Schecter Guitar Research is one of the world’s best guitar companies, offering electric guitars, basses, acoustic guitars, and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world in over 150 countries.
The company is constantly evolving and expanding its line of guitars and basses to appeal to a wide range of players and genres. Not only do Schecter offer high-quality instruments at an affordable price, but they also have a growing roster of much loved artists. The roster boasts some of the most talented guitar players in history including Avenged Sevenfold, The Cure, Papa Roach, Seether, Prince, Stone Temple Pilots, Nevermore and Black Label Society.
Schecter Guitars History
In 1976, David Schecter opened Schecter Guitar Research, a repair shop based in California. The shop manufactured replacement parts, guitar necks and bodies, complete pickup assemblies, bridges, pickguards, tuners, knobs, potentiometers, and other guitar parts.
Schecter started supplying parts to bigger guitar manufacturing companies including Robert Talbot repair shops and by the late 1970s Schecter offered more than 400 guitar parts. However they were yet to offer any finished instruments until 1979 when Schecter offered their first fully assembled electric guitars.
At first the guitars were considered expensive and exclusively sold by only twenty retailers across the United States. Today, Schecter Guitars have been used and loved by many famous musicians including Pete Townshend, Mark Knopfler, Ritchie Blackmore, Chris Poland, Synyster Gates, Richard Patrick, Jinxx, Jake Pitts Tommy Victor, Dan Donegan, Robin Zander, Shaun Morgan and many more.
Where Are Schecter Guitars Manufactured?
So, where are Schecter Guitars made you might ask? Schecter Guitars Research Guitars, commonly known as simply Schecter are made in the United States. However, Schecter Diamond Series Guitars are made in either South Korea, Indonesia, or China depending on the make and model. Let’s explore the famous Diamond Series next.
Schecter Guitars Diamond Series
In 1988 The Diamond Series was first introduced, consisting of all the non-custom, mass-produced Schecter models. The Diamond Series is divided into different groups of guitars, which share common design characteristics.
You’re spoilt for choice as there are plenty of models to choose from in the Diamond range, many are mixed and matched parts from different Schecter Guitars. For example, all ‘Omen’, ‘C’, ‘Hellraiser’ and ‘Damien’ basses have the same body shape, although some have set necks rather than bolt on necks, different finish colours, and different woods. This mix and match approach allows guitarists to find the perfect Schecter to fit their exact requirements.
Some of the most loved guitars made by Schecter are the ‘C Series’ in various configurations such as the ‘Hellraiser’ and ‘Blackjack’ models, and the S Series, which included the S-1 Elite (double cut) guitars, which resembled Gibson’s Les Paul Double Cut and double cut Melody Maker—and the S-1 (a simpler version of the S-1 Elite).
Despite the decorative features, Schecter Guitars have remained high quality and affordable. Pickups on many mass-produced Schecter models are usually ‘Duncan Designed’ humbuckers which are double coil pickups based on Seymour Duncan’s pickup specifications with a ‘push-pull’ coil splitter control.
Schecter also makes seven and eight-string models. Schecter’s ‘Diamond series’ guitars use components such as TonePros locking bridge products on non-tremolo models and original Floyd Rose double locking tremolos on a lot of the six and seven string models. You’ll also notice they feature USA EMG or Seymour Duncan pick-ups and Grover tuners.
Are Schecter Guitars Good?
This is the question you’ll want to know the answer to before you invest! Schecter is a brilliant brand to buy. They sell a real variety of guitars including both electric and acoustic guitars, though they’re most famous for their electric guitars.
Although the guitars might seem a little pricey for beginners, you’re paying for the quality and other notable features including the design, tone, and playability. These factors make Schecter one of the best brands for serious and professional players.
Are Schecter Guitars Suitable For Beginners?
But are Schecter Guitars suitable for beginners? Well, they’re not cheap but they would be useful for novice players. Also, they are something you invest in, so there’s a good chance beginners will continue to use the same guitar throughout their beginner, intermediate and advanced stages of playing.
Besides, you’ll rarely come across someone dissatisfied with a Schecter Guitar. Additionally, the cheaper models are still very high-quality and are celebrated for being easy to play and extremely well built.
What Are Schecter Guitars Good For?
Why are these guitars so loved? Well, Schecter Guitars are most recognised for producing guitars designed for metal and rock players. Although the company has released a variety of guitars aimed for a variety of musical genres and playing styles. Let’s look at what Schecter Guitars are good for below:
Schecter Guitars are good for:
- Creating guitars aimed at the metal and rock genres
- Producing high-quality guitars
- Offering value for money with their models
- Constructing unique guitars
- Making high-end custom shop designs
Some of the stand-out features on Schecters include:
- High output pickups (active and passive)
- Coil tapping features
- String-through bodies
- Locking Tuners
- Comfortable neck design
- Floyd Rose Tremolo
- Great Inlay designs
- Good quality hardware
- High build quality and construction
- Metal inspired body finishes and aesthetics
Who Plays Schecter Guitars?
Whilst it’s common to see famous guitar heroes holding Gibson and Fender models, many of them have used Schecter Guitars over the years.
One of the most legendary people to use a Schecter is Avenged Sevenfold’s lead guitarist Synyster Gates with his exclusive signature series. These guitars are available in a few different variations and are some of the company’s best-selling products.
Another renowned Schecter user is The Who’s Pete Townsend. He even had his signature models in the 1980s, the famous PT, which was also used by Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder.
Many other guitar heroes have played Schecter Guitars, with some of them even having their signature models. The list includes:
- Yngwie Malmsteen
- Ritchie Blackmore – Deep Purple, Rainbow, Blackmore’s Night
- Zacky Vengeance – Avenged Sevenfold
- Mark Knopfler – Dire Straits
- Prince
- Jeff Loomis – Arch Enemy
- Zakk Wylde – Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society
- Travis Johnson – In This Moment
- Al Jourgensen – Ministry
- Lou Reed
- Ashok – Cradle of Filth
- Charlie Scene – Hollywood Undead
- Chris Howorth – In This Moment
- Robert Smith – The Cure
- Jinxx – Black Veil Brides
Where To Buy Schecter Guitars
You can’t buy directly from Schecter and their instruments and cases must be purchased through an authorised Schecter dealer. Note – only new Schecter instruments purchased through one of their authorised dealers will be covered under their warranty, used Schecter Guitars will not.
On Schecter’s website they say that if you cannot find what you’re looking for on their website, please contact them with the model’s name and they will assist. Let’s now look at where you can buy a Schecter Guitar.
Here are the places you can find Schecter Guitars for sale in the US recommended by Schecter:
- American Musical Supply
8 Thornton Road, Oakland, NJ, 7436
800-458-4076
- Drum City-Guitar Land
9225 W. 44th St., Wheatridge, CO, 80033
(303) 421-4515
- Gear Orphanage
Nashville TN 37209
(818) 887-4327
- Guitar Center
- Music 123
866-996-8637
- Studio Gears
40935 County Center Dr. Ste E Temecula, CA 92591
(951) 302-0222
- Sweetwater
5501 US Hwy. 30 W, Fort Wayne, IN, 46818
(800) 222-4700
Head to their website to check out where else in the world you can get your hands on a superb Schecter Guitar.
That’s Everything You Need To Know About Schecter Guitars
That’s the low-down on Schecter Guitars! From their history to their famous Diamond Series, we’ve covered it all and hope you’ve found this blog post super-helpful!
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