If you’re looking for a new guitar that will give you that perfect rock or metal sound but don’t want to drop thousands of dollars, you should consider a Schecter Guitar. Need convincing? Just know that there is a long list of rock legends that swear by the brand’s unique creations.
- Schecter Guitar: 1976 to Present
- Are Schecter Guitars Suitable For Beginners?
- 1. Schecter Omen-6 6-String Electric Guitar
- 2. Schecter Guitar Research Omen Extreme-6
- 3. Schecter Omen Extreme-7 Electric Guitar
- 4. Schecter C-6 FR Deluxe Electric Guitar
- 5. Schecter C-6 Plus Solid-Body Electric Guitar
- Looking to Level Up? Check out the Schecter 6 String Synyster Gates Custom-S
- Why Choose a Schecter Guitar?
Schecter Guitar: 1976 to Present
Although Schecter Guitar Research was founded in 1976, it wasn’t until the company switched from guitar repair to selling fully assembled electric guitars in 1979 that it really took off. By 1983, Schecter Guitar couldn’t keep up with demand for its unique and specialized instruments. A group of investors bought the company and moved it from Caluifornia to Texas to expand prodution. After introducing 12 new models of guitars and basses in 1984, Schecter Guitar caught the attention of Japanese investor Hisatake Shibuya, who moved it back to California. Shibuya returned Schecter Guitar back to its custom roots and the company once again went back to producing small numbers of high quality, specially tailored guitars.
Schecter Guitar’s popularity soared after Shibuya tapped a new President to run the company in 1996. Coming over from Sunset Custom Guitars in Hollywood, Michael Ciravolo brought with him loads of connections in the music industry and soon bands like Stone Temple Pilots and White Zombie were rocking the brand. Ciravelo steered Schecter Guitars away from the Fender style of its competitors toward custom models that drew praise from prominent rock, metal, and and punk guitarists. At the same time, Ciravelo found a way to boost the company’s production without sacrificing its guitar’s specialized attributes and appeal.
Today, Schecter Guitar produces a broad range of guitars with exceptional tones, performances, and overall looks. Unquestionably, Schecter Guitar are still best known for creating and promoting instruments aimed at metal and rock guitarists. But it also produces electric and acoustic guitars for a variety of genres and playing techniques (including a vast aray of styles for lefties). Whatever the genre, you can count on Schecter to create excellent, one-of-a-kind guitars at a fair price with premium custom shop designs that draw on legendary body forms like the Telecaster, Stratocaster, and Les Paul as inspiration.
Are Schecter Guitars Suitable For Beginners?
Finding a reliable, mid-price guitar for the rock genre is not that easy. A Schecter is always a safe bet for new musicians. Though the price point might be higher than other models geared toward beginners, thanks to Schecter Guitar’s unparalleled quality you will likely continue to play whichever one you choose as you progress from a novice to an intermediate or even an expert level player. There are enough medium-range electric guitars in Schecter Guitars’ product lineup to find the perfect guitar for you.
It’s hard to find somone who is unhappy with their Schecter Guitar. Even the more affordable versions are known for being simple to use and properly configured right out of the box. This means you won’t have to worry about why the fly rod tightened or whether you need to adjust the bridge on your new Schecter Guitar. Instead, you get superb tone, quality, and performance right out of the box.
Let’s learn about some of the best Schecter entry-level guitars that won’t break the bank. You’ll be amazed to know that these unique creations all retailing for less than $600. We’ve also included an option if you want to step up into the next price and performance level. Read on to learn more.
1. Schecter Omen-6 6-String Electric Guitar
New guitarists now have the Schecter OMEN-6, with its two Schecter diamond humbucker pickups, as a change from the beginner-oriented Schecter C 1 SGR.
Extra 24 jumbo frets, a body made of solid wood, and a neck & fretboard made of a lovely rosewood & maple combination rounds out the features of this guitar, which also has great responsiveness. Schecter tuners and the tune O Matric bridge work together to ensure precise tuning. The guitar’s solid construction can withstand extreme strain so its a bit sturdier than its competitors.
Proving aesthetics need not be sacrificed for function, the Omen-6 is also quite attractive. This vintage-styled guitar is the best option if you want to perform metal or rock and are looking for a unique design that will stand out from the crowd. The entire front half of the body is lined with ivory binding, which includes a reflective gothic, ivory-colored cross that perfectly complements the Omen-6’s sleek black finish. Not quite glossy or matte, despite not having any natural sheen, the finish captures the light brilliantly and doesn’t present a lifeless appearance.
