Been out of town, but we're back now. Let's talk about the state of Schecter in 2023... Massive thanks to Ridge for bringing you today's video! Get the ultimate Father's Day upgrade: ridge.com/agufish and use code AGUFISH for up to 40% off and free worldwide shipping!
I like the channel. I like the video. The back ground music is annoying. If your going to spit out the news, the KDF approach without the back ground music would keep me on as a new sub.
@@tylerm8145I actually do own one 😂 I got it for about 300 bucks from one of my buddies who traded a bunch of the devil's lettuce for it. It's the top of the line version with the sustaniac so I couldn't really turn it down for the price. It's ugly as can be but it's one of the best guitars I've ever played.
@@darksu6947 lol hell yeah that's perfectly acceptable. I couldn't say no to a fun little toy at that price either. I even think the avenger is a pretty cool shape but I just can't fuck with those pinstripes in my old age.
I actually got to hang out with John Browne when monuments came through southern california My brothers band was opening for them. He actually mentioned another reason for switching to schecter is so that it was easier for him to get his guitars faster. Mayones would take months to get one guitar out to him and if you need an emergency back up its better to have a company that can have stock of your guitar they can send out in a pinch.
Hell yeah dude I got to talk to Browne in Iowa as well last summer (had to drive all the way from NW Wisconsin ffs...) and he was an absolute sweetheart. You could tell him and Malyan were genuinely stoked to meet people. No one else from the band hung around a ton but I'm sure they would have been lovely too. ANYWAY that stock guitar thing is no joke. Being able to just go grab your exact guitar off the wall at most guitar centers in an emergency is huge. Aaron Marshall made the switch I believe for the same reason. Maybe also a bit of accessibility for fans as well.
Pretty sure Matt Heafy said this was one of the good things about having his Epiphone signature model. Makes so much sense for bands that are constantly on the move with tours.
@Mister Person I can tell you it's not false claims, but it is not as prevalent as it sounds. I just bought an sls elite FR and had to send it back for exchange. Big gap in the binding. Some funky stuff allover the fretboard. But the second one came to me in perfect condition. I've bought 4 schecters online amd have had QC issues with one of them. If I had to guess I would saythat they have been building up their reputation for the last decade or so and gaining fans quickly. The factory has probably been missing issues on some here and there trying to keep up with growing demand. It's not ideal byany means, but it is nowhere near as often as some of the youtube videos make it seem.
You are right ! got 3 guitars from Schecter : Solo II Black Jack series, a PT SLS Elite series and C1 Damien Platinum series ... both are amazing and sound metal as well🤘
I'm just going to order a PT-7 Hybrid Hellraiser Ultraviolet . What a badass beauty ! Active Emg Pickup design to 7 strings ... I don't know this setup, so wait and see. 2 or 3 month to delivery in France , hope no more time is needed ! I will give you some news soon 🤘
Value for money and quality wise... Schecter and LTD...along with Epiphone I'd also say, are killing it in the game. Especially the Korean models for Schecter and Japanese by ESP (E2) But Indonesia guitars by these guys are insanely good. The manufacturing has come a LONG way. I've bought a few Indo guitars just for kicks and Harley Benton, Yamaha , Ibanez are crazy good for the price these days.
@@chopholtz4950 absolutely hundred percent. The Cortech factory ( might've spelt it wrong) that PRS work with in Java, Indonesia is one of the best import manufacturers out there. Impeccable quality. Recent PRS SE guitars and guitars by Cort are a testament to the workmanship of this factory 🙏🙏🙏
I think epiphone were doing good until some of the price hikes, now they're starting to charge a lil more than I'm comfortable with. Take the Heafy model for example, the only spec changes is a different brand of active pickup, locking tuners, neck shape, finish, so the only actual added spec are the tuners, the rest have just been changed to something different and no more expensive, however the price difference is pretty sizable
Can confirm. I had an old Indonesian Omen Extreme 6 and it was not bad but mediocre in terms of a build quality: higher frets needed some additional filing, neck bolts was not evenly tight and tuners not even tighted to the neck. But after some work done it played quite nice, Schecter pickups in that time was powerful but not very sensitive which is a nice to play live but leads to some mistakes on a more sensitive pickups. Anyways, I’ve got a Omen Elite 8 few weeks ago and it’s a magical - I didn’t even excepted such quality and tone and overall engineering with that price tag. Also new Schecter Heretic pickups are not so powerful as an older models but they are extremely sensitive, more like Fishmans not that growling Duncans
@@agufish Your comment about a roasted maple neck is accurate, but the neck is really nice. I own two guitars that are over $4K (PRS Custom 24 and Jackson SL1), several in the $2K range (MIJ Charvel, USA Strat, Carvin DC400) and it absolutely plays well in that space. For someone looking for an upgrade from a $800 instrument they will notice the difference. Build quality is superb and its very flexible with the pickup config/splits.
