With the new Extreme Legacy series, Schecter faces a very large slice of the market, since they are tools that start at a price much less than a thousand euros up to 1500-1600 euros (as regards some more performing models).
One of the cornerstones of the brand Schecter has always been about building decent tools with a price within reach of all budgets: for years people have used models Omen e Diamond which proved to be excellent for their retail price.
Today Schecter renews itself and launches a new series of models ready to shake the guitar market that I think closest to me, that of mid-range instruments that can be purchased by both professionals and amateurs.
For the occasion I wanted to try a version a 7 strings of the model that struck me most, namely the Banshee.
Let's see what this tool has to tell me.
Aesthetic Considerations
To say that he looks bad is almost a curse.
Paintwork, wood grain, binding and every other detail make it a beautiful and eye-catching guitar, very aggressive and with an almost extreme look for the most driven guitarist.
A plus is given by the inlays, in my opinion very beautiful to look at, and by the well done binding, which completes the aesthetic kit.
A very aggressive guitar, with very standard shapes and more oriented towards a more "heavy addicted" musician.
Technical Considerations
In the particular case of this instrument, especially when compared to the final sale price, it must be said that it is almost a small miracle, almost nothing is missing. Let's see the technical sheet together:
• Structure: Bolt-on
• Body: Mahogany and Quilted Maple Top
• Neck: Ultra Thin 'C' Maple
• Scale: 26,5 ”- Fretboard: Rosewood 24 X-Jumbo Frets
• Inlays: "Vector"
• Binding: Maple
• Pickups: 1x Schecter Diamond Plus Humbucker + 2x Schecter Diamond Single Coil
• Controls: 1x Tone + 1x Volume + Push / Pull Potentiometer + 5-Position Selector
• Bridge: Schecter Custom Hardtail with through strings
• Nut: Graph Tech XL Black Tusq
• Hardware finishes: Chrome Black - Color: Charcoal Burst
• Glossy finish.
I really appreciate the combination Mogano/Quilted maple, which remains one of my favorite wood combinations, excellent as a base for very “polyhedric” guitars in terms of required sounds: the fact that it has a top of this type is a very successful plus. The electronic equipment is entirely from Schecter, with a good level of workmanship also for these non-custom shop series, precise sound, good dynamics and output to sell, which does not make you regret other more famous pick-ups. I really liked the graphite nut, personally it should be a standard for any modern guitar (unless it's a vintage reissue) as it gives stability, slightly better sustain, and truly superior durability. Hardware always at home, robust, functional, nothing that doesn't do its duty. The bridge is fixed, perhaps this choice aims at giving a better stability to the whole instrument and avoiding tuning problems deriving from too violent lever excursions; it is not a demerit but maybe some might not like it, it depends on your way of doing.
Promoted on the equipment, good hardware, high standard electronics and a well-kept choice of wood.
Sound Considerations
Although the look may make you think of a guitar strictly for metalheads, this small heptacorde can boast a good range of sounds that remain in the world mainly of rock, starting from the classic rock and roll sound, but more precise and modern than a more vintage sound oriented.
I tested the guitar on a Mesa Boogie Mark V. a limousine as far as amplification is concerned, and with an almost unique set of accessories and tonal possibilities, perfect for this test.
The test was done directly with guitar and cable, with nothing in between, naked and raw.
On balance it is a guitar that looks well on both worlds of both the rock-oriented "classic" six-string guitar and the slightly more "extreme" 7-string guitar, for those looking for sounds for more demanding genres.
The only point to which more attention must be paid is that of pick up at the neck: the choice of putting a single coil on the neck is not bad because, if I don't have to use the seventh string, the sound is soft and very bluesy, which is not bad at all. However, if you start playing with the seventh string, the neck pick-up inserted gives a bit of the feeling of a lack of power and presence, it creates a very subtle sound, it is not muddy or unpleasant to hear. A humbucker would probably have given more thrust, in order to make the most of the seventh string also at the neck, a choice that tries to unite two very distant worlds, that of the classic sound of the six strings, which is characterized by strong but very soft and dynamic sounds ( like sounds that come from single coils), and that of the seven-string guitar, which comes with very powerful Humbucker pickups, with a very aggressive sound (many 7 strings start from the configuration with two Humbuckers at the neck and at the bridge).
The most full-bodied sound and in my opinion the most successful of the whole instrument is that of the bridge pick up with a good crunch: the resulting sound is very round, with a warmth worthy of even a higher-end instrument. Even with the seventh string you can get very aggressive sounds, after all Schecter has always favored beautiful distorted sounds on his guitars even in the more accessible range, since the time of the Omen.
