5 Best Schecter Guitars in 2023 – The Only Guide You Need

Last Updated on September 21, 2023 by Teemu Suomala

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How Schecter Aaron Marshall AM-6 sounds:

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The Next Best:

Best for Beginners – Schecter Omen-6

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Sweetwater

Thomann

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Our Overall Rating

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Summary

Pros:

• Basswood body is lightweight and easy to play standing up.
• Maple neck has a comfortable “C” shaped profile for easy soloing.
• The string-through-body design makes string changes simple.
• Electronics sound great right out of the box.

Cons:

• The quality of tuners can be hit-or-miss

Who is this guitar for?

The Schecter Omen-6 is a great metal guitar for beginners and an excellent backup guitar for musicians of all skill levels. 

 

Best Premium – Schecter USA Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro

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Sweetwater

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Our Overall Rating

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Summary

Pros:

• The flame maple top looks amazing.
• Fishman Fluence electronics allow for incredible versatility.
• Hipshot tuners and bridge enhance tuning stability.
• The 3-piece wenge neck is incredibly comfortable to play for long periods.

Cons:

• The price might not be in everyone’s budget.

Who is this guitar for?

This guitar is for the shredder who wants a USA-made Schecter with incredible versatility.

Best Budget – Schecter Omen Extreme-6

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Sweetwater

Thomann

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Our Overall Rating

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Summary

Pros:

• The affordable price makes it accessible to most players.
• Looks stunning under stage lights.
• The comfortable neck is easy to play.
• Coil split adds more versatility.

Cons:

• High-gloss finish gets sticky after long playing sessions

Who is this guitar for?

The Schecter Omen Extreme-6 is for anyone looking for a budget shredder with gorgeous looks to match its fantastic tone.

Best 7-String – Schecter Hellraiser C-7 FR-S

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Sweetwater

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Our Overall Rating

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Summary

Pros:

• The thin, fast neck is excellent for speedy solos.
• Active EMG 81 and Sustainiac make it incredibly versatile.
• Floyd Rose bridge keeps the guitar in tune exceptionally well.

Cons:

• The high-gloss finish on the neck can be sticky.

Who is this guitar for?

The Schecter Hellraiser C-7 FR-S is great for any lead guitarist wanting to add a quality 7-string to their arsenal. 

Compare the Key Specs

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Compare The Pickups:

Learn more about electric guitar pickup types here.

About Schecter Guitars

Schecter Guitar Research started as a custom parts company in 1976. Today, Schecter is an incredibly successful guitar company with an impressive line of high-quality and affordable instruments. 

They were among the first companies to jump on the 7-string craze during the 1990s and early 2000s, along with Ibanez and others. Bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, and Nevermore began using their guitars to explore different tonal planes. The list of other artists using Schecter guitars over the years is illustrious and includes:

• Pete Townshend
• Mark Knopfler
• Robert Smith 
• Aaron Marshall

Schecter was clearly making some of the best guitars in the world at that point. I remember seeing Schecter guitars on local stages when I was 12. I started playing in 1998 and saw my first local show that year. 

A few bands were using these incredibly cool-looking guitars that I referred to as “Sketchers” after I first saw them. The sounds were incredible. The tone was fat and full. They were shiny and looked stunning on stage. They became part of the soundtrack of my youth and remain a vital and important company in the modern guitar music scene.

Schecter has various body styles, pickup configurations, and many 7-string, 8-string, and multiscale guitars. They also have an extensive roster of signature models; you’ll see several on this list. 

Let’s look at the best Schecter guitars of 2023. You will understand why they have won the hearts of thousands of guitarists.

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5 Best Schecter Guitars

Keep These 3 Key Things In Mind When Choosing A Schecter Guitar:

How Did We Choose These Guitars?

In thinking about the best way to choose among Schecter’s impressive lineup of instruments, I turned to my bandmates for advice. Matt Higgins is one of the founding members of Seronova and an accomplished guitarist. He has played Schecter guitars for years and knows his stuff. Matt is also a left-handed guitarist, making it nearly impossible for me to play his guitars! 