@@agufish I’ll also add some context: this is my 4th Schecter. The JL-6 I had was amazing, should have never sold it. The Super Shredder 3 was awful (the neck and fretboard). I wanted to like that guitar, it was just not good. My Solo II was amazing but struggled to stay in tune. That’s a no go when you have to gig with it. Their US office is an hour from my house and I needed a replacement bridge pickup for the Solo II. They were complete douchebags to me and left a very bad taste with their customer service, especially with all the great choices on the market today.
@@simona7517 very smooth and agile. On clean channels its “quacky” with the single coils. May be the pickups or the chambers, not sure, but there are certain songs that it works really well on in the band. Build quality is excellent.
I recently got rid of a Charvel DK22 and straight away bought the Nick Johnston HSS Schecter for exactly this reason. Truly hated how close the low-friction volume pot was to my picking hand on the Charvel. Can’t fault the NJ Schecter. Stunning instrument.
I heard about their recent fiasco delivering custom shop models too. I’m sure it’s a sweet gig if you’re in Metallica or Slipknot but Andy James pre-FFDP wasn’t too happy with his time
I just purchased a left handed SCHECTER Sun Valley Super Shredder Exotic Black with the 1500 series Floyd Rose Tremolo system, and it's an all natural finish guitar with two USA HB Pickups.. and I have to say, for the price, it bangs! The quality is so gorgeous, and comparable to many other high end big-name brand USA models out there. I also love that it's equipped XL Jumbo size stainless steel frets, and offset inlay rings (Not dots). Yes, the quality is there, and that it is qc'd and setup for it to be ready to be played is a bonus too. I only really had to adjust the height of the bridge with the two poles to bring thr string action closer to the bridge. I'm happily pleased with my new Schecter, because they came in under the radar, and I began looking more into them more, and was surprised as to how many models they have, and as to how many Artists they have too. Oh, yes, now I remember; The Cure's Robert Smith got me curious about Schecter Guitars, and that's where it began for me.
One thing I really appreciate about schecter in particular which you touched on is they offer a lot more of their models to lefties, particularly ones that are interesting in terms of spec, finish, and body shape. I recently got a custom kiesel but back when I was a kid I obviously couldn't afford anything like that so having good mid range options from schecter was what made me get one. I sure as hell couldn't get a Jackson, they currently have 5 models for sale left handed and only two at a midrange price point.
On the SLS elite you hace the finish backwards. The burst you showed is older and was around at launch. The blood fade red to black is the new one. The new reaper elite and customs though are my favorites. Love the entire look and aesthetic. Neck is a little thin for my liking but I can live with it. But over all I'm a Schecter guy. Dunno why. I just tend to gravitate towards them. Especially in recent years now that they've started with more plain I guess you can say looking models.
Schecter kicks ass. Being a 62 year old, I went a little “traditional” with my Schecter. I got the NIck Johnston HSS “Strat”, and yes it has all the Stratty tones you’d ever want. But it also has a 14” radius, ebony fretboard, locking tuners, a sweet splittable humbucker at the bridge, a steady as fu** 2-point trem aaand… only two knobs that are out of the way of your strumming hand. It really feels and looks like a Suhr at half the price.
I did the same as you; atomic green HSS NJ Schecter. Cannot fault it. It quickly became my go-to guitar. It’s made me look seriously at Schecter for my next purchase. Possibly the beautiful Aaron Marshall AM-6.
@@Chris_Nouvelli Very nice. I went with the Atomic White w/mint green pickguard. I wouldn't be surprised if I end up with a PT Special some day. A Tele with a P90 at the neck? Hell yeah! The only reason I didn't get one before the NJ was the weird (or boring) color options available. I went with a Sire T7 instead.
@@MrWill9894 yes it still a bad move from a commercial point of you in australia we have plus 1000$ aus rise ... In eu + 200 to 400 per model... Hey i bet his fuel or importation price hasnt raise that much hu ? Anyway theres too much brand in the market right now ...
