Where Are Schecter Guitars Made?

If you’re in the market for a Schecter guitar, then knowing where it is made is important because it’s a good indicator of the guitar’s quality.  

Schecter has several different series of guitars that are manufactured all over the world, which can be confusing to navigate.

In this article, we’ll explore where several different Schecter guitar models are made and compare the differences between them to determine if it really matters. 

So where are Schecter Guitars made?

In short, Schecter Custom Shop Guitars are all made in the United States and Schecter Diamond Series Guitars are made in either South Korea, Indonesia, or China depending on the make and model. 

Schecter Guitars: Some Background Information 

Schecter Guitar Research, or just Schecter, is an American guitar manufacturing company that was founded in 1976. They originally started as a company the exclusively manufactured replacement parts for guitars, but later started manufacturing their own line of guitars, basses, amps, and effects pedals. 

Schecter guitars are loved among the hard rock and metal community. Their guitars have a modern look and feel and are known for having thin necks that are a dream to shred on. They are also known to have used high output pickups, such as EMG active pickups, or Seymour dunctions, which is ideal for high gain music. 

For more information, check out my full Schecter Guitars Review & Buying Guide.

Where are Schecter Diamond Series Guitars Made?

The Schecter Diamond Series refers to Schecter’s line of guitars that are mass-produced overseas. They are essentially comprised of all Schecter Guitars outside of Schecter Custom Shop guitars. 

Schecter Diamond Series guitars are made in several different countries throughout East Asia including South Korea, Indonesia, and China. 

The country that the guitar is made in is dependent on the quality of the guitar and will reflect the price of the guitar. The higher-end guitars will typically be made in South Korea, while the budget-friendly are made in China. 

South Korea

All of the high-end Schecter Diamond Series guitars are made in Incheon, South Korea at the World Music Instrument co. factory. This is the same factory that used to produce the ESP LTD 1000 series guitars and the PRS SE Custom guitars before those companies moved production to Indonesia. 

Guitars made in South Korea are usually the highest quality when it comes to importing guitars with the exception of Japan. 

Manufacturing guitars in South Korea is also significantly more expensive due to the higher labor costs. As such, Schecter only produces their high-end Diamond Series guitars in South Korea. 

Here are some examples of Schecter guitars that are made in South Korea:

• Schecter Blackjack Series
• Schecter Banshee Elite 
• Schecter C-1 Series

These South Korean made Schecter Guitars are their top offerings in terms of their production line guitars. These guitars will typically cost between $1,000 – $1,500 depending on the model, configuration, and finish options. 

Indonesia

Schecter Diamond Series guitars are also made in Indonesia. Schecter typically makes their middle of the pack production model guitars in Indonesia because they are cheaper to manufacture than the Korean models. 

Their Indonesian made guitars cater to the intermediate audience as well as value shoppers. These guitars are generally built pretty well but can be a bit lacking in terms of quality control, features, and specifications when compared to the South Korean models. 

Here are some examples of Schecter Guitars that are made in Indonesia.

• Schecter Omen Extreme
• Schecter Demon Series
• Schecter Banshee Extreme

China

Schecter’s entry-level guitars are usually made in China. These guitars cater to beginner and budget-conscious guitar players. 

In terms of build quality and construction, Schecter’s Chinese made guitars are at the bottom. That’s not to say that they are bad by any means, but definitely, a step down when compared to their South Korean and even Indonesian made guitars. 

Schecter guitars made in China are the cheapest to produce due to the lower labor costs, which allows them to pass the savings on to the consumer. As a result, Chinese made Schecter guitars typically cost between $200 – $400. 

Here are some examples of guitars made in China:

• Schecter C-6
• Schecter Omen 

Where are Schecter Custom Shop Guitars Made?

Schecter custom shop guitars are all made in the United States. In terms of quality, these guitars are as good as it gets. 

In 2013 Schecter expanded their custom line of guitars named the “USA Production Series.” All of the Schecter Diamond Series guitars are based on these original shapes. When choosing a Schecter custom shop guitar, you can either go with a base production model or configure your own guitar. 

These American made guitars will cost you upwards of $3,000 or more depending on the model and how you configure your guitar. 

Schecter Japanese Guitars

Not many people know this, but Schecter actually still makes guitars in Japan. In fact, Schecter’s Japanese guitars are some of the best they have to offer. However, since they are pretty hard to come by in the United States, they often slip under the radar. 

Guitars made in Japan are seen by many to be a step up in quality when compared to South Korean made guitars, and some even think they are comparable to American made guitars. 

Here are some examples of Schecter Guitars that are made in Japan. 

• Schecter Exeed Series
• Schecter SD Series
• Schecter S Series
• Schecter ST Custom Series

Schecter guitars made in Japan tend to have a more traditional look to them, many resembling that of a Stratocaster or Telecaster. This is different from the Schecter Diamond Series guitars that are widely available in the United States where they have more aggressive super-strat style designs. 

Does it Matter Where Schecter Guitars are Made?

Yes, it does matter where Schecter guitars are made. The country in which the guitar was made is typically a good indicator of the overall quality. 

In general, the highest quality guitars are made in the United States because you’ll typically have better and more experienced luthiers. 

Japanese guitars are right behind them, producing guitars that are really close, if not the same in terms of quality when compared to the United States.

Then, you’ll have three main countries where guitar manufactures have their budget line of guitars mass-produced; South Korea, Indonesia, and China. South Korean guitars are typically seen as the best of the three and are quite comparable to Japanese guitars. 

Indonesian and Chinese made guitars are a step down from South Korean made guitars, but are both pretty comparable to each other. That said, in recent years, Indonesia has really stepped up their game in terms of quality to the point where some say they are equal in quality to South Korean made guitars. 

Are Schecter Guitars Good?

In general, yes Schecter guitars are very good, though they vary in quality based on the specific line and model of guitar you opt for. 

Personally, I can say that some of the best guitars I’ve ever played are Schecter Guitars. From my experience, I found that Schecter guitars have excellent playability with thin, comfortable necks. As a metal player myself I find that Schecter guitars are made for shredders. 

In terms of quality, I would compare Schecter guitars to what you would find in ESP LTD guitars. 

How Much Do Schecter Guitars Cost?

The price of Schecter guitars will depend on the specific model and where it’s made. 

American made custom shop Schecter guitars will cost upwards of $3,000 or more. This is because labor costs are significantly higher in the United States, which dramatically ramps up the price. American made guitars are the best of the best in terms of quality. 

Schecter Japanese and Korean made models will typically cost between $1,000 – $1,500. These guitars are the highest quality production line guitars that are made overseas. Outside of a USA custom shop Shecter guitar, these are the best Schecter has to offer. 

Indonesian and Chinese Schecter guitars cost between $200 -$700. These are the Schecters budget line of guitars meant aimed at beginner to intermediate level players. 

For more information, check out my guide on How Much an Electric Guitar Costs.

Should You Buy a Schecter Guitar?

If you looking for the best electric guitars for metal, then you should definitely consider buying a Schecter guitar. From my experience, Schecter guitars are built very well and have amazing playability. Schecter Guitars are also a good value for the price. The higher-end South Korean models are professional quality guitars and are usually spec’d to the gills. If you’re a shredder, you’ll feel right at home.

Conclusion

As a recap, Schecter guitars are made in the United States, South Korea, Indonesia, and China. Where the guitar is made will depend on the make and model of the guitar and will typically influence the quality. 

I hope you found this article helpful. Happy playing!