Schecter Hellraiser C1 FR - is it worth it?

Jay-Pee

I currently own a Epiphone Les Paul Standard, but want to upgrade to something in a higher class, and the C1 seems like a good choice. Since I never found one in any musicstore in the Cape, I don't know what to expect, and because it really isn't the cheapest guitar money could buy, I want to know as much as possible about it before ordering. I am considering that specific model since I love that fat Les Paul sound, and since the Schecter also features the mahogony body and neck, I would presume that it would sound more or less the same, but I really want something with a less-bulky, or even an Ibanez-type shred-friendly neck.

It would be really great if someone could please comment on the playability, feel, looks and quality of workmanship on this baby, since this is an invest that I am really keen on...

Thanks a lot..

AlanRatcliffe

I don't know the Hellraisers specifically, but the Schecters I have seen have been generally pretty well made and a lot of guitar for the money.

The Hellraiser C1 FR is aimed squarely at the hard rock/metal player with it's Floyd Rose Trem and EMG 81/85 pickups. Very different from a Les Paul because of the Floyd Rose and the active EMG pickups. Active pickups are very different pickups to a standard passive pickup set and these are voiced specifically for heavier music - more low end to compensate for the bass losses of a Floyd and a high output.

So if you want the same kind of thing as your Les Paul, but better, rather look at the C-1 Classic, or even the Plus or Elite models.

Jay-Pee

I play (or try to play) stuff like The Faceless and Necrophagist, so the floyd and the emg's will come in handy. I have also read that the 2008-addition to the series features the 81 and 89's, the latter which I am unfamilliar with, and that these both have a push-pull function. What exactly does that entail?

Sorry for the effort, I just really don't want to waste money...

AlanRatcliffe

The push pull gives you a single-coil sound. The 89 is designed especially to split and still be noise free.

Mr-M

Jay-Pee wrote: I am considering that specific model since I love that fat Les Paul sound, and since the Schecter also features the mahogony body and neck, I would presume that it would sound more or less the same, but I really want something with a less-bulky, or even an Ibanez-type shred-friendly neck.

The thing with active pickups I've found is that they don't seem much affected by the construction/ wood type of the guitar. Because of this you'll find the mahogany character (ie. Les Paul) of the body will be lost with EMGs. Those pups will generally sound much the same with a totally different body wood. Active pups normally impose far more of THEIR character on the sound of the guitar rather than the other way round.

RE: the neck
With Schecters (mostly C1s and S1s) I've played I've found the necks to be thicker than Ibanez Wizards, more similar to a Strat, perhaps slightly thinner. Not really Ibanez Wizard like at all IMO.

Mr-M

Personally I think Schecters are a bit overpriced in SA. I was shopping for a C-1 Blackjack a few years ago based on what I'd seen online and I found it to cost double what it cost in the US. The newer Scecter's I've seen also seem to be a bit more pricey than their Ibanez rivals. I'd suggest looking at Cort Guitars (they manufacture guitars for Ibanez, Schecter, Fender, Jackson etc. so they know what they're doing). Better value for a similar guitar that plays really well & sounds great IMO.

Check out these metal-biased Cort models. The necks are a bit thinner than average Schecter IMO, more Ibanez-like which you mentioned you wanted:

http://www.muz.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=75_77&products_id=824
http://www.muz.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=75_77&products_id=824
http://www.muz.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=75_77&products_id=796
http://www.muz.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=75_77&products_id=797

AlanRatcliffe

+1 on the Corts.

arjunmenon

Hi there,

There's a music store at Sable square (on the way to milnerton) that stocks a mother load of schecters, so give it a look. Secondly, they're really nice guitars, however, i wouldn't consider them very shred friendly. As Mr. M put it, the necks on the schecters are somewhere between a strat and an ibanez wizard.
And for shred friendly guitars, check out Jackson.

Cheers

AlanRatcliffe

I kinda feel that whatever you choose to shred on is a shred guitar ?. Malmsteen does it on Strats and John5 on Teles...

deanBailey

The Music Store in Sable Square is Called "All About music". I wasn't too impressed by their musical knowledge though as it seemed they were just trying to sell me the product instead (which is their job but anyway).
The Hellraiser C-7 string was my next choice in guitar but a friend of mine (Alec from The Warinsane) bought it before I could ?. It is the PERFECT guitar for modern day Overdriven tone, I'm gonna be slightly arrogant and say that's more fact than opinion :-[
This one I recommend:
http://schecterguitars.com/spec.asp?id=272

The Hellraiser C-1 is my preferred model out of the schecter line, but the C-1 without the FR is the better option imo. The other models makes me feel like I'm cutting myself short due to some of the specs. I know many bands overseas have used the Hellraiser and know that many bands are planning to use it. The Jeff Loomis Signature is pretty decent too ?

Long story short: I'd say it's more than worth it ?

newrockid

I was amazed on how lite it felt. It appeared to be heavey but it had the tone and lite weight I like. I will pick one up soon.

Vintage-Vibe

+1 toDean: The shop you're talking about is the retail outfit for the importing agents for - Schecter - so they will punt them to death there.
JP: If you're already on an Epi LP, an upgrade should be a guitar in the 10k and up retail price bracket - make sure you want a trem system - doesn't allow u 2 pull off Drop D for 1, and loses a lot of that "fat/thick" tone on your stoptail LP !
Sounds like you need to try a whole bunch of differnt styles/brands of guitar in a specific price bracket so u can see what you're going to get sound/build & value wise.
Good luck !

deanBailey

I've heard that the Store in Sable Square has turned into a 'Music Mate' now.

...I just realized that every time I visited that store I gained nothing. ???

Matt-White

Don't really know Cape stores, but I can vouch for other Music Mates... Always given me a good deal, the last 15 yrs or so.

MethodsToMyMadness

Does anybody know what a standard Schecter Hellraiser C1 FR costs?

newrockid

I saw one for $1,100 American

deanBailey

MethodsToMyMadness wrote: Does anybody know what a standard Schecter Hellraiser C1 FR costs?

I got quoted under 10k from Music Mate but it was the seven string model without the Floyd rose.