2. Schecter Guitar Research Omen Extreme-6
The Schecter Omen Extreme-6 Electric Guitar features a super coated shape that is simultaneously straightforward while being arched enough to accommodate numerous functions. This guitar’s gorgeous maple top is covered with mahogany-toned wood, which gives it the strong and sustained sound that hard rock and metal guitar players adore. Abalone, a Rosewood fretboard, and Pearloid Vector patterns combineto adorn a sturdy wood neck shaped for exceptional speed and accuracy.
Retailing for less than $500, the Schecter Omen Extreme-6 has a classy appearance that is appropriate for any band, regardless of the genre. It also offers excellent comfort thanks to its light weight, balanced shape, and playability.
Its two passive Schecter Diamond Plus humbuckers appear unimpressive at first glance, but wait until you discover the wide range of tones and noises and high-output alnico designs they offer. With a three-way pickup selector lever, a master tone knob with push-pull functionality, and two separate knobs in each pickup, the Schecter Omen Extreme-6’s controls all function well and offer excellent accuracy while playing live.
The Floyd Rose bridge and Schecter’s superb Tune-o-Matic tuning machines give the Omen Extreme-6 an advantage for players who enjoy extreme string bending and aren’t afraid to be a little rough with them. A superb instrument for individuals that need extreme distortion without destroying the sound, the Schecter Omen Extreme-6 is ideal for metal and hard rock enthusiasts.
3. Schecter Omen Extreme-7 Electric Guitar
Are you looking for a seven-string electric guitar with the potential to be an effective all-arounder? If so, you should look hard at the Schecter Omen Extreme-7. This guitar is tough to beat at this price bracket, perfect for seven-stringers on a tight budget. The Omen Extreme-7’s list of specifications is pretty impressive. It includes a Graph-Tech nut, the quilted carved maple top, and the crème multi-ply binding on the body and neck. You can even get it in a black cherry finish, a nice change of pace from its sleek black competitors.
While most other inexpensive guitars have a basswood or poplar base, this one has a mahogany body and a sculpted maple top typically found on more costly instruments. The engravings on the fretboard are undoubtedly one of ithe Omen Extreme-7s most prominent features. Most metal components of the guitar are constructed of abalone and Pearloid, a design decison made purely for asthetics.
Its hardware has a black chrome sheen, and everything seems to be securely fastened. The Graph Tech nut is a wonderful addition and should help prevent string breakage. The pickups are standard Schecter components and appear well-fitted. The quilted maple top gives the guitar a look often reserved for more expensive instruments. It feels beautiful and substantial because of the mahogany chassis. Bear in mind, of course, the mahogany used at this price point is not going to be as thick as mahogany-bodied instruments costing five times as much, but when you’re getting this look at this reduced pricepoint it’s hard to complain.
If this is your first seven-string guitar, you’ll quickly feel at ease with the broader neck and fingerboard because the neck has a narrow profile. When soaring the neck upward, the binding keeps things smooth.
This guitar gets top marks for its adaptability and the variety of tones it can produce, but doesn’t do as well in terms of the caliber of those tones. Nevertheless, the Omen Extreme-7 easily wins for loud, distorted metal gigs and self-indulgent, decadent playing styles.
4. Schecter C-6 FR Deluxe Electric Guitar
Thought admitedly there aren’t many surprises with the Schecter C-6 FR Deluxe, but the Schecter name guarantees you’ll get an excellent instrument. Retailing at $450, budget compromises are unavoidable with such a low price tag. This instrument is simple and functional, making up for its lack of character.
It has a basswood body with a curved, satin-smooth maple neck that is distorted yellow and carved to a sleek C-profile. As a result, C-6 Deluxe can accommodate long practice hours, a piece of equipment with bright, aggressive tones that is ideal for thrashing.
It features two Schecter Diamond humbuckers in the neck and bridge positions, chrome Schecter tuners similar to the C-7, Hellraiser C 1, and C-8, a three-way selector, and master volume and tone knobs. It’s a solid, hassle-free guitar with a neat string-through-body and Tune-o-Matic bridge.
The C-6 Deluxe is designed to rock with two humbucking pickups and a neck created for speed. The middle humbucker has a rough, sturdy rhythm tone and a harmonically sensitive voice for leads when the volume is turned up, while the neck offers a fuller, woodier, and more refined sound. Its clear tones are completely functional.
