Schecter Omen Elite 2022 Review: Revamped 6,7 and 8 Strings Ready To Shred!

The Schecter Omen Elite 2022 series made some serious changes to the lineup. Today we go over those changes, and talk about the crazy new features!

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Schecter Omen Elite 2022: It Was Time For A Makeover

The Schecter Omen series has always been a great budget-focused lineup that gives you a “taste” of what high end Schecter guitars are like. The Omen guitars have usually been the familiar C1 Super-Strat shape from Schecter, with some great upgrades that take these models away from the “basic” category.

Most of the upgrades of an Omen model can be found in the finishes that feature Flame Maple veneers, and full size maple caps. The older Omen “Extreme” models also had bolt on construction, and Duncan Designed pickups with a coil tap feature. If you go way back (2008-2012), some had EMG pickups.

The whole point of the new Schecter Omen Elite lineup is to show you what an “upgraded” guitar experience is like, when you move on from your beginner guitar. This could be one of your first “forever” guitars, because they are also easy to modify and upgrade yourself. The Schecter Omen Elite is a guitar that can “grow” with you!

The new Omen Elite series comes in 6, 7, 8, and Multi-Scale options, and has had a complete overhaul from the original Omen models of yore. The Omen series had stayed mostly the same over the last decade so it was time for a total revamp, and Schecter started from the ground up using the Apocalypse models as a base.

Today we are going to take a look at what all of the models have in common, along with the 7 string model that I received to review. Like most Schecter guitars that I get for review, I am keeping the damn thing. Just like the Demon 7 that I reviewed last year, I fell in love almost instantly with the Schecter Omen Elite 7.

So let’s take a look at all of the models, and what they have in common. Then, I can give you my thoughts on the model I have had for the last two weeks.

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Schecter Omen Elite: New Features And Specs

The Schecter Omen Elite series has always been pretty consistent when it comes to having great features at an affordable price point. As I said earlier, these are meant to be your first “nice” guitar after your beginner setup. The Omen Elite series has everything that an intermediate player could want, and a little more!

The Omen Elite series has several variants when it comes to strings, bridges, and fretboard designs. Yet all of the models have the same core features. Schecter does this with all of its current lineups, to be consistent across the different models. Shared features, but completely different designs.

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Schecter Omen Elite 2022 Features

• Double Cutaway Mahogany Body
• Poplar Burl Top
• Maple Neck
• Thin C Shape Neck
• 24 Extra Jumbo Frets
• Bolt On Construction
• Satin Finish Neck/Back
• Rosewood Fretboard
• Pearl Dual Line Inlays
• Dual Humbucker Design
• Schecter Heretic Pickups (See-Thru Bobbins)
• 5 Way Pickup Selector Switch
• Single Volume/Tone Knob (Clear Speed Knobs)
• TUSQ XL Nut
• Black Hardware
• Three Colors: Charcoal, Black Cherry, Blue Burst

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Each model shares these same core features, but there are several different options for layouts. Schecter made different models to fit pretty much any player’s style. I got the Schecter Omen Elite 7 string model for review, but the other options are all pretty surprising given the price point of these instruments.

• Fixed Bridge 6 String
• Floyd Rose 6 String
• Standard 7 String
• Multi-Scale 7 String
• Multi-Scale 8 String

All models come in the three available colors, and all have the same pickups and 5 way switch. The Multi-Scale models have the neutral fret at the 7th, which is something we discussed about the Rob Scallon model. This creates a more natural feel when it comes to Multi-Scale in my opinion, since the fan is extremely slight on the lower frets.

The fixed bridge models all have a Hipshot-style bridge. These bridges don’t quite have the mass of a real Hipshot, but the design still allows you to get your action low without the adjustment screws digging into your palms.

The Floyd Rose models feature the “Hot Rod Special” bridges that are made especially for Schecter. You can see these bridges on the Sun Valley Super Shredder guitars as well. These are real Floyd Rose Special models, with upgraded parts. The stainless steel upgrades take the place of the “pot metal” parts that usually wear down and break on the lower-end Floyd models, so you don’t have to worry about these set screws stripping out!

The 5 way switch also works the same on all models. A new 5-way (hum/hum) switch provides an arsenal of voicings to select through. Position 1 is bridge humbucker; position 2 is a classic single-coil bridge/neck; position 3 is bridge/neck full humbucker; position 4 is neck in parallel humbucker; and position 5 is neck series humbucker.

This gives you a ton of tonal options to choose from, and gives you some coil-tapped tones without using the push/pull knob style. I don’t usually have a problem with the push/pull style, but the 5 way switch is just… easier to deal with. Ibanez started this trend with the JEM way back in the 80’s, and it is great to see it on a Schecter!

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Schecter Omen Elite 2022 Series: My Experience

Electrikjam is in the middle of moving to a new studio, and the Schecter Omen Elite had been on my radar for since I saw their release at NAMM. So with the new studio, I needed a new guitar from Schecter! I have spent the last two weeks really putting it through the wringer.

The only amp that have at my disposal right now, since we are remodeling is my BOSS Katana 100. But I am sure that comes as no surprise to our regular readers! This is actually one of the most often used amps that we test guitars with anyway, so the Schecter Omen Elite 7 isn’t getting any special treatment.

The build quality out of the box was absolutely stunning. I have come to expect the absolute best from Schecter at any price point, and I was not disappointed. The Schecter Omen Elite definitely punches above its weight class in features and design. All of the models sit around the $500- $700 price point.

The first thing I always check right out of the box is the neck. All of the frets were level, and there were no sharp edges at all. Like most Schecter guitars, it was set up decently and only needed a few tweaks to be playable. The action definitely needed to be lowered a little, but that is just personal preference.