@@devinsinderwitcz9134 we dont want super qc for ltd ... we want ibanez schecter g&l eastman quality with some 1700 1800 range custom exceptionnal signature model okay Ltd is the brand of those who dont want to buy gibson because thise boomers havent been able to change a damn things right on their guitar since 1959 .... In fact we dont want to pay 2000$ a ltd because GREEDSON IS ALREADY DOING IT!!! Thats why im complaining about price raise... because it will literraly destroy why ltd was awesome. Affordable guitar for average guitar player or more. 24 fret and comfortable neck + seymour/ emg
Crazy I know, but Schecter were not always a "super metal" company, that really came in around the 00s and the dominance of nu metal. Before that they were more rock and even fusion-oriented.
When I started playing (teenager in the mid-90s), Schecter was the source for all the cheap metalcore/nu metal guitars, while Jackson and LTD were the more "shreddy" guitars, and Epiphone and Squier/Mexican Fenders were for the pop-punk crowd. I never saw any vintage-style Schecters the way I did Ibanez (like the George Benson signature) or Epiphone (who always made amazing archtops).
I started playing in the late 80's- early 90's; didn't even hear of Schecter until 2002 when I started working at Guitar Center. Love my Stiletto Elite (yeah, yeah... bass player, I know...) S. Korean made has been rock solid for almost 20 years.
Schecter and LTD played the long game and its paying off. Growing up you either had a Schecter, LTD or Ibanez in my school. They were cheap and well made. My omen 6 still plays excellentlly. Now we have all grown up and have cash and also trust in our guitars.
My first guitar was an ibanez and I hated the floyd rose system on it, never really used the whammy. Got me a schecter c-1 and holy crap I am so pleased with that guitar. It performs very well and looks badass
06:10 I've noticed the uk is 1 year behind schecter in all their releases, it's super weird. The avenger exotics got put on their store over half a year ago and they have never appeared anywhere, I remember the bloodreign 7 explorer and others solos that got released never appeared for almost 2 years
I don’t know if it’s just the UK. Both Schecter and ESP/LTD have had a really bad habit of announcing models and not getting them to market forever. LTD for example just started getting things they announced for 2022 To retailers here in the US a month or two ago.
speaking of the volume out of the way, have you given thought to the Nick Johnston HSS model? I swapped the pickup on mine to a BKP Nailbomb and it rips! The control layout is a killer feature too!
I slept on Schecter for years, but recently got a Omen Extreme-6 Natural. Absolutely amazing guitar for a B-Stock $450 listing. The B-Stock designation made me laugh at how miniscule the scratch is that had it pulled from QC. I've seen worse that I would be fine with getting on a $1000 guitar. Already have my mind set on getting Omen Elite-8 & and C-1 FR SLS elite.
If you get a chance to try out a Schecter Custom Shop, don't pass on that opportunity. Personally, I'm not into custom shop guitars, but from what I've seen & heard, USA Schecters are on a whole different level than any import Schecter. Difference is night & day.
Just my opinion but.."that moving from a major brand and going to ESP" i think ESP is one of the major brands, of course we are talking about Gibson and Fender, they will keep being the major brands but as today standards unless you buy a 6000 USD guitar, you are not getting the best quality that you will be able to afford from other brands like ESP.
I think you made the best point about why Schecter and ESP - it is better marketing of your brand as a guitarist when more of your fans can buy your signature guitar.
I have the 1 year only C1 Plus FR in Vintage sunburst that I bought brand new in 2002. Flame maple carved top, mahogany body and neck, cream binding and the abalone/mother of pearl vector inlays, grover tuners, chrome hardware. It's gorgeous and sounds as good as anything that would cost 5 times as much.
Don't forget the importance of the reps. They bring in the artists and communicate with them regularly. They basically are the company as far as the artist is concerned. When a rep leaves, an artist might leaves too once their contract ends. And in the world of sales reps switch companies all the time.
Been a Schecter player for almost 20 years now but I'm a bassist. Love their neck stability, quality, and bang for the buck. I haven't found any brand that gives me as much for the price as a bass player. Oh, I own a Stiletto Elite 4 and Devil Tribal.
I bought a SLS Evil Twin 2 years ago and it came immaculate and professionaly adjusted. I couldn't find one little detail that was off. It looks killer, plays like butter, and sounds incredible. I'm sold.
