Schecter Guitar Research was founded in 1976 by David Schecter. When he started the company, they were only making the replacement parts for existing instruments, often from Gibson and Fender.
It was a custom shop located in Van Nuys, CA. Schecter created replacement bodies and necks for existing guitars, including tuners, knobs, bridges, potentiometers, and other miscellaneous parts.
Before 1980, Schecter was offering over 400 different guitar parts without giving customers the option to purchase a finished instrument.
It would be 1979 when the first fully assembled electric guitar came from the company, based on a Fender design. During the early years, only 20 vendors represented the brand.
What You Need to Know about the Schecter Strategy
The Schecter Strategy was an electric guitar primarily manufactured in the early 1980s. It was built to play primetime gigs for the heavy metal and hair bands that were hitting the Top 40 charts at the time. Guitarists needed a highly functional instrument with a forgiving tone & this design provided it.
The earliest Schecter Strategy guitars were the best. If you find one produced after 1983, it’s probably not worth the money that someone wants for them.
A Texas facility purchase the right to produce Schecter Strategy guitars in the mid-80s because the instrument was tearing up the charts.
It didn’t take long for the producers to fall behind on demand levels, which led them to start using poor-quality imported parts to finish things on time.
Another element to consider for a Schecter guitar from the mid-1980s is that their Strat-style option was called the “Scorcher.”
Unless you know these instruments, it’s easy to get them confused.
The Scorcher from the 1985 era is typically better than what is available from the Strategy.
Both of them sometimes have the telecaster shape with the body, so you’ll want to verify the production year and location before finalizing your purchase.
What Happened in 1983 to Schecter Guitars?
It only took four years for Schecter to reach the limits of his custom production shop.
In 1983, he decided to sell the company to a group that wanted to take advantage of the brand’s reputation for high-quality instruments.
The investors moved the company to the Dallas area to make guitars until 1987. Those years would almost destroy the brand.
Pete Townshend played a Schecter Strategy guitar from that era, which led people to name it after him unofficially. The company would call the Strat clone “Mercury” and the Tele copy “Saturn.”
Fender pursued Schecter Guitars in the mid-80s because the guitars were so close in style to the ones that they were making.
That issue, along with declining demand, would send the brand into a tailspin.
Hisatake Shibuya would purchase the brand in 1987. It would send the Strategy into the same family as ESP Guitars and the Musicians Institute in Hollywood.
The 1987 Rebirth of Schecter Guitar Research
After Shibuya took over the Schecter brand, he moved the company back to California.
The business returned to its custom roots from the 1970s, reducing the number of retailers who represented the instruments.
All of the efforts were dedicated to producing custom, high-end instruments with a price point outside of what the average person could afford.
Over the next decade, the company would bring in several endorsements from the top musicians of the era.
Sean Yseult from White Zombie, Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots, and several others endorsed the S-series guitars and bases that were still Fender-style models.
The new president, Michael Ciravolo, wasn’t a big fan of the Fender designs. That’s when the Tempest, Hellcat, and Avenger models were added to the company’s catalog.
Those new guitars needed to get mass-produced to meet the sales expectations that the company had at the time.
Since everything was custom from 1996-2000, the Schecter guitars from that era are some of the most expensive instruments of their kind.
In 2000, Schecter would have the C-1 introduced to the market. It appeared in a music video from Papa Roach and took off from there.
The company is still producing the Diamond Series of this model in 2022.
It should be noted that the Strategy is no longer part of the production line for Schecter Guitars today. You can grab one of these models to enjoy the brand’s vintage sounds still.
| C-Series Guitars: | C-1 (Artist, Blackjack, Blood Moon, Classic, Blackjack, Elite, Exotic Star, Hellraiser, Lady Luck, Platinium, SheDevil), C-7, C-8, and custom-made. |
| S-Series Guitars: | S-1, S-1 Blackjack, ad S-1 Tribal |
| Ultra Series Guitars: | Ultra Classic, Ultracure, Ultra III, and Ultra 4 |
| Hellraiser Series Guitars: | Avenger, Sunset FR< Tempest, V-1, V-1FR, DLX, and C-8 Limited Edition |
What Are the Best Schecter Guitars to Own Today?
If you want to purchase a Schecter Strategy, you’ll end up shelling out about $300 for a used instrument.
When you see the various online listings for these guitars, you can tell that many of them lived to practice and play instead of sitting in its case to age well.
Why pay that much for a used guitar when you can purchase a brand-new Schecter guitar for only a little more?
Here are the best Schecter guitars you can find today to let you explore your love of this instrument.
