Looking for a STRAT? Take a look at this Schecter

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Comment question… which setup do you prefer? HSS or SSS Get this guitar at Sweetwater (US 🇺🇸) sweetwater.sjv.io/Z6bD60 Get this guitar at Thomann (EU 🇪🇺) thmn.to/thoprod/488482?offid=1&affid=288 Get this guitar at Andertons (UK🇬🇧) elkqr.link/andertonsnickjohnston

[@timnimigean8971]

The black one has a roasted maple fretboard, along with the orange one. The green one is ebony, along with the atomic frost, atomic coral, and the white one. That's why they look so different

[@landonbailey]

I cant wait sorry, buying 8 fenders now!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Noob. 12 or go home

[@PaulCooksStuff]

Blue ones, obvs

[@teknomanning]

Number9

[@basiltiffani8850]

I'm just gonna say it: I don't believe you.

[@MoF247]

​@@TheGuitarGeek Double it and give it to the next person

[@Chris_Nouvelli]

I have the exact same HSS. Can’t fault it. It’s perfect. And I’m not even a strat guy! I just thought it looked too good to leave in the store.

[@PhillipHolt-f9r]

I'm a tele player

[@MatthewFarrell-s2w]

I totally agree, I bought an SSS one about a year ago, (was out amp shopping, and as I've always been predominantly a Strat player, asked for one to test them with - saw this on the wall and thought I'd try it - came back without the amp but with the guitar). It's an excellent workhorse instrument, I own several Fenders (Japanese and US made) and I can't say any of them are really any better, in build/component quality or playability - and at the Schecters price point (I payed under £800 new and you can find them occasionally sub £500 second hand) they're better than what Fender offers. I'd say that it plays and sounds as good as my American Ultra which was nearly three times the price (the Fender's only 'advantage' being noiseless pickups). The neck is a fairly shallow C (definately in the modern style) which is a matter of taste, but its not ridiculously thin and feels great and I do like the brass circle inlays on the ebony board. All in all I'd certainly recommend a look.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Love that you snagged a killer guitar instead of an amp! Schecters are seriously underrated.

[@budyhnio]

I had it in my hands in store one day, but i left with Sire S7 which was nearly half price and same great quality and playability, but i liked it more visualy. Both great guitars.

[@bryandraughn9830]

I had a late 70's Shecter tele that would sing like angels. Bluesier than any of my strats.

[@brianvankley3529]

These more traditional Schecters have always interested me, but heck if I can actually find one in a shop to try out.

[@Tiago_007]

Get one used at Guitar Center. You have 45 days to play it, and return it if you don’t like it.

[@timnimigean8971]

Minor correction, the black and orange models have roasted maple fretboards, not ebony. They are a sepeate peice from the neck though so it is a little confusing with some of the roasted fretboards being even darker than fhe roasted necks!

[@michaelmetal71]

i own the lefty version of that Nick Johnston and it’s the best strat style guitar i’ve ever played and owned definitely better than any Fender strat i’ve ever owned hands down

[@dragan4658]

The black sss is an amazing looking guitar imo. I'm on the look-out for a used black fender but this Nick Jonston though not as readily available as the fender is a better guitar imo. Thanks for sharing Andy!

[@judih.8754]

Playing that initial G Chord I kept expecting Andy to burst out singing "my woman done left me and my dog just died!" Great review Andy!!

[@akwamarsunzal]

Shut the front door! An SSS Strat where the bridge pickup actually sounds decent! Don't worry Andy, I always plug my Strats in, I'm not too upset about the HSS pickup not sounding so open unplugged 🙂

[@lewisbeeman]

I have the SSS model. Absolutely love the guitar. I personally did not jive with the pickups. They were stale in my opinion. Now, that is completely subjective, so others may disagree. With that said, I put in a set of Lindy Fralin Blues Specials, now it is my favorite SSS Strat

[@Commonsensestillexists]

I enjoyed that "1 min" of actually catching it live before it finished - replay time 😆

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Glad to have you! Re re re replay!

[@dweinric]

I’m pretty sure the black one has a roasted maple fretboard not ebony. Have the orange one which has the same config.