The red burl top looks really stunning in person, and is offset by black binding that covers the entire guitar. Checking things in detail, the TUSQ nut was cut for a smaller gauge. This is an easy fix with some nut files, but the nut is usually something that Schecter gets right. No big deal for me, but someone less experienced might need some assistance from a tech.

The neck is usually the most important part of any guitar, and the Schecter Omen Elite 7 has a pretty amazing neck. Schecter was known for years as the company that had “bulky 7 string necks” especially when you compare them to something like Ibanez. Schecter has spent the last decade or so destroying that myth.

The KM Series saw Schecter trying out new things with their 7 string necks. This slimmer design has spilled over to models like the Schecter Omen Elite. Like all Schecter 7 strings, the neck is a 26.5 baritone scale . This can be a deal breaker for some guitarists, but I actually prefer it. You can use lighter strings and get the same tension as a 25.5 scale guitar.

The “thin c shape” neck is super comfortable to play. Compared to my Demon 7 it is much thinner all around. The C shape fits your hand shape perfectly, and the higher up the neck you go, the more it flattens out. This makes playing chords easy at the lower end of the neck, but also easy to reach the upper frets with total fluidity.

Make no mistake, compared to the KM-7 that costs 4x as much, the Schecter Omen Elite is no comparison. The KM-7 has one of the best 7 string necks I have ever played ( I have played 7 strings for 20 years). So while the Omen Elite plays great, especially for the price point, it isn’t quite as good as the KM-7. But hey, the fact that a $600 guitar is even close in quality… is amazing.

All together, the construction is as solid as the higher end Schecter models from Korea. The lightweight mahogany body was quite a surprise. I am used to Schecter being more on the heavy side, but the Omen Elite series is deceptively light! There were no finish issues, and all of the electronics worked great right out of the box.

The back of the guitar is like the popular Apocalypse models, with a light “ashy” black matte stain. I personally love this look. Also similar to the Apocalypse models is the Heretic pickups. These have see-thru bobbins just like the Apocalypse Custom Shop pickups. These are Alnico V pickups, with a lower ceramic magnet stack.

Mixing Alnico with ceramic magnets is something that Schecter has done for a long time (Since the Tom Anderson days). This gives the Heretic pickups that awesome low end “grunt” that still retains all of the highs and midrange punch from the classic Alnico V magnets. In full humbucker mode, these pickups wail like a banshee.

The neck pickup has tons of midrange output for solos, without having too much bass response on the low B string. So running scales even on the lower strings sounds balanced. The tone knob turned about halfway down gives you that sweet, creamy solo tone that we all look for in a neck humbucker. Even wide open it sounds great with just about any amount of gain.

The Schecter Omen Elite bridge humbucker passes the chug test with flying colors. Again, the Heretic pickups focus on bass and midrange heavily due to the magnet combo used. This means that string separation even under high gain is very defined. You hear all of the notes ring out, even in complex chords with the bridge pickup.

The “in between” modes are both really great as well, but they never quite get that “real single coil” sound. I have actually never found coil splits to sound quite authentic, which is why I suggest every studio to have a Strat laying around! The tones are usable though, and sound great clean. Just don’t expect them to pass for a Strat or Tele single coil sound.

Overall, the sound of the Schecter Omen Elite 7 is much closer to some of the Custom Shop options when it comes to pickups. Unfortunately, they don’t really hit the spot when it comes to the coil-tapped positions. But I really don’t see myself using this guitar for clean Blues solos, so the tapped positions are just an added bonus.

The Schecter Omen Elite 7 really shines when it is in its element; loud and under high gain. The articulation of the Heretic humbuckers is very surprising. These are not pickups that you would usually find on a budget guitar. In fact, the overall product is pretty far from feeling “budget”.

But that’s the thing, budget guitars are really much better these days. So every company is bringing the absolute best “A-Game” possible recently. This truly is the “Golden Age” for guitars. It seems like no matter what your budget is, there is something out there for you.

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Schecter Omen Elite 2022 Update: A Huge Step Up

The Schecter Omen Elite is the exact update that the Omen series needed. Above is a picture of the older Omen Extreme, and these were great guitars for the time. But they were heavy mahogany, and the big necks and huge neck heel turned off a lot of players. Understandably so, because times have changed.

The new Schecter Omen Elite models fit in with the overhaul that Schecter has planned out over the last few years. The new Omen Elite guitars are like a bare bones Apocalypse model, which is what I think the designers are going for. This gives some uniformity across all of the price points, and the old-school “Affliction/Tacky guitar company” mindset is all but gone.

Schecter got rid of the budget SGR Series a few years back, which was like the Schecter version of Squier. They still make the C1 shaped guitars at low price points, but everything is part of the Diamond series now. This makes more sense as a business model, and causes less confusion for the customer (Hope you’re paying attention, Fender).

The Schecter Omen Elite is a guitar I will definitely use in the studio. I plan on putting some locking tuners on it, but otherwise no upgrades are needed. This is exactly what Schecter is going for with these Omen Elite guitars.

The Schecter Omen Elite models appeal to intermediate guitarists just as much as the seasoned pros. These guitars are meant to be the “step up” from your beginner model. Schecter knocked it out of the park again, and these models are great across the board. The new design is modern and simple, making it perfect for mods.

If you are looking for a guitar that can take the place of your beginner guitar, then the Omen Elite series is great for Metal/Heavy Rock players. With all models between $499 and $799, anyone can afford these. The Omen Elite is also a great option for professional guitarists on a budget. I would happily gig with my Schecter Omen Elite 7, and I will definitely be recording with it!