What is it?

It’s been a whirlwind 12 months for Canadian virtuoso Nick Johnston. As well as celebrating the 10th anniversary of his remarkably popular Schecter models and launching a project with King Crimson/Porcupine Tree drummer Gavin Harrison, he was recruited by prog metal giants Mastodon as their new lead guitar player.

With the original members of the band having now confirmed Johnston’s involvement on their upcoming ninth full-length, it made sense for the legato supremo to release a new signature that reflected his role in one of the most important heavy bands of the last two decades.

Gone are the SSS and HSS pickup configurations, making way for two meatier humbuckers that are perfect for sludgey down-tuned riffing and a body that’s finished in Atomic Mercury – an unmistakable nod to the Silverburst look associated with the band.

In the official video promoting the release, Johnston explained that he “wanted something that reflects this new era of my career and who I’m playing with” while also confirming that “this will be my main guitar for the foreseeable future”.

Right then, time to get heavy.

Specs

• Price: $1299 | £1329 | €1639 

• Made: Indonesia
• Type: Six-string electric guitar 

• Body: Alder

• Neck: Wenge/Nick Johnston C-shaped
• Fingerboard material/radius: Ebony/14"
Scale length: 25.5 inches/650mm 
Nut/width: Graph Tech XL Black Tusq/42mm
• Frets: 22, jumbo, stainless steel
• Hardware: Schecter Nouveau Locking Tuners, Schecter Nouveau Tremolo with Music City Bridge, Three String Tree String Retainer

• Electrics: 2 x Nick Johnston Signature Atom-Buckers pickups, Master Volume, Master Tone, five-way Superswitch
• Weight: 8lb.13 / 3.99kg

• Left-handed options: No 

• Finish: Atomic Mercury

• Case: No

• Contact: Schecter

Build quality

Build quality rating: ★★★★★

The short run of Silverburst Les Paul Customs during the late 70s eventually became the stuff of legend, with players like Adam Jones of Tool believing – perhaps even erroneously – that the chromed aluminium in the metal-flake paint “does something to the tone or the resonance or the polarity somehow”.

This Schecter approximation of that storied finish certainly looks very close, though it won’t have any of the special paints that supposedly affect tone, or develop a greenish hue over time like the Gibson originals.

What you do get, however, is an impressively solid guitar that rings true and will do as commanded all night long with no backups required.

Playability

Playability rating: ★★★★★

Weighing just under nine pounds, with a thicker wenge neck instead of the thinner maple found on the regular Traditional models, this is a guitar that feels notably substantial.

But it’s still every bit as balanced and playable as I’d expect from a Nick Johnston signature, with the distinctly flat 14” radius ebony fingerboard giving it more of a modern edge in terms of performance.

The action out of the box seems just about right as a middle ground – a medium range 1.60mm from low E / 1.35mm from high E. Of course, you could bring it down a little – and I would, personally as I prefer a lower action for speed. As it is, it’s as suited to riffing as it is noodling, which makes perfect sense given the recent developments in Johnston’s career.

Sounds

Sounds rating: ★★★★½

Interestingly, for the first time ever, there are no single-coil sounds to be found on this Nick Johnston model whatsoever.

And perhaps that’s the point here – every one of his signatures thus far has sonically taken influence from the Fender world, from last year’s 10th anniversary HSS series to the Telecaster-inspired PT range debuted in 2022.

If you want that vintage flavour, well, it’s already out there, which helps explain why this latest iteration celebrates his new band life exclusively as a humbucker player.

For this test, I plugged this test model into a Marshall JCM 25/50 2555X Silver Jubilee reissue, with a Boss Super Overdrive SD-1W bringing some extra heat going in and a TC Electronic Hall Of Fame adding reverb via the effects loop. The Atombuckers are highly articulate and musical, with more of a vintage flavour than your typical Schecter guitar.

They might not be as high in output as the Mojotone, EMG and Lace pickups the band have used in the past, but they can still comfortably handle all of your favourite Mastodon riffs from Blood And Thunder and Oblivion to Black Tongue to Ember City.

The volume and tone controls are highly reactive and extra lively thanks to the 500k pots, allowing users to fine-tune their sound on the fly – providing options for blues, rock, metal and even jazz tones.

Admittedly, it’s not quite as versatile as a Nick Johnston HSS model, but that’s almost the point.

Verdict

It’s easy to see why this guitar has been getting so much attention – certainly, joining forces with one of the biggest names in metal will always help steal headlines, but finding a twin humbucker guitar that looks and sounds as good as is far from easy.

Some might even say it is impossible. Extra features like the locking tuners, metal ring inlays and 500k pots add to that degree of professionalism, and the tremolo system can be easily set up to warble like Jeff Beck and Michael Lee Firkins with zero tuning issues.

In fact, this is yet another upgrade that separates it from the Nick Johnston models of old, behaving similarly to aftermarket speciality products like the VegaTrem.

There might be some players out there who would prefer a different finish or options for single-coil sounds, but it’s worth remembering that this instrument was specifically designed to be Johnston’s workhorse in Mastodon. There's no reason why it can't be the same muse for many others.

Guitar World verdict: The Nick Johnston Traditional HH is a difficult guitar to fault – ultimately, you’re looking at a hard-rocking monster that is as alluring to the eye as it is the ear. And while it’s tonally more straightforward than the HSS models, it’s still a feature-rich all-rounder that will suit just about any kind of humbucker player.

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Hands-on videos

Schecter and Nick Johnston

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Machine Gun Kelly has looked back on the origin of his controversial razor blade signature guitar, which was released by Shecter back in 2024.

It was one of the more divisive guitar builds of recent times, carved into the shape of a razor blade with a metallic scratchplate – complete with the relevant markings – covering the top.

At first, it was likened to a Chibson release, with the spoof gear firm taking a stab at it with its own ‘Disposable Razor’ guitar design, but then it received heavy criticism, with some saying it would “promote self harm culture” and should be boycotted.

Mgk was quick to respond to the critics, saying, “I’ll never explain my art… most of you constantly interpret it wrong and then blame me for your version of what you think my art is.”

Since then, Mgk has remained quiet over his design choices and the origins of the razor blade guitar, but now he’s offered a revealing insight into the thought process behind the instrument.

In a conversation with Chris Garza on the Garza Podcast, Mgk explained the imagery and symbolism behind the blade guitar, once again distancing it from what he calls “emo razor shit”.

“I just wanted to design a different body on a guitar,” he explains. “I had this obsession with shaving with a straight razor, and that's why, on the album, Tickets to My Downfall, the title track, I say, ‘I use a razor to take off the edge.’

“And it's not like on some fucking emo razor shit. Literally, the only time I would give myself to calm down and turn my brain off would be when I would shave. I’ve got a big Adam's apple, man. You’ve got to really just be careful, keep it cool and calm down.

“I’ve always loved the look of a straight razor,” he continues. “The imagery was interesting to me. I was just kind of like, ‘If you added a neck on there and some strings, you’d get a guitar.’ I was like, ‘That’s the guitar I want.’”

As for what Schecter had to say about the bold and potentially divisive design, Mgk remembers, “They were like, ‘This is going to start some shit.’

“I wasn’t encouraging the Buck 50 violence or anything,” Mgk asserts. “It was like, if you ever watched Above The Rim, you know, you’re a kid watching movies, you see the homie pull a blade out of his mouth, you’re like, ‘Woah, that’s fire.’”

In related news, Mgk's guitarist recently discussed how he's channeling B.B. King in the rapper-turned-pop-punk artist's live shows.

Mastodon guitarist Nick Johnston has turned his once-traditional Schecter signature into a full-bore metal guitar as his first anniversary with the band fast approaches.

The Canadian maestro played his first shows with the Atlanta prog metallers last March, following the parting of ways with original guitarist Brent Hinds, and a one-show stint with Ben Eller.

Johnston’s signature guitars have, unsurprisingly, been a key feature in his Mastodon live rig, and now he’s fully embraced his new role with the latest version of his namesake electric guitar, the Nick Johnston Traditional HH.

As its name suggests, it pulls away from the orthodox Strat-inspired recipe Johnston usually runs with by utilizing twin humbuckers via his new Signature Atom-Bucker models, which replace the SSS and HSS configurations of its previous iterations.

There's also been a slight tweak to its tonewood trio, with the alder body and ebony fingerboard – capped with 22 Jumbo stainless steel frets for the first time, and metal ring inlays – now joined by a wenge neck in place of roasted maple. Part of that is down to Johnston’s change in aesthetic, having ditched his longstanding passion for vintage-inspired colorways.

“This is the first instrument that I'd be playing heavier music on, and I wanted something that reflects this new era of my career and who I'm playing with now,” he says.

“The Silver Burst is a color synonymous with the band,” Johnston adds, referring to Bill Kelliher's fan favorite ESP LTD signature. “We were talking one day about how cool it would be continue that tradition. This will be my main guitar for the foreseeable future.”

Other specs include Schecter-branded locking tuners, a GraphTech nut, a truss rod adjustment wheel at the base of the neck, and a Schecter Nouveau hardtail bridge.

“It's important, as a musician, to keep evolving, and when you follow that path, so much excitement comes with it,” Johnston continues. “This guitar is the next step for me; it's the great unknown in a lot of ways, and there's a reason this guitar has stood the test of time for over a decade.”

The Schecter Nick Johnston Traditional HH is available now for $1,299.

See Schecter for more.

In related news, Mastodon’s other guitarist, Bill Kelliher, has revealed that Johnston will feature on the band’s next album, all but confirming his permanent status in the group.

Drummer Brann Dailor, meanwhile, is furious that their former guitarist Brent Hinds, who died just months after leaving the group, was omitted from the Grammys’ ‘In Memoriam’ segment.

Since its custom shop beginnings in the '70s and '80s, fueled by David Schecter’s avant-garde vision, the guitar brand that bears his surname has developed a reputation for bold finishes, intricate inlays, and unique body shapes.

These qualities led to its popularity with players favoring a quasi-theatrical flair, like Robert Smith and Ritchie Blackmore, as well as more contemporary artists like Machine Gun Kelly (and his highly controversial Razor Blade signature guitar).

If loud and flashy finishes tickle your fancy (what better way to stand out on stage, right?) or you have a taste for the slightly more obscure, the Schecter Traditional Pro electric guitar might be right up your alley. What's even better is that Sweetwater has knocked $400 off the original price for Cyber Weekend.

In terms of construction, the guitar features an alder body with a quilted maple top veneer, a roasted maple neck reinforced with carbon fiber rods (perfect for heavy playing), and an ebony fretboard with pearloid dot inlays and 22 jumbo frets, topped off with glow-in-the-dark side markers.

It comes fully equipped with Schecter USA Z-Plus humbuckers and a 5-way blade selector, allowing for a mix of full humbucking power and single-coil flavor – ideal for players who want a guitar that can confidently hop between genres.

Additional specs include the all-reliable combo of a Diamond Vintage Tremolo bridge, Graph Tech XL Black TUSQ nut, and Schecter Locking Tuners, ensuring the guitar can handle heavy sets and the use and abuse of touring.

Whether you prefer the Satin Trans Blue Burst or Satin Trans Purple Burst finish, Sweetwater's deal applies to both. But act fast – the deal is only valid while supplies last.

And if you're currently navigating the complex maze that is Cyber Weekend, you can easily find your go-to’s by checking out our guide to the best Black Friday guitar deals out there.

Shop more Black Friday guitar deals

• Amazon: Guitar gear deals
• Fender store: 50% off guitars
• Guitar Center: Up to 50% off
• Musician's Friend: Up to 60% off sale
• Positive Grid: Save on Spark
• Sweetwater: Save up to 80% on gear
• Waves: Plugins just $19.99

Schecter has announced the arrival of Synyster Gates’ latest signature guitar and it’s fair to say that, as a seven-string headless build, the newly-minted Custom-7 TR Headless, offers something quite different from his previous models.

The Avenged Sevenfold guitarist and Schecter have a long-relationship and the firm first showcased the seven-string – based on a model Gates has been using onstage – back in summer, before teasing the final arrival of the headless Gates signature model earlier this month.

Now it’s lifted the lid on the full spec for the build and, as we’ve come to expect from Schecter, it looks like quite the performer.

Beginning with the body, there’s a chambered mahogany build with a maple center (constructed using the firm’s Deep Insert Joint and Ultra Access) spec, allowing easy fretting of the higher registers – essential for a player of Gates’ lead-obsessed nature.

The Ultra Thin C neck is maple, albeit reinforced with two carbon fiber rods, while there’s an ebony fretboard complete with 24 X-Jumbo gold frets and (increasingly, standard issue for heavier players) Luminlay side dots.

Electronics include a Master Volume and Master Tone, with push-pull coil-splits and a three-way toggle switch – then it’s loaded with a pair of Schecter USA Synyster Gates Signature Humbuckers.

In terms of hardware, there’s a Graph Tech XL Black Tusq nut (with a 48mm width), metal dome controls and, most crucially, a Hipshot 7-String Headless whammy bar with bridge tuners.