Although I find the sound of the pick up in the bridge with the seventh string a bit weak, I was pleasantly surprised by the whole range of sounds that can be obtained: it is a guitar with an extremely rock sound with some tips also bluesy, but that pulls out the claws without problems.
The final sound manages to be quite precise, with the right warmth and thickness to be able to work well with the dynamics, this makes it an instrument ready for virtually any need of the guitarist.
The mix of woods and electronics makes it a cornerstone, many of the sounds are tending to those of one super strat but with the warmth of mahogany and the brilliance of maple, perhaps one of the most multifaceted combinations possible.
Promoted?
You can hardly ask further from these instruments, the sound test went very well, the quality standard is good and this can be heard both by touch and by hearing.
Economic Considerations
The list price is 770 euros, difficult to hope for better.
It is not a high price if we consider the choice of woods, a realization about which it is difficult to find fault and an electronics that can compete with many other brands on the market.
Schecter's construction philosophy once again proves to be geared towards giving a well-made instrument at an affordable price for all budgets. After all, among its competitors at the price level we find many guitars, among which we can name:
• Fender (Mexico series)
• Ibanez (Rg series)
• Cort (X Series)
More or less all of them are around (some even far exceed) the selling price of this little rock ax, but in many cases some of these may need some correction work that I would hardly have done on this guitar.
Promoted on the economic side, praise should actually be given to the brand because it manages to maintain a certain level of standard for this price, after many other brands are tending to raise prices in an excessive way.
Final considerations
Pro
• Price within everyone's reach
• Good construction
• Aesthetically beautiful
Cons
• The lack of a mobile bridge
• A humbucker also on the neck would have given a better sound to the seventh string
Author's Note
Structurally of the model Banshee I would aim for the purchase of the six-string model, the presence of the mobile bridge is an option that I can hardly do without and if I ever had to take a seven-string I would be decidedly more oriented to the configuration with two Humbuckers to have an output more suitable for the use of the seventh string.
It is an instrument that objectively surprised me a lot for its aesthetics and construction, seventh string or less is a series that is born well on the construction profile, and answers the question that most readers ask me when it comes to mid-range instruments, that is, if for the price the yield can be at least decent.
In this case the answer is positive, with this instrument you play, do a lot of apprenticeship and many lives, it is part of those instruments that serve as an upgrade for the young musician who wants a better guitar than the one he started with, it's a good second guitar. level for those looking for an instrument to close the range of sounds obtainable.
I hardly find an economically and potentially better solution than this, at most a solution of equal yield.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Producer: Schechter Guitars
Distributor: Goldmusic Srl
Model: Banshee Extreme 7 FR
Advised price: 769 euros including VAT
With the new Extreme Legacy series, Schecter is entering a very large market segment, with instruments starting from a price well below a thousand euros up to 1500-1600 euros (for some higher-performance models).
One of the cornerstones of the Schecter brand has always been to build decent instruments at a price that is affordable for everyone. For years, people have used the Omen and Diamond models, which have proven to be excellent for their retail price.
Today Schecter is renewing itself and launching a new series of models ready to shake up the guitar market that I consider closest to me, that of mid-range instruments that can be purchased by both professionals and amateurs.
For the occasion I wanted to approach a 7-string version of the model that impressed me the most, namely the Banshee.
Let's see what this tool has to tell me.
Aesthetic Considerations
To say that it looks bad is almost a curse.
The paintwork, wood grain, choice of finish, binding and everything else make this guitar beautiful and eye-catching to look at, very aggressive and with that almost extreme look for the most hardcore guitarist.
A plus must be given to the inlays, in my opinion they are very beautiful to look at and make a great impression, a well-made and beautiful binding to look at completes the aesthetic set.
A very aggressive guitar, with very standard shapes and more oriented towards a more "heavy addicted" musician.
Technical Considerations
In the case of this instrument in particular and in relation to the final selling price, it must be said that it is almost a small miracle, it lacks almost nothing, let's look at the technical data sheet together:
• Structure: Bolt-on
• Body: Mahogany and Quilted Maple Top
• Neck: Ultra Thin 'C' Maple
• Scale: 26,5 ”- Fretboard: Rosewood 24 X-Jumbo Frets
• Inlays: "Vector"
• Binding: Maple
• Pickups: 1x Schecter Diamond Plus Humbucker + 1x Schecter Diamond Single Coil
• Controls: 1x Tone + 1x Volume + Push / Pull Potentiometer + 5-Position Selector
• Bridge: Schecter Custom Hardtail with through strings
• Nut: Graph Tech XL Black Tusq
• Hardware finishes: Chrome Black - Color: Charcoal Burst
• Glossy finish.
