Schecter Guitar Research Synyster Gates Custom-S Electric Guitar Gloss Black with Gold Pinstripe
Schecter Guitar Research

Schecter Guitar Research Synyster Gates Custom-S Electric Guitar Gloss Black with Gold Pinstripe

Killer
$1,599.00

Avenged Sevenfold signature shred machine loaded with Sustainiac and Floyd Rose 1500. Built for metal guitarists who want Gates' exact specs, aggressive styling included.

Killer

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • +Sustainiac system adds massive creative possibilities for infinite sustain and controlled feedback
  • +Floyd Rose 1500 bridge system provides precision dive-bombing with superior tuning stability
  • +US-wound Schecter Custom Shop bridge pickup delivers killer tone and harmonic response perfect for metal
  • +Updated ergonomic contours and glow-in-the-dark side dots improve comfort and visibility on dark stages
  • +Ultra access cutaway set neck makes upper fret work effortless

Cons

  • MusicRadar notes it can sound shrill with clean tones and lacks character outside high-gain settings
  • Aggressively signature styling won't suit players who aren't A7X fans
  • No community score data to balance the critical assessment
  • Price point is steep for what's essentially a one-trick pony optimized for metal

The Verdict

MusicRadar called this ‘immensely shreddable’ and gave it 4/5 stars, and they’re right – this guitar does exactly what it was built to do. The Sustainiac alone justifies the price if you use it, and the Floyd 1500 is legitimately excellent hardware. But here’s the thing: it’s a metal guitar that sounds like a metal guitar. If you play anything outside high-gain territory, the tonal limitations will frustrate you. For A7X devotees and dedicated shredders, it’s a killer instrument. For everyone else, the aggressive styling and narrow tonal palette make it a hard sell at $1,600.

Specifications

Body shapeDouble cutaway
Body typeSolid body
Body materialSolid wood
Body woodMahogany
Top woodNot applicable
Body finishGloss
OrientationRight handed
Neck shapeUltra thin C
Neck woodMahogany
Neck finishGloss
JointSet-in
Scale length25.5 in.
MaterialEbony
Radius16 in.
Fret sizeExtra-jumbo
Number of frets24
InlaysSyn with death bat
Nut width1.62 in. (41.3 mm) Locking
ConfigurationHH
Bridge typeTremolo/Vibrato
Bridge designFloyd Rose 1500 series
TailpieceNot applicable
Tuning machinesGrover Rotomatic
Number of strings6-string
Country of originSouth Korea