Further signature flare (as if lopping off a headstock and making it a seven-string wasn’t enough) comes from the gold hardware, gold pickups and ‘Syn S’ 12th fret inlay, alongside a gold Schecter and Syn S control cavity cover on the rear.

We’re also big fans of that Oak Green Metallic finish, which offers a beautiful contrast to the sparkling hardware (and is, frankly, quite festive).

Currently the Synyster Gates Custom-7 TR Headless is available for $2,299 for the right-handed version and $2,349 for the lefty, though these appear to be launch prices.

Head to Schecter Guitar Research for more information.

Schecter has teased the launch of its much-anticipated headless signature guitar for Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates – and has seemingly confirmed its release date.

The sweep-picking arpeggio ace was treated to a new-look signature guitar back in March, but it did nothing to calm the calls for a production run of the elusive gold headless model Gates has been sporting on the band's most recent tours in support of 2023’s Life is But a Dream…

However, the American brand has now revealed that the wait will be over on November 25, thanks to a cheeky Instagram video that sees a Schecter electric guitar condemned to the guillotine

The instrument will represent the firm’s first-ever headless guitar, coming in the same year that Ibanez reprised its own headless Quest range and launched a snazzy headless signature for Unprocessed’s Manuel Gardner Fernandes.

The headless trend has also stretched well beyond Ibanez in recent months. Balaguer recently decapitated its Growler model, while Deftones' Stephen Carpenter received a signature headless Kiesel late last year.

In the world of bass, Cort has gone “revolutionary” with its Artisan Space 5 builds and Abasi Concepts launched its low-end range with a gorgeous Larada Bass, which arrived sans headstock.

So, with headless guitars in vogue, Synyster Gates’ latest model makes for a timely arrival. Further information is scarce, but a closer look at the stage-ready prototype and beyond reveals some interesting details.

Gates OG headless model sees a gold finish adorn his usual S-style body shape, which has been given an additional cutaway to accommodate the bridge system.

A seven-string prototype surfaced online in the summer, which also includes a whammy bar, two control knobs, a pickup switch, and the same 'SYN' and Deathbat pearloid inlays that featured on his other signature creations.

Gates has been playing the headless model for the song Nobody, which opens with a low-tuned grumbling open seventh string. It will be interesting to see if any extended-range models are included in the launch.

His co-guitarist Zacky Vengeance was also gifted a new signature earlier this year, offering a fresh take on his SG-style design.

Head over to Schecter for more updates.

Earlier this month, Schecter unveiled a brand-new body shape, with the Stargazer serving subtle Rickenbacker energy.

Schecter has debuted its latest electric guitar model, the Stargazer – which introduces an all-new body shape that serves some subtle Rickenbacker energy.

It always feels like Christmas has come early when new or long-lost body shapes hit the market, and while they can be a rarity these days, 2024 has already delivered a few. There was the resurrected Gibson Victory, for instance, while Solar brought forth its “brutal” Type-E bass.

Schecter itself also developed a divisive razor blade guitar for Machine Gun Kelly, but now the American luthier has returned to its rock roots with the Stargazer, which is a far more conventional offering.

It's available in six- and 12-string versions, as well as a six-string model with a vibrato – all of which are available in left-hand versions too – and their vintage chic is well kitted out.

The Stargazer-6 pairs a mahogany body with a three-piece C-profile maple neck and maple fretboard. It sports 22 jumbo frets with a 14" radius, built to a 25.5" inch scale.

A pair of Schecter USA SuperRock Vintage humbuckers courtesy of its California Custom Shop sit atop its flat, gloss-finished body. Each ‘bucker has an independent Volume knob and a single Tone control with push/pull functionality for single-coil tones.

Other appointments include TonePros "M Series" tuners and a Graph Tech XL Black Tusq nut, while the guitar itself is constructed with a deep insert joint for unbridled access to the upper frets.

Those specs remain largely consistent on the Vibrato model, which switches out the TonePros locking bridge for a Schecter Vibrato with TonePros Roller Tune-O-Matic.

It also drafts in an ebony fretboard with dot inlays – as opposed to the black blocks on the standard 6 – and a gold and black aesthetic.

It’s also worth noting the 12-string model is available in white-on-black and black-on-white finishes, while the left-handed Stargazer-6 is only available in white, and the left-handed 6 Vibrato arrives in gold-and-black.

The 12-string model mimics the standard 6's specs with a maple fretboard and the same electronics. For the hardware, a Schecter Diamond Adjustable 12 String bridge is used.

Each guitar is complete with metal dome knobs and one-ply binding. Their partnering hard cases are sold separately.

Schecter invites players to “explore the sonic possibilities with the Schecter Stargazer”, adding that it “has been engineered for those who dare to reach beyond the ordinary”.

The classic design and spec choices do nothing to hide from its Rickenbacker inspiration; this is a guitar looking over its shoulder to yesteryear, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Rickenbacker basses, of course, are most commonly associated with Motörhead’s heavy metal legend, Lemmy.

Yet, its guitar equivalent has hung over the shoulders of some phenomenal players. John Lennon adorned one for The Ed Sullivan Show, Pete Townshend is a big fan, and, more recently, Kasabian's Serge Pizzorno has developed an affinity for them.

Schecter has now put its own spin on the design and is making what is a rather rare breed of guitar more readily available.

The Schecter Stargazer series is available, starting at $1,429 for the Stargazer-6, $1,579.00 for the 6 Vibrato, and $1,499 for the 12.

Visit Schecter to learn more.

For the past eight years, Nick Johnston’s name has appeared on more Schecter guitars than anyone else’s – an impressive feat, given how their list of signature endorsees includes Robert Smith, Synyster Gates and Robin Zander.

But it goes even further than that; for a number of years, the Canadian guitarist’s Diamond Series Traditional was the best-selling signature guitar for the industry as a whole.

Ask Johnston why and he’ll tell you it was a mixture of good fortune and impeccable timing, likening the experience to catching a falling star.

“We filled a void in the market by pure chance,” he tells GW. “At the time, it felt like nobody in the instrumental world was playing technical guitar on an S-style instrument.

“People quickly realized my guitar was cheaper than a Mexican Strat and better made, coming in ice cream colors with locking tuners, brass inlays and more.

“Somehow the most magical thing happened, and it became this industry-standard tool. I still don’t know how they make it at that price point. I’ve never seen an import and custom shop guitar so close in quality.”

On his latest solo album, Child of Bliss, his red custom shop signature was fed into a mixture of Orange, Friedman, Mesa/Boogie and Marshall amps. Given his penchant for direct sounds, no pedals were involved, but since completing the recordings he’s finally found “the one.”

“Recently I’ve been using a Brass Tacks boost/overdrive by Riveter Electric,” he says. “They’re made by a guy out in Nashville. I don’t normally use pedals, but this one feels right.”

Of course, no Nick Johnston album would be complete without a generous serving of chromatics, twisting listeners’ ears in the way Guthrie Govan, Greg Howe and Richie Kotzen have done so many times in the past. Moments of ethereal beauty devolve and decay, sinking into the abyss before they miraculously find a way back out into the light.

“I can be a petulant child when it comes to that stuff,” Johnston says. “Songs like the title track go from pretty to weird then dark – classical kind of arrangements turning into a twisted guitar fantasy. It’s like setting the table with all this nice cutlery and fine china and then bringing a hammer out! It’s okay for things to sound broken.”

That very notion of disorder, he says, plays a big part in the identity of rock guitar playing. Some rules are made to be broken.

“It’s that uncontrollable flame, you know?” he says. “I stole that mindset from Yngwie Malmsteen, Eddie Van Halen and – more recently – from what Nuno Bettencourt has been doing.

“Some ideas might not seem right to play on paper, but they might still be perfect for that part. It’s good to smash things up a bit!”

• Child of Bliss is out now via Remarkably Human.

Schecter has been busy adding to its signature guitar lineup in recent months, but its latest offering is perhaps the loudest of the bunch.

Designed for Freak Juice, and Morris Day and the Time guitarist Tori Ruffin, the aptly named 'Freak Juice Traditional' is an eye-catching Strat-style build that follows signature Schecters for Avenged Sevenfold duo Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance, as well as Sullivan King and that Machine Gun Kelly guitar.  

Ruffin, who has played with Prince, Michael Jackson, and Lenny Kravitz, has previously described his playing as “Deftones meets Miles Davis with some funk and hip-hop”. As such, he's sought a versatile guitar to accommodate his broad stylistic palette. 

It pairs an alder body with a vintage C-profile roasted hard rock maple bolt-on neck and 22 X-Jumbo fret fingerboard, with the body sporting a hella vibrant Juice Burst finish. 

The citrus theme runs through to the 'board, which features yellow and orange dot inlays and a lemon emblem on the 12th fret. Elsewhere, it boasts a whammy-loaded Wilkinson two-point tremolo and Schecter locking tuners. 

Ruffin has opted for an HSH pickup setup. There's a Schecter USA Pasadena Plus humbucker in the bridge and a Pasadena Classic in the neck, with Nick Johnston's signature Atomic single-coil in the middle. All come with yellow bobbins to maintain the guitar's juicy aesthetic.   

Drawing from the classic Stratocaster design, there's a five-way pickup switch and control knobs for master volume and tone, with a push/pull for coil splitting its humbuckers.

“I am truly humbled and honored to join the elite ranks of Schecter Artists,” says Ruffin via Instagram. “The Tori Ruffin Freak Juice Traditional is a dream come true! The craftsmanship is without peer. Every single aspect of the guitar, from the neck, the body, the pickups, and the hardware, is exceptional. 

“I have been playing a prototype on tour with my band, Freak Juice, and as the lead guitarist with Morris Day and the Time, and I can say without reservation that this is the finest instrument that I have ever played and owned.”  

The Freak Juice traditional is available in left and right-handed configurations. 

It costs $1,299 via the Schecter website.

When Schecter announced a new signature guitar for Avenged Sevenfold’s Zacky Vengeance earlier this month, speculation that his sweep-loving bandmate Synyster Gates would get the same treatment went into overdrive.

Now it’s been confirmed that Gates has been given a fresh signature build, but it isn’t the headless model many thought it would be. Instead, Schecter and Gates are sticking to the tried-and-tested formula of the guitarist’s take on the Avenger model. 

With the Gates signature serving as one of Schecter’s most popular guitars in recent years, it's understandable why it isn't straying too far from that path. 

The latest version of that model – the Synyster Custom-S – comes in a Distressed Satin Black finish, with its mahogany body peering through peeling black paint in what appears to be a nod to the cover of A7X's latest album, Life Is But A Dream…

That mahogany body is paired with an ebony fretboard, which is adorned with 24 X-Jumbo stainless steel frets. The ultra-thin three-piece C-profile neck is dotted with Luminlay markers, while there's also a gilded twist on Gates' signature 'SYN' and Deathbat pearloid inlays.

As is to be expected for a guitarist who has oodles of divebombs in his playing arsenal, Gate's gnarly new-look also features a Floyd Rose 1500 locking bridge, which is paired with Grover tuners.

Like the signature Schecter unveiled for Sullivan King earlier this year, the Synyster Custom-S employs a Sustainiac bridge in the neck to allow those dive bombs to scream on indefinitely. 

The bridge is armed with a Schecter USA Synyster Gates Signature humbucker, complete with his logo engraved into its black cover.  

The inclusion of the Sustainiac means two mini-switches for operating its endless sustain sit alongside the usual control setup of one volume and tone knob apiece and a three-way pickup switch. 

Schecter will be hoping that Gates will be more careful with his new toy than King has been with his, after the guitarist was involved in a guitar throw gaff just weeks after his signature Banshee hit the market.

As previously reported on these pages, Synyster Gates has recently been sporting a gold headless guitar on tour – an elusive instrument that has had fans clamoring for an official production release.

If the guitar is indeed a forthcoming Schecter signature, it will represent the American luthier’s first headless build. But with the release of the Custom-S, we’ll have to wait a little while longer to learn more about this mystery guitar, and to find out when A7X fans can expect to get their hands on one.

Fans seem pretty content with this model in the meantime, though, with one Instagram observer calling it “a work of art”.

The distressed signature guitar RRPs at $2,859, but is currently available on the Schecter website for $1,999.

Head on over to Schecter for more information.

Schecter guitars are a quintessential part of Avenged Sevenfold’s sound, having been used as far back as their second album, Waking The Fallen. 

Both the band’s guitarists, Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance, have wielded their own respective signature guitars for years – and Vengeance has now been bestowed with an updated signature model. 

Named the ZV-H6LLYW66D, Vengeance’s new guitar shakes things up with a decidedly SG-style aesthetic that's not too dissimilar to Kim Thayil's own signature Guild build.

Like its predecessor – the 6661 – it’s a mahogany-centric construction, with the rich but heavy wood used for both its body and three-piece neck. The guitar has suitably spiky horns for upper fret access, with eye-popping gold hardware, including a TonePros Tune-O-Matic fixed bridge, which Schecter notes, “Steals the spotlight.”

Its gold-plated Schecter USA Pasadena Plus bridge and Pasadena Classic neck pickups continue that trend, with Grover tuners, Grip Tip Speed volume and tone knobs, and a three-way pickup switch also making the cut.