I really appreciate the quilted Mahogany/Maple combination which remains one of my favourite wood combinations and excellent as a basis for very “versatile” guitars in terms of the types of sounds required. The fact that it has a top of this type is a truly successful plus.
The electronics are all from Schecter, which is of a good quality even for these series that do not belong to the custom shop, precise sound, good dynamics and output to sell, you will not regret other more famous pickups.
I really liked the graphite nut, personally it should be standard on any modern guitar (unless it's a vintage reissue) as it provides stability, slightly better sustain and really superior durability.
The hardware is always in-house, robust, functional, I don't see anything that doesn't do its job.
The bridge is fixed, a more informed choice perhaps to give better stability to the entire instrument and avoid tuning problems resulting from excessively violent lever excursions, it is not a demerit but perhaps some people might not like it, in this case it is a bit of a personal thing.
Promoted on the equipment, nothing is missing, good quality hardware, high standard electronics and a very careful choice of wood.
Sound Considerations
Even though its look might suggest a guitar strictly for metalheads, this little seven-string can boast a good range of sounds that remain mainly in the world of rock, starting from the classic rock and roll sound but more precise and modern than a more vintage sound-oriented counterpart.
I tested the guitar on a Mesa Boogie Mark V, a limousine as far as amplification is concerned and with a set of accessories and tonal possibilities that are almost unique in its kind, it was difficult to ask for better for this test.
The test was done directly with guitar and cable, with nothing in between, naked and raw.
All things considered, it is a guitar that fits well into both worlds, both the rock-oriented six-string “classical” guitar and the slightly more “extreme” seven-string one for those looking for sounds for more extreme genres.
The only point where you need to pay more attention is that of the neck pickup, the choice of putting a single coil on the neck is not bad because if I don't have to use the seventh string, the sound is soft and very bluesy, which is not a bad thing at all, but if you start playing with the seventh string with the neck pickup inserted you feel a bit like the sensation of a lack of power and presence, it is a very thin sound that comes out and it is not muddy or unpleasant to hear, but a humbucker would probably have given more push to be able to make the most of the seventh string also on the neck, a choice this that tries to bring together two very distant worlds, that of the classic six-string sound which is characterized by bold but very soft and dynamic sounds (like sounds that come from single coils) and that of the seven-string guitar which is born with very powerful humbucker pickups with a very aggressive sound (Many 7-strings start from the configuration with two humbuckers on the neck and bridge).
The fullest and, in my opinion, most successful sound of the entire instrument is that of the bridge pickup with a good crunch. The resulting sound is very rounded, with a warmth worthy of even a higher-end instrument. Even with the seventh string you can obtain very aggressive sounds. This is something I always expect from Schecter because it has always had beautiful distorted sounds on its guitars, even in the more accessible range. Since the days of the Omen, Schecter has now accustomed its customers to this particularly successful sound.
Even though I find the sound of the bridge pickup with the seventh string a little weak, I was pleasantly surprised by the rest of the range of sounds that can be obtained, it is a guitar with an extremely rock sound with some bluesy touches, but it shows its claws without having the slightest problem.
The final sound manages to be quite precise and with the right warmth and thickness to be able to work well with dynamics, this makes it an instrument ready for virtually any guitarist's need.
The mix of woods and electronics makes it a cornerstone, many of the sounds tend towards those of a super-strat but with the warmth of mahogany and the brightness of maple, perhaps one of the most versatile combinations possible.
Promoted?
It's hard to ask for more from these instruments, they pass the sound test hands down, the quality standard is good and you can feel this both by touch and by hearing.
Economic Considerations
770 euros is the list price, it's hard to hope for anything better.
It's not a high price if we consider the choice of woods, a construction you can hardly find fault with and electronics that can compete with many on the market.
Schecter's construction philosophy once again proves to be focused on providing a well-made instrument at a human price that is affordable for all budgets. Among its competitors in terms of price, we find a slew of guitars, including:
• Fender (Mexico series)
• Ibanez (Rg series)
• Cort (Serie X)
More or less all of them are around (some even far exceeding) the selling price of this little rock axe, but in many cases some of these may need some correction work that I would hardly have done on this guitar.
Promoted from the economic side, the brand must actually be praised for managing to maintain a certain level of standard for this price, after many other brands are tending to increase prices in a way that to say exponential is almost an understatement.