Danny Taylor is the bassist for Seronova and the guitarist in many other projects such as Suddenly Silence, Dread, and Broken Glass Memory. He is a long-time fan of Schecter’s 7 and 8 strings and bass guitars. 

Of course, I have played many of them in music stores, so I also used that experience. While I have never owned a Schecter, I have been around them in many music projects. I consider myself a fan and always look forward to playing them.

Most electric guitars we recommend are run through tests like these:

• We check electronics (Basic measurements with multimeter, resistance, etc.)
• We inspect the guitar carefully to get a good idea of the finish and built quality of the guitar.
• We inspect the fretwork and edges of the fretboard to make sure there are no sharp edges.
• We run the guitar usually through BOSS Katana 50 MK2 and test clean, crunch, and distorted tones with lead and rhythm playing.
• We use different playing styles to get a good feel for the playability. We use fingerpicking, sweep picking, riffs from different genres, shredding, tapping, chord playing, etc.
• We test all the possible pickup combinations and use different Volume and Tone settings from the guitar.
• We measure and weight the guitar.
• We test the guitar with drop tunings.

Learn more about GND’s testing and reviewing processes here.

Best Overall – Schecter Aaron Marshall AM-6 Electric Guitar

Specs

Body Style	Solidbody Aaron Marshall AM-6
Body Wood	Basswood
Neck	Bolt-on Quarter Sawn Wenge
Neck Shape	Thin C
Neck Radius	12″-15″ compound
Fretboard	24, Extra Jumbo, Macassar Ebony
Nut	Graph Tech XL Black Tusq
Nut Width	1.643″
Pickups	2 Schecter USA Equinox Humbucker
Controls	1 x master volume 1 x master tone 5-way blade pickup switch
Scale-Length	25.5″
Bridge	Gotoh Vintage 2-point Tremolo
Tuners	Hipshot Grip Lock

I’m partial to listening to instrumental music when working. One of the artists I listen to consistently is Intervals. The man behind Intervals is Aaron Marshall. He’s an incredible guitarist with some serious chops. The Schecter Aaron Marshall AM-6 was made with his direct input. 

This guitar has a basswood body for lighter weight while retaining sustain. The neck is made from open-pore wenge and capped with an ebony fretboard. The combination gives you warm lows and soaring highs with plenty of sustain on tap. The action is close, and the open-pore wenge neck feels like butter. The thin “C” neck profile feels great in your hand and makes quick licks and solos easy to pull off. 

The pickups are Schecter Equinox and Solstice humbuckers. These pickups are made for high-gain playing. However, they also work very well for clean tones. Whether you’re a shredder or a bluesman, you’ll be sure to find a tone you love thanks to the five-way toggle switch. 

The hardware is also premium and includes a vintage-style Gotoh tremolo bridge and Hipshot locking tuners. While I prefer a Floyd Rose bridge for tremolo work, this bridge operates smoothly and stays in tune even if you’re heavy-handed with the whammy bar. The Graphtech nut helps with tuning stability by design and is a huge step up from typical plastic nuts. 

However, one of the biggest disappointments is that it only comes in one color, Arctic Frost. I like the color, but I wish they offered a couple more options. A neck-through version for those unique contrasting colors when a transparent finish is applied might also be interesting.

Besides the lack of color options, the Schecter Aaron Marshal AM-6 is a fantastic guitar with incredible versatility. Its ability to go from deep high-gain chugs to crystal clear cleans and its insanely good playability make it the number one Schecter on the list. 

How this guitar sounds:

Summary

Pros:

• Basswood body is lightweight and easy to play with for long periods while standing.
• Schecter Solstice and Equinox humbuckers are incredibly versatile.
• Hipshot locking tuners keep the guitar in tune well.
• The neck profile is comfortable for both rhythm-playing and soloing.

Cons:

• Only available in one color option.

What others are saying:

“I started hearing about this guitar in interviews that Aaron Marshall was doing a year ago or more – and it is finally here! This guitar easily competes with guitars twice its price – the specs on this are PHENOMENAL at this price point. The pickups are HOT – I am finding I need to back off on the guitar volume a bit more than I usually do. Both sound great, and I particularly like the neck tones.