The Pasadena humbuckers are the same passive, Alnico V pickups found in many of Schecters' Solo-II models, which also channel the essence of Gibson with their Les Paul feel and playability. 

Notably, too, the pickup choices see Vengeance step away from the Seymour Duncan JB SH-4B and JB SH-4N found in the 6661. 

Although oozing the classiness of an SG, flipping the guitar around shows it further differs from the Gibson staple by employing a through-neck construction to accommodate its 22 X-jumbo fret ebony 'board. 

Elsewhere, the thin C-profile neck is built for speed and hosts a 14" fretboard radius – with a 20mm thickness at the 1st fret rising to 22mm at the 12th – as part of a 24.75" scale length. 

Upon that fretboard are white dot pearloid inlays for a more muted affair than the block inlays and Deathbat 12th fret inlay found on his earlier model. 

Luminlays with black circles run up its side for improved visibility on darker stages, iced with just a touch of goth. 

And, since Vengeance is a left-handed player – which allows the duo to cut excellent back-to-back silhouettes when unleashing their signature harmonies – the guitar is available for both dexterities.  

As mentioned above, Vengeance isn't the only Avenged Sevenfold member who is loyal to Schecter, and the ZV-H6LLYW66D might not be the only A7X signature we'll see the firm put out this year.

Synyster Gates’ all-curves-and-angles Avenger signature has been one of the American firm's most popular guitars since its launch back in 2008. 

However, Gates has been unleashing his arpeggio acrobatics on a headless model during their recent live shows, which poses the question: could the release of Vengeance’s new model be the start of a quick one-two by the brand?

Synyster Gates’ use of what appears to be a headless Schecter – complete with the same signature 'SYN' inlays found on his Avenger models – is something of a left turn, as is its gold finish. 

It would also represent the brand’s first foray into headless builds, but it makes sense. Headless designs have become increasingly popular over the past few years, helped on by the rise of Strandberg, which recently released its most affordable model yet. 

Meanwhile, Gates himself is accustomed to sparking gear-based speculation. Last year there was a mystery amp on show in the announcement video for his signature Ernie Ball strings.  

The ZV-H6LLYW66D typically costs $2,149 but is currently available on the Schecter website for a cut-price $1,499.

For more information, head to Schecter. 

Nick Johnston has never sounded more poetic than on his latest solo album Child of Bliss – its title the English translation of his wife’s name. He’s blurring the lines between progressive rock, blues and jazz as he so often has done in the past, but this time boiling his ideas down to their core ingredients. 

The man whose name appears on Schecter’s best-selling signature guitar says he’s never felt this content in creativity and tone…

Your instrumental music has always had a vocal-like quality to it, but this latest work feels like your most hook-laden yet…

“A lot of the solos have no rhythm guitar behind them, just to let things breathe! But that can be a scary place to be. It’s not me trying to show what I’ve been practising but rather what I’m hearing. And, on top of that, I’m just going straight into the amp! Certain things came out because I felt so comfortable. 

“I surprised myself, especially when playing over strange chord changes. I couldn’t explain it but I was definitely liking it! It felt like I was unshackled. It was exciting to see where it all went. There are a couple of songs like Memento Vivere, specifically the leads in that first break, where I didn’t even know what I was playing!”

Some of those chord changes really catch the listener off-guard.

“That comes from writing at the piano. When you take away the guitar, your usual tricks and licks are gone. There is no comfort zone. I find my guitar lives these days more like the icing on the cake. Some of the songs feel like they have nothing to do with guitar! I made a whole bunch of records that were all about my playing. 

“Because I’m not listening to guitar music these days, I don’t really want to write it. It’s a ‘you are what you eat’ kinda thing, I guess. My favourite songwriter is Pat Metheny and he’s talked about it too, choosing to mainly compose on piano. You can really hear someone’s sense of harmony when you pull the shapes away.”

You have S-style and T-style signature models through Schecter, who you’ve been with for nearly 10 years. Which exact one are we hearing?

“It’s a newish S-style with the cracked red finish. That’s been my main guitar for the last few years. I’ve used Gibsons and Fenders in the past, but, honestly, nothing compares to how good my signatures sound. It’s almost a joke! And for some reason this Custom Shop red model wins the battle every time.”

You’ve been posting a lot of footage with your Orange OR30 recently. Was that the main guitar amp?

“I used around four heads – the Orange, a Marshall Plexi, a Mesa and a Friedman. Instead of adding EQ, we used different mics. If I wanted more top-end, we’d just blend in a little more of whatever mic had that sound. It’s a really layered sound with a lot of overtones and musical feedback. 

“It was actually such an easy album to record, I’ve never felt so at ease with my tone. And there were no pedals, maybe a Uni-Vibe a couple of times; but to be honest, it was just one guitar straight into an amp.”

• Child of Bliss is out now via Remarkably Human.

Schecter has doubled its money in the run-up to NAMM 2024 as by serving Glassjaw’s Jason Beck with both signature guitar and bass models. The Ani and Ani V (bass) models share the same core features in an unusual but fitting two-pronged move that pays homage to Beck’s multi-instrumentalist background.

Both instruments feature natural-look swamp ash bodies in a gloss finish and hard rock maple necks and fretboards which are reinforced with two carbon fiber rods. They’re adorned with black hardware including bold black block inlays. Classy ‘1993’ 12th fret inlays stand as their piece de resistance in a nod to the year the band formed.   

Both instruments also feature C-shaped necks. The guitar’s neck, which features a 25.5” scale and 42mm nut width, comes in a vintage style. The bass, meanwhile, has 34” scale and 38mm nut width and a thin build neck, with a 20mm fist fret thickness rising to 22mm by the 12th. The guitar delivers 24 frets, the bass 21.

The Ani is fitted with a Schecter Diamond Vintage Tremolo and D'Addario auto-trim locking tuners and Schecter USA Apocalypse pickups in both the neck and the bridge. The passive pickups bring together alnico-V magnets with dual flanking ceramic-8s to produce a “balanced yet aggressive and combative tone.”

Conversely, the Ani V bass has a Schecter custom fully-adjustable top load or string-thru bridge, aided with Schecter vintage open-gear tuners. In terms of pickups, you'll find a Schecter USA MonsterTone-J in the bridge and a Schecter USA MonsterTone-P in the neck. In Beck’s playthrough demo, the bass delivers warm and rounded tones which underpin some harsh, signature Glassjaw riffage.

There are black, numbered master and tone controls for both models. These are bolstered by a push-pull for coil-splits in the tone knob and three-way pickup switches. On the bass, the switch sits near the control knobs, whilst the guitar’s switch is located in the Les Paul position up at the top of the instrument.  

A post on the Glassjaw Instagram account cheekily claims the signature one-two has been “voted the world’s best combination.” One commenter, meanwhile, is quick to quip that the voting panel consisted solely of Justin Beck himself.  

Price-wise, the Ani comes in at $1,859 but is currently running at a reduced $1,299 via the Schecter website. The Ani V is also reduced from its standard price of $1,649 down to $1,149. It's also worth noting that there are no left-hand models at this time.

Jason Beck made his name as the mastermind behind New York hardcore crew Glassjaw, who released two highly influential albums in 2000 and 2002 before a four-year hiatus, which started in 2004. In 2017, they released long-awaited third album, Material Control, which peaked at no seven in the US Top Independent Album charts.

Beck also started his own merch company, MerchDirect, in 1999 after clashing heads with a major label. He sought to create better merch solutions for independent bands. If only Schecter made drum kits, he’d be able to complete the signature gear hat trick.

For more information on the Ani series, head to Schecter.

To stay up to date with the fast-paced gear releases ahead of NAMM 2024, head over to our guide to the latest NAMM 2024 news.

As down-tuning continues to be de rigueur for contemporary metal, the baritone guitar renaissance has shown no signs of slowing down, with the likes of PRS, ESP and Ibanez all seeking to satisfy demand for B-to-B-tuned chug and twang. But one brand that seems reluctant to take part is Fender.

Sure, you can get a Squier Classic Vibe Baritone Custom Telecaster. Or maybe one of those new Vintera II Bass VI models if you want something down a whole octave. Heck, if you wanted to put the work in, you could bolt a Sub-Sonic neck on there. But if you’re looking for off-the-shelf Fender baritone thrills, you’re out of luck.

Wind the clock back to 2012, however, and you could stroll into your local Guitar Center and walk out with a Fender Blacktop Telecaster Baritone for $699 or thereabouts.

A 27” scale bruiser designed for B-to-B or A-to-A tunings, complete with a punchy bridge humbucker, the Blacktop was a mid-priced gateway to heavier realms. And with no other Fender baritone models currently available, guitarists still want them: sold prices over the past two years range anywhere from $600 to $1,200 depending on condition, according to Reverb.

Enter Schecter, whose newly launched PT EX looks, well, pretty similar to Fender’s lost Tele. You’ve got the 27” scale length, a grey finish and, most tellingly, ‘witch hat’ control knobs – the Blacktop series’ trademark.

But Schecter has overhauled the design, too, chiefly by appointing a pair of humbuckers rather than the Blacktop’s HSS arrangement: a mellow Schecter USA SuperRock Vintage in the neck and more aggressive Schecter USA Pasadena Plus in the bridge.

In fact, the whole spec sheet has been supercharged. There’s a set of Schecter locking tuners, and a carbon fiber-reinforced hard rock maple Thin C neck with 14”-radius ebony fingerboard. That’s kitted out with pearloid block inlays and 22 X-Jumbo stainless steel frets, plus a Graph Tech XL Black Tusq nut. And gosh dang, that black binding sure looks classy.

A string-through-body hardtail bridge is onboard, which – assuming it’s been positioned correctly – should overcome the old Baritone Tele’s number one downfall: the inability to intonate the guitar without seriously heavy-gauge strings (take it from this writer and his mauled fingertips).

OK, so there’s no Tele control plate, and the Dorian Grey-finished nyatoh body isn’t a dead-ringer for Fender’s old Ghost Silver look, but this solidbody should satisfy that mid-priced Baritone Tele itch – it’s made that much more desirable by the appearance of Schecter’s script logo on the matching headstock, rather than the ever-so-noughties gothic alternative (which unfortunately still crops up on the neck plate). We’re intrigued to hear what tonal combinations that five-way pickup selector offers, too.

The PT EX is available now for $999 – see Schecter Guitars for more info.

Schecter has introduced a new-for-2023 electric guitar – dubbed the Sunset Triad – that has been equipped with some intriguing electronic appointments.

You’re probably pretty familiar with the pickup game – single-coils, humbuckers, P-90s, actives, passives, mini-rails, sustainers and so on – but the Sunset Triads have instead opted for a far more rare, far more unorthodox pickup selection.

The big giveaway is in the name: the Sunset Triad comes loaded with a monster triple-coil pickup dubbed the Tripocalypse.

This isn't by any means the first guitar to feature a triple-coil – Fender’s Marauder model from 2011 also boasted one in the bridge position, for example – but it is among a very select cohort of guitars to feature the elusive stacked humbucker.

In fact, since Fender’s Marauder arrived over a decade ago, sightings of triple-coils out in the wild have been pretty rare. But it seems as though Schecter has decided to bring the unsung hero of the pickup world back for 2023. The question most guitarists might have is... why?

Output is one thing, but Schecter also stresses the benefits of the additional pickup configuration options such units bring. The Sunset Triad (available in six- and seven-string versions with a neck single-coil) has a five-way switch that offers a handful of quirky combinations.

These include standard bridge humbucker and full triple-coil-only modes, as well as positions for the Tripocalypse’s inner coil only and running in parallel with the Apocalypse single-coil.

Is it worth it, or just a novelty? Well, we imagine triple-coils are rare for a reason, but there’s no denying they look pretty gnarly here. Plus, the rest of the Sunset Triad looks to be a well-spec’d machine, complete with stainless steel frets and an ebony fingerboard. Starting from $899, it will certainly tempt Schecter fans.

As mentioned above, the Sunset Triad joins a pretty exclusive club of triple-coil guitars. Before the Marauder’s days, for example, DiMarzio created a Vox-only Three-90 pickup – a tri-coil creation that offered single-coil, P-90 and humbucker sounds.

Even as far back as the early ‘80s, Hamer was experimenting with something more akin to the Tripocalypse, fitting its Prototype model with a sole three-coil monster. Notably, Andy Summers of The Police used a Hamer double-cut Phantom equipped with the tri-coil in question.

Roll the clock back to the late ‘70s and Ibanez was doing something similar: its IC200 Iceman was fitted with a futuristic triple-coil wired to a four-way rotary switch, while the 540P-TC from 1988 opted for a more recognizable triple-coil design.

Some other companies have dabbled in standalone triple-coils, too: Mighty Mite’s Motherbucker from the ‘70s and ‘80s springs to mind.

The point is, triple-coils are pretty rare beasts – especially when they’re compared to the swathes of other pickups on the market – but not entirely non-existent, though you have to do a fair amount of digging to find some historical examples.