1. Schecter Synyster Gates Custom Guitar
When you grab this Schecter guitar, you’re getting a genuine masterpiece. It uses a mahogany body with a three-piece neck of the same wood for a unique look.
You’ll get flame flares at the top by the tuners, while the pickups and control system offer an impressive sustain. The construction uses a carbon fiber reinforcement rod to prevent warpage.
You’ll find several color options available with this signature look, but it is the black with white striping that demands attention.
Trimmed with gold, the Schecter Synyster Gates Custom Guitar is an investment you’ll appreciate.
It even comes with the “death bat” Pearloid inlays at the 12th fret to finish the look.
2. Schecter Omen Extreme 7 Electric Guitar
If you want a Fender-style guitar from Schecter, this design option is one of the best you can find today. It uses mahogany for the back and maple in the neck to deliver a warm, consistent sound with each strum.
The instrument provides more of a traditional design and playing experience, although the Diamond Plus pickups do shine with this investment.
This model is a seven-string guitar, which could throw off some guitarists who are used to the six-string style.
With the Schecter Omen Extreme 7 Electric Guitar, you’re getting an instrument that takes a no-nonsense approach to playing.
If you don’t want a tremolo bridge for this style, you’ll want to start playing this model. The fit and finish are fantastic.
3. Schecter Omen-6 Electric Guitar
When you want a beginner’s guitar from the Schecter brand, you’ll want to give this model a closer look.
It provides the classic black style with a glossy finish and semi-goth inlays for a timeless appearance. The body is made from basswood, while the neck is maple and the fretboard is rosewood.
You’ll still get the Diamond Plus pickups even though it is an entry-level instrument.
As you start playing the Schecter Omen-6 Electric Guitar, you’ll notice the clean lines right away. The finish is smooth, creating a fantastic feeling when playing.
Although the fretwork could be a little better, it’s also essential to realize that it’s more of a starter instrument.
It’s an excellent choice for daily practice, especially if you equip 11s on it.
4. Schecter Mark Thwaite Solo II Ultraviolet Guitar
If you want an electric guitar that demands attention when you’re on stage, you’ll need this instrument.
When you combine the flamed maple top, mahogany body, and classic setup with the color options it delivers, you’ll feel like you belong in the biggest bands on the planet.
It’s a handcrafted product that’s a little smaller than other LPs, but you’ll appreciate the overall presentation without hesitation.
The Schecter Mark Thwaite Solo II Ultraviolet Guitar features the Bixby flat top B70 tremolo system.
You get the Roller Tone Pros TOM TPFR-T3BT bridge for complete control, including a 22X jumbo fret and a 14-inch radius to have full control over the sound presentation.
5. Schecter Hellraiser Extreme String Bass
What stands out the most about this bass guitar is its see-through black satin finish. It’s a stunning look that follows the same look and feel of the electric guitars from the same line.
The design features ebony wood throughout most of the construction, although it does have a maple neck.
You have several bridge configurations from which to choose to ensure the setup works for your playing needs.
When you start hitting the deep notes on the Schecter Hellraiser Extreme String Bass, you’ll find the throaty vibrations deliver impressive depth to any composition.
It might not be one of their more affordable models, but it comes with superior pickups and more sustain than you’ll get from most competitive brands. It will become your go-to instrument.
6. Schecter 2853 Session RIOT-5 Bass Guitar
If you’ve been thinking about an upgrade to a 5-string bass guitar, this Schecter model provides many advantages to consider.
The playing experience starts with the Canadian maple fret and contoured ash body to provide reliable low frequencies in virtually any amp or sound system.
It uses a Graphtec Tusq nut and Grover Vintage tuners to deliver the brand’s signature sound while offering a direct playing experience.
With the Schecter 2853 Session RIOT-5 bass guitar by your side, you can accomplish active sounds with the 35DC and 35J pickups.
It delivers a vintage look while still being modern, ensuring that everyone pays attention to each song. The silky tones will make it one of the best playing basses you’ve ever owned.
A Final Thought about the Schecter Strategy
Although the Schecter Strategy guitar suffered a massive blow to its reputation in the mid-80s, the brand continues to thrive by sticking to the company’s roots.
It uses a customized approach to each design while looking for ways to mass-produce some models intelligently.
This business model allows anyone who wants to play a Schecter guitar to have the chance to embrace this sound.
Some Fender or Gibson purists might balk at the idea of buying a modern guitar.
You can take confidence in the fact the musicians from today’s most prominent bands have endorsed Schecter for the past 30 years, ensuring that you get an instrument that makes sense for your playing style.