On a side note about big artists joining huge brands, the main factor is logistics. * Mayones is a build-to-order custom shop, NOT a production company. To get a Mayones, you need to custom-order EACH to your specs, then wait (a year?) for EACH to be finished, and spend $6,000 for EACH guitar. They work for some wealthy guy to have ONE fancy guitar he uses to play Blues at the bar's open-mic night. For a touring band who needs a full set, AND backups for that set, Mayones costs far too much, and requires far too much time to build. There is no way to have a full set of them on backline at your warehouse in Australia, and at your warehouse in Germany, and at your warehouse in America. It is all-around a bad business decision. * Chapman is a RU-vid guitarist company. Chapman literally was Rabea Massaad, Rob Scallon, Rob Chapman himself, and Andertons. Now, Chapman is literally just Rob Chapman himself, and Andertons. Chapman simply does not have the recognition to compete with ESP, or Fender, or Ibanez, or Paul Reed Smith. Because they lack the recognition, they lack the production ability. * ESP/LTD/Schecter is a huge international corporation, large enough to own the distribution companies themselves. As such, your Signature is going to be in every guitar shop in every nation worldwide. So, if you prefer using the regular production version of your Signature, instead of the one-of-a-kind Custom Shop prototype of your Signature, then the model you use is going to be the model on the wall in every guitar shop in every nation worldwide, and it is always going to be exactly the same everywhere. So, if something happens, and you need a guitar TONIGHT, you can walk into any guitar shop, grab a guitar off the wall, and it is going to be exactly the same. At the end of the day, if you are going to endorse a brand, and especially if you want a Signature model, you want to go with a company who has the logistics to produce and distribute everywhere. That is a wise business decision.
I'm stoked to see what Schecter and ESP are putting out. I bought an Omen Extreme 7 around 2 years ago now and i've written an entire album of music on the damned thing despite it showing me 7s are not my cup of tea. It's exciting to look further up the range and window shop for my next guitar. Now if only they offered a ~$1K evertune equipped guitar like ESP do.
Schecter deserves far more recognition outside of the metal crowd, no question about it. Besides the Pete Townsend connection, I recently watched a video about Dire Straits and it talked about Mark Knoffler using Schecters, even to record one of the most famous riffs of all time.... Money For Nothing.
I think the California Classic is intended to be a throwback to the old Schecter Dream Machines and Van Nuys of the late 70s and early 80s. It was a different time and place, and a different incarnation of Schecter, but it's really cool that they're keeping that vision alive. My first real guitar was a Dream Machine with a one-piece mahogany body and one-piece rosewood top that we found in a shop for a mere $150 in a time when nobody wanted "old" guitars - it was just another used Strat copy. I wish I had known then what it was and what those guitars would be selling for today, I would have taken far better care of it.
In my experience, Schecter has the most consistent QC of any company I've tried. I bought a brand new 1997 A7 at a Country Music shop of all places. It was one of the first production 7 strings ever. Since then, I've found roughly 10 of that same model in the wild (all 97s or 98s). They all weighed the same, felt the same, sounded the same and not one of them had any build issues. Found one a few weeks ago and it felt exactly like mine. And the dozen or so Reapers I've tried all felt identical. I can't say the same about LTD, Ibanez or other similar companies...definitely found duds over the years. Tried probably 10 Jem Jrs in the last few years and each one had its own vibe and personality. Some of them genuinely sucked.
Schecter is awesome. They’ve had killer quality forever, I have an 06 C7 Blackjack I bought new and it still feels incredible in build quality. Definitely better than the Jacksons and Charvels I’ve had in the last few years, as much as I dig those ones too. I can only really compare Schecter’s quality to PRS quality/consistency. They feel the same as far as build quality is concerned, they just rip right out of the box and look amazing. a lot of other brands just feel less well built and have manufacturing “dust” on them or tool marks etc. despite the qc tag hanging on it. looking at you FMIC…
I remember learning about Schecter Japan because of Akio Shimizu and Naoto Shibata of Anthem having signature guitars and basses with them. Wanted one of Akio's signatures for a while now but can't quite afford to import one.
I've had a white 7 string Schecter with Seymour's for a while now, wish I knew the exact model, but I love that guitar. I play my 6 string tele more now, but I like to play clean and finger pick on the 7, sounds so clean. But definitely chugs haha
I have the MIJ Cali classic the reason it isn't roasted maple on the neck is because is it a premium highly figured and flamed maple Neck too pretty to roast.
