Schecter Diamond Series build quality?

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UltraGary

UltraGary

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Close to pulling the trigger on their hollow-body (Corsaire) just because it'd be something different in my arsenal for cheap. I generally only play 'quality' stuff but think it might be a cheap way to work a hollow-body in.

What knowledge can you share on the build quality of this series?

Thanx!
 
Honestly, it's gone down in recent years. The paint job is often sloppy, the fretboard wood and fret quality has declined, they no longer use top-of-the-line components (such as the German-made OFR), and they've moved a lot of their production from South Korea to Indonesia and China. I would get a pre-2009 Corsair since that's the year that they seem to have started making changes, if they even made them back then.
 
It depends from model to model, as well. Diamond Series is the broad label for *every* production guitar Schecter makes. If it isn't Diamond Series, it is one of the USA made customs.

I picked up a Hellraiser C-1 a month or so back because Amazon had them listed absurdly cheap; $500 for the white finish compared to the $800 everyone else was asking, including what amazon wanted for the other colors. Pretty sure someone made a mistake, the price is back up to where it should be on the model I bought now. The quality on it is good... good name-brand hardware, good finish, good binding/inlays. My one gripe is that the frets are not crowned well. They are level and the edges are done very well, but they are all wide and flat on top. As such they buzz a little if I start getting aggressive with my pick attack. If I had paid full price for the guitar I would have already returned it or sold it, but because I paid so little and I like the guitar otherwise, I'm planning on taking it in for a fret crowning. It really is a good guitar otherwise.

It is one of the models that is still made in South Korea, however, which fits with what leib10 says I suppose. My only other experience with a Schecter was a bass that was Indonesian made that had a broken truss rod right off the bat. I bought it from Guitar Center though, so it could have been something they broke or someone broke and returned without telling them. Still a bit disconcerting.
 
Yep, fret crowning has been another issue for them lately. They've gotten really good at having their guitars look great on paper, but the actual guitar has a lot of minor shortcuts in manufacturing that add up to some major faults.
 
I disagree completely. The stuff they are making now is very well made. All brand name hardware and excellent construction. The frets on every one I have looked at were nicely crowned and the guitars played without buzz at low action. I have a recent Ultra II and its made as well as anything you might find for twice the cash.
 
my Diamond Series 7 string is all around pretty great. Never had a problem with frets, the neck or anything that these guys are saying, however mine is alot older. I got mine at least 6 or 7 years ago. So i cant comment on newer models.
 
As said above, depends on which "level" of Diamond series. They are all diamond series except for the custom shop stuff, so obviously their cheapest model won't have the same build quality as their higher priced stuff.

I have a 5 or 6 year old C-1 Classic and it's a great guitar. Flawless build and finish, good pups and hardware, nice feel and great sound. And it stays in tune perfectly. I've preferred the Schecters that I've owned and played over the LTDs in the same price range, which felt cheap and like plastic in comparison.
 
I agree. Depends on the make and model. My main guitar is a Solo6 ATX and its amazing. I have a buddy who got a C-1 Custom and his Les Paul Standard is now his backup guitar.
 
Like I said, with the exception of the flat-topped frets, my Hellraiser C-1 is a really awesome guitar. There are those that don't consider flat tops on frets to be an issue, so I'm not sure that it is a quality control problem.

The construction and finish seems to be solid, and the hardware is all name brand stuff (schaller, graphtech, etc), and the coil-splitting EMGs are pretty damn fun.
 
Thanx for the insight guys! I'm thinking as long as it's 'straight' from the start....little hardware/pickups issues can be dealt with as they come up if the guitar is seeing some action. (which it seems like it might)
 
If you buy a Schecter or LTD...Stay away from the lower end models period. just my advice.
 
What I recommend is getting the actual guitar you're considering buying in your hands and inspect it yourself. That way there aren't any nasty surprises. Schecter's QC used to be excellent but has declined in recent years... more "lemons" as of late.
 
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