Schecter Nick Johnston VS PRS Silver Sky - Guitar Tone Comparison

[@Sm00thR0ckS]

I just picked up an atomic green SSS Schecter NJ and I love it! A lot of clarity and a great tone coming out of those Diamond series pickups. I was always wondering about Silver Sky. Great Video!

[@jonoakley11]

I've had PRS guitars , USA and SE 's , USA strats , Gibsons, etc, the Schecter NJ is just as good as any of those guitars , I gigged with one for a year solid, fantastic guitar!

[@downshift00]

Totally agree with you there.

[@HussainSaahil]

I have the Schecter Nick Johnston in Atomic Frost and it’s the best Strat I’ve ever played. Great playing there!

[@downshift00]

Thanks! Ya I had a fender american strat, I prefer the Schecter NJ .

[@HussainSaahil]

@@downshift00 yes. I played my friend’s Fender Strat before and then decided to go with Schecter Nick Johnston.

[@downshift00]

@@HussainSaahil Good call.. The only thing I dont like about the NJ HSS is the GIANT pickup route under the pickguard.. Have you seen it? i.redd.it/c21dzrlwujq61.jpg

[@HussainSaahil]

@@downshift00 oh I haven’t seen it. Thanks for sharing. I have the SSS variant. And it’s just a couple of months old, I haven’t seen what’s under my guitar’s pick guard :)

[@downshift00]

@@HussainSaahil ahh OK, you are lucy LOL.The SSS one isnt like that. It is pretty normal, kind of a typical HSS looking route.

[@sinisterj73]

I have the exact same Schecter NJ as you and love it. My fender now sits in it's case. Great playing also.

[@ayechsofien3502]

Can we get a very low action on the nj schecter? I'm obsessed with this guitar and I'm thinking of buying it,so any information can be helpful thank you

[@downshift00]

Yes. I just checked it. My action on the schecter is set at 1.0mm at the 12 fret. That might just be the lowest action of all my guitars actually LOL.

[@ayechsofien3502]

@@downshift00 thank you sir i really appreciate it, keep it up the good work

[@jasonb2916]

I have a fender american pro 2 in dark night finish and the schecter nj in atomic green... I play the schecter waaaayyy more than my fender... amazing guitar... go buy one!

[@lazvt8469]

@@jasonb2916 have several USA Strats...just got my lefty AG NJ Schecter today...now I understand traditional/historical tone vs 'modern' . Love both!

[@paulya1269]

Note the Schecter has x jumbo frets. I purchased one a year ago and was taken aback at first by the feel of the frets. You can get low action, but your fingers won’t be touching the fretboard. Takes some getting used to if you have never played them, but they are better for string bends and you don’t have to press as hard on the strings even though you think you need to. With that said the Schecter NJ is an outstanding playing and sounding guitar for the price.

[@DennyBob521]

I have the same shirt 😂 Being a PRS core fanboy, I really wanted the Silver Sky to sound better. Maybe with a Klon to boost it like I’ve heard Mayer use. Mayer is a monster player and great songwriter, NJ is phenomenal too. Being a huge Nick Johnston fan, I’m obviously looking at those too. I’m leaning toward the HSS Diamond Series Nick Johnston in Atomic Green like yours. Love the Neck pickup sound ❤

[@kevinbrennen6773]

I’m going nuts trying to decide between these two. Play in a cover band that does a whole slew of different stuff and need a humbucker in the bridge if possible. I played a SS recently and wasn’t sold, not sure exactly what it was but just didn’t feel right. Thinking I need to get my hands on a NJ HSS asap.

[@doitolright3139]

Winner is schecter 🤟

[@CrustyCurmudgeon]

I'm letting your video play while cruising other tabs open in my browser. Every time I hear a lick or tone I like, I click quickly back to the video. More times than not, you're playing Nick's Schecter when I click in. If that isn't as close to a blind test as I can get, I don't know what else to do

[@downshift00]

True, doesn't get anymore blind than that. Ya the Schecter has more balls I feel. The PRS is more vintage sounding I guess? The playability of the PRS is pretty amazing though. I've thought about changing the pickups out of the PRS, but many think that is crazy talk 😂

[@adamallred587]

A/B the neck pickup on both the NJ and the SS in this video. The brightness and clarity on the NJ are very evident where the silver sky just sounds dull. Sold on the NJ

[@downshift00]

Ya, one of the reasons I'm currently selling the SS 😂

[@iTrove]

First set… you were grooving w/ the schector, but the tones on the PRS were great. The second set.. the Schector all the way, much more full and serenading. Nice playing.

[@downshift00]

Thanks!

[@KidOnTheMoon88]

I tried Siversky SE and not impressed.. fat neck and feel like sharp frets and fingerboard 😅 sound muddy too

[@marshfilm]

I like the thin shiny clean sound of the PRS, but prefer the overdriven tones of the Schecter.