The coil split options offer great flexibility. The neck is fantastic – thin, smooth, and fast. The locking tuners are a great bonus, and the Gotoh bridge goes from nicely subtle to complete dive bomb. So far, it holds tune very well, with only minor adjustments needed each playing session. Put your order in now…these seem to be very popular!”– Daniel, Sweetwater customer.

Who is this guitar for?

The Schecter Aaron Marshall AM-6 is an excellent guitar for players who want something versatile and built with high-quality parts. 

Who is this guitar NOT for?

This guitar is not for fans of twangy country picking. It has a full, warm tone instead of a bright, snappy tone. 

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Best for Beginners – Schecter Omen-6

Specs

Body Style	Solidbody Omen-6
Body Wood	Basswood
Neck	Bolt-on Maple
Neck Shape	Thin C
Neck Radius	14″
Fretboard	24 fret Rosewood
Nut	Graph Tech XL Black Tusq
Nut Width	1.653″
Pickups	2 Diamond Plus Humbucker
Controls	1 x master volume 1 x master tone 3-way blade pickup switch
Scale-Length	25.5″
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic Bridge with String-through body
Tuners	Schecter

One of the best Schecter guitars for metal is also great for beginners. The Schecter Omen-6 belongs to the Schecter Diamond Series and is a perfect way to jump head-first into metal guitar playing. The Schecter Omen-6:

• Sounds excellent through nearly any amplifier.
• Is made from high-quality materials.
• Is affordable for most musicians. 

Let me be clear, though: This is not just another cheap electric guitar. This is a serious instrument ready for the stage and the studio. It all starts with a basswood body and a solid maple bolt-on neck. It is a tried and true combination that works exceptionally well. Basswood is a lightweight tonewood, so it is very comfortable to play standing up for long periods. 

The neck has a familiar “C” profile but feels thinner than some competitors. It takes no time to get used to it and riffs and chords can be comfortably played for hours without fatigue. If you’re looking at the Schecter Omen-6 for your first guitar, you’ll be spoiled with how great the neck feels compared to other “beginner” guitars. 

The string-through-body design enhances sustain and makes changing tunings (and strings) a breeze. The electronics are not as good as higher-priced Schecters, but most players won’t notice. Two Schecter Diamond Plus humbuckers have enough output to play scorching metal riffs, but they clean up nicely when needed. Plug it into your favorite amplifier and dig in – you won’t need to do anything else.

The only gripe I have is that the tuners are hit-or-miss as far as quality is concerned. Some of them work perfectly, and others feel gritty. Otherwise, it is by far the best Schecter guitar for beginners. 

How this guitar sounds:

Summary

Pros:

• Basswood body is lightweight and easy to play standing up.
• Maple neck has a comfortable “C” shaped profile for easy soloing.
• The string-through-body design makes string changes simple.
• Electronics sound great right out of the box.

Cons:

• The quality of tuners can be hit-or-miss

What Others Are Saying:

“One of the best guitars I’ve had the pleasure of playing. Kinda lightweight, smooth thin neck. Just a classic Schecter feel to it. Just one of those guitars you pick up and it feels “Right,” I guess I could say. Next thing you know, you’ve been playing for 6 hours. Overall it’s a great guitar for the price, and it’s got a nice tone even stock. Definitely buy this.” – Thall, Sweetwater customer

Who is this guitar for?

The Schecter Omen-6 is a great metal guitar for beginners and an excellent backup guitar for musicians of all skill levels.

Who is this guitar NOT for?

This is not just “another cheap guitar.” You must look elsewhere if you’re looking for something cheaper in price and quality. 