I was really bummed by the specs on the multiverse 6 ONLY because they moved to the 14 inch radius instead of their usual 12-16 inch compound radius. Been wanting that radius with a maple neck and HSS config.
I would likely scroll right past the new reaper. I did like the old ones and i have wanted an avenger for some time. Thanks for mentioning prices the cost of so much has gone up but wages are not. If you factor in inflation wage have really dropped so kids may go squier or eart or something
people say that in 24 fret guitars the neck humbucker pickup doesnt sound as good as in 22 fret guitars because it get pushed towards the bridge so the 2 extra frets can fit.its 2023 and i still dont understand why guitars with single coil neck pickups doesnt have 24 frets.nice job schecter!!
I saw the purple MV-6 and if it's like the Nick Johnston Traditional with the swimming pool route, I'd love to make that a triple P90 Strat with that sick wenge neck.
I have a blackjack ATX C-1 in black satin with the yellow binding and I fucking love it. Best guitar I’ve ever played. Brings those old school 2010 motionless in white and attack attack vibes for sure
I love Schecter. Schecter and ESP are my favorite, and ONLY brands I use. Unfortunately, Schecter is oddly enough, "to ambitious" sometimes. A lot of the guitars with fancy over the top electronics, end up having SERIOUS issues. And a lot of local techs, won't know how to rewire a sustainiac, and a Fishman. The sustainiacs can end up malfunctioning. And actually drain the pickup. And the ultra thin C necks, while arguably my favorite necks. Can be fairly inconsistent, guitar to guitar. With that being said, I absolutely love and respect Schecter. They give you best bang for your buck in todays crazy market. The cheap low end models are great for the price. And anything $900 and above is going to be a class A instrument for sure. I just wish they had a more sturdy wiring system for their sustainiacs.
Love schecter, my pt sls elite is arguably my most fun guitar… unfortunately their pricing in Europe is broken. The 1400$ guitars are 2000€ here. This is more than Japanese prestiges…
I was thinking about this yesterday, ive had about 20+ Guitars since i was 15, and Schecter didnt exist back then, but my all time fave is Schecter for sure now. Amazing quality, feel, designs, and price.
0:59 lets not forget along with rob scallon , rabea massadde also left chapman, and now has a signature music man in the works. Rebea was best friends with rob chapman, playing in bands with him, and even working behind the scenes for chapman guitars. Also with artists switching brand, the accessibility factors in. Artist sometimes want something that no matter where they are in the world they can get their hands on it if need be. Matt Heafy for example prides himself on playing on stage exactly what people buy in stores
9:33 those new Schecters caught my attention. I had a Schecter years ago and because I didn’t like it, it tarnished my view of Schecter, but come fifteen years later and I’m highly interested in these. I need to check them out.
khaya is african mahogany, dingwall been using it in the d-roc and the rio dream sig bass - depending on wood combos sound something like a punchier mahogany or broader alder
I’m hype for mick’s impending LTD not just bc it’s an LTD and it’s his, but if I got that then it’ll be the first time I have two artist sigs from two different companies with different hardware each
I have the Aaron Marshall model (AM-6) - it is a fantastic guitar. Schecter's one problem in the value department - no cases or gig bags with the guitars. For $1400, you should get AT LEAST a high-end gig bag if not a hard shell case.
I would LOVE to try one of the new FSR-6 Elites, too bad Schechter and ESP in general is an absolute pain in the dick to find here in Canada and you can't import them from other countries due to rules and restrictions with the brands. It's super annoying cause I am looking for a nice spec stainless steel fret + Floyd rose 1000 equipped axe.
Man I've never really considered Schecter before, but they are releasing some great guitars. Far more than just for metal. I want a Nick Johnston t-style.
19:52. Yeah I wanted the Traditional pro, but there's just not enough difference with my Schecter NJ's Traditionals after pickup swap, AND THE LACK OF SPOKE WHEEL ADJUSTMENT SEEMS ANTI- "PRO"
I'd say Schecter and LTD are my favorite under $1,000 guit-box manufacturers. Very consistent, high-quality stuff. Matter of fact, I'm fixin' to upgrade my bass and have it narrowed down to 2 brands...
15:10 not exactly. Schecter Japan has been around forever, but it was never a part of Schecter Guitar Research. It's another branch of ESP, but totally separate from SGR, though Tom Anderson (who worked for SGR with Dave Schecter) played a role in their design (pickups for example). This new Japanese Schecter line is 100% a thing of SGR, and I'm extremely curious to see what will happen in the future.