Final considerations
Pro
• Price within everyone's reach
• Good construction
• Aesthetically beautiful
Cons
• The lack of a mobile bridge
• A humbucker also on the neck would have given a better sound to the seventh string
Author's Note
Structurally speaking, I would aim to get the six-string Banshee model. The presence of the floating bridge is an option I can hardly do without, and if I were to get a seven-string, I would definitely lean more towards the configuration with two humbuckers to have an output more suited to the use of the seventh string.
It's an instrument that objectively surprised me a lot in terms of aesthetics and construction. Seventh string or not, it's objectively a series that's born well in terms of construction, and it answers the question that most readers ask me when talking about mid-range instruments, that is, whether the performance can be at least decent for the price.
In this case the answer is yes, with this instrument you play, you do a lot of apprenticeship and many live shows, it is one of those instruments that serve as an upgrade for the young musician who wants a better guitar than the one he started with, it is a good second guitar for those looking for an instrument to complete the range of achievable sounds.
I hardly find an economically and potentially better solution than this, at most a solution of equal yield.
With the new Extreme Legacy series, Schecter is entering a very large market segment, with instruments starting from a price well below a thousand euros up to 1500-1600 euros (for some higher-performance models).
One of the cornerstones of the Schecter brand has always been to build decent instruments at a price that is affordable for everyone. For years, people have used the Omen and Diamond models, which have proven to be excellent for their retail price.
Today Schecter is renewing itself and launching a new series of models ready to shake up the guitar market that I consider closest to me, that of mid-range instruments that can be purchased by both professionals and amateurs.
For the occasion I wanted to approach a 7-string version of the model that impressed me the most, namely the Banshee.
Let's see what this tool has to tell me.
Aesthetic Considerations
To say that it looks bad is almost a curse.
The paintwork, wood grain, choice of finish, binding and everything else make this guitar beautiful and eye-catching to look at, very aggressive and with that almost extreme look for the most hardcore guitarist.
A plus must be given to the inlays, in my opinion they are very beautiful to look at and make a great impression, a well-made and beautiful binding to look at completes the aesthetic set.
A very aggressive guitar, with very standard shapes and more oriented towards a more "heavy addicted" musician.
Technical Considerations
In the case of this instrument in particular and in relation to the final selling price, it must be said that it is almost a small miracle, it lacks almost nothing, let's look at the technical data sheet together:
• Structure: Bolt-on
• Body: Mahogany and Quilted Maple Top
• Neck: Ultra Thin 'C' Maple
• Scale: 26,5 ”- Fretboard: Rosewood 24 X-Jumbo Frets
• Inlays: "Vector"
• Binding: Maple
• Pickups: 1x Schecter Diamond Plus Humbucker + 1x Schecter Diamond Single Coil
• Controls: 1x Tone + 1x Volume + Push / Pull Potentiometer + 5-Position Selector
• Bridge: Schecter Custom Hardtail with through strings
• Nut: Graph Tech XL Black Tusq
• Hardware finishes: Chrome Black - Color: Charcoal Burst
• Glossy finish.
I really appreciate the quilted Mahogany/Maple combination which remains one of my favourite wood combinations and excellent as a basis for very “versatile” guitars in terms of the types of sounds required. The fact that it has a top of this type is a truly successful plus.
The electronics are all from Schecter, which is of a good quality even for these series that do not belong to the custom shop, precise sound, good dynamics and output to sell, you will not regret other more famous pickups.
I really liked the graphite nut, personally it should be standard on any modern guitar (unless it's a vintage reissue) as it provides stability, slightly better sustain and really superior durability.
The hardware is always in-house, robust, functional, I don't see anything that doesn't do its job.
The bridge is fixed, a more informed choice perhaps to give better stability to the entire instrument and avoid tuning problems resulting from excessively violent lever excursions, it is not a demerit but perhaps some people might not like it, in this case it is a bit of a personal thing.
Promoted on the equipment, nothing is missing, good quality hardware, high standard electronics and a very careful choice of wood.
Sound Considerations
Even though its look might suggest a guitar strictly for metalheads, this little seven-string can boast a good range of sounds that remain mainly in the world of rock, starting from the classic rock and roll sound but more precise and modern than a more vintage sound-oriented counterpart.
I tested the guitar on a Mesa Boogie Mark V, a limousine as far as amplification is concerned and with a set of accessories and tonal possibilities that are almost unique in its kind, it was difficult to ask for better for this test.
The test was done directly with guitar and cable, with nothing in between, naked and raw.
All things considered, it is a guitar that fits well into both worlds, both the rock-oriented six-string “classical” guitar and the slightly more “extreme” seven-string one for those looking for sounds for more extreme genres.