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Best Premium – Schecter USA Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro

Specs

Body Style	Solidbody Keith Merrow KM-6
Body Wood	Swamp Ash with Flamed Burl Maple Top
Neck	3-piece Wenge with Purpleheart/Maple laminates
Neck Shape	Thin Fast C
Neck Radius	12″-16″ compound
Fretboard	24, Stainless Steel frets on Ebony fingerborad
Nut	Graphite
Nut Width	1.650″
Pickups	2 KM Custom Fishman Fluenece Humbuckers
Controls	1 x master volume 3-way voicing mini-switch 3-way toggle pickup switch
Scale-Length	25.5″
Bridge	Hipshot Low profile
Tuners	Hipshot Open-gear Locking

Our Best Premium choice is a unique signature guitar: the Schecter USA Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro. Keith Merrow is an impressive solo artist who has a knack for designing guitars along with Schecter’s USA custom shop team. It is built to his demanding specifications. Let me tell you – this thing shreds!

The body is swamp ash and capped with a stunning flame maple top. The neck is a three-piece wenge/purpleheart with an ebony fretboard. The combination results in massive sustain and reduced overall weight – especially compared to mahogany guitars. 

This American-made guitar is nothing but premium from top to bottom. The electronics feature Fishman Fluence pickups linked to a standard 3-way switch, a separate 3-way voicing switch, and a single volume pot. The result is an incredibly versatile axe perfect for complex compositions where you must quickly switch from one tone to another. 

The neck is the same thin “C” shaped profile as on the AM-6. It is slim and fast, but provides enough heft for complex chords. It plays like butter and could be my favorite Schecter neck. 

An Ernie Ball graphite nut, Hipshot Low Profile hardtail bridge, and Hipshot tuners round out the premium appointments. Additionally, the truss rod has a spoke wheel adjustment at the base of the neck for easy neck adjustments. 

If you want a premium Schecter guitar made in the USA, then the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro should be on your list. The only thing that might make you cringe is the price!

How this guitar sounds:

Pros:

• The flame maple top looks amazing.
• Fishman Fluence electronics allow for incredible versatility.
• Hipshot tuners and bridge enhance tuning stability.
• The 3-piece wenge neck is incredibly comfortable to play for long periods.

Cons:

• The price might not be in everyone’s budget.

What others are saying:

“If you want a modern guitar with a Strat’s scale and the versatility of Fishman pickups, this is your guitar. Not only is it visually stunning, it’s extremely versatile due to the pickups. When you put it in single coil mode, it is a pretty convincing Fender-like tone. I knew this thing would spit fire, but it’s the clean tones that are really surprising. Yes, this is an expensive guitar, and you can get many of the same specs in the import model, but what you’re getting is perfection and more attention to detail.” – Daniel, Sweetwater customer

Who is this guitar for?

This guitar is for the shredder who wants a USA-made Schecter with incredible versatility.

Who is this guitar NOT for?

This guitar is not for beginners; the price is too much for most beginners. 

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Best Budget – Schecter Omen Extreme-6

Specs

Body Style	Solidbody Omen Extreme
Body Wood	Mahogany
Neck	Bolt-on Maple
Neck Shape	Thin C
Neck Radius	14″
Fretboard	24 Extra Jumbo frets. Rosewood fingerboard.
Nut	Graph Tech XL Black Tusq
Nut Width	1.653″
Pickups	2 Schecter Diamond Plus Humbuckers
Controls	2 x volume 1 x tone (push/pull coil-split)
Scale-Length	25.5″
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic with String-thru body
Tuners	Schecter

Schecter’s Diamond Series is hard to beat for budget guitars. The Schecter Omen Extreme-6 is designed like the standard Omen-6, but offers even more features. The Schecter Omen Extreme-6 is like a classier big brother to the Omen-6. 

To say that this guitar has showstopping looks is an understatement. Instead of basswood, this body is made with a slab of mahogany for a warm tone with plenty of sustain. The top is capped with a beautiful piece of maple and finished in gorgeous high-gloss to look great under stage lights. The neck is also maple and capped with a rosewood fretboard adorned with intricate inlays. 

While it has virtually the same electronics as the Omen-6, the Omen Extreme-6 takes things one step further by adding a push/pull knob that splits the coils. This allows you to get the warm and full sound of humbuckers and the twangy sounds of a single coil, adding more versatility to an already excellent guitar.