With that in mind, there’s probably a reason why you don’t see too many new guitars arriving with triple-coils, and we don’t expect many guitar brands to follow Schecters lead in resurrecting the quirky design. 

Having said that, we are currently living in a golden age of pickups, so has Schecter just preempted a triple-coil comeback? It remains to be seen.

Head over to Schecter to find out more about its new Sunset Triad guitars.

The last year has been one of rapid change for Canadian virtuoso Nick Johnston. First, he announced his partnership with Orange amps, joining the British manufacturers as a brand ambassador and trusting in the Rockerverb MKIII to handle his wonderfully expressive tones. 

Then, just a few weeks ago, he started to tease his newest signature model with Schecter – the big surprise being the switch from Strat-style to Telecaster bodies. And now he’s just announced his latest project Archival – a radical departure from the instrumental fusion rock he’s known for, moving into singer-songwriter territory.

The debut album, titled Fear And Fate, lands at the end of this month, and its first single Words I Couldn’t Say sits much closer to the moody alternative rock of bands like Porcupine Tree than any of the guitar-led recordings in his discography thus far. Naturally, we had to find out more...

“2021 is my 10-year anniversary of releasing records and that made me want to change everything,” Johnston tells Guitar World, with an array of Schecter signatures and flowery shirts dotted around the room behind him. “I wanted to evolve – and for me that meant learning how to sing, changing the guitars I use and experimenting with my tone...

“I wanted it be completely fresh and all-new, doing things I haven’t done in the past, like using more pedals and effects,” he continues, with a sigh of relief. “And I’ve really enjoyed doing it. The music will come out on my own label. I’m not releasing it for anybody else, though I’m grateful to those who want to come on that ride with me. I just want to keep moving. If people say I don’t sound like I used to… that’s good. Who would want to stay stagnant?!”

Your previous signature models really helped change perceptions about Schecter being a metal-style guitar brand...

“Schecter are an amazing company, just look at their history. Tom Anderson came from there, so did John Suhr. And so did James Tyler, with those weird headstocks, which are a bit like an art installation. I don’t know how Schecter got the Diamond series models to play and sound so good for such a low price, it’s insane! The USA ones are even more crazy… those things are fuckin’ insanity. 

“Not many people think of Schecter when it comes to these kinds of guitars. If someone told you that they were putting out a Strat and it’s going to do really well, you’d be like, ‘No it’s not... they have guitars called the Damien and the Omen!’ But it worked. 

"Hopefully younger people playing a seven-string might see my new Tele and say, ‘Man, I wonder what that would do to my playing?!’ We’re gonna have the production run starting soon.”

What exactly can we expect from the new signatures in terms of tonewoods and pickups – we noticed there’s a humbucker in the neck…

“That neck humbucker is a feature I’ve never had before. The fact it might not be an easy overnight transition, it might even take years to get used to, is what attracted me. It definitely makes my playing different because on the Strat I had mastered the pickup selector move – you hit that note, bend it and then flick on to the bridge. 

"This guitar changes that. And I don’t have the floating bridge, which I would ‘play’ with my hand… well, not any more! I don’t even miss it because I’m playing differently. As long as I have my vibrato, I’m good...

“That neck pickup is something I co-designed with Schecter and sounds similar to the humbucker that’s in the bridge of the HSS version of my Strat, which is a bit lower in output for a humbucker. 

"It’s an Alnico III, for those who care about magnet types, and uses this legendary insulated wiring that was originally a Fender product. They had a bit left over and Schecter bought the remaining stock. There are deep-dive forums where people fetishize over that shit.”

Well, a low output humbucker can get pretty close to single coil sounds, which is what you’re perhaps best known for...

“Exactly! I used humbuckers when I was younger and there were things I liked but also things I hated, like the sheer power of them and every single little movement having so much spotlight on it. Especially the shredder active pickups out there. 

"I wanted to dial it back and make it more single coil-ish, plus you can split with the push-pull pot. I love that crispy, chocolate wafer kinda single-coil sound, they’re like a magnifying glass. They show all the good qualities in your playing – your percussiveness, rakes and control.

“The guitars will have an alder body, wenge neck and ebony fingerboard, which is the combination we’ve been using since year two of my guitar, plus the biggest frets I can get and brass inlay. It’s really simple, but with some modern appointments here and there like a 14-inch radius neck. 

"The American version will have a raw neck – you can feel the little wood grain pockets in it, because it’s just one piece of wenge. I think they told me one out of every six wenge necks will shatter during production, because the wood is so fine. The ones that get through are the perfect pieces… only the strong survive with wenge!”

So it’s a very classic kind of guitar with a few modern appointments...

“Yeah, I believe in tonewoods to an extent, but my ears aren’t really tuned to it. I don’t hear the big differences. I’m more concerned with stability. I live in Canada, where it’s too hot or too cold and guitars are terrified of that. These guitars don’t move, the frets don’t poke and they stay in tune. They work beautifully. 

“We will have all the different finishes like Atomic Sapphire, Atomic Frost, Atomic Snow, Atomic Green, Atomic Coral… can you imagine how cool it will look in pink?!"

A Strat-style guitar is like a Swiss army knife, you can do so much with it. But in order to grow and change, I needed to try something different. 

“We’ve been talking about this for years. My first real guitar that I fell in love with was a Fender American Deluxe Telecaster, with the binding and abalone inlays. I had that guitar back in 2008, but had to sell it to pay for the drums to record my first album. It’s like the one that got away!”

And how about the move to Orange… what prompted that?

“It kinda goes back to trying out things that have nothing to do with what people assume my sound is. I went to Orange because I essentially wanted something totally different. 

"I’ve always liked that Plexi kind of sound – in the past I’ve used an old Marshall or a Friedman, or even the Mesa/Boogie TC-100. All of those amps have a modern take on that Plexi sound, with the treble scooped almost as if there’s a blanket over the speaker, they sound sticky and squishy. 

“But the difference with Orange is they have their own kind of gain. And they are very revealing amps. If you suck through an Orange, it’s like, ‘Yo… this guy really sucks!’ I liked that transparency. They also take pedals and stack gain stages really well, with minimal efforts. I use the Rockerverb MKIII on the dirty channel and if you put any boost on that, you get this liquid-y sound that’s just insane.” 

Then, of course, there’s the vintage throwback aesthetics...

“Yeah! I love the looks and vibe of Orange amps. They make workhorse amps with not too many features, which suits me because I’m kind of an old man when it comes to gear. I don’t like digital stuff. I’ve had people asking if I’d ever switch over to Neural DSP and it’s like… nah. 

“I just went with an amp company who are very cool and seem to be really interested in what I’m doing. When I play through an Orange, it makes me play a certain way. 

"I never play an amp with the intention of playing the exact same way as I did on something else. I do that with guitars but not amps – I like to play to the amp’s strengths rather than my own...

“And amps can be really stubborn. You have to work with them and get an agreement going. There are certain things you can’t do but others that you can… and there’s enough of the good things with Orange that made me switch over. Their amps are loud and their cabinets weigh more than me (laughs).”

The new band will come as a bit of a surprise to some people. What’s the story behind it?

“I moved back home a year and a half ago after a breakup. I grew up beside this guy [Ben Ragan] who was basically my neighbor and roughly the same age. We talked but never really hung out. Some shit happened with him, so he moved home too. I knew he was into music, but he wasn’t a full-time musician and more of a hobbyist that dabbled. 

“We bumped into each other one night and he told me to come over for a drink and check out this single he was working on. This was right before the pandemic came in and fucked everything up. I listened to what he was doing and sat at a piano and finished the song with him. We listened back and it sounded pretty cool. I felt really good about what just happened. 

"I’d come out of this breakup and had come off this tour that was very mentally hard on me. I had a bad time on the road and felt really disgusted with instrumental music like, ‘Yuck, get me away from it!’” 

That’s perfectly normal – we all get sick of doing the same things after a while...

“After 20 years of playing, despite the success, you can become very dark and jaded about music. And I felt great after working on this thing. I’d never worked with anybody before, other than guest solos, which is different. 

"So I brought my acoustic over and started playing some chords, a song I had lying around from years ago called Fear And Fate. He started singing this verse melody and then when it came to the chorus, he told me to go for it. And I said, ‘No, no, no… I just play guitar, right?!’

“But he made me do it and immediately all the blood rushed to my face and I felt nervous. After being around music for so long it was pretty easy to pick out the harmony parts and I swear to god… all the endorphins rushed to my brain. 

"It was so overwhelming. I hadn’t felt like that in so long, this level of magic and connection that I hadn’t felt since I was 16 and starting out in bands. We still practice twice a week. It’s become like a therapy thing!

“We wrote 20 songs like nothing, that first record was the most seamless and organic thing. The guitar playing didn’t really matter, though there are some interesting parts harmonically. The main thing was recreating that basement magic of two guys in a room together. It was my first time writing music for vocals and I want to keep improving and learning.”

You mentioned you were starting to experiment with more pedals. We’d love to know what’s on the ‘board right now...

“I actually don’t have a pedalboard! At the moment it’s still only a small collection of pedals… and I don’t even know where they are. I don’t really write with effects, that’s not how my mind works, but when I go into the studio with my next solo album me and my engineer will build a board. I want a lot of '70s kind of shit. Even on the new Archival record, I started dipping into sounds from that era. 

“I think the Juno keyboard came out in the late-'70s or early-'80s, and I think TC Electronic put out this chorus pedal called the June [60]. It’s kind of a nasty-sounding chorus! I’ll definitely be using some phaser, roto, wah, flanger and vibe.

"I definitely want more colors in the tones with lots of really analog-sounding modulation, nothing too watery or precise. I just want to sound different. That’s my main focus right now.”

As it turns out, Tosin Abasi really can play anything. The Animals as Leaders electric guitar player recently posted a video where he trades in his Abasi Concepts eight-string for a pink Schecter Nick Johnston signature model – equipped with a mere six strings – and rips some tasty blues licks.

As Abasi explains, “I’ve recently been digging the blues and decided to start exploring it more.”

He goes on to state that he’s been “stealing” some online instructional materials from Josh Smith and Ariel Posen.

To which Posen replied in the comments section, “Oh come on now. Sounding amazing as always.”

We agree, Ariel. Although it would stand to reason that if John Mayer can play the blues on an Abasi Concepts eight-string, Abasi himself can do it on six.

Schecter has revealed a host of new electric guitar models, including the Corsair, PT Fastback, Tempest Custom and C-1 Exotic Spalted Maple.

The new Corsair expands on the Corsair Custom series with fresh finishes and a more affordable price point.

The new models boast maple bodies with three-piece mahogany necks and ebony fretboards.

Thereare also Schecter Vintage Tremolo systems with adjustable and removable trem arms, Diamond 78 pickups, dual volume and push/pull tone knobs with coil split and Grover Rotomatic 18:1 tuners.

The Corsair is available in Gloss Black, Gloss Natural and Gold Top for $999.

The PT Fastback, meanwhile, has been updated with new features and looks.

The new models boast alder bodies and maple necks and are available in Olympic White, Gloss Black or Gold Top (with mahogany body and ebony fretboard) finishes.

Other features include Schecter Diamond UltraTron pickups, dual volume and push/pull tone knobs with coil split, Graph Tech XL nuts and Grover tuners.

The PT Fastback is offered for $599.

Schecter has also reissued the Tempest Custom model in Gloss Black, Faded Vintage Sun Burst and Vintage White.

The guitars are loaded with Schecter USA Pasadena Plus pickups and feature a coil tap option.

There’s also a mahogany three-piece set neck with added carbon fiber reinforcement rods and Schecter locking tuners and an ebony fretboard with 22 X-Jumbo frets and pearloid split crown inlays.

The Tempest Custom is available for $1,099.

Finally, Schecter is introducing the C-1 Exotic Spalted Maple, which sports a mahogany body with a natural vintage burst spalted maple top in a satin finish.

Other features include an ebony fingerboard, Wilkinson WVS50 II K Tremolo bridge, Schecter locking tuners and Schecter ’78 pickups.

The C-1 Exotic Spalted Maple is available for $799.

For more information on all the new models, head to Schecter Guitars.

NAMM 2020: Schecter has introduced a slew of new electric guitars for 2020, highlighted by redesigned Banshee Series models, a Nick Johnston signature with a fresh pickup combination, updated PT Pro Series designs and the new Silver Mountain range.

For details on all the new models, read on.

Banshee GT Series

The new Banshee GT Series ($999) boasts a reimagined Banshee shape with a mahogany body and flamed maple full radius top decorated with a “GT” racing stripe, as well as a three-piece maple Ultra-Thin U set neck and ebony fingerboard with 24 extra jumbo frets and a 14-inch fretboard radius.

Other features include a set of EMG 81/60 active pickups, master volume, three-way pickup switch and master tone controls.

There’s also a Floyd Rose Special “Hot Rod” bridge with stainless steel appointments, push-in tremolo arm, brass tremolo block, brass spring claw and Floyd Rose noiseless springs.

Available Colors are Satin Charcoal Burst, Satin Trans Blue, Satin Trans Red and Satin Trans Purple.