The only point where you need to pay more attention is that of the neck pickup, the choice of putting a single coil on the neck is not bad because if I don't have to use the seventh string, the sound is soft and very bluesy, which is not a bad thing at all, but if you start playing with the seventh string with the neck pickup inserted you feel a bit like the sensation of a lack of power and presence, it is a very thin sound that comes out and it is not muddy or unpleasant to hear, but a humbucker would probably have given more push to be able to make the most of the seventh string also on the neck, a choice this that tries to bring together two very distant worlds, that of the classic six-string sound which is characterized by bold but very soft and dynamic sounds (like sounds that come from single coils) and that of the seven-string guitar which is born with very powerful humbucker pickups with a very aggressive sound (Many 7-strings start from the configuration with two humbuckers on the neck and bridge).
The fullest and, in my opinion, most successful sound of the entire instrument is that of the bridge pickup with a good crunch. The resulting sound is very rounded, with a warmth worthy of even a higher-end instrument. Even with the seventh string you can obtain very aggressive sounds. This is something I always expect from Schecter because it has always had beautiful distorted sounds on its guitars, even in the more accessible range. Since the days of the Omen, Schecter has now accustomed its customers to this particularly successful sound.
Even though I find the sound of the bridge pickup with the seventh string a little weak, I was pleasantly surprised by the rest of the range of sounds that can be obtained, it is a guitar with an extremely rock sound with some bluesy touches, but it shows its claws without having the slightest problem.
The final sound manages to be quite precise and with the right warmth and thickness to be able to work well with dynamics, this makes it an instrument ready for virtually any guitarist's need.
The mix of woods and electronics makes it a cornerstone, many of the sounds tend towards those of a super-strat but with the warmth of mahogany and the brightness of maple, perhaps one of the most versatile combinations possible.
Promoted?
It's hard to ask for more from these instruments, they pass the sound test hands down, the quality standard is good and you can feel this both by touch and by hearing.
Economic Considerations
770 euros is the list price, it's hard to hope for anything better.
It's not a high price if we consider the choice of woods, a construction you can hardly find fault with and electronics that can compete with many on the market.
Schecter's construction philosophy once again proves to be focused on providing a well-made instrument at a human price that is affordable for all budgets. Among its competitors in terms of price, we find a slew of guitars, including:
• Fender (Mexico series)
• Ibanez (Rg series)
• Cort (Serie X)
More or less all of them are around (some even far exceeding) the selling price of this little rock axe, but in many cases some of these may need some correction work that I would hardly have done on this guitar.
Promoted from the economic side, the brand must actually be praised for managing to maintain a certain level of standard for this price, after many other brands are tending to increase prices in a way that to say exponential is almost an understatement.
Final considerations
Pro
• Price within everyone's reach
• Good construction
• Aesthetically beautiful
Cons
• The lack of a mobile bridge
• A humbucker also on the neck would have given a better sound to the seventh string
Author's Note
Structurally speaking, I would aim to get the six-string Banshee model. The presence of the floating bridge is an option I can hardly do without, and if I were to get a seven-string, I would definitely lean more towards the configuration with two humbuckers to have an output more suited to the use of the seventh string.
It's an instrument that objectively surprised me a lot in terms of aesthetics and construction. Seventh string or not, it's objectively a series that's born well in terms of construction, and it answers the question that most readers ask me when talking about mid-range instruments, that is, whether the performance can be at least decent for the price.
In this case the answer is yes, with this instrument you play, you do a lot of apprenticeship and many live shows, it is one of those instruments that serve as an upgrade for the young musician who wants a better guitar than the one he started with, it is a good second guitar for those looking for an instrument to complete the range of achievable sounds.
I hardly find an economically and potentially better solution than this, at most a solution of equal yield.
With the new Extreme Legacy series, Schecter is entering a very large market segment, with instruments starting from a price well below a thousand euros up to 1500-1600 euros (for some higher-performance models).
One of the cornerstones of the Schecter brand has always been to build decent instruments at a price that is affordable for everyone. For years, people have used the Omen and Diamond models, which have proven to be excellent for their retail price.
Today Schecter is renewing itself and launching a new series of models ready to shake up the guitar market that I consider closest to me, that of mid-range instruments that can be purchased by both professionals and amateurs.
For the occasion I wanted to approach a 7-string version of the model that impressed me the most, namely the Banshee.
Let's see what this tool has to tell me.
Aesthetic Considerations
To say that it looks bad is almost a curse.
The paintwork, wood grain, choice of finish, binding and everything else make this guitar beautiful and eye-catching to look at, very aggressive and with that almost extreme look for the most hardcore guitarist.