The neck plays well for both solos and rhythm. It is a “C” profile and fits right in your hand. You can shred on it with ease. The string-through-body makes string changes easy and assists in adding sustain.

My only gripe is that the high-gloss finish of the body can cause your arm to stick, especially if you have been sweating. Besides that, this guitar is hands down the best Schecter guitar for the money. It is undoubtedly the best Schecter under $500 for looks, playability, and tone.

Check the full review of Schecter Omen Extreme 6 here.

How this guitar sounds:

Pros:

• The affordable price makes it accessible to most players.
• Looks stunning under stage lights.
• The comfortable neck is easy to play.
• Coil split adds more versatility.

Cons:

• High-gloss finish gets sticky after long playing sessions.

What others are saying:

“I have several guitars that are more expensive than this one, but none that are nicer. Out of the box, the intonation was correct, and the action was nice and low, with no buzzing. The frets feel great, and the pickups sound great. The fit and finish are virtually perfect. This is my new go-to guitar when I don’t need a Floyd Rose.” – Ross, Sweetwater customer

Who is this guitar for?

The Schecter Omen Extreme-6 is for anyone looking for a budget shredder with gorgeous looks to match its fantastic tone. 

Who is this guitar NOT for?

This guitar is not for people who are not fans of high-gloss finishes. This thing really shines! 

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Best 7-String – Schecter Hellraiser C-7 FR-S

Specs

Body Style	Solidbody Hellraiser C-7
Body Wood	Mahogany with Quilted Maple top
Neck	3-piece Mahogany
Neck Shape	Thin C
Neck Radius	16″
Fretboard	24 Extra Jumbo frets. Rosewood fingerboard.
Nut	Floyd Rose Locking
Nut Width	1.874″
Pickups	1 x Sustainiac Neck Pickup 1 x EMG 81 Active Bridge Humbucker
Controls	1 x master volume 1 x master tone 1 x intensity 3-way mode select 2-way Sustainiac on/off 3-way blade pickup switch
Scale-Length	26.5″
Bridge	Floyd Rose 1000 Series Locking Tremolo
Tuners	Grover Rotomatic 18:1 ratio

The Schecter Hellraiser is one of the best-sounding Schecter guitars available. If you’re looking for a 7-string set up to do some serious shredding, then the Schecter Hellraiser C-7 FR-S is the guitar to get! It builds on the familiar Hellraiser style and cranks it up with some extra features. 

It features a mahogany body topped with a piece of maple for a bit of treble, and a 3-piece mahogany neck. This gives the guitar a warm tone with plenty of natural sustain. It’s a tried and true combination that isn’t unique at all … until you look at what else this hellion has to offer. 

It is outfitted with a Floyd Rose bridge for incredible tuning stability and tons of dive bomb action! The locking nut helps keep it in tune, while a single EMG 81 active humbucker in the bridge churns out massive helpings of metal tone. Want to do some crazy solos with endless sustain? Flip the selector switch up to the neck position to activate the Sustainiac pickup, and you’re ready to soar!

Just plug this into your favorite electric guitar amp and shred it until your fingers bleed. It needs no upgrades since it already has everything. That is one reason Schecter is one of the best electric guitar manufacturers on the market – most of them come ready to rip! 

Here’s the only issue: the back of the neck gets extremely sticky from the high gloss finish. If you’re playing up and down the neck frequently, there is nothing worse than sticking to the neck.

How this guitar sounds:

Pros:

• The thin, fast neck is excellent for speedy solos.
• Active EMG 81 and Sustainiac make it incredibly versatile.
• Floyd Rose bridge keeps the guitar in tune exceptionally well.

Cons:

• The high-gloss finish on the neck can be sticky.

What others are saying:

“A dream to play. Looks and feels gorgeous. The Sustaniac rocks… a whole new style of playing. In hindsight, I should’ve had the mod shop do the ‘satin’ treatment on the neck, while I had them do the PLEK treatment.” – J.F., Sweetwater, customer

Who is this guitar for?

The Schecter Hellraiser C-7 FR-S is great for any lead guitarist wanting to add a quality 7-string to their arsenal. 

Who is this guitar NOT for?