The Schecter C-6 FR Deluxe has a bulky heel compared to the Schecter C 7, Schecter Hellraiser, and C-8, but that shouldn’t stop you from using all 24 frets.
5. Schecter C-6 Plus Solid-Body Electric Guitar
Coming in at an even lower price point (just $400), the Schecter C-6 Plus is among the most enjoyable, hassle-free, and sonically convincing electrics that a guitar player can purchase for less than $400. It looks showy with its stylish magenta finish, but but if you look closely you’ll see the “quilted maple” finish is only an image that has been imprinted on to a basswood body. Nonetheless the illusion works and looks luxurious.
There are two Schecter Diamond humbuckers in the neck and bridge positions, each selectable by a three-way switch, with main volume and tone knobs to allow you to fine-tune your sound. It’s that simple.
There is a practicality to this guitar that is intended to keep you performing longer. There is no hovering vibration or coil tap to shift your focus. Instead, it has a neat string-through Tune-o-Matic bridge that offers quick setups and a wonderfully strong core. The Schecter C-6 Plus can withstand a series of superhuman string bends while maintaining perfect pitch.
The C-6 Plus, like most Schecter guitars, is best suited for players who want to play quickly and aggressively. Yes, all guitars are designed to be played, but price and perfomance don’t always mesh well at reduced prices. You’ll find that the C-6 Plus is incredibly playable. It flatters you regardless of your skill level or expertise, which is always a plus.
Looking to Level Up? Check out the Schecter 6 String Synyster Gates Custom-S
If you want to reach just above the guitars featured in this list, consider the Schecter Synyster Gates Custom-S. An incredible instrument with so many fantastic features, this one is a favorite among guitarists. Despite its metal-oriented appearance, it’s suited for multiple genres. For skilled guitarists and novice’s alike, it is a highly serious instrument and has many excellent features, a very friendly design, and a slightly higher price tag (around $1,400 vice the $600 or less price range of the models detailed above).
The Gates Custom-S is the top-of-the-line model in the line of guitars created in partnership between Schecter and Synyster Gates of Avenged Sevenfold. Its stand-out characteristics are its amazing Synyster Gates and Avenged Seven-fold elements, custom-made Mahogany body, three-piece mahogany neck reinforced with carbon, ultra-thin C neck profile, set-neck construction, 24 frets, Sustainiac pickups in the neck position, and Floyd Rose 1500 bridge with a lockable nut.
Black is the primary hue in its two primary variations, which are available with gold or silver stripes. A third option, “Satin Gold Burst,” features black stripes over a gold-burst hue. The hardware contrasts with these hues on each with matching the stripes on the gold variant and being all-black on the silver version.
Its mahogany body joins with the three-piece, carbon-fiber-reinforced mahogany neck to create a set-neck design. The “Ultra-Thin C” shape of the guitar is extremely flat, and it has an ivory fretboard with a 16-inch diameter. In addition, it features smart side dot markers that light in the dark, a 25.5-inch chord length, and 24 frets.
But its mix of form complimenting function doesn’t stop there. The Custom-S has a fantastic Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge with sensitive adjustment capabilities that are highly adjustable, allowing you to swing it back and forth without it getting out of tune.
The electronics are also incredibly fascinating. Despite having two humbuckers, operations are far from straightforward. It has Schecter’s own exclusive Synyster Gates Signature humbucker in the bridge position, which produces a very hefty, defined, and crisp tone ideal for those chugging riffs. Its remarkable Sustainiac pickup at the neck position lets you leave the note echoing with an “infinite” sustain. It has active electronics powered by a single, inexpensive 9-volt battery.
Why Choose a Schecter Guitar?
If you are in the market for a new guitar, you can’t go wrong with the C-6, OMEN-6, or any of the other top models mentioned in the list. With a Schecter Guitar, you get a better quality guitar than most other manufacturers in the same price range. Ibanez, Jackson, ESP guitars, and many other manufacturers are vying with Schecter guitars for a sizable portion of the metal guitar market. Despite this competition, Schecter Guitar has maintained its popularity and reputation for irrefutable quality and unique sound.
In terms of professional endorsements, it doesn’t get much better than the long list of legendary musicians who have chosen Schecter Guitar. Schecter deftly harmonizes components like build quality, hardware, necessary features, and stylish design for a ridiculously good price match that won’t give you nightmares. This combination makes Schecter Guitars the best ready-to-play option for novice and professional guitarists alike. You will undoubtedly feel at ease choosing and performing any of them, be it in your garage or in a professional studio.