A plus must be given to the inlays, in my opinion they are very beautiful to look at and make a great impression, a well-made and beautiful binding to look at completes the aesthetic set.
A very aggressive guitar, with very standard shapes and more oriented towards a more "heavy addicted" musician.
Technical Considerations
In the case of this instrument in particular and in relation to the final selling price, it must be said that it is almost a small miracle, it lacks almost nothing, let's look at the technical data sheet together:
• Structure: Bolt-on
• Body: Mahogany and Quilted Maple Top
• Neck: Ultra Thin 'C' Maple
• Scale: 26,5 ”- Fretboard: Rosewood 24 X-Jumbo Frets
• Inlays: "Vector"
• Binding: Maple
• Pickups: 1x Schecter Diamond Plus Humbucker + 1x Schecter Diamond Single Coil
• Controls: 1x Tone + 1x Volume + Push / Pull Potentiometer + 5-Position Selector
• Bridge: Schecter Custom Hardtail with through strings
• Nut: Graph Tech XL Black Tusq
• Hardware finishes: Chrome Black - Color: Charcoal Burst
• Glossy finish.
I really appreciate the quilted Mahogany/Maple combination which remains one of my favourite wood combinations and excellent as a basis for very “versatile” guitars in terms of the types of sounds required. The fact that it has a top of this type is a truly successful plus.
The electronics are all from Schecter, which is of a good quality even for these series that do not belong to the custom shop, precise sound, good dynamics and output to sell, you will not regret other more famous pickups.
I really liked the graphite nut, personally it should be standard on any modern guitar (unless it's a vintage reissue) as it provides stability, slightly better sustain and really superior durability.
The hardware is always in-house, robust, functional, I don't see anything that doesn't do its job.
The bridge is fixed, a more informed choice perhaps to give better stability to the entire instrument and avoid tuning problems resulting from excessively violent lever excursions, it is not a demerit but perhaps some people might not like it, in this case it is a bit of a personal thing.
Promoted on the equipment, nothing is missing, good quality hardware, high standard electronics and a very careful choice of wood.
Sound Considerations
Even though its look might suggest a guitar strictly for metalheads, this little seven-string can boast a good range of sounds that remain mainly in the world of rock, starting from the classic rock and roll sound but more precise and modern than a more vintage sound-oriented counterpart.
I tested the guitar on a Mesa Boogie Mark V, a limousine as far as amplification is concerned and with a set of accessories and tonal possibilities that are almost unique in its kind, it was difficult to ask for better for this test.
The test was done directly with guitar and cable, with nothing in between, naked and raw.
All things considered, it is a guitar that fits well into both worlds, both the rock-oriented six-string “classical” guitar and the slightly more “extreme” seven-string one for those looking for sounds for more extreme genres.
The only point where you need to pay more attention is that of the neck pickup, the choice of putting a single coil on the neck is not bad because if I don't have to use the seventh string, the sound is soft and very bluesy, which is not a bad thing at all, but if you start playing with the seventh string with the neck pickup inserted you feel a bit like the sensation of a lack of power and presence, it is a very thin sound that comes out and it is not muddy or unpleasant to hear, but a humbucker would probably have given more push to be able to make the most of the seventh string also on the neck, a choice this that tries to bring together two very distant worlds, that of the classic six-string sound which is characterized by bold but very soft and dynamic sounds (like sounds that come from single coils) and that of the seven-string guitar which is born with very powerful humbucker pickups with a very aggressive sound (Many 7-strings start from the configuration with two humbuckers on the neck and bridge).
The fullest and, in my opinion, most successful sound of the entire instrument is that of the bridge pickup with a good crunch. The resulting sound is very rounded, with a warmth worthy of even a higher-end instrument. Even with the seventh string you can obtain very aggressive sounds. This is something I always expect from Schecter because it has always had beautiful distorted sounds on its guitars, even in the more accessible range. Since the days of the Omen, Schecter has now accustomed its customers to this particularly successful sound.
Even though I find the sound of the bridge pickup with the seventh string a little weak, I was pleasantly surprised by the rest of the range of sounds that can be obtained, it is a guitar with an extremely rock sound with some bluesy touches, but it shows its claws without having the slightest problem.
The final sound manages to be quite precise and with the right warmth and thickness to be able to work well with dynamics, this makes it an instrument ready for virtually any guitarist's need.
The mix of woods and electronics makes it a cornerstone, many of the sounds tend towards those of a super-strat but with the warmth of mahogany and the brightness of maple, perhaps one of the most versatile combinations possible.
Promoted?
It's hard to ask for more from these instruments, they pass the sound test hands down, the quality standard is good and you can feel this both by touch and by hearing.