[@timnimigean8971]

You're correct, thought i was the only one who noticed

[@Str1x87]

@@dweinric I was looking for this comment. It’s definitely roasted maple

[@ScreaminT81]

Schecter is fabulous. Almost always come outta the box ready to play at a moments notice. They cater to both lefties and righties. I’ve owned to Schecter basses and they played beautifully. I may have to give one of these a go.

[@xneurianx]

I do love a Schecter. I've bought two Ibanezes to "replace" mine and yet... still keep going back to it.

[@Robstafarian]

My Schecter Omen Elite-6 is essentially an Ibanez RG421 with a 42mm nut.

[@Paulo-ze1tl]

Companies should keep the traditional Strat output jack. Much better location in my opinion. Strats are comfortable guitars meant to be played everywhere. Having a jack location that doesn't get in the way regardless of whether standing or sitting on the couch at home, is part of makes a Strat a Start.

[@fawkesandhound]

Doesn’t bother me but then again I also play a Tele and a Les Paul and those jacks are in the same spot.

[@sludds563]

those guitar are perfect for the fender mid boost no routing needed

[@steviesynapse]

Absolutely, or for EMG SL-20’s in their loaded pick guard if you want to ‘go active’, there’s no need for additional routing for your battery.

[@sludds563]

@@steviesynapse true

[@kluker]

Soundwise this is one of the best guitars I have ever played, alder body, roasted maple neck, 14in fretboard radius. Unfortunately the neck is too "thin" for me. Otherwise, I would wait to send it back. I highly recommend the guitar for someone who likes think (Ibanez style) necks.

[@MisterJWJ71]

I always enjoy your reviews.

[@windslipper]

Another fine Show, Thanks Andy for keepin it real..greeting from NY

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Thanks!

[@windslipper]

I never miss a Show...I am one of your Avid Fans here Stateside

[@SamBrockmann]

Schetcher is one of my favorite companies, and this is why. They just put out quality guitars without hitting my wallet so hard I need to sell my right arm. It's hard to play guitar without a right arm, Fender and Gibson!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Don't sell your arm. Sell a toe at most!

[@le_th_]

It's a status thing. Neither Fender nor Gibson care about anyone, they care about status like most narcissists. They don't want working class musicians playing their instruments they want professionals buying them. It's sad, but true. Support the companies that recognize that not everyone is a multi-millionaire with $3-7K to blow on a guitar.

[@Intheflesh79]

I got the Van Nuys S style for 500$, the best guitar I've ever owned, and being left handed Schecter is the best!

[@michaelmetal71]

@intheflesh79 fellow lefty here and yeah i’ve got the Nick Johnston HSS and it’s a better “strat” than Fender makes

[@Stephenmichaelsguitar]

I had one for a few months. Honestly, it was closer to a Charvel than a Fender. It’s an ok guitar, but it’s absolutely not stratty in any way other than appearance.

[@AVM-Music]

The area of GAS that never gets me: Stratocaster want doesn’t exist for me. YAY Tele Gas: absolutely

[@timnimigean8971]

They make tele styles of these too!

[@andsoistopped]

I like big blocks and I cannot lie.

[@le_th_]

Before you said it, I also agreed the sound of the black one than the green one, so much so that I actually had to look at the headstock to make sure they were both Schechter. That said, the green one sounds like it would be great for playing Hawaiian music because it had almost a slide-guitar echo-y sound. Obviously, just like pros switch guitars depending on the song and what tones they need to get, they switch guitars.

[@randrothify]

The effect of the magnetic field is still present even when not plugged in and the wider field of the humbucker does flatten out the tone. I had the same experience comparing two Teles, one with a neck humbucker. I was surprised until I spoke with a guitar tech who told me that the magnets in pickups still affect the sound even when unplugged because the magnetic field doesn’t go away just because the guitar is unplugged. Not knowing this made me feel dumb because it’s kind of obvious when you think about how magnets work (duh!!!). Indeed, all amplifiers do exactly what they say: amplify the signals already present due to the magnetic field from the magnets. The reason that it is not obvious to the ear before plugging in is because the magnets are so weak, hence the need for an amp.

[@TheDrunkenScoundrel]

I concur, the black one sounds better. Richer. Love Schecters btw. Most underrated brand out there along with ESP/LTD.