Banshee Mach Series

The Banshee Mach series guitars feature a reimagined Banshee-shaped body carved from lightweight swamp ash and a flamed maple top. 

The neck is made of five-ply roasted maple/purple heart with a compound radius, and there’s an ebony fretboard with glow-in-the-dark side dot markers and 24 extra jumbo stainless steel frets. Pickups are Lundgren M6 and M7 passive humbuckers.

The Banshee Mach series is available with a Fallout Burst finish in a variety of models: Six-string with Hipshot USA bridge and Ernie Ball compensated nut ($1,549); six-string E/T with EverTune bridge and Ernie Ball compensated nut ($1,699); six-string FR-S with Floyd Rose 1500 series bridge and Sustainiac neck pickup ($1,549); seven-string with Hipshot USA bridge and Ernie Ball compensated nut ($1,599); seven-string E/T with EverTune bridge and Ernie Ball compensated nut ($1,799); and seven-string FR-S with Floyd Rose 1500 series bridge and Sustainiac neck pickup ($1,599). 

Nick Johnston HSS

Schecter’s Nick Johnston model is now available in an HSS version, with Schecter Diamond Nick Johnston single coils in the neck and middle position and a new Diamond 78 humbucker, with coil tap, at the bridge.

Other features include an alder body, roasted maple neck, ebony fingerboard, Schecter locking tuners, Diamond vintage tremolo and chrome hardware.

The Nick Johnston HSS is available in Atomic Green, Atomic Snow and Atomic Frost for $799.

PT Pro Series

The new models in the vintage-inspired PT Pro Series ($899) come with an alder body and quilted maple top in either a Transparent Blue Burst or Transparent Purple Burst and a thin “C” roasted maple neck. The TBB version adds on a roasted maple fingerboard, while the TPB’s is ebony.

Other features include a Schecter PT-H Pro bridge, Schecter locking tuners, a Graph Tech Black Tusq nut, glow in the dark side dot markers and black hardware.

Silver Mountain Series

The new set-neck Silver Mountain Series guitars sport a mahogany body with arched top, mahogany neck with three-piece carbon fiber reinforcement and ebony fingerboard with Luminlay glow-in-the-dark side dots.

Pickups are a newly-designed Schecter Sonic Seducer at the bridge and a Sustainiac in the neck on select models.

Other features include a Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge and nut, Grover Rotomatic tuners and black hardware.

The new series is available in Silver Mountain finish in a variety of models: C-1 Silver Mountain ($1,189); C-1 FR S Silver Mountain ($1,299); C-7 Multiscale Silver Mountain ($1,299); C-7 FR S Silver Mountain ($1,329); and C-8 Multiscale Silver Mountain ($1,329).

For more information on all the new models, head over to Schecter.

NAMM 2020: Schecter has introduced the first in its line-up of electric guitars for 2020, including updated PT Pro Series designs and the all-new Silver Mountain range.

Both line-ups are kitted out with Schecter pickups and an array of top-spec hardware, but this is just the start: we can expect more releases come showtime.

Here's the lowdown on Schecter's 2020 vision thus far...

Silver Mountain Series

The new set-neck Silver Mountain Series guitars sport a mahogany body with arched top, mahogany neck with three-piece carbon fiber reinforcement and ebony fingerboard with Luminlay glow-in-the-dark side dots.

Pickups are a newly-designed Schecter Sonic Seducer at the bridge and a Sustainiac in the neck on select models.

Other features include a Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge and nut, Grover Rotomatic tuners and black hardware.

The new series is available in Silver Mountain finish in a variety of models: C-1 Silver Mountain ($1,189); C-1 FR S Silver Mountain ($1,299); C-7 Multiscale Silver Mountain ($1,299); C-7 FR S Silver Mountain ($1,329); and C-8 Multiscale Silver Mountain ($1,329).

PT Pro Series

The new models in the vintage-inspired PT Pro Series ($899) come with an alder body and quilted maple top in either a Transparent Blue Burst or Transparent Purple Burst, and a thin 'C' roasted maple neck. The TBB version adds on a roasted maple fingerboard, while the TPB’s is ebony.

Other features include a Schecter PT-H Pro bridge, Schecter locking tuners, a Graph Tech Black Tusq nut, glow-in-the-dark side-dot markers and black hardware.

For more information on all the new models, head over to Schecter Guitars.

Avenged Sevenfold axeman Synyster Gates has introduced two new autographed Schecter Synyster Custom electric guitar models, one in a black-with-red-pinstripes finish with black hardware, and another in a white-with-gold-pinstripes color scheme with gold hardware.

Both guitars sport a mahogany body, a three-piece mahogany neck with carbon fiber reinforcement rods and an ebony fretboard with pearloid "Syn" inlay and Death Bat marker at the 12th fret, as well as glow-in-the-dark side dots.

Other features include a Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge, Grover Rotomatic tuners and a two-way adjustable truss rod.

Pickups are a pair of Schecter USA Synyster Gates Signature humbuckers, controlled via single volume and tone knobs and a three-way switch.

The guitars feature Gates’ personally inscribed signature on the backplate, and are available for $1,899 each.

For more information, head to SynGatesStore.com.

Schecter has announced that its Prince Cloud replica guitar will now be available worldwide.

The original Cloud guitar, which was immortalized by Prince in the film Purple Rain, was built by Minneapolis luthier Dave Rusan, and modeled after a custom bass Prince bought for his friend, André Cymone.

Prince subsequently commissioned Scheter to remake the Cloud in new colors and finishes, and to repair his existing Clouds. 

The new Cloud replica—previously only available to purchase in-person at Paisley Park—features a 3-piece maple neck with a maple fretboard with Black Prince love symbol inlays. Sound-wise, the guitar features Volume and Tone controls, a 3-way toggle switch, an EMG 81 pickup in the bridge and an EMG SA pickup in the neck.

The Schecter Prince Cloud replica guitar is available exclusively from prince.com for $1,750.

Schecter's gotten its 2019 off to an early start, unveiling a full lineup of 16 new guitars.

Eight of the company's new models are part of its Reaper line, and feature exposed swamp ash curves with a vibrantly finished burl top. In addition, Nick Johnson, In This Moment’s Chris Howarth and Randy Weitzel all have new signature models—with the latter two getting a new V each.

You can check out a gallery featuring each of the new models below. 

For more info on all of the guitars, head on over to schecterguitars.com. 

Sixx:A.M.’s Dj Ashba has teamed up with Schecter Guitar Research and Dean Markley USA to launch two new products.

Ashba and Schecter Guitar Research introduce the Diamond Series version of the Dj Ashba Signature model guitar. Previously only available through Schecter Guitar Research’s USA Custom Shop, this new South Korean-built version puts the same great features and design elements into a more affordable package.

The guitar is complete with Dj’s signature matte carbon grey finish with black matte racing stripes and his brand new “birds on a wire” neck inlay design in pearloid. Additional features include an EMG-81 in the bridge for a massive output punch, a Sustainiac system in the neck and a Floyd Rose 1500 Series Bridge and nut for precise tuning.

For more information, visit schecterguitars.com.

Dj Ashba is the newest addition to Dean Markley USA’s artist roster with the launch of the Dj Ashba Artist Series of strings. The series is a custom set of gauges that feature .010, .013, .017, .028, .038 and .048 from the longtime favorite, Dean Markley Signature Series of nickel plated strings.

For more information on the new series, visit deanmarkley.com.

Dj Ashba is touring arenas with Sixx:A.M. to bring the band’s two 2016 releases, Volume 1, Prayers for the Damned and Volume 2, Prayers for the Blessed (out November 18) live to fans across North America.

For full tour routing, visit sixxammusic.com. For more about Ashba, visit Djashba.com.

Schecter Guitar Research has just uploaded this video showing the creation of a Michael Anthony Rat Rod bass by assembly technician Jake Ball and Custom Shop manager Shigeki Aoshima.

Anthony stopped by Schecter Guitars’ Los Angeles headquarters in June to check out his new Custom Shop bass and take a few pictures, as seen in the video at bottom. All Michael Anthony signature Custom Shop basses come with a certificate of authenticity signed by Anthony and Schecter president Michael Ciravolo.

You can learn more about the Michael Anthony Signature Rat Rod bass at SchecterGuitars.com.

Zakk Wylde’s Wylde Audio is a step closer to bringing its products to market. On Tuesday, December 8, Wylde announced his company has inked a distribution deal with Schecter Guitar Research.

Schecter will sell Wylde Guitars worldwide through its distributor network covering 70 countries, including the U.S.

The first offering will include three guitar models, all of which Wylde will debut in January at NAMM 2016: the Odin, War Hammer and Viking.

“We are extremely proud to be working with Zakk and Wylde Audio on this endeavor,” says Schecter Guitar Research executive vice-president Marc LaCorte. “Zakk has been incredible in recognizing what he wanted in his own brand and bringing the best possible product to the market.”

For Wylde, the news is the culmination of a busy year that began with the announcement of Wylde Audio during the NAMM 2015 show. The Black Label Society frontman showed off prototypes of his guitars at an off-site location and talked about his expansive plans for company. Guitars are just one aspect of Wylde Audio’s product line. He expects to eventually offer amps, effects and more.

“Eventually, it’s gonna be everything, down to studio outboard gear, Pro Tools stuff, plug-ins, microphones…everything,” Zakk explained in an interview with BackstageAxxess, provided below.

Pictured left to right above: Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (Mercenary Mgmt.), John Gaudesi (Schecter Custom Shop), Zakk Wylde, Michael Ciravolo (Schecter president), Marc LaCorte (Schecter EVP)

Wylde has been using the guitars at live shows, and if his past words are any indication, he’ll be putting his Les Pauls and Marshall amps out to pasture in the near future.

“Basically once it goes into production, what I’ll do is just eventually retire my Gibsons and retire my Marshalls,” he told BackstageAxxess. “But then it’ll be nothing but Wylde Audio.”

Visit the Schecter Guitar Research booth 210D during the 2016 winter NAMM show to see the new Wylde Audio guitars in person.

Wylde will also be conducting a private press conference inside Schecter’s NAMM booth at 5 p.m. January 22, 2016.

GOLD AWARD WINNER

A true guitarist’s guitarist, Jeff Loomis is no stranger to readers of this magazine for his work as a solo artist and with the bands Nevermore and Arch Enemy.

Eight years ago Schecter introduced its first Jeff Loomis signature model, a seven-string guitar based on Schecter’s C-7 Hellraiser but with various modifications requested by Loomis.

The Jeff Loomis JL-7 is Schecter’s most recent Jeff Loomis signature model, which features numerous significant refinements that make it one of the most impressive products in Schecter’s current lineup of nearly three-dozen seven-string models.

FEATURES The JL-7 is available with either a gloss black or Vampyre Red Satin finish and with either a Hipshot Hardtail string-thru-body tailpiece or Floyd Rose 1000 Series vibrato. Our test version was the black model with the Hipshot bridge. Some of the refinements include a thinner body with a more substantially arched top, a modified cutaway that provides better access to the uppermost frets, repositioned volume control and pickup toggle switch, and extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. The pickups were also changed and now consist of EMG 57-7H bridge and EMG 66-7H active humbuckers with Alnico magnets and steel pole pieces.

The swamp ash body is very light and comfortably contoured. The maple/walnut multi-ply neck features a natural satin finish and is attached to the body with Schecter’s Ultra Access set neck construction that has the smooth, seamless feel of a neck-thru-body design. The maple fretboard is decorated with tasteful “metal cross” inlays and features 24 frets and glow-in-the-dark side dot markers. With its 26.5-inch scale, the neck provides ideal tension for the lowest string as well as down tuning, and the ultra-thin C-shaped neck profile maximizes playing comfort.

PERFORMANCE The refinements made to the JL-7 result in one of the most satisfying experiences I’ve ever had with a seven-string guitar. The clarity and warmth of the EMG pickups are phenomenal, delivering massive tones with high-gain distortion yet retaining the definition of each individual note in chords. The light body weight, contours, cutaway and neck profile make the JL-7 very comfortable to play. The fretboard provides a familiar string-spacing feel for six-string specialists without being too wide, although the longer 26.5-inch scale takes a little adjustment to get used to. The attention to detail in the construction is immaculate, with smoothly rounded edges on the fretboard and frets adding to the JL-7’s comfort and playability and giving it the feel of a handcrafted custom instrument.

CHEAT SHEET
LIST PRICE $1,499.99
MANUFACTURER Schecter Guitar Research, schecterguitars.com

EMG 57-7H bridge and 66-7H active humbuckers with Alnico magnets and steel pole pieces provide warm but detailed tone perfect for the JL-7’s expanded frequency range.

A 26.5-inch scale accommodates both the lowest string and down tuning while providing fast feel and playability similar to standard guitar scale lengths.

The Bottom Line The Schecter Jeff Loomis JL-7 is a sleek and stylish guitar with aggressive tone and comfortable playability that’s ideal for six-string players making the transition to seven strings.

In this new video (posted to YouTube February 2), guitarist Rob Scallon—the guy who brought you "Metal in Inappropriate Places" and several other hilarious guitar-based masterpieces—plays a one-note metal song called "00000."