Economic Considerations
770 euros is the list price, it's hard to hope for anything better.
It's not a high price if we consider the choice of woods, a construction you can hardly find fault with and electronics that can compete with many on the market.
Schecter's construction philosophy once again proves to be focused on providing a well-made instrument at a human price that is affordable for all budgets. Among its competitors in terms of price, we find a slew of guitars, including:
• Fender (Mexico series)
• Ibanez (Rg series)
• Cort (Serie X)
More or less all of them are around (some even far exceeding) the selling price of this little rock axe, but in many cases some of these may need some correction work that I would hardly have done on this guitar.
Promoted from the economic side, the brand must actually be praised for managing to maintain a certain level of standard for this price, after many other brands are tending to increase prices in a way that to say exponential is almost an understatement.
Final considerations
Pro
• Price within everyone's reach
• Good construction
• Aesthetically beautiful
Cons
• The lack of a mobile bridge
• A humbucker also on the neck would have given a better sound to the seventh string
Author's Note
Structurally speaking, I would aim to get the six-string Banshee model. The presence of the floating bridge is an option I can hardly do without, and if I were to get a seven-string, I would definitely lean more towards the configuration with two humbuckers to have an output more suited to the use of the seventh string.
It's an instrument that objectively surprised me a lot in terms of aesthetics and construction. Seventh string or not, it's objectively a series that's born well in terms of construction, and it answers the question that most readers ask me when talking about mid-range instruments, that is, whether the performance can be at least decent for the price.
In this case the answer is yes, with this instrument you play, you do a lot of apprenticeship and many live shows, it is one of those instruments that serve as an upgrade for the young musician who wants a better guitar than the one he started with, it is a good second guitar for those looking for an instrument to complete the range of achievable sounds.
I hardly find an economically and potentially better solution than this, at most a solution of equal yield.
With the new Extreme Legacy series, Schecter is entering a very large market segment, with instruments starting from a price well below a thousand euros up to 1500-1600 euros (for some higher-performance models).
One of the cornerstones of the Schecter brand has always been to build decent instruments at a price that is affordable for everyone. For years, people have used the Omen and Diamond models, which have proven to be excellent for their retail price.
Today Schecter is renewing itself and launching a new series of models ready to shake up the guitar market that I consider closest to me, that of mid-range instruments that can be purchased by both professionals and amateurs.
For the occasion I wanted to approach a 7-string version of the model that impressed me the most, namely the Banshee.
Let's see what this tool has to tell me.
Aesthetic Considerations
To say that it looks bad is almost a curse.
The paintwork, wood grain, choice of finish, binding and everything else make this guitar beautiful and eye-catching to look at, very aggressive and with that almost extreme look for the most hardcore guitarist.
A plus must be given to the inlays, in my opinion they are very beautiful to look at and make a great impression, a well-made and beautiful binding to look at completes the aesthetic set.
A very aggressive guitar, with very standard shapes and more oriented towards a more "heavy addicted" musician.
Technical Considerations
In the case of this instrument in particular and in relation to the final selling price, it must be said that it is almost a small miracle, it lacks almost nothing, let's look at the technical data sheet together:
• Structure: Bolt-on
• Body: Mahogany and Quilted Maple Top
• Neck: Ultra Thin 'C' Maple
• Scale: 26,5 ”- Fretboard: Rosewood 24 X-Jumbo Frets
• Inlays: "Vector"
• Binding: Maple
• Pickups: 1x Schecter Diamond Plus Humbucker + 1x Schecter Diamond Single Coil
• Controls: 1x Tone + 1x Volume + Push / Pull Potentiometer + 5-Position Selector
• Bridge: Schecter Custom Hardtail with through strings
• Nut: Graph Tech XL Black Tusq
• Hardware finishes: Chrome Black - Color: Charcoal Burst
• Glossy finish.
I really appreciate the quilted Mahogany/Maple combination which remains one of my favourite wood combinations and excellent as a basis for very “versatile” guitars in terms of the types of sounds required. The fact that it has a top of this type is a truly successful plus.
The electronics are all from Schecter, which is of a good quality even for these series that do not belong to the custom shop, precise sound, good dynamics and output to sell, you will not regret other more famous pickups.
I really liked the graphite nut, personally it should be standard on any modern guitar (unless it's a vintage reissue) as it provides stability, slightly better sustain and really superior durability.
The hardware is always in-house, robust, functional, I don't see anything that doesn't do its job.
The bridge is fixed, a more informed choice perhaps to give better stability to the entire instrument and avoid tuning problems resulting from excessively violent lever excursions, it is not a demerit but perhaps some people might not like it, in this case it is a bit of a personal thing.
