Schecter Demon S-II SB

Schecter Demon S-II SB review

The Schecter Demon S-II SB is a matte-black, solid-body electric guitar built around a straightforward heavy-rock and metal setup. Its specification sheet lists a basswood body, a maple neck, a wenge fingerboard, 24 frets, and two Schecter Diamond Active HB-105S humbuckers. There is no tremolo, and the Tune-O-Matic bridge anchors the strings through the body. The listed price is 566, and the model has been available since February 2023.

That combination gives the Demon S-II SB a clear focus. The active pickup pair, fixed bridge, and 24-fret layout suit players looking for a direct, high-output instrument rather than a guitar with vintage-style controls or a floating tremolo. Owner feedback broadly supports the heavy sound, but reports on setup and finishing are mixed enough that a hands-on inspection matters.

Neck and playing feel

The maple neck has a thin C profile and a 628 mm (24.75-inch) scale. Its wenge fingerboard has a 355 mm radius, a 42 mm nut width, and 24 X-Jumbo frets. Gray pearloid Gothic Cross inlays provide the model's most distinctive fingerboard detail. The neck has no gloss finish, according to one owner, who describes it as smooth and quick to play. Another player found the neck thickness comfortable.

The scale length is shorter than a 25.5-inch design, but the instrument still has a full-size neck and a relatively broad set of playing positions thanks to its 24 frets. One reviewer needed time to adjust after moving from smaller guitars, although they felt the change was worth making. That is a personal adjustment rather than a defect, but it is relevant if you are used to a compact instrument.

Setup quality is the more important caveat. One owner says their guitar arrived well adjusted, while another reports high nut slots and poor intonation in the upper positions, attributing the problem to string action. That buyer says a luthier visit was necessary to make the guitar reasonably playable and advises budgeting for additional setup work. The contrasting accounts suggest that setup can vary from one instrument to another. Check the nut, action, and intonation before committing, or allow time for a professional adjustment.

Pickups, controls, and bridge

Schecter fits two Diamond Active HB-105S humbuckers, one at the bridge and one at the neck. Controls consist of a volume knob, a tone knob, and a three-way pickup selector. Owners describe the pickups as unusually strong and distinctive, with one comparing their character to active EMG pickups. Another reports a heavy, clear sound that exceeded expectations. These are subjective impressions, but they match the instrument's active humbucker configuration and intended high-gain use.

The bridge is a Tune-O-Matic design with strings routed through the body. With no tremolo system, the setup is mechanically simple compared with a guitar fitted with a floating bridge. The black and chrome hardware contrasts with the matte-black finish. The original string set is Ernie Ball Regular Slinky No. 2221, gauged.010 to.046. One owner uses a custom.011 to.062 set in drop C, showing that a heavier setup is possible, though changing string gauge and tuning can require adjustments to the instrument.

Construction and finish

The body is listed as basswood, with no separate top. The black finish and Gothic Cross inlays give the guitar a dark, recognizable look without adding decorative trim. Several owners praise its appearance and overall quality, and one reports a flawless finish. Another describes the construction as well made and says the guitar arrived properly set up.

There is also a sharply negative report. One buyer describes poor finishing, says the mounting hardware for the strings sits at an angle because the body holes are too large, and reports that the hardware oxidized quickly. These are specific complaints from an individual owner, not proof that every unit has the same problems. Still, they make a careful inspection sensible, particularly around the string-through-body hardware and finish.

Verdict

The Schecter Demon S-II SB offers a focused specification: active humbuckers, a fast-feeling thin C neck, 24 jumbo frets, and a fixed string-through-body bridge. Owner comments point to a forceful, clear sound and a comfortable neck, while setup and hardware reports are inconsistent. It is worth considering if you want a matte-black Schecter with active pickups and a no-tremolo layout. Before buying, inspect the finish and bridge hardware, then verify the nut height, action, and intonation. A good setup can make a substantial difference, and at least one buyer needed a luthier's work to get there.