Hey, sometimes one note is all you need!

As you'll see in the clip, Scallon starts with a Schecter Hellraiser C-9 (a nine-string guitar) and proceeds to cut off eight strings. That's when the fun begins.

Scallon adds, "Drums by Nick Pierce of Unearth; much thanks to Dwight Harding for the filming and cameo."

For more Scallon-isms, be sure to follow him on YouTube!

The gang at Schecter Guitars have shared the latest edition of "Conquering Rifftopia," a webisode series starring Jeff Loomis of Conquering Dystopia.

In this latest video (webisode III), Loomis shows you how to play the intro to "Ashes of Lesser Men," a track off Conquering Dystopia's debut album, which was released earlier this year. The band also features guitarist Keith Merrow.

Be sure to tell us what you think of this tune and clip in the comments or on Facebook!

Click here to watch Loomis talk about his new Signature JL-7; head here to watch Merrow discuss his new signature KM-7. Schecter says the guitars are shipping now.

The album is available here.

For more about Conquering Dystopia, follow them on Facebook. For more about Schecter, visit schecterguitars.com.

Schecter Guitar Research and Cheech and Chong are set to produce a limited number of graphic guitars to be created and sold under the Schecter Guitar brand.

The comedy and musical duo started entertaining audiences in the early Seventies with their pot-smoking comedy routines and parody tunes. They've produced albums and counterculture movies that centered on the comedic side of the marijuana culture — and a love of the rock lifestyle.

“There's no better time than now to create such a great line of collectable guitars; especially considering that 18 states have now legalized marijuana for medical use, and two for recreational purposes,” says Allen Steelgrave, director of marketing/artist relations for Schecter Guitars.

Look for the guitars to hit stores by mid-summer 2014. The first series will be available only through Sam Ash locations.

For more about Cheech and Chong, visit cheechandchong.com. For more about Schecter, visit schecterguitars.com.

Schecter Guitar Research has announced a new addition to its website — a monthly video feature called “Conquering RIFFtopia” featuring Jeff Loomis and Keith Merrow of Conquering Dystopia.

The videos will include lessons, guitar play-throughs and reviews of new Schecter models, plus tips and tricks from both guitarists.

The first release, which you can check out below, features Loomis, who demos and discusses the company's new Hellraiser C-7 FR-S. The guitar features a Sustainiac pickup in the neck position and an EMG 81-7 in the bridge.

Click here or watch below to see the debut of “Conquering RIFFtopia."

For more about Schecter, visit schecterguitars.com.

With its staggering selection of seven-string, eight-string and baritone guitars, Schecter has become a leading source of alternative instruments that fall between the standard six-string guitar and four-string bass.

Based on the same foundation as Schecter’s acclaimed Hellraiser series guitars, the Hellraiser C VI BCH offers similar shred-worthy features but in a lower register, making it perfect for guitarists who want to redefine the meaning of heavy.

Features

At first glance, the Hellraiser C VI BCH looks like an oversized version of Schecter’s popular Hellraiser C-1. But in addition to heavier strings, the Hellraiser C VI BCH has a 30-inch scale, and it features a TonePros stop tailpiece instead of the guitar version’s string-through-body design.

Beyond that, the features of the two models are identical, including the EMG active 81TW (bridge) and 89R (neck) humbuckers, separate volume controls for each pickup with push/pull coil tapping, master tone control, three-position pickup selector and Schecter locking tuners.

The Hellraiser C VI BCH also has the same mahogany body with abalone binding, three-piece mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard with abalone gothic cross inlays, and comfortable, contoured asymmetrical double-cutaway body shape.

Performance

Strung with Ernie Ball .020–.090 strings (all wound, small ball end) and tuned E A D G B E, the Hellraiser C VI BCH feels more like a six-string bass of the Fender Bass VI variety than a baritone guitar, which makes it perfect for playing that cover of “Back in the Saddle” you’ve always wanted to add to your set.

Despite having a long, 30-inch scale and heavy strings, this guitar is more comfortable to play than most baritones with shorter scales and lighter strings that I’ve tried. Players of standard guitars won’t find it unwieldy to use, and shredding is not out of the question on this impressive beast. The various EMG humbucker and split tones that the Hellraiser produces are all clear as a bell, making this one smooth-sounding Barry White of a baritone.

Cheat Sheet

List Price $1,119

Manufacturer Schecter Guitar Research, schecterguitars.com

The Bottom Line

More six-string bass than baritone, the Schecter Hellraiser C VI BCH produces devastating, heavy tones but has the comfortable, shred-worthy feel of Schecter’s conventional six-string models.

Conquering Dystopia, the new project featuring Schecter signature artists Jeff Loomis and Keith Merrow, released their self-titled debut album earlier this month.

Now you can check out a guitar play-through video of "Ashes of Lesser Men," a track off the new album, below.

Be sure to tell us what you think of this guitar-heavy instrumental in the comments or on Facebook!

Click here to watch Loomis talk about his new Signature JL-7; head here to watch Merrow discuss his new signature KM-7. Schecter says the guitars are shipping now.

The album is available here.

For more about Conquering Dystopia, follow them on Facebook. For more about Schecter, visit schecterguitars.com.

Guitarist Jeff Loomis recently visited Schecter to shoot several videos and discuss the company's new models for 2014.

Below, check out the just-posted video that shows Loomis discussing — in detail — the changes and additions he has made to the new Schecter JL-7.

Keep your eyes open for more videos from Loomis and Schecter TV.

For more about Schecter, visit schecterguitars.com.

For more about Loomis, visit jeffloomis.com.

While eight-string solidbody electric guitars haven’t yet matched the popularity of their seven-string counterparts, a growing number of companies have developed eight-string models since the first mass-produced eight-string guitars hit the market in 2007.

Schecter introduced its first eight-string model, the C-8 Hellraiser, as a limited-production model in 2009, and today the company offers seven different eight-string models. With the longest scale (28 inches) of any Schecter eight-string model, the Blackjack SLS C-8 is more of an eight-string baritone than guitar, making it perfect for players who like their sound heavy and low.

Features

From its sleek, contoured asymmetrical double-cutaway body shape to its stealthy flat-black finish and imposing-looking “Hell’s Gate Skull” 12th-fret inlay, the Blackjack SLS C-8 immediately exclaims that it’s designed for metal.

The three-piece maple neck is smoothly contoured to the mahogany body and finished in flat black as well, resulting in a seamless neck/body transition similar to a neck-through-body design. Electronics consist of a pair of Seymour Duncan AHB-1 Blackout active humbucking pickups, individual volume controls for each pickup, a master tone control and a three-position pickup selector. Schecter locking tuning machines, a Hipshot Custom 8 bridge and string-through-body design keep tuning and intonation dead perfect.

Performance

The Blackjack SLS C-8’s wide fretboard seems intimidating at first glance, but the flat, slim neck profile allows six-string players to adjust quickly and navigate the fretboard with comfort and ease. The strings are spaced with ample room for clean chord fingering, and the 28-inch scale provides the ideal string tension for the low Fs and B strings, allowing even the lowest notes to ring out with clarity and accurate intonation.

Some players may find the extra tension on the higher strings, and some stretches (like from the fifth to 10th frets), difficult and uncomfortable when performing solos. Fortunately, the neck has 24 extra-jumbo frets, so most lead players and soloists can adjust by playing an octave higher.

The benefits of a 28-inch scale become evident when playing with high-gain distortion, as even the lowest chords sound bright, lively and detailed. It’s highly recommended that you use a cabinet loaded with speakers rated for high-wattage output (100 watts or more), as the super-aggressive transients could easily destroy vintage-style speakers. The tones produced by the Blackjack SLS C-8 are absolutely massive, so you’ll want to pair it with a high-performance rig to get the most out of its expanded range.

Cheat Sheet

List Price $1,299

Manufacturer Schecter Guitar Research, schecterguitars.com

The 28-inch scale, the Seymour Duncan Blackout active pickups and the Hipshot Custom-8 bridge contribute to the big, punchy and detailed tone of this extended range beast.

With 24 extra-jumbo frets, a wide/flat neck profile and a smooth neck/body joint, the Blackjack SLS C-8 is surprisingly comfortable to play.

The Bottom Line

More eight-string baritone than guitar, the Schecter Blackjack SLS C-8 has a 28-inch scale and produces mammoth tones that remain punchy and clear even at the bottommost depths of down-tuned doom.

Black Veil Brides have had a hectic year, to say the least.

Two thousand thirteen has seen the release of their third full-length album, The Wretched and Divine, as well as their full-length movie, Legion of the Black, the hugely successful Church of the Wild Ones tour and a slot on Warped Tour.

Somewhere amid all this activity, BVB guitarists Jake Pitts and Jinxx had time to work with Schecter Guitars on two new signature models. We recently discussed the new guitars as Pitts and Jinxx prepared for the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour with Bullet For My Valentine.

GUITAR WORLD: How was the experience of doing the Warped Tour with all those shows in all that heat?

PITTS: The tour was great. The shows were amazing but, of course, being Warped, the heat made it a brutal tour. It takes a toll on you. It’s not an easy tour, but we got through it and it was a success.

JINXX: Warped Tour is pretty grueling. There were some days where it was 115 degrees in the shade. All in all, it was a fun time. The crowds were great for us. The turnout was amazing every day. Even in the heat, the kids were great coming out to see all the bands and the music. It was really cool to see that. We had a really good time.

You guys have obviously developed quite a fan base. Does an event like Warped Tour, where there are so many bands on the bill and so many fans of different bands in attendance each day, make it feel like you're playing more to just your fans, or are there a lot of converts?

JINXX: I think we get a lot of converts in a festival like that. I think even the first Warped Tour we did two years ago we won over a lot of people. Even at that time we only had one album out and our second was just coming out while on that tour. Not a lot of people knew us other than via word of mouth. People wanted to know what we were all about with all that makeup and theatrics. In that two years’ time, we’ve done a lot with a lot of hard work. We have gotten a lot more attention. Crowds have grown, but I would say yeah, there are still a lot of people that have heard of us and weren’t too sure. They catch our set and realize we can play.

Can we talk about your backgrounds as players? You guys have been open about Metallica’s influence on your playing.

JINXX: I was kind of born into music. My parents played. My dad and brother still play. That was just kind of my upbringing. MTV was always on, and I’d sit in front of it with a guitar and emulate what was going on. I was 4 when I started learning how to play riffs. Because it was Iowa, not a lot of people took me seriously, which is why I came to LA.

PITTS: My favorite player is Paul Gilbert as far as playing and technique. When I started playing, Metallica was the band I heard that I wanted to sound like. Synyster Gates was also an influence later on, as was Buckethead’s weirdness and soloing style with his crazy tapping. And, of course, Eddie Van Halen.

With Gilbert in particular, was it his work as "Mr. Big Paul Gilbert," "Racer X Paul Gilbert" or as a solo artist?

PITTS: It was definitely more Racer X and some of his quirky rock music too. I wasn’t really ever into Mr. Big. I started studying his stuff and watching his video lessons. I tried to pick up on some of his ideas and mold and incorporate it into my own.

Jinxx, you are no stranger to classical music. Was there something going on in your house as a youngster that caused you to develop an interest?

JINXX: It was kind of like my rebellion against my parents. Usually it’s the opposite, but I discovered classical through Randy Rhoads, who was my first favorite guitarist. I got interested in where that came from. That opened up a huge door for me. My grandfather played the fiddle and I thought it was so cool so I took up the violin in school.

In the studio, when you guys put the material together, how do you decide who will play what?

PITTS: Basically on the last album we tracked the guitars in my studio. I would be working and Jinxx would come over and we’d work on stuff. Sometimes it’s whoever came up with the idea, or sometimes it was whoever could play it at that moment. Jinxx spent a lot of time doing the strings and I spent more time on the guitars.

When you do the solos live, do you typically just go with who played them on the album?

PITTS: Live we like to do a lot of that harmony stuff. Without both of us, it sounds really messed up.

You both recently announced you are moving back to Schecter guitars. Was there anything in particular that caused that move?

PITTS: I wanted to go with Schecter from day one. I've had a 2001 C-1 Elite since I lived in Minneapolis; I bought it at Guitar Center. I changed all the pickups. That’s the guitar I’ve owned the longest. It’s such a great guitar and set up so nice. The intonation is perfect. It's my main recording guitar.

Are you going to be doing production versions of these guitars, or are they custom models?

PITTS: I just got a couple of the prototypes they have made for me. I went and picked them up and brought them home. I have been playing around with them to see if there are any changes I want. The C-1 I have has been discontinued. My guitar is based off of that old C-1. It will have a Floyd Rose. One will be available with a Sustainiac and one without. The pickups are the 81/85 combo from EMG. They have always worked well for me. It is a neck-through design.

JINXX: We've been working on a custom guitar for me. It’s a new shape that hasn’t been seen yet. I can tell you it’ll be 24 frets, with EMG 81/85’s and a Floyd Rose. The body shape is a monster, a very evil-looking guitar.

What are you using for amplification right now?