This guitar isn’t for those who want a traditional pickup system. The EMG 81 and Sustainiac combo is a different world. 

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Runner-Ups That Just Missed The Top 5

• Best for Blues: Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional
• Best for Shredding: Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder FR-S
• Best for Country: Schecter PT Special
• Best Multiscale: Schecter Reaper 7 Multiscale
• Best Schecter Acoustic: Schecter Orleans Stage Acoustic-Electric

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Buyer’s Guide

The Schecter Range Explained

Attempting to navigate Schecter’s range can be a daunting task; they make so many different guitars! Schecter’s various series include various body shapes, finishes, and hardware. 

Additionally, some lines feature import and USA versions of the same body shape. This means some body shapes are available across a range of price points.

The Schecter line includes:

Artist Series	Custom-made guitars for endorsed players. Examples include the Schecter Aaron Marshall AM-6 and the Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional.
Diamond Series	Imported guitars that are budget-friendly. These include the Schecter Omen-6 and the Omen Extreme-6.
Blackjack Series	Includes models such as the C-1 Blackjack, Avenger Blackjack, and Tempest Blackjack.
Damien Series	Includes Damien Platinum 6 and Damien Platinum 8.
Hellraiser Series	A step up in quality from the Diamond Series. Comes in a variety of finishes and colors. Includes models such as the C-1 Hellraiser and C-7 Hellraiser.
Sun Valley Series	Strat and Tele-style guitars made for shredding. Includes models such as the Sun Valley Super Shredder PT FR and the Sun Valley Super Shredder Exotic Hardtail.
Apocalypse Series	Swamp ash bodies with Maple/Padauk necks in a variety of finishes. Includes the Avenger FR-S Apocalypse, E-1 Apocalypse, and V-1 Apocalypse.
Hollowbody Series	Hollow and semi-hollow body designs. Includes models such as the Corsair and TSH-1.

Specific shapes will be available in many different series. Some shapes are only available in one series, such as the Omen shape, which is only available in the Diamond Series. 

Typically, you can tell whether a guitar has a Floyd Rose by the “FR” in its name. For example, Sun Valley Super Shredder PT FR means it is equipped with a Floyd Rose. Additionally, an “S” in the name indicates it is equipped with the Sustainiac neck pickup. For example, Schecter Hellraiser C-7 FR-S means that it is equipped with both a Floyd Rose and a Sustainiac. 

This code system makes navigating things easier. For example, you could narrow down your search for a Schecter C-1 shape equipped with a Floyd Rose by searching for “Schecter C-1 FR”. You’ll then be given a list of all the Schecter C-1 guitars with a Floyd Rose. Try this trick the next time you’re looking for a particular Schecter. 

Unfortunately, there is no code for a hardtail bridge.

How to Choose The Right Schecter Electric Guitar For You?

Here are some suggestions to consider when choosing the best Schecter guitar for yourself.

Body Styles

Schecter has many different body styles, ranging from traditional to modern. Many resemble classic shapes by companies like Gibson and Fender with a unique twist that allows them to get around copyright laws such as:

• V-1.
• E-1.
• Solo. 

Other body shapes are unique designs created by Schecter such as:

• Avenger.
• Tempest.
• Hellcat.

Woods

Schecter uses a variety of tonewoods in their guitars. These include:

Basswood

Full to mid-range tone and lightweight.

Mahogany

Warm mid-range tone with punchy bass.

Maple

Bright with a high-mid response and crisp treble.

Swamp Ash

Bright and resonant, similar to alder.

Wenge

Dark and robust, similar to Brazilian rosewood.

Ebony

Clear and loud with bright overtones. Used on fretboards.

Rosewood

Rich and bassy. Used on fretboards.

Walnut

Heavy with mid-range sparkle. Used for necks.

Pickups

Schecter designs and builds its own pickups, such as the Solstice and Equinox pickups found in the Aaron Marshall AM-6 signature. You can also find Seymour Duncan, Sustainiac, EMG, and Fishman pickups in their guitars. These choices allow you to find the perfect guitar right off the shelf with little to no additional customization necessary. 

