – Iron Maidens
- Oscar Murphy – The Bubbaz
- Pando – A Flock Of Seagulls
- Paul Cripple – Reagan Youth
- Paul Meany – Mute Math
- Paul Wiley – Marilyn Manson
- Pete Dee – The Adicts
- Prince
- Ra Diaz – Suicidal Tendencies
- Randy Weitzel – In This Moment
- Red – RDGLDGRN
- Rex Cox – Uncured
- Richard Patrick – Filter
- Rikard Ekberg – Eleine
- Rob Gueringer – Kendrick Lamar
- Robert DeLeo – Stone Temple Pilots
- Robert Smith – The Cure
- Robin Finck – Nine Inch Nails
- Robin Zander – Cheap Trick
- Rori Santiago – Smashing Pupkins
- Sazzad Arefeen
- Sean Rosario – Dragged Under
- Sean Yseult – Star and Dagger
- Sergey Polyanskiy – 5diez
- Shonn Hinton – Mary J. Blige
- Simon Gallup – The Cure
- Sin Quirin – Ministry
- Stan Lee – The Dickies
- Stella Murphy – Destruction Derpy
- Stephen Mandarano – Independent
- Steve Zing – Danzig
- Sydney Dolezal – Doll Skin
- Synyster Gates – Avenged Sevenfold
- Teja Veal – Janelle Monae
- Terry Corso – Alien Ant Farm
- Tim Feerick – Dance Gavin Dance
- Tim Palmer – Independent
- Tim Pee – Alien Ant Farm
- Tim Stewart – Lady Gaga/Knives
- Tobias Young – Our Hollow Our Home
- Tommy Victor – Prong
- Tonio Ruiz
- Tony Castaneda – Kyng
- Tony Maue – The Raven Age
- Tony Russell – Kendrick Lamar
- Tore Gonzalez – Here Comes The Kracken
- Tori Ruffin – Morris Day and The Time
- Travis Johnson – In This Moment
- Travis Montgomery – Kill the Lights
- Tristan Edwards – Afterlife
- Tyler Bates – Marilyn Manson
- Vince Price – Body Count
- Vinnie Hornsby – Sevendust
- Vitaliy Krymskiy – Linda
- Wayne Hussey – The Mission
- Yuri Maleev – nobody.one
- Zacky Vengeance – Avenged Sevenfold
- Zak Cox – Uncured
- Zakk Sandler – Falling In Reverse
- Zakk Wylde
Are Schecter Guitars Good For Beginners Too?
If you are a beginner searching for your first metal guitar, Schecter is a good option. They make models for all skill levels and their beginner models are affordable, easy to play, and very versatile. Even their entry-level models have powerful pickups and are solidly built.
You’ll spend more than you would on some other entry level guitars, but you’ll get a much better instrument that you’ll still enjoy playing as your skill level increases. Combine it with a quality metal amplifier to get the most out of it.
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