PITTS: We have a deal with Peavey. One of my favorite amps is the 6505+. It sounds incredible. We've been using the Kemper Profilers on the road. It’s so easy to profile your tones, and you can take it and use it live. It’s quicker for our guitar techs. They don’t have to set up the amps and mic them. The tones are always right. It plugs into the front of the house and our in-ears and it’s ready to go. They are pretty awesome for playing live, or even in the studio. In a mix, you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference.

JINXX: The Kempers have been pretty fail proof. We don’t get much time for sound check and these can really save us time.

You guys are hitting the road with Bullet For My Valentine.

JINXX: Yeah, we get to do a much longer set than we did on Warped with about twice as many songs. We’re good buddies with those guys, so it’s going to be a fun tour.

You can catch The Black Veil Brides on the road starting in late September on the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour with Bullet For My Valentine.

• 9/28 Los Angeles, CA Club Nokia
• 9/29 San Diego, CA SOMA
• 10/1 Portland, OR Roseland Theatre
• 10/2 Seattle, WA Showbox Sodo
• 10/3 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory
• 10/5 Calgary, AB MacEwan Hall
• 10/7 Winnipeg, MB Burton Cummings Theatre
• 10/8 Fargo, ND The Venue
• 10/10 Madison, WI Orpheum
• 10/11 St. Louis, MO The Pageant
• 10/12 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
• 10/15 Columbus, OH LC Pavilion
• 10/16 Lancaster, PA Freedom Hall
• 10/18 Huntington, NY The Paramount
• 10/19 Wallingford, CT The Dome @ Oakdale
• 10/20 Poughkeepsie, NY Mid Hudson Civic Center
• 10/22 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom
• 10/24 Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues
• 10/28 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
• 10/29 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore
• 10/30 Norfolk, VA The NorVA
• 11/1 Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
• 11/2 Montreal, QUE Metropolis
• 11/3 Portland, ME State Theater

Photo: Jon Toth

John Katic is a writer and podcaster who founded the Iron City Rocks Podcast in 2009. It features interviews with countless rock, hard rock, metal and blues artists. In 2013, he started Heavy Metal Bookclub, a podcast and website devoted to hard rock and metal books.

Schecter Guitars has signed on as this year's official Aftershock guitar sponsors.

Schecter will be on site with the famed Schecter RV showing off their special line of guitars and basses. Schecter will be hosting signings with members of Papa Roach, In This Moment, Asking Alexandria and more artists to be announced later. Schecter will be doing guitar demos, shred contests, VIP ticket upgrades that will get six lucky people to receive a Schecter signed guitar, VIP pass for two days, merch and a meet-and-greet with signing artists.

“At Schecter Guitar Research, we not only strive to help and support our artists, but we also love our fans," says Allen Steelgrave, director of marketing and artist relations at Schecter. "We are always excited when we get to interact with Schecter fans at great festivals like Aftershock.”

For more about Aftershock, visit aftershockconcert.com.

For more about Schecter Guitars, visit schecterguitars.com.

Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates has teamed up with Guitar Center, Schecter Guitars and Ernie Ball to launch the "Ultimate Master Class Fly Away with Synyster Gates" contest.

Start by downloading seven backing tracks by Avenged Sevenfold — and then make videos of yourself playing along to the tracks.

Gates will listen to the submissions that are ranked highest by the social media audience. Gates will then select the winners and their guests to be flown to Los Angeles to attend an incredible master class by the Avenged Sevenfold shredder himself.

Winners will receive:

• VIP trip to Los Angeles with a guest to attend a master class with Gates in the Guitar Center Hollywood Vintage Room
• Schecter Guitars Synyster Gates special electric guitar
• A behind-the-scenes tour of the Schecter factory and custom shop
• Ernie Ball accessory prize pack.

To download the backing tracks — and to find out how to enter the Master Class contest (and to read the official rules and regulations) — visit Guitarcenter.com/a7x.

Here's a Guitar World video from the 2013 Winter NAMM Show, which took place January 24 to 27 in Anaheim, California.

During the gear- and rain-filled weekend, we paid a visit to the gang at the Schecter Guitar Research booth to check out the company's new Hellwin Amp. It was designed by amp guru James Brown (far right in the video) for and with Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates.

For more about this amp, head to schecterguitars.com.

Thanks for following along with our continuous NAMM 2013 coverage on Twitter during the NAMM Show! Even though the NAMM Show is over, be sure to follow Guitar World on Twitter right here.

For more GuitarWorld.com NAMM 2013 gear news, visit and bookmark our dedicated NAMM 2013 page here.

[[ Guitar World at NAMM 2013: Gear updates, photo galleries, videos and more! ]]

Photo: Damian Fanelli

Here's a Guitar World video from the 2013 Winter NAMM Show, which took place January 24 to 27 in Anaheim, California.

During the gear- and rain-filled weekend, we paid a visit to the guys at the Schecter Guitars booth to check out some new basses. This video profiles the company's new Nikki Sixx and Johnny Christ (Avenged Sevenfold) signature model basses.

"It was an exciting and creative process to work with Schecter on the new Schecter Sixx Signature Series Bass," Sixx said in a statement before the NAMM Show started. "It was important to all of us to design a bass that would feel right as well as sound amazing in the hands of all players, not just me. Every detail about the new Schecter Sixx comes from all of our collective experiences — whether it's my 30 years of playing live and recording or Schecter's unprecedented standards for making quality instruments for players of all genres. Simply said, this bass rocks!"

The new Johnny Christ model features EMG Active MMCS/81 MMCS dual-coil pickups with wide bobbins — combined with a large coil surface area — that give the MMCS an amazing bass tone. MMCS is a great mixture of design, with ceramic magnets for a transparent high end with steel added to increase the inductance for a powerful and warm low-end.

For more about Schecter (including the basses profiled here), head to schecterguitars.com.

Thanks for following along with GuitarWorld.com's continuous NAMM 2013 coverage on the site, Facebook and Twitter! Even though the NAMM Show is over, be sure to follow Guitar World on Twitter right here.

For more GuitarWorld.com NAMM 2013 gear news, visit and bookmark our dedicated NAMM 2013 page here.

[[ Guitar World at NAMM 2013: Gear updates, photo galleries, videos and more! ]]

Ah, how young and innocent we all were when Fender introduced its first signature model — the Eric Clapton Stratocaster — in 1988.

Of course, Chet Atkins' name appeared on several Gretsch models (the Tennessean, for example) long before then, and let's not forget that Les Paul — the name that appears on millions of guitar headstocks across the world — was actually a person.

Today, new signature models seem to be popping up daily, each one "designed according to the artist's specifications." Almost every major manufacturer makes them for a host of artists from every genre of guitar-based music. This, of course, leaves players with a wealth of choices.

Below, however, is a list of 10 high-quality signature-model electric guitars that the respective artists can proudly sign their name to — 10 models that get it right.

As always, this list was compiled by a group of Guitar World editorial staffers including Technical Editor Paul Riario, the guy who tries out every piece of gear that arrives at Guitar World. The gear in this story is presented in no particular order.

EVH Wolfgang USA Stealth

Short of committing an act of grand theft Frankenstrat, the Wolfgang USA Stealth from EVH is the be-all, end-all Van Halen guitar for that moment you decide to try your hand at "Eruption."

Of the guitars on this list, the Wolfgang USA Stealth features, by far, the most responsive Floyd Rose system. (It should be noted that the EVH-branded Floyd Rose isn't a floating setup, so it can only be used for diving.)

As Guitar World reviewer Chris Gill wrote in our April 2012 issue, "Whether you're a metal shredder who wants super-sonic speed and nothing-but-black aesthetics or an EVH aficionado who craves the ultimate Van Halen playing experience, the EVH Stealth delivers like no other Wolfgang.

What does it sound like?

Eddie used the EVH Wolfgang USA Stealth throughout Van Halen's North American tour this year, but in case you missed them, here's our own Paul Riario to give you a demo:

MSRP: $3,999.99 | Visit EVHGear.com to learn more about this guitar.

From its humble origins in the back of a small music store in London, Marshall Amplification has defined the sound of rock for generations of guitarists around the world. The History of Marshall Amps: The First Fifty Years by Michael Doyle and Nick Bowcott tells the story of Jim Marshall's remarkable life and documents the many innovations of Marshall amplifiers, from the famous “stack” to the most current offerings. It's available at the Guitar World Online Store.

Ibanez Paul Gilbert FRM100

Ibanez's Paul Gilbert model, the FRM100 (the TR often seen in the name refers to Translucent Red) takes the "signature" theme to a new level. After all, Gilbert pretty much designed this guitar himself.

"I designed the Fireman on my computer by taking a photo of an Ibanez Iceman and turning it upside-down in Adobe Photoshop," Gilbert told GuitarWorld.com in May. "Then I just worked out the extra details like adding the lower cutaway, angling the pickups, designing the pickguard shape and asking for a big, beefy neck joint. Ibanez brought the idea to life in their custom shop, and I fell in love with the guitar. The production model is killer. I used a factory sample for the whole Mr. Big tour last year."

The neck on Fireman is different than the previous RG shapes in the Gilbert signature series. It's thicker and fatter -- 22mm at the first fret and 24mm at the 12th fret. The three-piece mahogany/maple/mahogany neck offers a fat, tight sound and a solid grip. The pickups are DiMarzio Injectors in the bridge and neck and a DiMarzio Area '67 in the middle; they are designed with hum-cancelling construction to eliminate the noise but retain single-coil tone.

Other features include a mahogany body, medium frets and a Tight Tune bridge.

What does it sound like?

Here's an official Ibanez video starring Gilbert and the Fireman in action:

MSRP: $1,199.99 | Visit Ibanez.com for more info about this guitar.

ESP KH-2 Kirk Hammett Signature Model

Kirk Hammett adopted a Strat-style ESP between the recording of ...And Justice For All and the band's mega-selling self-titled album, ditching the '74 Gibson Flying V he had relied so heavily on in the band's early years. "I used that V on every album prior to this one," Hammett told Guitar World in 1991, "but the ESP just sounded a bit rounder."

At Winter NAMM 2012, ESP introduced several new models to commemorate 25 years of partnership with Metallica's lead guitarist. In those 25 years, the essential Hammett signature model has to be the KH-2, which comes in a sleek black finish or the "vintage" look, which comes complete with "Caution: Hot" and "Kirk's Guitar" stickers.

The KH-2 also features a set of EMG pickups, a Floyd Rose Original bridge and a specially contoured neck that's perfect for nimble players.

What does it sound like?

There isn't an official video demo for the KH-2, but the nice thing about signature guitars is you can point to the artists themselves as examples. In this case, pop in a copy of the Black Album and you'll hear why Kirk fell in love with these guitars.

MSRP: $3,285.00 | Visit ESPGuitars.com for more on this guitar.

PRS Guitars Santana Signature

This model might be at the higher end of the price spectrum as far as this list is concerned, but it truly is a work of art. The guitar, the product of a longstanding creative partnership between Paul Reed Smith and Carlos Santana, comes standard with a maple top, mahogany back, rosewood fretboard, 24-fret mahogany neck, 24 1/2-inch-scale length and PRS tremolo.

The guitar also features PRS' relatively new V12 finish, a thin, hard and clear finish that doesn't crack or react with thinners. "PRS models with this new finish feel like old instruments," said Paul Reed Smith of the finish, which is halfway between acrylic and nitro.

Other features include a carved, figured maple top; inlaid purfling strips; custom bird inlays; a bound rosewood fretboard, nickel hardware; and a rosewood headstock veneer with an inlaid eagle. The pickups are specially designed Santana Treble and Bass models.

What does it sound like?

If you have some time, check out this Musician's Friend video featuring Santana and Paul Reed Smith discussing guitar playing in general, Santana's thoughts about PRS, his signature model and other topics.

In terms of a helpful demo video, there are no videos available from PRS or Guitar World, and YouTube is particularly skimpy on the subject. Note that most of the available PRS Santana demo videos refer to the lower-priced SE model, and you can check out Paul Riario's review of the SE right here. Here's hoping PRS produces a video that explores the features of the higher-end signature model.

MSRP: $5,000 | Visit prsguitars.com for more info about this guitar.

Epiphone Limited Edition Slash Appetite Les Paul Standard

Limited to just 3,000 copies, the limited-edition Slash "Appetite" Les Paul Standard is a more-affordable alternative to the Gibson model of the same name.

Modeled after the Kris Derrig-made Les Paul copy used by Slash on Guns N' Roses' classic Appetite for the Destruction album, the Slash Appetite Les Paul comes with two Seymour Duncan Slash Alnico II Pro humbuckers, a LockTone Tune-o-matic bridge and a neck profile created especially for the mad hatter himself.

“All things considered, with the original one, it just happened to have a certain sort of unique tone unto itself,” Slash said in a video from Gibson. “The new Appetite for Destruction guitar is about as close as anybody could get to the original.”

What does it sound like?

For a look at just how this guitar performs, check out this video from Rainbow Music in Carlisle, England.