It is essential to know the different types of pickups found in electric guitars when looking at Schecter guitars because they use them all including:

• Single coils. 
• Humbuckers.
• Active and passive pickups. 
• Sustainiac.
• Fishman Fluence. 
• P90-style pickups.

Hardware

Schecter guitars come with great hardware. They use Schecter-branded hardware or hardware from other manufacturers such as Hipshot, Floyd Rose, and Gotoh. If you’re looking for a hardtail bridge, you’ll often find Hipshot bridges on their more expensive models and Schecter brand on the more affordable ones.

If you’re looking for a tremolo, many models incorporate a Floyd Rose floating tremolo bridge. Others will have a more traditional Gotoh 2-point bridge or a Schecter brand tremolo. 

Schecter does a pretty good job at ensuring quality with their hardware. No matter which guitar you choose, you should receive a guitar that is equipped with high-quality hardware. 

Neck Profile

Neck profiles can make-or-break a guitar. You won’t want to play a guitar if the neck doesn’t feel right in your hand. 

Schecter makes most of their guitars with a thin “C” shaped neck profile. This is an incredibly playable neck that is fast and thin. It is based on the extremely popular “C” shaped neck profile but is shaved down even thinner to make playing complex chords and solos easier. 

Before you buy, try to play one to find out if you will like it. If you’re a fan of thicker necks, you may want to look elsewhere.

Budget

While Schecter doesn’t make starter kits or extremely low-priced guitars like many manufacturers, they still have guitars that fit nearly any budget. Remember that higher-priced models will have more features than lower-priced models. 

Pick something from the Diamond Series if you’re on a budget. They are excellent guitars for the money. If you want the best, then a USA-made Schecter is the way.

Skill Level

Schecter guitars are incredibly playable and can be enjoyed whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional. If you are getting into guitar playing, you’ll want to look at a Diamond Series since most beginners don’t want to drop a ton of money into a guitar when they start. 

Higher-priced guitars offer features such as premium pickups and hardware that lower-priced instruments tend to leave out. You will appreciate these high-quality features if you’re a more experienced player.

How to Test

There are many choices on this list alone, so it is understandable to need help figuring out which model to go with. You can narrow down your search by figuring out your basics:

What is my playing style?

• Soloing or rhythm? 
• Shredder or chugger? 
• High-gain or low-gain?

What tone do I want?

• Bright and articulate? 
• Low, rich, and mid-focused?

How will I be playing most of the time?

• At home? 
• In the studio? 
• On the road? 

Figuring out your style will help you narrow down what neck profile you’ll most likely enjoy and what pickups should be in the guitar when you buy it. Humbuckers are typically warmer than P90s which tend to have more high-end sizzle. Thinner necks are usually preferred by those who like to shred. Thicker necks are generally preferred by those who play a lot of chords. 

Once you have narrowed that down, you can determine your desired body style. Remember that larger guitars typically weigh more than smaller guitars because they use more wood during construction. If you’re doing a lot of sitting while playing, you’ll want a body shape that is comfortable to hold. For example, a V-shaped guitar is NOT comfortable to play while sitting down. 

Once you have it narrowed down between two or three models, then you need to play them! This will help you determine once and for all which guitar you want the most.

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FAQ

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Conclusion on Best Schecter Guitars

Schecter Guitars came along when musicians needed something fresh and new to inspire them. I’m a sucker for Gibson, but let’s face it – they tend to cater more to vintage buffs and traditionalists instead of aiming for a new generation of guitarists. Schecter does the exact opposite. They continually conceptualize guitars for the next generation of players.

While the best Schecter guitars are made in the USA, there is nothing wrong with their other models. They are incredibly playable guitars and offer something for every player out there, whether you play metal or not. Their fresh approach means they also delve into experimental music and design guitars specifically for that purpose. They also make many left-handed models, which is much needed in today’s market. 

Schecter takes what the other guys do and does it their own way. Only you can tell whether or not they do it better. Go play one today, and you’ll see what the fuss has been about!

Happy picking from everyone here at guitaristnextdoor.com!