If Schecter’s New Year’s resolution was to release a shit ton of new guitar models on the first business day of the year, then they’re off to a good start. So far they’ve announced the new Hellraiser Hybrid and Stealth series, new 7 and 8-string active and passive models of the Banshee, and the return of the Blackjack and C1 Classic.
Of the bunch, the Hellraiser Hybrid stands out to me for a couple reasons. One: I love the EMG 57/66 pickups in there. Two: glow-in-the-dark fret markers on the top of the neck. It’s one of those features that I think should be standard on every guitar. Three: the upside down dots past the 12th fret (also seen on the Keith Merrow signature guitar we covered) are a great idea. Four: I’m an sucker for a mahogany body and a maple top.
The Banshee on the other hand has an alder body under the maple top. I haven’t heard the new Seymour Duncan Nazgul/Sentient pickups that Schecter put in these new Banshees, but my Gear Gods cohort Trey has good things to say about them. I’m glad to see Schecter branching out into so many pickup choices lately, and quality ones at that. The active Banshees have EMG 81/85 pickups in them, which I’ve never been a fan of, but I know a lot of players like that sound.
The Stealth on the other hand uses Schecter’s own Superrock II pickups and a body that’s all Mahogany. The design is more price-focused, and street price for this model will likely be in the $500 range, as compared to the Hellraiser Hybrid and Banshee which you’ll likely see between $800 and a grand.
For more info on these models, as well as the returning Blackjack and C1 Classic, head over to Schecter’s website.
