Schecter Damien Platinum 6 SBK

Schecter Damien Platinum 6 SBK review

The Schecter Damien Platinum 6 SBK is a black, double-cutaway electric guitar built around a mahogany body, a set-in maple neck, and active EMG humbuckers. Its feature set points toward hard rock and metal: the bridge pickup is an EMG 81, the neck pickup is an EMG 85, and a fixed Tune-O-Matic bridge anchors the strings through the body. The guitar has 24 jumbo frets, a 25.51-inch scale, and no included case or gig bag.

Owner reports are strongly positive about the guitar's appearance, feel, and sound. Several describe it as ready to play on arrival, with stable tuning and a comfortable neck. There are also reports of individual instruments arriving with setup or fret issues, so the overall picture is favorable but not entirely uniform. At a listed price of $875, that variation is worth keeping in mind.

Build and hardware

The matte black finish gives the Damien a restrained look, while the platinum bat fingerboard inlays and silver-platinum multi-ply binding supply its more distinctive visual details. The body is mahogany, with no separate top. Chrome-finished hardware, Grover machine heads, and a Graph Tech XL Black TUSQ nut complete the specification.

The neck is maple and set into the body. Schecter specifies a Thin C neck profile, a 42 mm nut width, and a 355 mm fingerboard radius. The rosewood fingerboard carries 24 jumbo frets. One owner praised the fret ends as smoothly finished and rounded, and other comments describe the neck as comfortable and quick to play. Those impressions suggest a guitar that suits fast fretting without demanding a particularly wide nut.

Reports on setup are less consistent. Some buyers received instruments that were tuned and set up, and one said the guitar held standard tuning through frequent string bending. Another owner, however, reported that their guitar arrived badly adjusted and needed fret work. A separate report mentions buzzing on the high E string caused by low string clearance. These are owner experiences, not proof of a recurring defect, but they make an inspection and setup check sensible after delivery.

Pickups and playing character

The active EMG 81 bridge and EMG 85 neck humbuckers are central to the Damien's sound. Players describe the output as tight, powerful, and well suited to metal. One reviewer expected a more aggressive, brighter voice but found this guitar warmer and rounder than anticipated. That difference is useful context: the pickup names give a familiar starting point, yet the guitar's overall voice may not match every player's expectations.

Volume and tone controls are paired with a three-way pickup selector. That layout keeps the controls straightforward, and the two pickups provide distinct positions for switching between a focused bridge sound and a fuller neck sound. Owners report that the guitar also works for clean playing, though one reviewer felt other guitars might be better suited to clean-focused styles. The strongest consensus is around hard rock and heavy music, where the active pickups' output and definition are a natural fit.

The fixed bridge has a Tune-O-Matic design with strings routed through the body. There is no tremolo system. Players who rely on a vibrato arm should look elsewhere, while those who prefer a fixed bridge get a simpler setup and a direct, familiar string path. Several owners mention strong tuning stability, although proper setup and string installation still matter.

What owners like, and what to check

• Playability: Buyers repeatedly describe the neck as smooth and comfortable, with a profile that supports fast playing.
• Sound: The active EMG pickups draw praise for strong metal tones, with some players also enjoying a warmer voice than expected.
• Finish and appearance: The matte black finish, binding, and bat inlays make a clear impression in owner feedback.
• Setup variation: Many instruments arrived ready to play, but reports of fret work, buzzing, or poor adjustment show that condition can vary.
• Included accessories: Neither a case nor a gig bag is included, a frequent point of disappointment in the reviews.

Verdict

The Schecter Damien Platinum 6 SBK makes the most sense for players who want a fixed-bridge guitar with active humbuckers and a comfortable, fast-feeling neck. Its mahogany body, set-in maple neck, and EMG 81/85 pairing give it a clear hard-rock and metal focus, while owner feedback suggests it can deliver a warmer voice than some players expect. The reported build and playing quality are impressive for the price, but setup experiences differ, and the absence of a case or bag adds to the cost of ownership. Check the fretwork and action when it arrives, or budget for a professional setup.