[@MikeS4628]

My main guitar is a schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder exotic HT with a ziricote top. Not sure why it falls in the "super shredder" title. It's satin finish, dual humbucker strat basically. Maybe because the contoured heel neck joint or the compound radius fretboard. But it's not flashy looking like the other SVSS models. They do make a Floyd Rose version so perhaps that puts it in the shredder camp. At any rate, the neck shape is my favorite of any guitar I've played. I've used it for everything from clean to classic rock, blues and metal. I've not had one of these Nick Johnston strats in hand but if the build quality is anywhere near mine, then they're good to go. I'd imagine they are.

[@Guitar6ty]

Great demo especially without the wall of fuzz. The standard fender pickups sounds better.

[@tonepilot]

Really dig the HSS.

[@GraemeCampbellMusic]

I have a G&L now which satisies my Strat needs...I don't need another one...I think.....oh damn GAS

[@Cayres9]

Jeez Deano that Flix Bus was stopped in like the most dodgy location possible ! Looks like Detroit so run down man

[@zanthir1393]

I've become a Schecter fanboy lately. I have an MV-6 (re-colorized because I dislike cream plastic) and a C-1 Exotic. They're the 2 guitars I reach for most often by a long shot. I'm eyeing a PT special or Nick Johnston PT for my first T style.

[@sagittated]

People complain about Fender releasing strats still, but everyone else is just copying the design, and piggybacking on all of the investment Fender has put into it that makes them so desirable. Schecter is capable of making their own designs, and they should stick to those. Have confidence in what you've created.

[@MelodyCarroll-rx8tk]

These look great but I generally play medium C shaped necks. I only wish I could get along with it.

[@teknomanning]

Love that company

[@DarthV506]

Wish my LGSs would bring them in. Mom & Pop don't have a lot of room (or probably money for large inventory) and the big chain store only has Gibson & FMIC on the walls. Don't think any of the other chain stores in my province are any different.

[@Furtheronmusic]

Fender introduced on the old Elite (?) the model before the Ultra before the UktraII. But people moaned 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@mattfox6035]

Great review....great sounds. Green one is louder

[@TheGuitarGeek]

THANK YOU!!! I knew it was. it wasn't a placebo after all

[@iamanovercomer3253]

I'll buy a Fender....I prefer 9.5 radius over 14 radius neck

[@7171jay]

@iam. Agreed... 14" radius and locking tuners right off would make it a no for me, and kind of heavy considering the huge swimming pool rout.

[@dixee6498]

What makes the ebony fretboard the supposed better option?

[@TheGuitarGeek]

nothing. I just applaud guitar builders that don't shy away from brownish ebony.

[@HALLOWEENSLASHER]

Did you get your squire antigua?

[@BillyTheKidsGhost]

5:41 Naughty naughty, very very, naughty. Andy!

[@lollofunky]

I think that now in 2024 there are many good alternatives to the big famous F n G brands! Plus I am not from USA so I dont care where a guitar is made once it is a good instrument! I would definitely buy the Schecter NJ also because the volume not is not in THAT position very very close to the pick up :)

[@APMTenants]

The green one had a neck shim and the black one doesn’t. Could that be part of the reason they sound different? Less contact between the wood.

[@toneranger]

Well done Schechter for the single coil option. Not a fan of the humbucker trend really, ruins the aesthetics. Stick a hit rail in the bridge and you're sorted.

[@JoaquinGonzalez2014]

The Black One ! 👍

[@fawkesandhound]

I have this guitar and it is amazing. I was Strat shopping and the NJ beat every single Strat in every store around. The fretwork was especially great. Every fender, Americans and Pro’s, had flaws in the fretwork, buzzes, sprout, rough file work etc. I’m talking sorting through 6-7 Strats compared to one random NJ kinda beat up on the rack, rinse and repeat at the next store. The Fenders were consistently wonky and the Schecters were consistently perfect. They sunk a lot of time into the fretwork. I ordered one because I wanted a different color and they only had black and they were a little beat up at the Guitar Center and no surprise it came perfect. I agree with all his other points, love the pickups, controls, the spoke adjuster, the ebony and the radius. But that fretwork out the box is something worth noting that he didn’t. Just my 2 cents.

[@julindres]

I've got the Tele version of this guitar. It puts American made fender teles to shame, way way better and less expensive.

[@hannesganahl6384]

Thats a great Guitar!

[@deweyoogwey]

too late! Bought too many and my wallet is crying 🎉

[@TheDrunkenScoundrel]

If anyone out there lives in a place where they can order from Musician's Friend? This guitar is now int eh "Stupid Deal of the Day" rotation. I think it was last listed at $399.