MSRP: $1,525 | Visit Epiphone.com to learn more about this guitar

Dimebag Dean From Hell CFH

Like Eddie Van Halen, Dimebag Darrell has no shortage of worthy signature models to choose from. And while you can't go wrong with any axe from Dean's ML series, we had to pick just one, and the Dean From Hell CFH model gets the nod.

Featuring a set mahogany V-neck and all-black hardware (because bad guys wear black), the Dean From Hell's lightning-bolt graphic is pure, vintage Dime, a fitting reproduction of the guitar that graces the cover of Pantera's breakout album, Cowboys From Hell.

The Dean From Hell is equipped with a Floyd Rose Special bridge and Bill Lawrence XL500 pickups, making it a high-output monster perfect for shredders of all stripes. Getcha pull!

What does it sound like?

Paired with your preferred high-gain amp, the Dean from Hell chugs, wails and squeals just like a Dime signature guitar should.

MSRP: $1,135.88 | Visit DeanGuitars.com to learn more about this guitar.

Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar

The ultra-cool Fender Jaguar never really got the widespread, mainstream appreciation it deserves; perhaps that's because of the model's supposedly confusing control layout. Get ready to throw that excuse out the window and give the Jag another shot. This new model developed by Fender for Johnny Marr (The Smiths, The Cribs, Modest Mouse) features some terrific updates.

For starters, it features a four-position blade-style pickup switch (bridge; bridge and neck in parallel; neck, bridge, and neck in series), plus two upper-horn slide switches that control pickup brightness. The pickups are custom-wound, Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr single-coil neck and bridge models. The maple neck is custom-shaped maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard that's based on Marr’s '65 Jag.

Other features include nylon bridge post inserts for improved stability, a “taller” tremolo arm with arm-sleeve nylon insert to prevent arm swing, 22 vintage-style frets; a 24-inch-scale neck, chrome hardware and a vintage-style truss rod.

Guitar World gear reviewer Chris Gill calls it "the best Jaguar that the company has ever produced" — and there's no denying this guitar looks killer in Olympic White.

What does it sound like?

Here are two videos that'll fill in the blanks about this guitar. The first one is an official Fender video featuring Marr; the second one features GW's Paul Riario.

MSRP: $4,100 | Visit fender.com for more info about this guitar.

Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci JP12

The latest guitar to spring from Music Man's longstanding partnership with Dream Theater's John Petrucci, the JP12 is a road-ready guitar featuring a veritable shredder's toolbox of features.

The JP-12 (which we should also mention comes in a 7-string model) comes stock with a custom John Petrucci Music Man Piezo floating tremolo. A DiMarzio Crunch Lab pickup sits in the bridge position with a DiMarzio Liquifire pickup in the neck position, giving you loads of clarity and output.

The guitar's ebony fretboard plays fast for ultra-fluid legato work and clean sweeps, making the only limitation on the JP12 how fast your hands can move while playing Chopin's Piano Concerto in A minor, Opus No. 2.

What does it sound like?

In the below video, Petrucci shows off the capabilities of his newest signature model:

MSRP: $3,500 | Visit Music-Man.com to learn more about this guitar

Gretsch G6120TV Brian Setzer Hot Rod

Gretsch makes a slew of beautiful Brian Setzer signature models, most of which are variations of a traditional 6120 Nashville. And then there's the Brian Setzer Hot Rod model, which is basically the Nashville's evil, mean twin, a guitar with a one-track mind. This is a Gretsch that's ready for rockin' right out of the box.

As Gretsch puts it, the Hot Rod is stripped down and built for speed. You get one three-position pickup switch, a single master-volume control and two TV Jones-designed Hot Rod Filter’Tron pickups that crank out some fiery tones.

Other features include a full 16-inch single-cutaway, bound, hollow body; a 1959-style trestle bracing and F holes; a two-piece rock maple neck with a bound ebony fingerboard; Sperzel locking tuners; pinned Adjusto-Matic bridge; chrome hardware and a Bigsby B6C vibrato tailpiece.

What does it sound like?

Once again, here's our own Paul Riario in a GW video from 2007:

MSRP: $3,600 | Visit gretschguitars.com for more info about this guitar.

Schecter Synyster Gates Custom

The Synyster Gates Custom is a mean-looking guitar with an original body shape, an eye-catching headstock and a cool "deathbat" inlay.

But what really makes the guitar stand out are the Seymour Duncan Custom Syn Invaders pickups, which produce the heaviest tones a passive pickup can produce. They feature three ceramic magnets, over-wound coils and 12 chrome cap screws. Sustainiac Driver/Pickup produces solid humbucker tones when the Sustain switch is off and works as the Sustainiac Driver when switched on.The Sustainiac Driver creates an infinite feedback sustain of string vibrations by electromagnetic feedback.

And then there's the ebony fretboard. According to Schecter Guitar Research, "Ebony has a snappy, crisp attack with the density of maple, but with more brittle grains, oilier pores and a stronger fundamental tone than maple. It has a tremendous amount of percussive overtones in the pick attack, that mute out shortly thereafter to foster great, long, sustain."

Other features include a mahogany body, a 25.5-inch-scale three-piece mahogany neck, 24 extra-jumbo frets, a Floyd Rose 100 Series bridge and Grover tuners. It's an axe worthy of the Avenged Sevenfold guitarist.

What does it sound like?

Although this video wasn't created by Schecter Guitar Research or Guitar World, it does an OK job of demonstrating the guitar's many features — especially if you skip to around 2:06.

MSRP: $1,649 | Visit schecterguitars.com for more info about this guitar.

Choosing an electric guitar can be somewhat overwhelming, but I always say it comes down to the type of player you are. You should grab a guitar that suits the style of music you play.

Considering it’s the end of the year, a time when we love to look at lists of the things we want or need, below is my list of five very different guitars that will certainly appeal to the type of player you are — or aspire to be.

05. AXL USA Bulldog & USA 1216 Classic (tie)

Both the USA Bulldog ($549.99) and the USA 1216 Classic ($349.99) put familiar yet clever spins on the classic Les Paul shape. The thing to note here is the body and neck wood on both guitars are produced overseas, but final assembly (fretwork, pickup and hardware installation, etc.) is done in the USA.

The 1216 provides the bottom end and note definition that Les Pauls are known for but with a pro-setup and hefty sound that rivals just about every other Les Paul-style guitar five times its price.

The USA Bulldog is a flat-out rocker with its minimalist design inspired by the Les Paul Junior. What makes it exceptional are the TonePros wraparound bridge and Kluson-style tuners, Graph Tech nut, CTS pots and Orange Sprague drop capacitors and Lindy Fralin P90 pickup, all of which are premium components craved by professional guitarists.

Combining that with the meticulous fretwork and butter-like playability makes this Bulldog the one to adopt.

More info:axlguitars.com

04. EVH Wolfgang USA Stealth

The EVH Wolfgang USA Stealth ($3,999.99) is pricey for sure, but what you get is the exact custom guitar Eddie Van Halen plays. I must admit I was never a fan of the Wolfgang guitar shape, but in this new matte black finish and ebony fretboard, it looks and sounds pretty badass.

The Stealth features an EVH branded double-locking Floyd Rose tremolo and EVH D-Tuna — a must have device that quickly drops your low E string from an E note to a D and back in a flash without having to retune. You’ll get plenty of raw and edgy tones from the guitar, thanks to the EVH humbuckers being screwed directly into the wood, while the quartersawn maple neck and compound radius ebony fretboard with stainless steel frets makes fretting out near impossible.

For rocking out and guitar pyrotechnics, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better axe.

More info:evhgear.com

03. Schecter Diamond Series Blackjack SLS C-1 FR-S

With so many super Strat-style guitars available for shredders and metal players alike, I can’t help but find that the Schecter Blackjack C-1 FR-S is the absolute leader among them. It combines a Floyd Rose 1000 series double locking tremolo for dive-bombing and a built-in active Sustainiac system, which doubles as a neck pickup.

The Sustainiac, for some guitarists, is like an Apple product; it’s something you didn’t know you wanted but once you have it, you can’t imagine your life without it. The Sustainiac infinitely sustains any note and provides endless feedback or harmonic-rich overtones to that note depending upon what mode you set from its switch.

Other quality appointments include Seymour Duncan Full Shred bridge humbucker, Grover Rotomatic tuners, black multi-ply binding, ebony fretboard, skull inlay and 24 jumbo frets. There’s so much packed into this guitar that I haven’t even told you how fast and furious the neck feels.

Do yourself a favor and check it out.

More info:schecterguitars.com

02. Fender American Vintage Series ‘58 Telecaster

There are three Stratocasters, three Telecasters, a Jaguar and Jazzmaster in Fender’s brand-new American Vintage Series. All these classic guitars are recreated and precisely retooled from original-era examples using upgraded processes in their creation.

Honestly, I’ve tried them all and could pick just about any one of these instruments and tell you they’re all amazing, but it just so happens I really dig Teles now, and the American Vintage ’58 Telecaster ($2,499.99) is my favorite one to play. The ’58 pickups are wound to period-correct specs and sound as twangy and responsive as an untouched, vintage Tele hiding underneath your grandmother’s bed.

My only suggestion is to try all of the Vintage Series and find the neck shape you are most comfortable with because depending upon the model year, you’ll quickly discover whether you’re a C, D, soft V or U-shaped fan — and I’m not talking bra sizes.

More info:fender.com

01. Epiphone Ultra 339

Epiphone consistently impresses with the quality of workmanship in its guitars while remaining surprisingly affordable, and the Epiphone Ultra 339 ($1,332.00) easily falls into this category.

The Ultra 339 uses the compact body shape of a Les Paul but with the double cutaway and semi-hollow design of the ES-335, which is the perfect combination for guitarists who play jazz and blues. But the real secret weapons of the guitar are the inclusions of a pickup-ring-mounted tuner, NanoMag pickup for acoustic sounds and USB output for direct computer recording capability — all built-in to the Ultra 339.

So while the Ultra 339 handles rock and mellow tones with ease into a guitar amplifier, it also can be routed into an acoustic amplifier via the multiple input jacks (Mono, Stereo, USB) so both amplifiers can be used together or one at a time. By simply pushing in the upper tone knob, you can quickly access the NanoMag’s acoustic piezo sounds, the ProBucker pickups or a blend of both simultaneously. The Ultra 339 feels expensive and sounds silky smooth, and that’s a combination that’s hard to ignore.

More info: epiphone.com

I try very hard to remain under the radar despite being on camera as gear editor, but in this age of social media it was only a matter of time before it had to come to this. So with that, I will make my blog painless and a quick and easy read so you can get on to more important things like practicing guitar and sweep picking, or if you’re like me, obsessing how to race the Tour De France and trying to be Kristen Stewart’s next mistake. I will use this blog to inform you of things I find cool; like new gear I’m playing through and what I’m watching, reading or listening to at any given moment. So feel free to ask me anything that’s gear related — or if you have a problem with your girlfriend, you know, life lesson stuff, I’m pretty good at that too — and I’ll do my best to answer or address it here.

Hethel, England-based Lotus Alex Job Racing announced the addition of Schecter Guitars as a sponsor of the No. 23 Lotus Alex Job Racing/Battery Tender/Yokohama/Lotus Evora GT.

The car will make its debut in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) GT Class at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, California, this weekend.

The team at Schecter Guitars even built a custom Solo 6 guitar featuring Lotus graphics painted in the classic black and gold, along with the car's number (23) and splashes of red.

Right now, the guitars are for promotional use only (for Lotus AJR) but, according to Marc LaCorte, executive vice president of Schecter Guitars, the reaction has been so overwhelming that Schecter is talking to Lotus about making a limited run of guitars signed by the team; proceeds would be donated to select charities.

"I'm a Lotus enthusiast and own an Esprit V8," LaCorte said. "Racing is very similar to what we do in the guitar business and music world. We have to craft and fine-tune the instrument to perform on a large stage in front of thousands of people. The car is crafted and fine-tuned to perform on a similar stage in front of thousands of fans. We thought being associated with Lotus Alex Job Racing would be a perfect match."

Alex Job, team principal, realizes the power and following of the Lotus brand.

"I received a call from Marc out of the blue about three weeks ago," Job said. "Marc is a Lotus enthusiast and wanted to be a part of our effort this season. Schecter Guitars is a performance business just like Lotus Alex Job Racing. Craftsmanship of a race car and a guitar are very similar. Sometimes you have to play them slow, and sometimes you have to just wail!"

Alex Job Racing is one of the most successful teams in sports car racing. The team's resume includes ALMS GT series championships in 2004, 2003, 2002; a record 22 consecutive ALMS GT pole positions; two-time 24-Hour of Le Mans GT class winners; Seven 12-hour of Sebring wins in 2010, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1999 and 1995.

Schecter Guitar Research, now in its 35th year of business, offers electric guitars and basses, acoustic guitars and USA Custom Shop instruments to musicians around the world in more than 150 countries. Its continually evolving and expanding line of guitars and basses appeals to a broad spectrum of players and diverse musical styles.

For more about Alex Job Racing, visit lotusalexjobracing.com. For more about Schecter Guitars, visit schecterguitars.com.