[@harumann]

Schecter NJ all the way. No need to bust the bank

[@downshift00]

Ya i hear ya. I also compared the Schecter to a 1100+ fender with fender USA 59 pickups in my other video and the Schecter sounds way better too.

[@NelsonBlakeII]

@@downshift00 I just picked up the NJ. LOVE it. Was thinking of holding out for the Fiore, but the NJ is nailing that strat sound I was looking for. Interesting note: a salesman at the guitar store suggested I leave his store and pick up the NJ from the rival store, chasing me off of the $2k Fenders they had in stock. His reasoning: The NJ's are under priced and overperforming because Schecter is making a move to steal this space. Prices will go up when they achieve their goals, so get one now while they're cheap.

[@MaestroJericho]

@@NelsonBlakeII Nick Johnston models with Gotoh bridges and USA pickups for an additional $300-400 or so more would be great

[@NelsonBlakeII]

@@MaestroJericho I really like the bridge and trem on the NJ but I frequently think about swapping out the humbucker. I just don't know for what. It's a good pickup, but it's a little fuzzy. Works for rock and 80s metal so I might leave it. I wouldn't touch the bridge and middle.

[@vhcxhbvg]

THE COMPARISON I WAS LOOKING FOR! Assuming the SE version is about 15% less quality than the core, you think I should I get the NJ or SE SS? Also, position 5 is the neck not 1 btw

[@downshift00]

Hmm that's a good question, the NJ is a good guitar. Let's put it this way. I am currently thinking about selling the SS. I feel I can get a better strat sound out of the NJ. The thing I don't like about the NJ is the routing under the pickguard is huge! It's so hollow. Lol. The SS neck is pretty fat too and the 7.25" radius is also not so great to play on for me. I'm used to 10-16" type boards. Oh about the position, ya I reversed the order of the positions, oops. 😂

[@zionlee4594]

@@downshift00 does it being more hollow do anything to the tone?

[@downshift00]

@@zionlee4594 when it's plugged in I can't tell. I mean it's just a bit more route than a swimming pool route. www.reddit.com/r/guitars/comments/mhtivv/nick_johnston_hss_just_in_case_anyone_is_looking/

[@therealtech833]

@@downshift00 thanks for your review and your comments. It'll be interesting to know how a Van nuys traditional would stack up, since it is not howled out🤔

[@downshift00]

@@therealtech833 ya. I want one of those Van Nuys. I kinda wish they came in a floyd option too though. Would be a cool competition to the charvels since they don't make a MIM San dimas that's HSS.

[@llwonder]

I have a silver sky. It sounds good and looks pretty but why oh why 7.25in radius. I wish they had an option for 9.5 or standard 10in for PRS. But overall, I’m happy with it. It sounds killer and plays well but I’m worried I’ll have more fret maintenance due to radius

[@downshift00]

I've thought about that as well. But so far my SS doesn't fret out. I recently got a fender vintera road worn strat with 7.25 and I can get it to fret out. I guess since the PRS fretwork is so well done, this is not an issue as long as the frets and neck don't go to crap.

[@prodbyamrit]

Hi, loved the review. Nice playing :) I wanted to know your opinion on how the Schecter is interms of build, tuning stability, tuners, POTS, trem block and if there is anything that needs to be upgraded, and how does it stack up against a Fender Made in Mexico Strat. Any opinion from you would be great, thank you :)

[@downshift00]

Amrit, thanks man. So, I recently sold my fender American Standard Strat, and I like the Schecter better to be honest. The tremelo unit is way better than the standard strat one. Stays in tune better too. The locking tuners seem good, holds tune fine. Now, the tone pot on the Schecter is scratchy and I will replace that when it gets too annoying, but I really don't touch it much anyways. I also did a comparison of the made in Mexico ventura with the PRS, but you can use the sound comparison with the Schecter... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXW4dKt6oM-morc

[@prodbyamrit]

@@downshift00 Thank you for the feedback bro! Appreciate it :)

[@guitarz]

That silver sky for the win! Where’d you get thy pickguard?

[@downshift00]

Ya its tough to beat the Silver Sky! I got it from www.mojoaxe.com/

[@thorpenator9148]

I love my Schecter Nick Johnston. 14 degree radius...jumbo frets etc

[@downshift00]

Ya its an awesome guitar for sure.

[@thorpenator9148]

@@downshift00 Great color too.

[@toadstkr]

I wouldn’t say there’s a $1000 difference

[@jammergreg]

The neck tapped on the NJ is fatter! Hmmm good job Scheter.

[@chernozemfishing]

This Schecter made in Indonesia?

[@downshift00]

Yup it is

[@steviejojo3448]

yes the diamond series is, though they do have a usa signature custom shop model aswell

[@scott_pinzon]

It is and the quality for the price is startlingly good. Comes with roasted maple neck, locking tuners, upgraded carbon nut, locking strap pegs, goid fit and finish; usually street priced under USD $1000.