Promoted on the equipment, nothing is missing, good quality hardware, high standard electronics and a very careful choice of wood.
Sound Considerations
Even though its look might suggest a guitar strictly for metalheads, this little seven-string can boast a good range of sounds that remain mainly in the world of rock, starting from the classic rock and roll sound but more precise and modern than a more vintage sound-oriented counterpart.
I tested the guitar on a Mesa Boogie Mark V, a limousine as far as amplification is concerned and with a set of accessories and tonal possibilities that are almost unique in its kind, it was difficult to ask for better for this test.
The test was done directly with guitar and cable, with nothing in between, naked and raw.
All things considered, it is a guitar that fits well into both worlds, both the rock-oriented six-string “classical” guitar and the slightly more “extreme” seven-string one for those looking for sounds for more extreme genres.
The only point where you need to pay more attention is that of the neck pickup, the choice of putting a single coil on the neck is not bad because if I don't have to use the seventh string, the sound is soft and very bluesy, which is not a bad thing at all, but if you start playing with the seventh string with the neck pickup inserted you feel a bit like the sensation of a lack of power and presence, it is a very thin sound that comes out and it is not muddy or unpleasant to hear, but a humbucker would probably have given more push to be able to make the most of the seventh string also on the neck, a choice this that tries to bring together two very distant worlds, that of the classic six-string sound which is characterized by bold but very soft and dynamic sounds (like sounds that come from single coils) and that of the seven-string guitar which is born with very powerful humbucker pickups with a very aggressive sound (Many 7-strings start from the configuration with two humbuckers on the neck and bridge).
The fullest and, in my opinion, most successful sound of the entire instrument is that of the bridge pickup with a good crunch. The resulting sound is very rounded, with a warmth worthy of even a higher-end instrument. Even with the seventh string you can obtain very aggressive sounds. This is something I always expect from Schecter because it has always had beautiful distorted sounds on its guitars, even in the more accessible range. Since the days of the Omen, Schecter has now accustomed its customers to this particularly successful sound.
Even though I find the sound of the bridge pickup with the seventh string a little weak, I was pleasantly surprised by the rest of the range of sounds that can be obtained, it is a guitar with an extremely rock sound with some bluesy touches, but it shows its claws without having the slightest problem.
The final sound manages to be quite precise and with the right warmth and thickness to be able to work well with dynamics, this makes it an instrument ready for virtually any guitarist's need.
The mix of woods and electronics makes it a cornerstone, many of the sounds tend towards those of a super-strat but with the warmth of mahogany and the brightness of maple, perhaps one of the most versatile combinations possible.
Promoted?
It's hard to ask for more from these instruments, they pass the sound test hands down, the quality standard is good and you can feel this both by touch and by hearing.
Economic Considerations
770 euros is the list price, it's hard to hope for anything better.
It's not a high price if we consider the choice of woods, a construction you can hardly find fault with and electronics that can compete with many on the market.
Schecter's construction philosophy once again proves to be focused on providing a well-made instrument at a human price that is affordable for all budgets. Among its competitors in terms of price, we find a slew of guitars, including:
• Fender (Mexico series)
• Ibanez (Rg series)
• Cort (Serie X)
More or less all of them are around (some even far exceeding) the selling price of this little rock axe, but in many cases some of these may need some correction work that I would hardly have done on this guitar.
Promoted from the economic side, the brand must actually be praised for managing to maintain a certain level of standard for this price, after many other brands are tending to increase prices in a way that to say exponential is almost an understatement.
Final considerations
Pro
• Price within everyone's reach
• Good construction
• Aesthetically beautiful
Cons
• The lack of a mobile bridge
• A humbucker also on the neck would have given a better sound to the seventh string
Author's Note
Structurally speaking, I would aim to get the six-string Banshee model. The presence of the floating bridge is an option I can hardly do without, and if I were to get a seven-string, I would definitely lean more towards the configuration with two humbuckers to have an output more suited to the use of the seventh string.
It's an instrument that objectively surprised me a lot in terms of aesthetics and construction. Seventh string or not, it's objectively a series that's born well in terms of construction, and it answers the question that most readers ask me when talking about mid-range instruments, that is, whether the performance can be at least decent for the price.
In this case the answer is yes, with this instrument you play, you do a lot of apprenticeship and many live shows, it is one of those instruments that serve as an upgrade for the young musician who wants a better guitar than the one he started with, it is a good second guitar for those looking for an instrument to complete the range of achievable sounds.
I hardly find an economically and potentially better solution than this, at most a solution of equal yield.