[@fantomas9240]

I've tried it. The "thin" neck on paper it's not that thin thanks to the width, but extra jumbo frets... I don''t get it. Too bad, I was a flash to pull the trigger

[@lazvt8469]

I have the HSS Lefty in the Asian persuasion...exceptional build. HB is great...SS are too modern for me.

[@danielbarbieri8199]

They sound different unplugged because of the neck. One is maple, the other have an ebony fretboard. It's so obvious, why do you say you have no idea ?

[@Paralung]

I would have sworn the black one had a roasted maple fretboard. That said, I owned a Schecter Route 66 Traditional (exlusive for the Italian market, basically a Nick Johnston with different pups) and loved everything about it except for the neck. It's too thin and overall small to my taste.

[@AnonAmouse-d2t]

Where's "The Week in Gear #63"?!!

[@SearchingForTone]

Too late not only bought a Fender, I bought Fender stock as well

[@johncarlo7395]

In ten years time the Fender will probably fetch more money on the second hand market than you paid for it, the Shecter you'll be lucky to get a quarter of the price you paid for it, Leo got it right first time around, see how much you'll pay for an original 60s Strat, it'll take your breath away.

[@mknewlan67]

Buying with my eyes…. Black one all day.

[@venturaVlogger]

I dont like 2 control knobs

[@joermnyc]

I kind of miss the second tone knob, waiting to try the Sire S5 but they sell out so quickly!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I hear you and you cannot do the hendrix thing on this but I like the extra space on the pick guard

[@dlux703]

Way better control arrangement. I always hated the Fender volume knob being too close to the pickups, where it is easy to knock out of place. Also single tone is much better than the convoluted F Strat pair. I moded my Fender to single tone and volume, and put a spare switch-tip in the upper hole as a pinky rest/reference. Also, like the truss rod wheel.

[@michaeleastham3868]

A million fender players and your lonesome self doesn't like the control configuration.. go figure..

[@AceBambam]

@@dlux703 but I like it tho for the pinky to do volume swells easily

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Woah.... spreading the hate a little thick in this comments section. This is your official warning to not be a dick.

[@fawkesandhound]

@@michaeleastham3868he’s not alone, I love the control set up here.

[@secretdaisy6484]

I didn’t think the ToneKing sounded very good. You can get the Sterling CT50 made by MusicMan with the same stuff except ebony fretboard for $599. And it kicks butt. I’m getting one instead of a Strat Ultra. That’s saying a lot because I’m crazy about Fender Strats ☑️. 👍☮️🌞🎸🎵

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Sounds like i need to try that Sterling CT50!

[@secretdaisy6484]

⁠Yes you absolutely do. You can really play it and show it honestly. Go for it ➡️🎵

[@jemwand2530]

Atomic Ink paint definitely sounds better than green paint.

[@BooleanCorporation]

Gotta lol at that single coil bias xD

[@TheGuitarGeek]

yep! hahaha

[@mattfox6035]

Atomic Ink sounds like The Future Is Here ...

[@bradleyclosson5042]

No fret markers are a deal breaker even though i really really one.

[@timnimigean8971]

They have fret markers but they're rings instead of solid dots. Easy to see while playing, but doesn't show up as easily in video depending on lighting

[@bradleyclosson5042]

@timnimigean8971 oh I see lol

[@Str1x87]

The only thing that stops me from buying it: it doesn’t have stainless steel frets 😢

[@thehowlingjoker]

The finish on these looks much nicer than those on the new Fender guitars.

[@KnuckleheadStuey]

I didn't have a strat. Was looking to pick up a Squier or maybe even a low end Fender. I got a great deal on a new SSS in atomic green. It's my second Schecter. Great guitar. Haven't had to do anything besides tune it out of the box. My search is done for a strat. Sorry Fender.

[@markfahey3921]

I would prefer one volume and one tone on the two Fender strats I have, I wouldn't buy Fender again though, would buy yamaha or schecter

[@Alan-zf2tt]

Ah grasshopper. Do not pick the guitar. Let the guitar pick you. (Just like that puppy years ago?)

[@andsoistopped]

Don’t tell Robert about his jacket.

[@antlou123]

Sounds like a prs silversky se.