[@mboyer68]

Schecter sounded much better, but...i have two Schecter guitars and am a fan, and, you can't really tell in a video. Also, the bridge pickup.... Great video though!! Thank you:)

[@nizodizo9549]

The Schecter sounds great.

[@edlicari3909]

Schecter NJ hands down, and at less than half the cost of the SS!! ✌️

[@downshift00]

Ya its about 1/3 of the cost.. I recently sold the SS LOL.

[@justintime4408]

i mean kind of unfair comparison. 2200 PRS Silver Sky vs and 800$ Schecter Nick Johnston Diamond Series. And I honestly thought the Schecter held its own for $800

[@downshift00]

Yup, that's why I did the comparison. I assumed the PRS would kill it, but it really didn't. I was impressed by the Schecter and am glad I picked one up.

[@taxo]

Try comparing the SS to a USA Schecter, it's really out of this world

[@MaestroJericho]

I had both, not really a Strat guy so sold the PRS SS. I preferred the fat neck on the PRS though since I prefer fat necks in general. Nick Johnston beats all the Mexican Fenders I've had though, cleaner fretwork and the roasted maple feels nicer than the glossy Fender necks. Only reason to go with Fender are the aftermarket pick guard options imo. That and the Fender Mexico electronics are nicer but that's swappable.

[@TheBarnabascolins]

The Prs sounds like an old usa standard strat, the Schector sounds like a Fender Elite Strat, a lil darker and moodier. There is no wrong choice, i love the colours on the schector more, but id probably buy prs first. Course, it wouldnt hurt to own both :)

[@chaseheatwole2213]

PRS is so over priced Schecter has more of a dynamic range to it

[@souvikbasumatary6863]

get David Gilmour vibes from the Schecter tone

[@MrDream-zm1pw]

I was actually looking to replace my MIM standard Strat with a Schecter NJ 😂. As soon as I find a deal I’ll jump on it and sell my fender

[@downshift00]

It's definitely worth it. I just bought the mim nitrocellulose vintura road warn series and returned it, it felt crappy and was 1100. 😂

[@MrDream-zm1pw]

@@downshift00 bro if Schecter made a Jazzmaster style I’d be all over it. I used to be all about brand loyalty but it’s hard now with these crazy prices and the quality just doesn’t justify it. Schecter’s quality feels great nearly on par with American guitars and are affordable.

[@roundy72]

@@MrDream-zm1pw agree - I have a Schecter SVSS made in Indonesia, I can't imagine how it could be made any better. Perfect craftsmanship.

[@scottmcloughlin4371]

Nobody can tell the difference but handfuls of other guitar players. They won't care either.

[@downshift00]

Well of course. It's for the guitarist that cares LOL. Same could be said for the difference between a regular car vs a performance car. Only the people that know, will care. That's how it works.

[@scottmcloughlin4371]

@@downshift00 I just like to encourage folks to play. The big differences do matter. Strat pickups are very stratty. Hollow bodies are different beasts, and then floating pups are way different from set in pups. I love p90's. Those make a big difference. But so many other nuances never show up in sounds coming out of amplifiers. Which reminds me, amps make very huge differences. In my own seeking after traditional jazz tones, an old Polytone Minibrute got me there. I got horrible advice on tone until I discovered the tradtional route to "that sound." So many gear reviews are complete wastes of time regarding tone. Durability and quality control are more important.

[@dougmaccoll7564]

Great Review (But your pickup numbering is bassackwards!)

[@downshift00]

Sorry, I know. Can't fix it now obviously. Still is 5 positions and is consistent in the video.

[@thewhitecakes2173]

The tone of a guitar can't be compared with a digital platform . Played into a tube amp the real tone of the guitar will shine .

[@NelsonBlakeII]

Suppose you're using digital tools to play/record? We all love tube amps, but digital tools are easier to transport, offer more versatility, are less fragile and are much more consistent. Any differences that subtle won't come through in a mix or live band setting.

[@cesarurbani2294]

if you want a real strat, buy fender, end

[@cadaudioguitars2898]

As someone who owned 4 real strats, I sold two of em to get silver sky and its my fav guitar 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@downshift00]

I've had fender strats, they aren't that great. It's a bolt on neck and body and steel bridge, big deal. It's not a difficult formula.

[@cesarurbani2294]

@@downshift00 for sure, thats why its the most used guitar ever...

[@Gril018]

@@cesarurbani2294 mcdonalds is also the best selling burguers worldwide. doesnt make him have the best burguers ;)

[@cesarurbani2294]

@@Gril018 thats not an accurate comparison, strats and les pauls, were used on the most iconic recordings made. You can get all these new models that intend to replicate that sound with a modern approach, I have an AZ, and its great, but when you plug strat, you hear the difference.

[@bikeman1x11]

schecter sounds cheap