Schecter Review: Diamond Series S-1

History: I have been playing for about 47 years. I used to play professionally until about 10 years ago, but I still like to play along with CD's and jam with other musicians. I sit-in with a local group once in a while. Of course I play a lot of oldies rock but my favorites are late 60's and 70's rock. I play for my pleasure.

Purchase: Paid: A total of $445 which included sales tax, gig bag and a stand. My wife gave it to me as a Christmas present, but only after I singled it out after hours of trying out other guitars at the Guitar Center in New Orleans. I still own an American Fender Strat and a Gibson SG. Over the years I have owned a number of Strats, Teles, Epiphones and Gibsons. This S-1 is the guitar I have been searching for all my life.

What I Like About This Schecter Diamond Series S-1: I like everything about it, particularly the neck and the full sound. I have small hands and bar chords have always been a little difficult. I have tried guitars with fast necks like Ibanez and although fast, the too small necks tend to tire my hand when chording because there isn't enough 'meat' in them for leverage. I liked the Strat's neck because the 9.5" radius was more comfortable than my SG's. I didn't think I would like anything with a flatter fretboard until I played the S-1. This thing chords like a dream and the neck is plenty fast. I like the 24.75" scale rather than the 25.5" on the Stat too. I can do things on the S-1 better than I ever could on the Strat or SG. I like the white binding on the neck and the sexy inlays in the neck. The sound it full and rich with the mahogany body. It sings. For me and what I play the pickups are fine. Just as good as my SG and with a lot more power than my Strat.

What I Do NOT Like About The Schecter Diamond Series S-1: Only the Tone/Coil Tap control. Something is wrong with it internally. The coil tap works fine but the pot part does change the tone at all. I am going to get it repaired rather than swap it out for another S-1. I am already in love with it. I heard it was slightly neck heavy but with a leather strap, I can let go of the S-1 and it stays put.

Schecter Diamond Series S-1 Quality Rating: Perfect except for the tone/coil tap control. Mine is the see-thru cherry finish and it is flawless. Like the Grover tuners. I normally have a lutier check out a guitar and fine tune it, but this one came perfect needing nothing (except for the pot). No flaws in the fit and finish. This is a quality made guitar, regardless of cost. It beats out guitars in playability, sound and appearance of guitars costing much more.

Review Summary: This is simply the best guitar I've ever laid my hands on. If anything ever happened to it, I would buy another and Lord help anyone who ever hurt or stole it. It isn't the flashiest or most radical in looks but I recommend it highly. Try one out. You may be shocked by it's sound, playability and how much guitar you'll get for your money.

Rating of this Schecter product: 5

This Schecter Diamond Series S-1 Electric Guitars Review Submitted By: Nat Montalbano

Review Date: 2005-12-27