[@akwamarsunzal]

If I were in the market for a new Strat then the Schecter NJ HSS is absolutely going to be top of my list!

[@michaeleastham3868]

You mean strat copy..

[@akwamarsunzal]

@@michaeleastham3868 Nope, I meant a Schecter NJ HSS 🙂

[@michaelmenkes8085]

Fender is not scared because it maintains its market share by excessive advertising. You are paying more for the marketing than the production of the guitar of course. Literally everyone builds a better guitar now. Fender USA can't even touch World Music Inc of Korea, who makes the best import models for a few dozen companies, including ESP-owned Schecter. (but this is MII, FYI)

[@RevGerryRM]

I hate thick necks! I have arthritis in my hands and have difficulty with chords.

[@PhillipHolt-f9r]

I have the HSS on my squire Wouldn't dell or trade

Sounds cheap

[@elnyoutube123]

If I was a Fender and I saw that face I'd be pretty fucking terrified

[@stratmagic6893]

I had the HSS model but the too skinny neck and 14in neck radius was a deal breaker fir me Good guitars just not for me.

[@BillyTheKidsGhost]

I don't know why people would buy a Fender anymore, the same goes for Gibson... And don't say resale value or investment. That's stupid. Go, buy gold instead of an overpriced guitar.

[@AceBambam]

the schecter MV 6 is more interesting to me

[@markproctor3100]

I would put any of the Sire S7's up against this easily as good if not better for about £400 less I'd say even the S3/5 wouldn't be far off those 🤘

[@bobsiburton861]

You just gave the reason that I will not put a humbucker on any on my guitars. Plus humbuckers are fugly.

[@donvape336]

I'll tell you, my 2014 fender standard i bought used from recerb, basically unplayed and stored in case blows them both away. When i put D'addario 11s on it....WOW. No comparison.

[@milescookman7180]

Can I watch this before i DON'T buy a Fender?

[@TheGuitarGeek]

you do you!

[@milescookman7180]

@@TheGuitarGeek Fanks! btw. That swimming pool is even bigger than my 80's strat and I thought that was big.

[@mksnz]

Fender and Gibson can do whatever s*it and they will be there forever.

[@kenjikodai]

899 huh

[@leehenderson8132]

In case you didn't notice ITS A STRAT COPY DUDE.IFBI WANTBA STRAT, I WILL BUY A REAL STRAT. NOT A COPY.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

OK THEN!

[@tenebroruncr4374]

I had that exact HSS model and also the Fender Player Plus HSS and ended up selling the Schecter.The resonance and sound in the notes could not be compared. The electronics are quite bad and the pickups are much worse on the Schecter apart from the bridge which is of much higher quality. The guitar sells very well because of Nick J's name and signature but nothing else.

[@DrTomoculus]

It was 7 minutes into the video that I realised they were both Schecter. I was paying attention. Really I was. Don't judge me. I preferred the black one in sound and colour.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

😂😂😂 it’s ok to zone out once in a while

[@nigellacey559]

Id rather buy a fender than a knock off no matter how good they believe themselves to be...sorry.

[@bradleyclosson5042]

Why?

[@bradleyclosson5042]

My best Strats aren't Fenders and all I care about is a guitar that plays and sounds good. I know how much BS marketing you pay for with Fender and I'd rather my money not be thrown in the bin. Saying that there is only one argument for buying big brands and that is they don't depreciate in value but that's kinda true with any guitar these days.

[@mahbodgorji5076]

But nothing sounds and performs like fender to me 🤦‍♂️

[@AmericanNationalist852]

The headstocks and criminal use of abalone has always turned me off to Schecter

[@KnuckleheadStuey]

The overuse of abalone is definitely tacky and it seemed like a phase.

[@teknomanning]

They’ve moved past that

[@AmericanNationalist852]

@@KnuckleheadStuey yeah but the headstocks are so cheesy looking, and honestly I've never played one that i thought "wow this neck feels great". I've played a bunch that desperately needed more work on the fret ends, which seems to be a relatively common problem with them, too There's worse guitars out there, but they are far from being one that I'd recommend to anyone. Thinking about it, the only schecter I ever thought was actually decent was an old buddy's bass (I forget what model)

[@tymanngruter1808]

The Shecter is the next thing i ask for, yes ask my wife to buy for me!