A look into 10 guitar companies in 10 days - Day 4
Where High Quality Meets Great Value
When it comes to finding a quality guitar at an affordable price, look no further than Schecter. Well-regarded for its excellent craftsmanship, unique designs, high-quality components, ergonomics, and versatility, Schecter has cemented itself as one of the top guitar brands in the market today.
Despite Schecter’s reputation for designing “metal” guitars, such as the C-1 Hellraiser. Schecter boasts an impressive selection of electric guitars, including, but not limited to, the Semi-hollow Corsair, the Telecaster-style (T-style) PT Special, the Les Paul-inspired Solo II Supreme, and the Bigsby-equipped Ultra-III. With various styles and models to choose from, Schecter has a model for all kinds of players and genres. This is especially true of Schecter’s selection of left-handed electric guitars, extended-range guitars, acoustic guitars, and bass guitars.
History of Schecter
In 1976, Schecter Guitar Research (Schecter) opened in Van Nuys, California. The owner, David Schecter, opened Schecter as a guitar repair shop, specializing in replacement guitar parts such as guitar necks, guitar bodies, tuners, pickups, and various other parts. By 1979, Schecter began selling high-end, high-quality custom electric guitars to twenty retailers in the USA.
In 1983, Schecter was sold to a Texas-based group of investors. Under new management, Schecter unveiled several new guitar models at the 1984 Winter NAMM show, including a Telecaster-style guitar now known as the “PT.” This model was similar to the guitars that Pete Townshend (guitarist for The Who) played. However, between late 1986 and early 1987, Schecter closed due to a lawsuit stemming from Schecter’s use of Fender’s headstocks on Schecter guitars.
Not long after, Schecter was sold to Hisatake Shibuya. Shibuya relocated Schecter back to California and began building high-end, high-quality custom guitars like David Schecter before him. In 1996, Shibuya named Michael Ciravolo as the president of Schecter. In an effort to set Schecter apart from other guitar brands, Ciravolo introduced several new models, including the Avenger, the Hellcat, the Tempest, and, later, the Diamond Series. In 1998, Ciravolo also established a location in South Korea to begin mass production of Schecter guitars.
In 2012, Schecter expanded its custom shop and introduced its USA Production Series. This series consisted of a line of USA-built guitars and amplifiers debuting at the 2013 Winter NAMM show. Schecter also began designing its own pickups for its USA line of production guitars. Today, Schecter has become a widely popular and well-regarded guitar brand in the guitar industry.
Some Schecter Models to Consider
Schecter C-1 Hellraiser
Schecter Corsair
Schecter PT Special
Schecter Solo-II Supreme
Schecter Ultra-III
Notable Schecter Artists
Aaron Marshall (Intervals)
Nick Johnston
Prince
Robert Smith (The Cure)
Synyster Gates (Avenged Sevenfold)
Are They Worth the Money?
If you want to purchase a high-quality instrument for an affordable price, Schecter is a great alternative to other guitar brands. Schecter guitars are generally innovative, well-built, and have good quality control. Schecter’s commitment to using high-quality hardware such as nuts, pickups, potentiometers, and bridges demonstrates the value consumers can expect when purchasing a Schecter guitar. And not only does Schecter use quality hardware, but the finish options and binding on several Schecter models look great as well. Schecter’s commitment to offering left-handed and extended-range models of its guitars to consumers is also noteworthy. Overall, Schecter guitars provide consumers with great value and plenty of options to choose from when deciding to purchase their next guitar.
Comments